Hair growth

[Laurie S]

I am currently taking Taxol/herceptin, after having AC. The hair on my arms and legs have started growing back about 3 weeks ago, which I thought was a sign that it would start growing on my head also. No such luck! Does anyone know if body hair comes back sooner or has any relevance to my hair on my head coming back also? Thanks
Laurie

[*_Tessa_*]

Hi Laurie,
When I was getting taxotere (a version of taxol), no hair grew back anywhere, but as soon as it stopped the hair oon my head returned, thick and very curly (the curl lasted about a year and then it started growing out its old self). The hair on my body came back then too, but to a somewhat reduced degree, and has stayed that way. From the people I know it seems entirely individual, but you can be sure that once the taxol is stopped the hair will start growing right away. Herceptin has no hair-loss effect.
Something to look forward to...

All the best,
Tessa

[lor]

I am on my 4th week of taxol/herceptin after AC. I guess that I am lucky because my hair is growing back on my head. It is like new born baby hair. It started about the 2nd week of treatment on the taxol. I have been using a shampoo and treatment on my head called VitaTress.

Hang in there, I'm sure it will be back soon!
Lori

[Lyn]

Hi Laurie, I had Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin for 26 weekly doses. I started taking flaxseed oil capsules at about 20 weeks and for the first time having lost my hair for the third time my hair started to grow back and my eyebrows and eyelashes. I stopped treatment in November last year and last week I had my first hair cut and streaks, so I no longer look like a boy. I took 2x1000mg twice a day. I posted this info on the board but I don't think anyone else has reported on it.

Big Hugs Lyn

[jessica]

Looking forward to joining the ranks of people w/hair again!
This is the third time in 3 years I've gone thru this being-bald-growing-hair-again thing(or some degree of hairloss). I don't have tried & true answer, but I have used a product called "folicure" before & it seems to encourage hair growth...there's a whole line of products including shampoo, conditioner, a liquid "vitamin" tincture that you massage onto your head, etc. I don't know if it's just a matter of massaging the scalp on a daily basis(with or without the product,) to increase blood flow & circulation that's so helpful- especially after so many months of neglecting our heads. normal brushing and washing your hair & head keeps up the circulation to our scalp, but since i haven't had hair in months, I rarely spend much time up there!
Lately I've been doing much more rubbing my hands all over my head, kneeding, massaging my scalp. starting to feel that oh-so-familiar stingy, tingling of hair pushing up again (sort of like when it falls out), only this time, I welcome it!

[lor]

Lyn,

Like you, I started flaxseed to try to help my hair and nails. I took flaxseed oil for two days before my oncologist found out and told me to stop immeadiately. Flaxseed is an estrogen based plant. I was told that since I am er+, the flaxseed would feed the cancer. I have looked into this and have found a lot of conflicting information. I decided to not take any chances and ditched the flaxseed. I was also told to avoid soy and tofu (like tofu is a problem to avoid). ???

God bless,
Lori

[Lyn]

To Lori, hi there, I too cannot have eostrogen, and my taking flaxseed oil capsules as well as Aromasin must even it out because I definately don't have any eostrogen in my body, I had to use an eostrogen cream when I had my PAP smear because it comes back abnormal cells and the eostrogen cream makes it come back fine. I also have a very very dry thingy. I came across this while surfing. I know the jury isn't out but I don't seem to be having any problems but don't know if latest flare up was caused by flaxseed or just bad luck.

Hugs Lyn


Estrogen Control

There are many compounds available that can control estrogen levels. The drugs tamoxifen (Novaldex) and clomiphene (Clomid) have been used for years by steroid users. While these drugs are somewhat effective in keeping estrogen levels in check, they can result in a reduction of IGF-1 production and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin production. These are both undesirable side effects.

Then there are aromatase inhibitors. Drugs like Anastrazole work by blocking the production of estrogens in the body by binding to the enzyme aromatase. Aromatase inhibitors are more desirable then estrogen receptor blockers like tamoxifen and clomiphene because they function as true anti-estrogens and do not share the undesirable estrogen agonist activity mentioned above.

[lor]

Lyn,

Hmmm, that is interesting! I wish there were some conclusive studies on this matter. Do you have a source for the info about tamoxofen you passed on. I am trying to decide on tamoxofen or an AI with Luprin. I think my onc. is flexible on the matter, but he would prefer me to do the tamoxofen since there is more research on it. I would like to have some stong evidence for my decision when I present it to him.

Thank you!
Lori