HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Tykerb and my hair is thinning/falling out

Vicki revised · 03-26-2012, 07:05 PM

My onc moved me to the full dose-5 pills per day-on Fri. For the last month I was taking 3/day. I've noticed the hair under my arms has quit growing and leg hair is become very sparse as well (yea!!) which usually is dark and grows rapidly.

This is the same pattern when I was on chemo. I reread the pkg insert today and it warns that it coukd cause thinning of hair. My hair on my head has been growing super fast and thick since Aug when finished chemo and I don't want to lose it again.

Has anyone else had this side effect? I was on Herceptin alone before adding Tykerb but this just started.

03-26-2012, 07:05 PM	#1
Vicki revised Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 121	Tykerb and my hair is thinning/falling out My onc moved me to the full dose-5 pills per day-on Fri. For the last month I was taking 3/day. I've noticed the hair under my arms has quit growing and leg hair is become very sparse as well (yea!!) which usually is dark and grows rapidly. This is the same pattern when I was on chemo. I reread the pkg insert today and it warns that it coukd cause thinning of hair. My hair on my head has been growing super fast and thick since Aug when finished chemo and I don't want to lose it again. Has anyone else had this side effect? I was on Herceptin alone before adding Tykerb but this just started. __________________ Vicki Lord, give me the comfort of Your embrace and acceptance of Your will. 3/11: DX: IDC, HER2++, ER/PR neg, stage 4, mets to liver. Primary tumor: grade 3; 11 cm. 2nd smaller tumor: ~2.5cm. Multiple affected nodes, 1 spot on liver. 6 rounds TCH prior to bmx. 7/11: Nothing left except Primary breast tumor now 1.5cm. 8/11: BMX, 17/17 nodes clear. No post-op chemo or radiation indicated. NED! 10/11: NED! Continue Herceptin indef. 2/12: Reoccurence of liver mets; both lobes. Tykerb added to Herceptin. 5/12: Progression of liver mets. Stop Tykerb, start Abraxane & Herceptin weekly. 8/12: Progression in liver and lymph nodes around liver and right kidney. Herceptin not working anymore! Stop Abraxane and Herceptin. Start Tykerb and Xeloda. 10/12: Severe side effects. 3 weeks break from everything. 12/12: It's working! All tumors gone except 2 (from 20+) Continue Tykerb and Xeloda. Brain and spine MRIs clear.