To how much hair loss?

[cheflala]

I am on my 6th cycle of Ibrance/faslodex after finding out I have MBC to my spine (t11). A PET scan 3 months ago showed improvement. I am on 125 mg dose. I am noticing significant hair loss (no other side effects except low WBC). Will this continue? Do I need to start planning for a hairpiece or wig if it continues? Thanks for your input. Cheflala

[MyMiracle13]

Hi there. I experienced hair thinning and hair loss the first few months of being on Ibrance/Faslodex. The hair loss stopped after about 6 months but my hair is still thin. I used to use Minoxidil but it did not help the hair loss. Someone on this forum suggested CEL MD Hair Stimulation Serum which seems to work for me.

[cheflala in reply to MyMiracle13]

Thanks. I’ll try it

[janetjanssen in reply to MyMiracle13]

My husband uses a line of MONAT hair products for his thinning hair. I am using now as well since I'm now having hair loss after starting Ibrance and Fazlodex. I don't know if it will help for my problem though.

[Barbteeth]

Hi there

I’ve been on Ibrance since June 2018 and I noticed thinning of my hair especially at the sides...as it’s long and I didn’t want to have it cut short...I’ve had extensions put in and they look nice...the thought of a wig at this stage doesn’t appeal

Barb xx

[cheflala in reply to Barbteeth]

Good advice. Thanks

[kearnan in reply to Barbteeth]

How long do extensions last? Are they easy to take care of? I think they may be expensive. My hair is fine. It does not look super thin and I have no specific bald spots. Just always wanted to get extensions but I figure that would be an on-going expense that I don't need right now.

[Barbteeth in reply to kearnan]

They are expensive but last about 4 months...don’t fall out just grow down as hair grows out

I never go to hairdressers apart from these...costs £450 which I don’t think is that bad...would probably spend that in four months with regular hair appointments

You just have to be careful not to use products with oils as they can soften the bond...I swim and everything in mine and the odd one comes out but he puts 100 extensions in so it doesn’t matter

Treat yourself

Barb xx

[Jonesburger]

Hi - I’ve been on Ibrance 100mg and Arimidex 1mg for about 9 cycles. Bone mets on spine and left thigh. My hair has thinned and so has my eyebrows. My eyebrows thinning out bother me the most. It’s starting from the tail. I’m just putting castor oil on eyebrows at night while I do research on what I can take to improve the hair loss.

[cheflala in reply to Jonesburger]

Thanks for reply. My eyebrows are thinning too. Am experimenting with pencils and powders (they are light blonde so maybe not as noticeable as darker brows.). Just another wrinkle in this crazy life of mbc!

[Barbteeth in reply to Jonesburger]

Have you thought about having your eyebrows tattooed...had mine done and look fab...no messing with pencils etc...I swim a lot so nice to have brows!!

Barb xx

[Jonesburger in reply to Barbteeth]

Hi Barb - I prefer not to go down the tattoo route. Personal preference.

i can handle thinning.. I just don't want it all to disappear like it did during chemo which I don't think will happen with Ibrance (at least I hope not).

[Libra48 in reply to Barbteeth]

I did permanent eyebrows a few years ago and have no regrets. I do a touch up every year but not sure if it’s safe to do with mbc?

[Barbteeth in reply to Libra48]

Oh I’m sure it’s safe...some ladies on here have Botox and fillers as well and have been told it’s ok

The needles are sterile just as those used for our blood tests so I don’t see a problem as the dye is put locally not systemically

My opinion

Barb xx

[Mindysooty in reply to Barbteeth]

I keep toying with this idea, feel it would be better than drawing them on every day.

[CincinnatiExperience in reply to Jonesburger]

My brows thinned out on chemo 17 years ago and never really came back. I use Clinique products, so I use their eye SHADOW and a brush to fill in my brows. It lasts all day.

Good luck! My hair is also thinning on Verzenio/Faslodex, but I figure there is not much I can do about that so I plan to just live with it.

Anne

[kearnan]

When I was on Ibrance, I was told my hair would "shed" not come out in chunks like chemo. I checked the shower every day and there was not much hair there so I thought okay, I lucked out in that respect nor was there much hair in my brush. Then I decided to vacuum my huge area rug which is black, maroon and beige. When I went to clean it out (and I clean it out every time I vacuum), that day I noticed that the whole vacuum cleaner had loads of hair it in. I have no kids. You would have thought I had a dog. I was shocked by how much my hair had shed without my being aware of it.

