This is really just a moan, nothing I can do to change things.
Finished treatment in December 2019 after 13 chemo sessions ( nasty time with doc, changed to weekly pac) and 28 rads. All along I was assured my hair would grow back. At the time I wasnt worried and my wig was rather fetching!
However my hair has NOT grown back properly and I’ve had to accept it never will. It’s fine at sides and back but top is very thin and sparse. All the fancy shampoos, conditioners and treatments in the world aren’t making a blind bit of difference.
Yes, I could wear my wig but it’s not very comfortable and I dont want it anyway.
I appreciate it’s a small price to pay for good health but every time I look in the mirror it’s another reminder of the cancer.
Pollensa Don’t know if you have tried extra dark Jamaican black castor oil, rub on scalp leave for hour wash off with lush shampoo bar called new it’s like a red dot? Worked well for me when hair didn’t want to seem to grow back Just wanted to share with you so you could try if you have not already Shi xx
It’s sh** isn’t it? Mine isn’t as bad as you describe but is definitely caused by the anastrozole I’m on. In fact, I would even narrow it down to particular brands but my pharmacist says it’s not scientifically possible for one brand to have different side-effects compared to other brands. May she never have breast cancer.
I have a home-cut fringe to conceal my male-pattern-baldness temples but there’s little I can do to conceal the thinning of the top. Fortunately my hair is white so it’s less obvious. I’m waiting for my vaccinations and the freedom to shop around pharmacies to go back to the brand I was on before this ‘disaster’ occurred.
i am moaning with you! I finished 4 chemo cycles six months ago (taxotere and cyclophosphamide) and thought I would have a decent head of hair now. I knew it would take time to grow in, but I thought it would be all over. Mine too is good on the sides and back but quite thin on the top and crown. I always had bangs but they don’t seem to be coming in. I’m on tamoxifen and am reading that it causes hair thinning.
Like you, I don’t like to whine because I’m so happy to have been diagnosed and treated In the early stage, but it’s hard to look in the mirror and look so different.
I’m wondering if you tried the Jamaican black astor oil and the lush shampoo bar that Shi recommended and did it help at all? Anything else that helped? Maybe it will grow in better with time? Here’s hoping!
Hi to all you ladies suffering with hair loss post treatment apar from the wonder drugs as in tamoxifen Anastrozole etc.
I completedmy treatment 6 chemo, 21 RT and then Anastrozole all was going well then my lovely new locks began to thin dramatically on the top of my head. Alopaecia was diagnosed due to the Anastrozole, it may not have just been the Anastrozole as I had a Zoledronic acid dripevery 6months for 3 years the first with the first lot of chemo. I was also on the Aspirin trial that is being run but I did not know if I was having Aspirin or a placebo. To cut a long story short all of the above in the small print can cause hair thinning.
I have never been blessed with luxurious hair but I did have hair and after everything we ladies go through I was very upset and reluctant to let anyone see me.
I approach my Oncologist who is a lovely man he and I did a great deal of research and came to the conclusion along with the Dermatologist that the only thing that may work is Regaine for hair loss. I was reluctant to go down this route as another drug/chemical eventually I secombed. I did research and there are a couple of Regaine products available for women a 2% and 5% the 2% has to be rubbed into the scalp twice a day and the 5% once. I felt the 5% was the route for me as it does leave a residue on the hair and looks like it needs a wash. I used it about an hour before I go to bed and then washed out in my morning shower.
I can say in all honesty that after 9months my hair has improved dramatically and I am no longer trying to hide my hair, as I have hair all over my head.
Advice: Before trying check with your Oncologist or GP that it will not interfere with your ongoing treatment.
For anyone over 65 the guidance does state for women between 18 and 65. I telephoned Regaine they have a help line for guidance to ensure appropriate for the end user. The reason that there is an age barrier is that the product was only tested on the 18-65 age group.
I buy mine from Boots it is £50 for 4months supply it is not available on the NHS. I took a deep breath when I saw the price but when I realised it was 4months supply I realised it was for 4months I was a happy bunny. Boots give you the points so it would work out a few pounds cheaper each month.
Please get medical advice before you use as it is a drug and could be contraindicated with certain medications.
There is a product that can be purchased which is small filaments that when sprayed onto the hair/scalp it will give the illusion of denser hair and hide the scalp. It is called Toppik there are other similar products available so do your research and find which woud suit you.
