Hair loss on taxol

[PJBinMI]

Yesterday I finally got my first Taxol infusion! Everyone at the cancer center was kind and helpful. The nurse I was assigned to was a young man, the only man I saw working there at all. He was great at explaining everything. I was "pre-treated" with hydro-cortisone and benedryl. I've had so much benedryl since I was tiny that it doesn't make me sleepy, and I tolerated all the prep just fine. The plan was to administer the Taxol slowly for 15 minutes, stop it for 15 minutes, then do a second slow 15 minutes and if all went well, speed it up.. After nearly 15 minutes, I got a dull achey pain in my pelvis. I toldd them, of course and they stopped the taxol and had the PN examine me. A slight repositioning in the reccliner helped and we went back to the Taxol. 15 minutes later, a similar pain came back. Another pause but we were able to finish without further problems. The ride home wasn't as rough as it could have been, but it wasn't totally smooth, either. Rural roads!

They did tell me that hair loss is very likely. That takes me back to 2004 when I was first diagnosed with MBC, and my second stop, after the book store, was a recommended wig salon! LOL I have had a bit of hair thinning, but not major, and have never needed to wear a wig. I bought two of them early on, just in case, but now I think I will stay with hats and scarfs when it's cold and otherwise, just be bald and wear my biggest earrings!

How have you lost hair when on Taxol? How long before it starts? Is it a slow process or pretty quick? The woman who's been taking care of my hair since I moved here in 2000 has alot of experience with cancer--her husband has had a rare blood cancer for almost as long as I've known her. I'm so glad I have her! I trust her advice and will probably have her shave my head when alot of hair starts falling out! I realize that we don't all have hair loss that happens the same, but I am wondering if it's more likely really soon or not, and if any of you have just a little hair loss. My husband has very little hair and his barber shaves his head every two weeks!

I hope we all have a great 2024!

[Figletf]

When I did Taxol in 2019 my hair came out in clumps after the first couple infusions.They had recommended a cold cap but since the ice wasn't helping my feet or hands from getting Nueropathy I decided to just shave my head and I got a wig that resembled my own hair The wig cost over $300 and it was very hot and itchy in Florida.This time 2023 on Enhertu I just bought cute Newsboy caps with scarves from Amazon ....much more comfortable,plus my husband liked them better than the wig .

After awhile I've just gotten used to the fuzz on my head😁 All the best to you 💕. Linda

[PJBinMI in reply to Figletf]

Thank you! My medical insurance will cover a wig! I don't know about the co-pay but I'm not sure I really want a wig. I think hats and scarves make more sense for me, too!

[love2golfwell in reply to PJBinMI]

I hope your treatments will go well for you. You are a fighter and inspire me. When I first went on the Ibrance and Letrozole I noticed a lot of hair thinning and did not feel I could do anything with my hair when I went out so I bought an inexpensive wig from Wigs.com and a very nice one from a hair salon. The inexpensive one is synthetic but looks a lot like my own hair and is a pixie style. I even had my hair stylist trim it for me to look like the cut she usually gives me. The other one is part human hair/part synthetic and is very lightweight. Insurance covered half of it. It looks more natural. I only wear them when I go out but they make me feel pretty and I get lots of compliments on them. I have not experienced total hair loss though and am not sure how a wig would feel with that. Best wishes to you in whatever you decide. Sending hugs and prayers that you do well on this treatment and don't experience many side effects.

[Mumberly]

good luck with this new treatment.

I’m in awe of you, You’re an inspiration 😊

Keep on, keepin’ on 👍🏻

Kim

[Partia]

Happy New Year!!! I have never had Taxol. I have, however, had Taxotere twice. With Adriamycin (Red Devil) in 2001 when i had Stage 2B bc. Taxotere again when diagnosed with stage 4 along with Cytoxin. I should have never had iv chemo drugs for first line treatment but at the time I didnt know better I was bald though. I despise wearing wigs. I hope you tolerate it well. I am on new treatment after small progressions. I have a mutation so am on Piqray with Faslodex now. I would imagine it's rough to navigate those roads in super snowy conditions. I am Wayne County and we haven't really had any snow yet.

[PJBinMI in reply to Partia]

No snow on the roads yesterday. And if the weather reports for next week are accurate, my next infusion isn't likely to involve snowy roads. But I'm sure not looking forward to snow and ice! Do you go to U of Mi for second opinions or treatment? I've been there 3 times during this cancer journey. But I get treatment in Kalamazoo.

[Partia in reply to PJBinMI]

Yes. I've been getting treatment there since July 2016.

