I know there’s been much discussion o... - SHARE Metastatic ...

SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

6,792 members8,417 posts

I know there’s been much discussion on Ibrance Letrozole and hair loss- does it stop

DDIL1 profile image
16 Replies

Hi all,

Everyone here is so helpful, I’ve read many posts about Ibrance, Letrozole and xcheva and hair loss.

My question will it stop? Taking Biotin not helping, wash hair only a few times a week. I “had” extremely thick hair and it’s so fine now.

Hoping it stops and re-grows I’m on my 6th month of this stuff. It is always something but happy to be alive and seeing shrinkage. Thank you

Written by
DDIL1 profile image
DDIL1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
16 Replies

Mine did stop and my hair has gotten back to it's original thickness. I was losing it by the handfuls at first. I got a halo hair piece that helped my confidence. I have had to stop Ibrance 2x for a few months, once for surgery/radiation and once for COVID. I experienced hair loss again both times, but it stopped and came back. Fight on sister!

China40 profile image
China40

Mine really thinned and I cut it very short and wore a wig or scarf out for a few months but after 9 months from start of treatment it was growing again, i dyed it then and nearly a year later its almost back to normal, was a bit fine to begin with but still growing ok, its horrible when it starts to fall out but my oncologist said she had never had anyone lose all their hair and she was right. I’m sure you will be the same.

DDIL1 profile image
DDIL1 in reply toChina40

Thank you, I hope the same happens for me❤️

Garden-Lady profile image
Garden-Lady

Hi DDIL1, I've been on the combinaron for 15 months now, though the dose of Ibrance has been reduced from 125 mg to 75 mg sur to litres neutrophiles.I am still losing hair, and my hair is also finer now. However, I still look reasonable 'normal' and I feel the hair loss has slowed down a little bit. I use a handmade organic bar shampoo and find washing once a week is now sufficient. None of this is perfect, but I'm grateful for having hair and it not becoming a major problem. I hope your hair loss stabilises too.

DDIL1 profile image
DDIL1 in reply toGarden-Lady

Thank you.

Nocillo profile image
Nocillo

Mine stopped around the 8 month mark if I remember correctly. It is concerning at first, but should stabilize .

DDIL1 profile image
DDIL1 in reply toNocillo

🙏 thank you

HorizonViews316 profile image
HorizonViews316

Hi. I'm have been on the same combo since May 2021. Have actually not experienced a lot of the hair loss. I would suggest reading up on vitamins, especially calcium and collagen. I'm one of the bad patients where I read everything I can and make my decisions and THEN tell my doctor. That said, I was diagnosed Stage 4 MBC in March of 2021. Since then, have had very little symptoms from either Ibrance or letrozole. I also take vitamins D3, B12, B-complex, turmeric, E, calcium, collagen, zinc and fenben. Again, I did a lot of reading and research on my own first and was going to do things my way. Hard headed, I know. But it has worked for me. It's been over a year, my numbers always look good, I've had very little symptoms, my tumors (3 on the right breast), have all reduced over 50%, in fact to a point where my surgeon, who had initially suggested double masectomy indicated that there is no need for any surgery at this time.

Be optimistic. We are always stronger than we think we are! Good luck to you and think happy thoughts always!

DDIL1 profile image
DDIL1 in reply toHorizonViews316

I’m the same. Diagnosed Jan 2022. Lots of research and daily checking on new treatments. PracticeUpdate is a great resource. I do take D3, Biotin, B12. My calcium is fine and was told not to take it. I do take EMERGEN-C daily as well. Hoping it will just stop. I’m 61 and went through menopause already so I would have thought the meds wouldn’t have such an impact. I think everyone is so different. Thank you for your reply . I will check out Fenben that’s one I was not aware of. My breast tumor is gone, my lymph is 70% reduced, and limited bone Mets, CA27.29 went from 135 to 66. I have scans tomorrow.. 🙏🙏 no progression. It’s always a worry even if things are going in the right direction since I’m Lobular it hides everywhere. Thanks again for your reply

bracelets1 profile image
bracelets1 in reply toHorizonViews316

Hi! What type of collagen to do you take pills or powder? My onc ( who I adore) doesn't recommend it, but said if I want to give it a try, go ahead. I believe all bodies are different so why not give it a whirl. Sounds like your treatment is really working well, and that is wonderful! Thanks for your response! Blessings!

HorizonViews316 profile image
HorizonViews316 in reply tobracelets1

Hi. As mentioned, I'm one of those bad patients who does first then asks afterwards :). But I do a lot of research and reading which is how I arrived at taking collagen. The bottle I have is by Spring Valley. I believe Walmart carries it. As mentioned, I take it in the mornings with my other vitamins including calcium. Hopefully it works for you too. Be blessed!

Hi I had hair loss ..My hair was full ..

Thinned out some..

It stopped now

I take FLORA SILL..for hair and nails

You can find in a health food store or Amazon...take 2 every morning and 2 at night ...Will not interfere with your meds...it will strengthen your hair and nails...l have been taken it for years

That's what keeps my hair strong

I shampoo and condition Monday

Rest of week till Friday l just use conditioner..hair stays soft

Picture of Flora Sill
DDIL1 profile image
DDIL1 in reply to

Thank you. I will try it!

in reply toDDIL1

Takes about a month or more To get in your system

Pending on the person

But

It works

I have showed to many friends and they like it..

You may find your hair grows faster

Does with me

Down to my waist....now

Smiles and Hugs

wendle3007 profile image
wendle3007

I wonder whether there's a difference as to how soon after chemotherapy you start the drugs? My hair had grown back fully from chemo before I started letrozole/ibrance. I finished chemo early August and did not start the drugs until October. Whilst there is certainly some shedding when I brush my hair, it's not a lot and not noticeable to others. In fact my hairdresser can't believe how thick my hair is. Just wondering if those experiencing more hair loss still had "baby hair" after chemo and that's why it's falling?

Hotlantaphatz profile image
Hotlantaphatz

My experience with IBRANCE and Faslodex is my hair is growing but it is really thin. I changed my hairstyle to all natural (Black hair no straightening) and it makes it easier to tolerate the thinning. when I was first diagnosed in 2013 my hair was falling out all over the place so I chopped it off. It was initial stressful but I got use to the new look and focused on the funky symptoms from the meds. Just trying to say, I am sure it will grow back. Hang in there! X

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Ibrance and letrozole hair loss and hair coloring

Hi everyone :) I am a 52 year old woman, who had stage 4 breast cancer and also a full mastectomy....
JenniJenni profile image

Ibrance and Letrozole -= hair change/loss

I have been on the above for nearly 24 months and they appear to be doing what they' re meant to...
LorryLou profile image

Hair weirdness on Ibrance/letrozole

Hi. I've been on Ibrance/letrozole for 14 months. My hair has thinned considerably, but it's also...
Southside25 profile image

Should I dye my hair whilst on Ibrance and Letrozole?

Hi, I take Ibrance and letrozole and I was thinking of having my hair dyed but was unsure whether...
VRgirl profile image

Hair Loss while on IBrance?

After my 3rd recurrance of breast cancer (all in breast and chest area) and even after bi lateral...
sonycamera profile image

Moderation team

See all
Jslanovich profile image
JslanovichAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.