thinning hair
 

I have always had very thick hair, however now it has thinned somewhat and I have an almost bald spot on the upper back area of my head.

I have been on Arimidex and Lupron for 3 1/2 years. Has anyone on either of these meds experienced hair loss, or does anyone have any other info?

Thanks!

Hi Rhonda
Are you on Zometa now? My hair thinned a lot after the first Zometa and hair thinning/loss occurs in 12% of Zometa users.
The hair on my head has thickened in the last couple months but I am hard pressed to find a hair on my formerly gorilla like legs. Go figure-and those chin hairs are in exactly the same place they used to be-ugh

Hey Henny,

I am on Zometa, but only once a year, will probably go to every six months when the study is released.

My leg and underarm hair is less, and I have the same chin hairs too! Thankfully I only have 4 or 5.

Thanks for the info. I had not considered Zometa.

Arimidex is also associated with hair loss (because menopause and waning estrogen is really the culprit but Arimidex enhances this effect in susceptible women). I was concerned with the potential side effect when getting the ooph to take it (almost 4 years now) because female balding runs in my mother's family (mom and 2 sisters have it). I have been fine so far (and take Zometa twice a year too).

I also did not know about Zometa.

Sassy,
I had very thick hair prior...I am on Femara and I no longer have thick hair. As Becky said, the loss of the estrogen is a major contributor to the hair thinning.

I now use a hair thickener...and still my hair is not what it once was. The thick strands and luster is gone.
But hey, I have got hair! lol

Best Wishes,
jean

I think my thin hair is due to the Aromasin. What hair thickener do you use, Jean?
Karen

I have been on Arimidex for 2 and 1/2 years and as
time goes by the thinner the hair gets. With no
estrogen the hair is going to my chin. Just another
side effect.
patb

Oye. Ruth's hair is very thin and she is currently on Tamoxifen. Is it possible this is an ongoing result of the TCH more than any particular ER+ drug?

Terri

I believe that even in Ruth's case, it is lack of estrogen. Did Ruth experience Chemopause and are her periods back and normal? Tamoxifen can also block estrogen from getting to other estrogen receptors that need estrogen.

Tamoxifen and hair thinning
 

Ruth did experience chemopause and her periods are not back, but her ER markers at last check were still high enough that Dr. O. did not want to give her the AI.

What you say makes sense Becky. I suppose if it can pull estrogen away from the breasts it certainly could pull it from other places. I don't understand this drug; Tamoxifen can give extra estrogen to the uterus (bad) and bones (good) , if I understand correctly?

The hair thinning drives her nuts. She had gorgeous perfect hair before dx. If this ends up being the worst of it we'll be lucky tho.

TRS

P.S. What haircut do those of you with severe thinning use?