I am on Ibrance/Faslodex since early June. Before that I had 1 1/2 cycles of Kiskali but had a severe adverse reaction and had to stop.
My hair started thinning on Kiskali, it is now shedding big time and I have lost about 50% of my hair. and the texture and appearance of my remaining hair has changed dramatically. I have gone from a fairly straight mid bob to wild woman.
My hair looks like cotton candy, frizzy and feels like straw.
I have tried, pre conditioner, masks, argan oil. I sleep on a silk pillowcase, shampoo only 1 a week and sparingly use the dryer. Nothing is working.
Has anyone experienced similar problems with their hair texture/appearance and did they find any solution?
I should add, I take omega 3 fish oils and recently have started taking biotin and rubbing in Minoxidil.
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Breege_M
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Oh yes. The thinning has stopped after about 6 months on Ibrance, but the texture is awful. Frizzy, flyaway and nothing like it used to be. I have tried all kinds of products, but the only thing that tames it down at all is not washing it. After a week or more it settles down. It doesn’t seem to get as greasy as when younger, so that’s a plus. I tried a pixie cut, but the little bits that should lie in front of the ears was a frizzy mess. Had to paste it down. I’m growing for a very short bob just below the ear. I think that’s what I’ll have to stick with. It’s not me at all, but I can only deal with so much anymore. Good luck!
Hi Nocillo, I dread washing my hair. Last week in addition to plentiful of individual hairs, two clumps fell out. 😟. I have given up going to the hairdresser. Between the amount of hair I would lose in the sink and then in the brushes it would be too upsetting.I will try to stretch out the weekly shampoo.
HI, Nicollo, I am new here. I am sorry things have changed for you. I started Ibrance about two months ago, I have had some thining, but my hair is now bone straight and sticking straight up on its own. Also painful scalp. Good luck, I hope things get so much better.
My hair was dry as a bone on Ibrance; I did take and still do take a supplement called Trichosense shop-apotheke.com/arzneimit...
that seems to help with hair loss. I'm in Germany, but think you can probably get this in Europe. Helped some with hair loss. I just use lots of grease (Argan oil, conditioner) and my hair recovers, slowly--but now I've just switched to the generic for Xeloda, so the hair problem may return, I suppose.
I looked at the ingredients of your supplement and unfortunately it contains cystine which I cannot take. Good that it is helping you. Good luck with the new meds.
Dear Breege_M. I hear you!! I was on Ibrance and Letrozole and now on Abraxane. It has thinned considerably and has gone from straight to very curly. I find this routine works well for me - without it, my hair is a huge frizz. I wash it about once a week with baby shampoo and some mild conditioner. After rinsing out the conditioner, I put a tiny bit of hair cream/mousse in it while it's still damp, to tame the frizzy curls. Each morning I reactivate the hair cream by getting my hands wet and running then through my hair - that does it for the day. About twice per week I will wet the hair and put a little conditioner on it - no shampoo, just conditioner - rinse it out, and add a little hair cream as before. This really works for me. Good luck!!
Thank you very much for your response. I will try you method and see if it helps me. I am also having problems with my finger nails and have an appointment next week with a dermatologist. I will also ask her about my hair and if she has any tips, I will pass them on.
Same frieze here with hair post 3 years on Ibrance. Same also as others with washing less frequently and using lots of conditioner. Usually where hair up or if feeling fancy will blow out with styling brush (spray on conditioner for dry hair helps too!). Be careful with vitamin E since usually our blood platelets are low on Ibrance so maybe contraindicated.
I Breege, I feel your frizz......and loss of hair. I had lost my hair initially when diagnosed with BC 16 years ago and that was easier to deal with than this constant reminder of MBC and looking different. I have been on Ibrance & Exemestane for 32 months (so grateful & thankful).
About 4 months ago I had a conversation with my onc about my hair. I never brought it up because I felt if my meds were working some hair loss, thinning and frizz was the least of my problems. BUT you know what, it did start to effect me and my confidence. he was so glad I brought it up and prescribed Minoxidil, 2.5 mg 1/2 tablet daily and ketoconozole shampoo to be used only every other day.
I have to say, my hair looks better, fuller and less sparse. I actually wash it maybe every 3 days but wet it every day to control it. I bought a topper (not a full wig) and actually feel my own hair when combed and I use an anti- frizz cream looks better.
I am so glad we have this forum to speak about our concerns. you all understand. My family and friends always try to encourage me - telling me I look great. Here we can really let our hair down
Hi There, Similar Ibrance hair side effects for me. The falling out got a bit better after 8 to 9 months of Ibrance. To improve the texture and brittle appearance, I started to washing my hair only twice a week and use Nexus shampoo/conditioner. I saw immediate improvement. It is a small price to pay to keep cancer away but still annoying on top of an MBC diagnosis. Good luck!
I started on Ibrance and anastrozole in Jan 2020. I did not REALLY notice my hair loss until I was changed to Verzenio and the anastrozole! I noticed that I still had the length of my hair, but lost so much around my “crown” that you could see my scalp! I did many of the things that you mentioned, special conditioners, leave in conditioners, silk pillow case, etc.
I do take Nature’s Bounty’s Hair Skin and Nails, and I continue to see new “baby” hairs around my hair line.
It sounded as though you were describing MY hair….”dry,” “like straw”…etc
I hope to have some more growth after I stop the Verzenio in March 2023.
Hi Breege! I experienced the same with Ibrance and Fulvestrant. Had a lot of thinning and what was left became dry, fuzzy and brittle. Hairdresser suggested cutting it short which made it even all over and to make sure no hair products have alcohol in them. I also started using Chi silk infusion. I squeeze about a dime size amount in my hand, coat both of my hands and run it through my hair all over to the ends. It has taken about 2 months but it is like night and day. I let it dry naturally and it is back to being soft like it used to be and growing out nicely and I haven’t noticed any more hair loss now at 21 months of being on this combo. Give the Chi product a try.! I get it from Amazon. CHI Keratin Silk Infusion, 6 Fl Oz a.co/d/3JlUtPb.
I’ve been on Ibrance and Faslodex for three years. Yes, 50% hair loss and remaining hair is dry and frizzy and my skin is dry. I no longer have my shiny and wavy hair. I tried biotin but then I learned that it affects your cancer marker results so I stopped taking it. As my husband says, “I don’t care about your hair as long as you’re still with me”. So I use a hair topper to make me look like my old self and have learned to accept side effects of drugs that have been effective. PET scan results showed no active disease two months ago.Breege, I know it’s hard to accept all the physical changes that come with MBC but we must look at the bright side, we’re still here and there are solutions for the side effects. Best of luck to you! 💐🌻🌺🌸
Just to update, I went to a Dermatologist today. For my hair she recommended V05 hot oil. Leave in for around 30+ mins with a shower cap on top. Then wash with mild shampoo, eg Moogoo, Aveda, Free and Clear, or any herbal.Follow with any conditioner. Rotate shampoo/conditioner with each wash.
Take Viviscal supplement.
I am also going to use Chi silk infusion recommended by Gingerann1.
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Anyone *not* lose hair while on Ibrance?
Ibrance changed to Faslodex
Faslodex/Ibrance combo
Faslodex + Ibrance - new mets