But it was suggested to use silk pillow coverings because they are easier on the head at night than regular cotton so I went and bought two of them. But I am off the Ibrance now - was only one for three cycles but it caused too many problems, not progression. I am now on Verzenio and every single day when I clean the drain, there is alot of hair there. But I still do not notice it myself on my head nor do I have any bald spots.

[Jonesburger in reply to kearnan]

Sorry to hear you see a lot of hair in the drain. But good that you don't notice it on your head. My hair was always thin and fine so the hair lose/thinning is more noticeable on my head.

[kearnan in reply to Jonesburger]

I am not even sure it if from the Verzenio, I am 59. Some of my non-cancer friends tell me that they too are losing hair. Getting old, such fun When I was on the Ibrance (only three cycles), I did buy the silk pillows cover bc I seen many women on another board say it was alot easier on the hair. But many of them were waking up and seeing hair on their pillow. Mine was so weird. It was shedding but I didn't even notice it until I vacuumed.

[Lilykristymichael]

I purchased a wig before I started treatment, just in case. My beautician cut it on my head and no one can tell it's a wig. After 5 months on Ibrance and Arimidex I find that my hair is thinning but not to the point where I need to wear the wig. I f it keeps coming out, I am afraid a wig will be necessary.

[cheflala in reply to Lilykristymichael]

Thanks for your reply. It makes me feel that maybe I can get by with my own hair(which I want)

[kearnan in reply to cheflala]

Sure you can. Style it a different way or find out what products to use. I don't think I would want to wear a wig. Maybe get a different style haircut where it would not show. I don't have thick eyebrows to begin with. So I haven;t noticed any difference there. I would not be willing to get tattoos of brows. what if they made a mistake? Even though I like the idea of permanent eye liner, I would NEVER go to a salon and let them do it. I would want a doctor, not a technician. Not taking a chance when it comes to my eyes or face when it is not a medical professional doing it and even then I would probably not get it done.

[janetjanssen]

Following. I'm on my 2nd month of Ibrance and Fazlodex and having hair loss too.

[Lolabazzle in reply to janetjanssen]

I am right there with you. My hair is getting real thin around my face and I can see it every time I look in the mirror.

[Rotagirl]

Hi Cheflala, I have thin fine hair anyway and the thinning g caused by Ibrance has made me look like I am 103! As I don't want to look like that yet, although I am 79, I bought a wig from the UK charity Wig bank....preloved wigs. Everyone comments on how natural it looks and although I hate having to wear it it is very comfortable and takes years off me! My hair has grown back a bit but not enough to give me confidence to go out without the wig. I potter around at home without it sometimes. My hair started to thin after 6 months. I am now on cycle 16. All the best, Fay

[jstickrod]

I was on Ibrance/Faslodex for 18 months, but had to switch in April of this year to Xeloda. My hair thinned a lot on the sides of my head while on Ibrance. I finally went to my stylist and got a hair "topper", not a wig, but it clips onto the top of your head with 5 clips. I absolutely love it.....no one can tell it is not my real hair, it blends in so nice. I wear it when I go out any day, can take it off at home. Now that I am on Xeloda, my hair is growing back on the sides. The topper would probably not be necessary to wear any more, but my hair is so damaged from the chemo drugs that I prefer to wear it. It only cost about $250, and lasts about 6-8 months. Good luck!

[kearnan in reply to jstickrod]

Curious to know why your onco put you on Xeloda. I only lasted on Ibrance for three cycles. I am now on lowest dose of Verzenio 50 mgs. twice per day (the 150 and 100 mgs. knocked the crap out of me and I do that mean that literally, severe diarrhea.) I am not thrilled with how I am feeling even on the lowest dose. How are the side effects on that? If I do not have plans, when I wash my hair and put conditioner on, I let it dry naturally. I avoid using the blow dryer unless I have specific plans. I figure less wear and tear.

[jstickrod in reply to kearnan]

Ibrance stopped working, as my body was getting so many infections. Switched to Xeloda, because it does not affect your white blood count. Very few side effects, except for the neuropathy in my feet. Been on it for 7 months.

[Lilykristymichael in reply to jstickrod]

Thanks for this tip. I ordered a topper today from my beautician. She only charged mec$100. I think their cost is somewhere around $50!

