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Taxotere & permanent hairloss

Lynnk24
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Hi

I've been persuaded by my Oncologist to change treatments from Epi-CMF for 7 months to Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide for 3 months, due to the side-effects of the first treatment.  I've had one Epi and he wants me to start Taxotere next week. I've asked him about whether Taxotere can cause permanent hairloss as I've seen stories of some women being bald or with only minimum hair coverage a few years after chemo has ended. This really worries me but he has assured me that my hair will return as good as ever.  It may seem vain but I can cope with baldness for a short period, but I really don't want it permanently, particularly if I can avoid it. Has anyone else heard or had experience of this problem please?

Thanks.

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    Hi I hope everything is going well for you. I need to ask you a question. I used taxotere one time last week. I would like to know is your hair completely back now? Or you lose your hair permanently? I really appreciate if you tell me. Thank you
  • Offline in reply to maryam80

    Thought I would just update on my experience with taxotere in case anyone looks at this post.  I had FEC-T chemo 9 yrs ago and after taxotere suffered permanent hair loss.  I was initially told my hair would grow back and heard nothing about the possibility it wouldn’t. I felt very depressed about my hair loss, especially as I personally felt there was no support for me afterwards from the hospital with regards to this issue.  At the age of 40 I had to start wearing a wig permanently.  Whilst it is only a small percentage who this affects with hindsight I would urge anyone to either try the cold cap or ask about alternative chemos as I would hate for anyone to go through this.

  • Offline in reply to MsB

    Supposed to be starting chemo on the 17th August with Taxotere as one of the drugs.  I told the Oncologist that I was concerned about hair loss, as my father had alopecia totalis, and I also have already lost the bulk of my body hair (and most of my eyebrows!) though I still have hair on my head.  I am going to ring tomorrow and say that I am not happy to have the chemo if this drug is included, and will politely decline.  I'd rather be dead than bald.

    In case you think this is an over reaction, I would say that I know how badly being as bald as a billiard ball affected my father's life, and it is not a fate I would wish on anyone.

    I am so sorry, MsB that you have had to suffer this.  And being reassured and lied to doesn't help.

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  • Offline in reply to MsB

    Supposed to be starting chemo on the 17th August with Taxotere as one of the drugs.  I told the Oncologist that I was concerned about hair loss, as my father had alopecia totalis, and I also have already lost the bulk of my body hair (and most of my eyebrows!) though I still have hair on my head.  I am going to ring tomorrow and say that I am not happy to have the chemo if this drug is included, and will politely decline.  I'd rather be dead than bald.

    In case you think this is an over reaction, I would say that I know how badly being as bald as a billiard ball affected my father's life, and it is not a fate I would wish on anyone.

    I am so sorry, MsB that you have had to suffer this.  And being reassured and lied to doesn't help.

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