chemo-how soon does your hair fall out?

[happyjack12]

will be having surgery for breast cancer next week and starting chemo soon after, maybe a week or so?
don't know how often or for how long I will have it.

I think it depends on the type of chemo you have. I had AC fortnightly first and it started coming out two weeks after the first session.
I got my head shaved as I didn't fancy cleaning it up as it fell out gradually.
Also your scalp hurts as it's coming out so I wanted to speed that up.

It depends on the regime you have. I didn’t lose all mine because I used a cold cap. I lost enough to not go out without a wig but retained enough to grow it to coverage level quickly afterwards.
For me, hair loss was worse thing. I had my hair cut and coloured to exactly match the wig a good while before chemo so nobody noticed the change.
It’s not just head hair you lose. Be prepared for a very runny nose and streaming eyes.

Sometimes did chemo with didn’t worry about cold cap and lost hers in one go from a sudden blast of wind as she walking along the seafront with her grandchildren. She was incredibly brave and laughed it off. I’m not sure I could do that.
I think it was about four days post first cycle I noticed lots coming out in shower but mine was gradual over six cycles.

Gosh. Thank you for sharing this with me. I only found the lump 3 weeks ago so I'm still trying to get my head around it all.
I don't want to wait for it to fall out.

Mine went thinner but not all out. I dont know why.
Its an awful time but you will gey through it.
Take all the drugs they give you and stock up on nice food and drinks cos you will fancy weird stuff. I found fizzy drinks and plain crisps helped the nausea.
I am 25 years well now so it was all worth it.
Happy to answer questions.

thank you

I think mine started going after my 2nd chemo, so DH shaved it off. I was given a wig but didn't like it so ended up using seasalt's handybands.
It also came back in curly but 6 years on its completely back to normal.

I meant to say - good luck. You will come out the other side.

I think it must depend on the chemo. Someone I know found her hair went very quickly after her first session - within about a week. Someone else I know lost very little indeed with her first course if chemo, but when she was switched he'd to a different drug, it went very quickly indeed. As others have said, although both expected their head hair to go, they weren't ready for the rest of their hair - eyebrows, lashes etc to go. Just hadn't given it a thought.

It depends on your chemo.x.I started off with a milder chemo where my hair (I had long hair)wouldn't fall out however that didn't work on me so I had to have the higher chemo where they told me my hair would fall out.I think, after three sessions of that chemo my hair started coming out.So I woke up one morning and found a chunk on my pillow, then slowly it would be on my clothes or plate.In the end I just went and got it shaved off so I could concentrate on my chemo and stop worrying about my hair.It does grow back though once your treatments over.

I got a wig but didn't bother wearing it, I kept colourful scarves on.

Your health matters first!Hair will grow back so remember that.Good luck with your treatment,you can fight this!

Am terrified , am also isolating, have been for last 8 weeks as had virus and still spiking temperaturs.I can't go and see anyone.I'm here with my 19 yr old son ( aspergers) thank goodness. I know I am lucky as I should be cured, but am actually sitting here crying over my hair.

You have had a bad few weeks, and I am glad to hear that you have your diagnosis and that treatment is about to get started. I send you all good wishes and strength for the weeks to come. It is heartening to hear from others how well they have done.

it is helpful to hear from others, thank you so much :)
seasalt handybands-I'll have a look at those. I want to shave it i think, and i don't want a wig.
And i don't want to scare my boy!

Yes it's dependent.

Mums fell out within 2 weeks of first treatment.

Second treatment she hardly lost any. But did thin.

3rd fell out again.

Current treatment and she's not seemed to lost any.

Dads seemed to remain throughout the first 2 months, then thinned and has almost all fallen out now and he's 5 weeks post treatment.

Ask about wigs or cold caps if your concerned. If not get some funky bandanas and make them a fashion statement. Especially in summer time when they are fashionable anyway.

OP I totally understand you crying over your hair because I did the same but please believe me that this is only temporary and once its all off you can focus on getting through your chemo.x .I shaved mine all off (not that there was much left!) and felt so much better, I was in contol of it then.

Also,my dd was 4 at the time and in order to prepare her to seeing mummy without hair I just explained that her mummy wasn't well and that she would lose her hair but it would grow back once she got better.I used to wear a scarf around the house and one day I must have nodded off for a nap and dd wakes me up asking where my hair had gone.I just reminded her that I wasn't well and that it would come back.She didnt say anything after that.

It depends on the chemo, DS's hair very much thinned ( very fair so ended up looking like a mad professor ) with 4-6 weeks, but then changed drug about a year later and every single hair fell out - eyebrows the lot. He was only little so liked to wear caps

Wishing you lots of luck with your chemo, DS's oncology nurses were amazing so hopefully you get lots of support too xx

really appreciate you all helping. will remember about the fizy drinks and crisps too.In fact, any "handy tips" would be very welcomed.

Have you found this thread? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3827476-Cancer-support-thread-74-come-in-were-here-for-you. I"m not on it any more but found it useful when i was going through treatment. Good luck x.

Dear OP, my hair started to fall out during the second cycle (about 4 weeks in). In the scheme of other things it really didn't bother me. I didn't want a wig but got a couple of caps from Bold Beanies to keep my head warm.
Tips:
In normal times I would say try and get out for a walk each day you are able for fresh air and exercise. That is obviously not an option now but if you have a garden try and use it.
Chemo induced vomiting: It is a LOT easier to prevent it than to stop it when it starts (I speak from unpleasant experience). You will be given anti sickness drugs. Take them even if you think you don't need them.
Wishing you the very best of luck xx

DS really struggled with a change in his tastebuds - everything tasted metallic! He liked lollies to suck to help to get rid of the taste. He also regularly got very chapped lips so lip balm was a must!

My mums foods are

S and V Pringles
Cornflakes
Skittles
Ice lollies with ice cream in

She said these are generally the foods she tastes as taste can be affected