THAT HAIR ISSUE AGAIN!: Hello, MBC... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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THAT HAIR ISSUE AGAIN!

SeattleMom profile image
37 Replies

Hello, MBC friends taking Ibrance.

I’ve been on the Ibrance/Letrozole combo for almost a year and would guess my hair has thinned about 50%. For those of you on same protocol for longer period (2 years? 3 years? 4 years? More?) is there any end in sight? Does it ever stop? Is there ever any regrowth?

I take biotin capsules rather sporadically, wash my hair only twice weekly with biotin-based shampoo, comb my wet hair carefully, and dry hair at lower speed and temperature. Still my hair continues to thin.

I know this is not a major complaint but gosh, it’s depressing! Any input would be much appreciated! Love and prayers for all of you! ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻 Linda

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SeattleMom
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37 Replies
nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks

I've been on Ibrance at least 3 years. My hair has gone from thick and wirey to whispy rabbit fur. My nails are also thinner. I have not been consistent with Biotin, so not fair of me to say it doesn't work. The good news is I still have hair. I haven't noticed any regrowth, but I seem to be keeping what I've got. There are days I notice hairs on my shirts (ouch). I keep it short. After chemo I decided to forego hair color, so I wear my white and put purple highlights in. I keep it quite short. I use eyebrow products and wear lipstick and earrings to compensate for this new me. I've tried a lot of thickening products with mixed results, but my new best friend is "Got to be Glued" in a yellow tube. Used very carefully and sparingly, it gives my hair some lift and shape. If you use too much, it does look like glue. I miss my hair, but have gotten use to this. Hope to be on Ibrance for a long time!

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply tonstonerocks

Thank you, N! I will not complain again! LOL! You are absolutely right--I am SO GRATEFUL for the GOOD THINGS provided from Ibrance. Have a wonderful day!! XXOO Linda

in reply toSeattleMom

SM go on and complain! It’s healthy to blow off steam. I do all the time. This lifestyle is not easy. You get to the point where losing your hair is just another, albeit smaller, insult to your self esteem, but one you can laugh at. It’s not that I don’t care how I look, but what the h am I supposed to do? I have quite a lipstick collection, but keep losing earrings. 👄

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply to

LOL!! You made my morning!! ❤️❤️

NPmary profile image
NPmary in reply tonstonerocks

I've been afraid to cut my hair as it doesn't grow much at all but l think it would look better shorter. Considering bad haircuts love had in the past - that scares me too. (vain l am).

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks in reply toNPmary

Depending on how thin is gets, for me shorter definitely better. A good hair paste or spiking gel is my new friend

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth

Hi there

I’ve only been on Ibrance six months but have had some thinning especially around the sides

I’ve had some extensions put in..very extravagant but they look fab..even though I feel rubbish and in pain from my bone mets I’m still a bit vain do what the hell!!

Hopefully they won’t fall out with the hair!

Disappointingly my horse didn’t notice!!

Barb xx

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply toBarbteeth

LOL!! How long do the extensions last? Hadn't thought of that!

And hang in there; I'm betting your back aches will eventually soothe down! You are always in my prayers! XXOO Linda

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply toSeattleMom

Hi Linda

The extensions last about 4-6 months then they grow down and then can be replaced..also you can donate the old ones to a children’s cancer charity to make wigs for them so that’s good

My back and shoulders hurt but only when I exercise so just take painkillers and get on with it..just rode my horse and it was nearly dark when I left him..ugh hate winter

Sending you my good wishes

Barb xx

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply toBarbteeth

Not to belabor you with questions about extensions, but how do you care for them? Thanks, Barb!

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply toSeattleMom

Hi Linda

The hairdresser supplied shampoo and conditioner..Kerastase..can’t use any with oils or that softens the bonds and they can come out..have to try not to tangle hair so just pat dry after washing and dry on medium heat..have a special brush which brushes over the bonds..honestly it sounds like hassle but isn’t at all..I’ve used my straighteners but not where the extensions join on..no problem

Definitely worth it..are you going to get some?.. go for it

Barb xx

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply toBarbteeth

I think I will. It doesn't sound like it's any more complicated than the care I'm taking with my hair right now. Thanks, Barb!! You are an inspiration!! LOL!! Linda

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply toSeattleMom

Do it!!!

Barb xx

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply toSeattleMom

Hi Linda

Did you get any hair extensions?

Just wondered..two of mine have fallen out but he did put 100 in so that’s nothing!!..they still look good

Barb xx

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply toBarbteeth

Not yet, Barb. I know so little about them; how do they work during shampoo and comb out? How are they applied? How long do they last? I'm a hair care nerd. :) Thanks for asking! XXOO

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply toSeattleMom

Hi

They attach very thin strands of hair to thin strands of your own hair using a heated thing so the two sections bond together

Just shampoo with non oily shampoo (Kerastase) and they give you a brush that doesn’t get tangled in the extensions

Well worth it

Barb xx

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply toBarbteeth

That sounds so cool! Thank you, Barb!! XO

capemaggie profile image
capemaggie in reply toBarbteeth

Your horse is beautiful, Barb. You look amazing, too.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply tocapemaggie

Thank you

He’s called Bugsy and I adore him!!

