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Can some types of chemo make your hair fall out?

19 replies

LoveBeingAMummy · 12/01/2010 11:25

I thought it was only radiotherpy that made your hair fall out, is that true?

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CMOTdibbler · 12/01/2010 11:27

Some types of chemo do make your hair fall out. Radiotherapy will sometimes make you lose hair if it is to your head

thedollshouse · 12/01/2010 11:27

It is chemo that makes your hair fall out not radiotherapy.

When my sister had chemo she was told that her symptoms could vary but they could almost guarantee that her hair would fall out. Having said that I do know of someone who went through chemo and didn't lose her hair.

lambanana · 12/01/2010 11:28

I am no expert but I believe that any prolonged course of chemotherapy will result in hair loss. Not so for radiotherapy.

FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 11:29

Yes, some types

in fact I think most types

They can reduce the impact by using a cooling device on your head while you receive it, this cools the hair follicles so they don't get affected so much

Hair normally grows back afterwards

CMOT is right.

there are some chemos that don't do this, dacarbazine is one that's normally not assoc with hair loss

LoveBeingAMummy · 12/01/2010 11:30

Thanks ladies. Dad's has started to come out after the first session of his second round. My parent shvae been found to not being completly honest about whats going on with him so just wanted to double check.

Broke my heart when I went round yesterday, he has shaved off his hari as it was falling out so much

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FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 11:30

Usually RT doesn't make it fall out unless it is near your head

Northernlurker · 12/01/2010 11:31

My friend hasn't lost her hair as she has used the cold cap treatment during chemo. Unpleasant but her course is nearly over and she has kept her hair.

FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 11:31

Oh I am sorry

How awful

Do you feel you would rather know what's going on?

MaryAnnSingleton · 12/01/2010 11:31

radiotherapy can make your underarm hair disappear if you have it to that area

Bonsoir · 12/01/2010 11:32

Definitely, all my MOLs hair fell out this time last year when she had her first two lots of chemo.

But it has grown back beautifully, and her current chemo doesn't make it fall out.

LoveBeingAMummy · 12/01/2010 11:38

FlightAttendant - that's a tough question isn't it, yes if its good news Its been such a rollercaster for the last year, from chemo and an op, to no op and chemo just to give extra time, to WOW you've done so well ahve the op and then that'll be it and post op being told its spread. His first session has left him so ill he couldn't have the second one and they will be recdueing the strngth. So i'm assuming its the same as before and this chemo is to extend rather than cure.

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FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 11:41

that is horrid for you. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Cancer is a rollercoaster for a lot of people, good news, then bad, then a little hope, then it gets shot down again.

I think perhaps that is one of its worst characteristics..the not knowing.

LoveBeingAMummy · 12/01/2010 13:18

Thanks FlightAttendant. I always used to think that an illness allowed you to have time and get prepared, now I know its nothing more than touture.

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FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 13:38

Agreed

Though on some level, you will all be preparing a bit. That's normal and will be helpful if the worst does happen.

If by some lovely chance it doesn't, you will come out of this stronger.

LoveBeingAMummy · 12/01/2010 18:32

TBH you'd think he'd already gone with th eway its affecting me, it actually makes me worried about what I'm going to be like if he does go.

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FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 19:41

That's Ok...sounds normal, tbh. That's the weird thing about a terminal illness, or one that could become terminal. You do get the initial huge shock, that it's even possible your loved one could die. That takes quite some getting used to.

Then things kind of settle a bit, then the next shock is not quite so shocking...things carry on almost in reverse order. All this time, part of your brain is getting itself around the fact that the person may not be a permanent fixture in your future life.

You will kind of have moments of stark realisation, then go back to the semi-denial state for a bit longer, it just carries on like that really.

And oftentimes, when somebody does finally pass, the ones left behind feel almost as though they don't react in the correct way, or the way they would expect.

It's because some of the grief has already been managed. You might feel awful at the moment, but I don't think that means you will feel worse than this afterwards...if that makes sense. It's as though you are pre-grieving a bit. I think that's the proper name for it. So after the event you might not actually have a huge shock of grief to deal with.

the human mind is a wonderfully resourceful thing.

FlightAttendant · 12/01/2010 19:44

...hope it doesn't sound too weird, my saying all that.

I have a very dear friend who is currently also dealing with a serious illness, and sometimes I really do feel like I am falling to bits when it hits me - even though the prognosis isn't definite, there's that rollercoaster again and the not knowing what's going to happen.

I would love for her to get well again. But I think if I didn't prepare on some level for the worst, I may not cope if that did happen. iyswim

LoveBeingAMummy · 13/01/2010 08:23

Doesn;t sound weird at all it's good to be able to talk to someone about it. Putting a very brave face on for my parents and younger brother.

I think you've explained it very well. I'm so sorry about your friend, I should have guessed you had some experience with how your post were.

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FlightAttendant · 13/01/2010 09:43

I'm rubbish at the brave face bit. As soon as I hear any bad news I tend to ring my mum, and offload it all onto her...she puts up with it somehow!

Sounds like you are having to be the brave one in your family. That must be really hard.

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