[bikebabe]

I had taxol via 11 weekly sessions. I cut my long hair in 3 stages in advance - short then shorter then buZ cut and my hair still came out into my cereal and coffee about two weeks after starting taxol. Big shave. It all grew back about two months after stopping but the immediate switch to palbo means it grows very very slowly. The wigs inflamed my scalp and liners wrre too tight so I rocked some super soft cute loosely elasticated caps. I also got neuropathy but that mostly disappeared after finishing taxol. Best wishes.

[Figletf in reply to bikebabe]

You were very fortunate to have the Neuropathy disappear,I have had it since the Taxol infusions of 2019😣

[bikebabe in reply to Figletf]

I do still have it in my fingertips - which feel a bit numb/odd a at times it not nearly as bad as just after chemo 2.5 yrs ago.

[Figletf in reply to bikebabe]

I have it in my hands and feet My feet cause me to stumble quite a bit.My husband has it so bad he can't feel anything in his feet.We probably look like two drunks to those who observe us😁

[bikebabe in reply to Figletf]

oh gosh, i'm so sorry. I did read about various supplements but never got as far as using any.

[Goga156]

My mother is on the 19th taxol. her hair has thinned. after the 3rd it fell out a lot, but she didn't cut her hair. later, new hair grew, but it was gray.

[Rbeth in reply to Goga156]

I had taxol for two sessions with cold capping. No hair loss. When I went for my third session, my oncologist told me no more taxol, A new medication was approved and now I’ll be on TRUQAP and Foslodex shots. I start it on January 15th. It’s similar to Piqray but I’ll take two pills for four days then three days off. I was on Piqray for 18 months. I had side effects. High sugars, even with medication.

Best to all of you you. Reenie Rochester NY

[Goga156 in reply to Rbeth]

my mom doesn't have the pik3ca mutation so she won't get piqray. until now she was taking anastrozole, nolvadex, fulvestrant + ibrance. I don't know what will happen next.

[Ntash01 in reply to Rbeth]

Rbeth

Are you in the USA? I’m currently on Taxol and would love to go back to ‘pills’…. But alas I’m guessing you are, and I won’t have the same option 🙄 the thought of this regime is so demanding when there’s no end date.

[Rbeth in reply to Ntash01]

Yes. I am in New York. I have three mutations. The TRUQAP is for this type of cancer. We’ll see, but I am sure this is best for me now. I am happy this medication was passed by the FDA.

Best to you. Reenie v

[Ntash01 in reply to Rbeth]

I’m sharing your happiness! Fingers & toes crossed that this is ‘the one’ x tc

[Onedayatatime60]

No hair loss until about the third infusion. I thought perhaps I may be one of the lucky ones s my Onc said some people have thinning but don't lose it all.

No such luck - I lost it all

[Gingerann1]

Hi PJB: I had Taxol with A/C(the red devil) combo in 2013 with my orig. BC diagnosis. Hair loss started after 30 days and I had my hair cut really short so it wouldn’t be so traumatic. Shortly thereafter it all came out. After the first 30 days I was only on Taxol for 5 months of weekly infusions and my hair started growing back in about 6 months. I was fortunate to be able to be on short term disability so didn’t work and wore a baseball cap when going out and a soft little beanie cap at home. Wore a wig only occasionally if I had to go in the office or out with friends. You do you and rock whatever look is most comfortable for you!

[PJBinMI]

Thank you to everyone who shared their hair experiences! I think I'll just wear soft hats but maybe I'll change my mind when it actually happens, lol! I was diagnosed with MBC the month of my 58th birthday and now I'm almost 78 and my appearance has sure changed! I've lost alot of weight in the last year since cancer cells caused an intestinal blockage. very wrinkly in my upper arms, and belly. I have little appetite and drink two or 3 botttles of Ensure every day. Sure not the retirement life I expected! But I am fortunate to have great family and a few wonderful friends. And I've done well with treatment so far. Much to be thankful for, including everyone here! It means alot to be part of a community going thru so much together and understanding it! Sending love to all....

[Misshelley]

I was on Taxol in the beginning of my journey back in 2015. I lost most of my hair fairly quickly but it also grew back quickly after we switched to Herceptin. I have been on Herceptin and Anastrozole for about 7 years now with very little side effects. Mostly just fatigue. Keep a positive attitude and keep believing you can beat this!

[PJBinMI in reply to Misshelley]

7 years on the same meds bodes well for you! Some of us do well for years! Thanks for this note--I really appreciate it!