[mariootsi]

I am on Ibrance also. I am experiencing more and more hair loss the longer I'm on it.

[BlueEyedC]

I've been on iBrance for over three years. My hair has definitely thinned, as have my eyebrows, but not to the point where I need a wig. I always had thick hair before, so that probably helps. I just turned 70, though, so at this age I think it's normal to have hair thinning even if you're not on drugs! I almost never see hair on my pillow, so I don't know if that means my hair isn't thinning anymore??

Funny thing - just coincidentally i just came back from getting my hair cut. The stylist (who's been cutting my hair for two years) asked me if I wanted him to trim my brows. I asked him to repeat it - three times -- I wasn't wearing hearing aids and I thought I misheard him. Trim????? I'd like you to THICKEN them! Can you do that??? That was a first. LOL

[Teddielottie]

My fine hair has thinned , mainly at the front and sides , and has become very dry on the ends after 24 cycles of ibrance , but I have found having a shorter style now ( a very short bob with blonde highlights) makes it look a little fuller . I have found a lovely hairdresser my own age (50’s) who understands , and I now have it trimmed every 6 weeks , as the ends become very dry and go frizzy and I have foil highlights every few months as they add depth to my hair . I also use a lovely scented smoothing hair balm to smooth and protect my hair before I give it a quick blow dry several times a week .

My eyebrows are still there ...albeit thinned too , but I no longer need to pluck them . For special occasions and holidays , I go to my local beauticians and have an eye brow tint in a shade darker than my hair and they wax the blonde fuzzy area under my brow line , which takes just 20 mins . The tint lasts about 3 weeks and my treatment is inexpensive at £16 and I find it makes a difference and makes me feel good too ! I have never had an eyebrow tattoo tho ‘ .

I think it is all about making the best of what you have and feeling good in yourself , given that we are on these meds for a reason x

[cheflala in reply to Teddielottie]

Thanks for your very helpful advice😊

[Kathyquilts]

I lost a lot of hair, mostly around my face. The rest thinned. I did get a wig. I stopped Ibrance after 18 months due to low WBC. That was April. Today was my first day without a wig. Some is curly, and some straight. I used to have only straight hair. I think it may revert back to that.

[Barbteeth]

Looking on the bright side I have no hair under my armpits now...every cloud has a silver lining

Barb xx

[Teddielottie in reply to Barbteeth]

Me too and hardly any on my legs ... no longer spend money on lady razors ! 😹

[Red71 in reply to Barbteeth]

Me too! No shaving anymore but my hair has started to thicken up after getting thin enough that I bought a wig which I have never worn. However, my grandsons love trying it on!

[Mindysooty]

hi, on my 6th cycle of Ibrance/Letrozole and my hair has thinned out a lot but before the meds it was really thick so it's still passable. I have to clean my hairbrush every day though as it's full and I've noticed at a couple of meetings I've been to at work, my hair ends up all over the meeting table in front of me which is a bit embarrassing. Not sure how it ends up there, it's not like I'm flicking it about lol, it must just keep falling out randomly.

[Rbeth in reply to Mindysooty]

Yes, my hair did the same thing. After about 6 months it is growing back. I don’t have brush problems. Good Luck. Reenie

[cheflala in reply to Rbeth]

Thanks for responding

[PJBinMI]

Another area where we e ach respond differently. I have a cancer that is highly E + and has responded well to anti-estrogen treatment but my hair actually got thicker! I didn't notice it but my hair stylist has! She's been doing my hair for almost 20 years and her husband has cancer so she's paid alot of attention to how cancer treatments effect our hair. My hair has always been fine, wavy and probably very medium in thickness. I've had mbc for over 15 years and my hair has gotten curlier, too. Very weird. Of course when I got the diagnosis, I immediately thought I'd lose my hair and got fitted for an expensive wig....cancelled that order when my onc told me I'd unlikely lose my hair. So then I decided that as long as I have hair, I'd have as much fun with it as possible! I've done red, light brown, blonde, highlights, low lights. Now I'm letting the color grow out--more gray than when I started this cancer thing. I want to see what it's like in it's natural color. It generally been kinda mousy brown. So I've colored it for years. Right now it's kinda mid length. not to my shoulders but not really short either.

[Rbeth in reply to PJBinMI]

I let my hair grow out and my grey is very pretty. I like the natural look. Go grey!! Reenie