Tykerb hair thinning - how bad does it get?

nywam · 09-15-2008, 07:38 AM

I have been on tykerb for about 6 months, currently on 4 pills after being dose reduced. I have absolutely noticed the thinner hair and I am kind of nervous about how thin it will actually get. Can anyone who has been on tykerb longer let me know if it keeps thinning and thinning? I don't have bald spots or anything, but I'd like to be prepared for just how thin it will get as I wasn't expecting the hair changes.
Also, I have a few more months to go on tykerb then I'm done. Does anyone know for sure if the hair returns to how it was before tykerb? I know when you lose your hair on chemo it comes back after you stop chemo, but I am totally unfamiliar if after you stop a drug like tykerb the hair returns to normal.....
Thanks for any insights anyone can offer, I feel so silly for being so concerned about my hair... but I miss my thick hair!!!!!

doh2pa · 09-15-2008, 09:42 AM

Hi

I was on Tykerb for 8 months last year along with Xeloda. I was recovering from a previous chemo and found that my hair growth was very slow and patchy on this combo (I was not able to go wigless the whole time). Since then I've switched to other regimens and am back on Tykerb (4 pills per day). My hair is growing back and looks to be healthy and covering my scalp well. Might I suggest using the Nioxin line of hair products. It helps with thinning hair - there are serums, shampoos and creme rinses. I used it the first two times my hair fell out and both times hair came back thick and curly. The 3rd time I didn't want to spend the money so I didn't use the Nioxin, and it came back very thin and patchy. I'm back using it this time and so far, so good.

hutchibk · 09-15-2008, 11:20 PM

My story is very similar to Donna, and she is right about Nioxin. You only really need to buy the Follicle Booster. (trust me, I'm a hairdresser...)

My hair is typically pretty thick and medium texture. After 18 months on Tykerb/Xeloda, it has settled in at about 1/4 - 1/3 thinner than normal, and the strands seem quite a bit finer than normal. I don't have any bald patches, but it is just thinner than I have ever had. It doesn't look bad. I keep it short, but I have worn it short for years. It is similar to Jamie Lee Curtis style (and color), maybe even about 3/4" longer. It doesn't grow very much beyond this length, and the bangs don't really seem to grow right now beyond a certain point. It is longer and thicker in the back and around the sides from the occipital down, and thinner on the crown and very top. I am now using the NIOXIN Follicle Booster on the crown and 'cul-de-sac' areas to see if I can stimulate some more density, but all in all, I can't really complain... except for the 'rat fur brown' color. LOL

nywam · 09-17-2008, 06:51 AM

thanks for the info........
I have been using infusium 23 leave in conditioner treatment after washing my hair and it also seems to help with the brittleness. I will look for the nioxin.
I have relatively long hair (a few inches past my shoulders) and I am seriously debating whether or not to cut it short...... I am scared that there will not be enough coverage if I go short.....
Anyway, I can deal with the thinness for another 6 months, my main concern is if the hair doesn't return to normal after I stop taking tykerb!

hutchibk · 09-17-2008, 09:28 AM

That should be helpful, but don't use any use protein treatments or packs on it regularly. Those are ok every 6 weeks-2 months, but protein used too regular makes the hair even more brittle.

The dermotological effect is a known side effect from the Tykerb, so when you discontinue it, the hair should recover just fine.