Hair growing slowly: Herceptin or Imagination!

Kimberly Lewis · 01-30-2007, 02:30 AM

It took awhile for mine to start growing at a normal rate. Now I really need a haircut. I have a permanent "perm" too! Had heard that this could happen but wow... Hope you like your new hair when it finally gets out of the gate. What an adventure huh?

tousled1 · 01-30-2007, 06:27 AM

My hair is very slow growing but is coming in much thicker and much, much straighter than it was before I was diagnosed. I've had my hair trimmed 2 times and this last time we actually had enough hair (about 2 inches) to cut it to somewhat of a style for growing in. Be patient, hair does come back. The worst part is that you have to start shaving your legs again.

Lani · 01-30-2007, 09:07 AM

you might want to look at a thread I started called side effects of herceptin real or imagined and one started by RhondaH on what side effects got better when herceptin was finished(unless you think you may be a bit of a hypochondriac OR just suggestible and will come down with all of the side-effects after reading!)

Many took the time to post rather extensive descriptions. Many tried to separate out as best they could if the side-effects could be due to late changes from chemo ie, listing whether they started herceptin while on chemo, shortly thereafter are quite a while thereafter, or from antihormonals.

I think someone brought my thread "back to life" recently and I don't think Rhonda's has been gone long.

01-30-2007, 10:20 AM

That's what so irritating. I've shaved the hair on my legs twice now, and it's longer than the hair on my head! Doesn't that seem unfair some how.

Sheila · 01-30-2007, 12:23 PM

Grace

When I was at SABCS, I went to the Genentech Booth and also a luncheon with Genentech oncologists and researchers...I mentioned by runny nose and watery eyes as a Herceptin side effect....they had not heard of it. Seems the drug company does not know all the side effects as of yet, and maybe are waiting to confirm that some of these are indeed Herceptin related.

Lani · 01-30-2007, 05:44 PM

(as a guest as I own no stock) they talked about do a lot of post-marketing surveillance as required by the FDA, but I have heard of little evidence of it.

Once we get a certain number of responses I think we should print them out and send them to the right department at Genentech ie the one in charge of post-marketing surveillance. These are not life-threatening side-effects, but
the data should be collected and dispersed.

Thanks to everyone who has added to the thread so far.

gin-tx · 01-30-2007, 06:11 PM

Dear Grace,

Herceptin should not affect hair growth. I did not have other drugs that you did but am on Herceptin, have not lost a hair on my head. It grows so fast, have to get it cut every few weeks. I imagine the slow growth is from the other drugs. I have talked with others and they said it took about 6 months or so for their hair to grow back and be quite short. Let me know how you are progressing.

ginkott1@aol.com

MCS · 01-30-2007, 07:23 PM

BE PATIENT. IT WILL COME BACK. I sprayed infusion 23 to encourage healthy growth. it's not sicky either. I also used a protein yellow spray made by La Bella that has protein and also help the health of the hair. I used to call it mulching my head !

Mine was very slow growing and came back curly, which i thought was cute. I had my first haircut this December after a year and a half. I saved a bit as rememberance just like I did when it fell down.

A long time ago, I suggested to make a chart of all the symptoms so that they coudl be provided in a central location. Actually I mentioned this to Joe on his request for new ideas for the page on a recent thread.. someting you could sort or download. Same for the characteristics of us so we could search for typical dx I wish I was a techi person!

XOXO

MCS ( maria)

Becky · 01-30-2007, 08:05 PM

My hair grew back very slowly. I have been done with Herceptin for several months now and it is growing at the rate I remember it. I didn't start Herceptin until 4 months after my last chemo so I can absolutely say that my hair grew more slowly due to Herceptin since the chemo doesn't stay in your body that long.

However, you could also think about it in another way and blame chemo as chemo affects the fast growing cells (which is the reason you lose your hair). Since the follicles are affected and possibly damaged, it may take them some time to get back to work properly. This may be why so many of us get curls (or super straight) hair - damaged follicles (the normal shape of your hair follicles determines if your hair is straight, wavy or very curly (and even the direction the curl is (clockwise or counter clockwise). So the shape of the follicle may change while it is repairing itself - and whala! - curls (and grey maybe due to the damage of the pigmented molecules as mine was very, very grey at first and is now the normal 10-15% as it was before (Miss Clairol).

You know me, always thinking.

Love to you all

Linda · 01-30-2007, 11:16 PM

Hi Grace.
I agree with Becky. On hercepting, I thought my hair was growing slowly, but wasn't sure since it was just growing back after chemo. But sure enough, when I finished herceptin, it started growing faster (normally) again. I color my hair, so I can really tell by how often I have to get my roots done (and my hairdresser charted it, too.)
Linda