All the best to you

Barb xx

thorson327 profile image
thorson327

Linda,

I was on Faslodex and Ibrance for 6mo. Hair was thinning for the 1st 4mo then ceased. Questioned dr if it was because the drugs were no longer working, he said no. At 6mo reck PET scan, the drugs were no longer contolling my dz. So hopefully your hair loss is a sign that the combo of drugs is still effective.

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Hi, Sandra! So true!! Complaint is totally minor compared to the benefit! XO Linda

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Hi, Thorson! Hope that your new protocol is successful for long time to come! God bless you! XO Linda

Loriterranova profile image
Loriterranova

Hi all!!! I love reading your comments!!! I became metastatic almost 2 years ago and doc swapped out my tomoxifin for letrozole/femara. My hair has been thinning horribly from that Med. I had my 2nd metastatic spread in September and in the process of getting a few consults from breast cancer Oncologists. Most likely will start the falsodex/ Ibrance combo with the month. Can’t imagine my hair would get any more thin than it is now but who knows!!!

I love following all your posts....

Lori

Evaf profile image
Evaf

Hi, the hair thinning is not fun. I am on 6th cycle of Ibrance and Letrozole and my hair has thinned considerably. However, it stopped falling around the 4th cycle. I had a CT scan 2 weeks ago and mets have all gone from my bones so it is still working even though hair has stopped falling. I am taking Nourkrin and Biotin and I think that helps. I bought the Halo and the Fall from Halo Couture and I wear one or the other everyday. They look very natural and I don't worry as much about my hair now.

Jaxon2007 profile image
Jaxon2007

Be thankful your hair is thinning. I was on the same and my hair thinned at first then stopped and started getting thicker. I knew then it was no longer working and when got the results of scan i was right. Good luck to you

blms profile image
blms

Yes, as long as Ibrance is killing bone marrow production we are going to have hair loss/or no growth. Doesn’t really matter what we do on outside, it’s falli because of what we are doing on inside.

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI

When I was on Letrozole and Zometa, my hair got thicker and curlier! Unbelievable. That continued while I was on Faslodex for several years but when Ibrance was added, it thinned out, though I still have a couple of chin hairs that I wish would disappear! I did not tolerate Ibrance well, ended up with lung issues and have been off it for two years but the lung and hair issues continue. I've had MBC for over 14 years and am grateful to have very cooperative cancer cells that respond well to treatment. I have "extensive" bone mets and know that eventually there will be problems but I try to live for now as much as I can.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie

After 12 months also on Ibrance / Letrozole my hair has thinned greatly , mostly in the first few months and especially at the front and sides . Now I don’t seem to shed much but my hair texture is more course. ( though previous years of straighteners probably didn’t help !) I have had it cut into a short bob so that it looks fuller and have a few blond highlights. I also use the German phyto caffeine shampoo which I like to think has encouraged regrowth. I also use a hair balm from Amazon ( Joico K-Pak Style Smoothing Balm ) to strengthen and protect and this helps to combat the dryness. (I did try Moroccan Oil but found it too heavy for my fine hair). I still blow dry my hair 3 times a week but no longer use my straighteners . But I am happy I still have my own hair as I know it could be a lot worse , and it’s the price I have to pay to fight this chronic illness. x

Kakoburr profile image
Kakoburr

Hey there! On the combo for over two years: have slow growing cat hair but i do think a good biotin combo formula helps— strengthens nails and skin too

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply toKakoburr

Thank you, Kako! ❤️

Halfpint2 profile image
Halfpint2

I’ve had the same response and I’ve been on that same combination for nearly two years. I’m having g to settle with short haircuts and thin hair. I buy a powder product called Caboki to fill in the thin spots. It’s very helpful for my self esteem. Google them and get a sample. It seems like a little sacrifice but I totally understand. God Bless you.

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Thank you, Halfpint! I’ll try the Caboki! ❤️🙏🏻

NPmary profile image
NPmary

YES, l went to a good salon and told them about my hair, asked for who they would recommend. Got a shorter haircut that does look better, using 2 products together a styling gel and a smoothing cream. My hair has become ridiculously curly, found out it needs so much moisture especially in winter. My sister thought l had a hairdresser give me these curls l told her it was from my med and she laughed hysterically even as l told her l hated it. With the help of the products I'm making peace with it and planning on cutting it shorter. Found a good looking picture by googling haircuts for older women with curly hair. Good luck to you Sandra, Mary.

NPmary profile image
NPmary

Good luck, thanks for replying.

I say no matter what the scan results - treat yourself, maybe you will feel better. Someone told me whatever the scan results are we are already living wth the results so that makes me feel better when I am waiting.

NPmary profile image
NPmary

Sandra, girl I'm glad the words helped you and so very happy you took care of yourself and got your hair done 🙂 good for you. When will you find out about the scan? I'm guessing it's good news because if docs are very concerned they will often call and see you sooner. If you still have to wait a long time you could consider calling. In any case do what's right for you and feel free to let me know. Praying for you, Mary.

viennagirl profile image
viennagirl

I am trying to find a solution to this problem. I have thin hair to begin with and losing it is very distressing.

If learn anything helpful I will post it on HealthUnlocked. Yes, it is certainly depressing. Other than this I hope you and all the other lovely ladies are going to turn mbc into a cure. Hugs Marlene

Sammie76 profile image
Sammie76

I heard Hawthorn Berry is very helpful in growing hair back, has anyone tried this?

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