Women Hair Loss Forums - Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly..

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ebean

01.10.2007, 21:49

Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly.. (Accutane or Medications Induced Hair Loss)
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I went through surgery, full chemo for estrogen-based breast cancer (adyrmicin/cytoxin and taxol) and radiation locally. it's been 1 1/2 years since the end of treatment and my hair is a ghost of what it once was. (and i'm on tamoxifen now). sides are ok and back is acceptable but the front is uber-thin and see through and it really hasn't grown back at the temples except for some baby hairs that never seem to go anywhere. i finally gave it up to the short hair gods and just cut my hair very short - which helps the appearance a great deal.

Has anyone else here experienced this? I am at the beginning of this road (I'm now 49) and am interested in exploring medication that would help my hair fill in but nervous about anything that would muck with my estrogen issues.

I'd love some advice on what is acceptable to take and recommendations for a good dr. in nyc.

Many thanks.

bean

ebean is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Roxeli

01.10.2007, 22:59

@ ebean
Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly..
Post reply

If you're looking for a natural topical approach, I've read a lot of good things about emu oil.

Here are some links about emu oil and hair regrowth:

http://www.hairloss-research.org/EmuOilfrontalregrowth.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Emu-Oil-for-Hair-Loss&id=543646

http://www.emu-oil.com/HairLoss.htm

I've bought some for my daughter from here:
http://www.pure-emu-oil.com/

Roxeli is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

02.10.2007, 08:50

@ ebean
Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly..
Post reply

Since tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker, it is most likely the cause for you hair loss. You hair needs astrogen , and tamoxifen is blocking that estrogen, almost as if you were going through menopause with a very small amount of estroegn.

The drugs used to treat hair loss are for people with androgenetic hairloss whic is mediated by testosterone, and most likely isn't your problem. Besides, these drugs will alter your hormone levels whic would not be safe considering your history.

I have found some websites with more info on tamoxifen and hair loss and several of them mention the use of Rogaine, whic is a growth stimulant and does not alter hormones...perhaps you could talk to your doctor about this option?

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/side_effects/tamoxifen.jsp

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/regrowth.jsp

http://www.drugs.com/cons/tamoxifen.html

I am so sorry you are going through this. Best Wishes.
V

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Chris

02.10.2007, 09:13

@ V
to Roxelli
Post reply

Hi Roxelli, I went to the emu oil site you posted and am interested not only in the oil for the hair but for the gel caps you swallow. It says it helps people with Crohn's. I have ulcerative colitis, which is very similar to Crohn's. I'm going to try it and see if it makes a difference. As far as the hair oil, do you apply it everyday? Does it makes your hair look oily? I only wash my hair every other day since I get so depressed after it, so I wouldn't want to wash everyday.

Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

02.10.2007, 09:17

@ Chris
to Chris-Emu Oil and Rogaine
Post reply

Emu oil is also a great carrier oil and helps other topical be better absorbed.
After I apply the Rogaine, I let it dry a little and then I apply some emu oil to my scalp with a q-tip. since it penetrates the scalp so completely, I am hoping it will help with Rogaine penetration.

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Chris

02.10.2007, 09:35

@ V
Hi v...
Post reply

How are you doing these days? Thanks for the info. So by applying it with a q-tip then it doesn't make your hair look greasy? Can you buy the oil at a health food store or do you have to order it online?
Update on my progress: my hair is still shedding between 150-200 hairs after washing, so it has gone down. But I am telling you, the density is completely gone. I don't have any bald spots because my thinning is so diffuse but it is downright pathetic. If you've ever had your hair highlighted, they will take sections of hair, highlight it, flip that section over your head, then the next section, highlight it, and on and on. My hair has only about 2 sections. I'm not kidding! So if someone were to lift up my top section of hair they would see some of my scalp and a very thin layer of hair right up against my head. I don't know if I'm describing this so you can envision it but it's awful. No signs of regrowth and just passed the 3 month mark. I'm not quitting Rogaine, but am going to start on Roxelli's green smoothies and now want to try the emu oil. How are you???

Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

02.10.2007, 09:56

@ Chris
Hi v...
Post reply

Yeah, I apply it with a q-tip....any other way and I look like I poured grease on my hair. :-P

I am glad to hear your shed is down. I know it may not seem like much, but it's a start, you know? I am getting ready to hit month five in my Rogaine journey, and it has only been in the past few weeks that I have seen regrowth. There isn't tons, but when I part my hair different ways, I can see those little hairs poking through. I just want to hug them and kiss them in hopes that they will multiply :-)

my shed is down, still too high I think considering, but atleast it is down from what it was. I know it will take a long time for these hairs to amount to anything, so I stay away from the mirror.

I know what you mean about density. I have none. My loss is so diffuse that I have lost just as much from the nape of my neck as I have from the top :-( . Despite that, I am still hopeful and I feel like it is still early in the game. I may not beat this but I am going tothrow everything I can in there to give it a good try!

Hang in there and keep me updated!
Hugs
V

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Roxeli

02.10.2007, 10:39

@ Chris
Reply to Chris
Post reply

It does make your hair oily. I apply it to her scalp EVERY night. I also mix the essential oils of rosemary, basil, lavender, and lemon with the emu oil. Those herbs are known for their hair stimulating properties. The emu oil helps the essential oils to penetrate deeper. Emu oil by itself, also stimulates hair growth. It also blocks DHT and helps with inflammation.

Here's what we do. First I brush my daughter's hair with her boar bristle brush for 3 minutes. Then I part my daughter's hair with a rat tail comb in sections and apply the oils. Afterwards, I give her a scalp massage which relaxes her and helps her fall asleep. If you have a family member that can help, it would make it easier and you would find it very relaxing.

Roxeli is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Elizabeth

09.10.2007, 07:55

@ Roxeli
Reply to Chris
Post reply

� It does make your hair oily. I apply it to her scalp EVERY night. I also
� mix the essential oils of rosemary, basil, lavender, and lemon with the
� emu oil. Those herbs are known for their hair stimulating properties.
� The emu oil helps the essential oils to penetrate deeper. Emu oil by
� itself, also stimulates hair growth. It also blocks DHT and helps with
� inflammation.
�
�
� Here's what we do. First I brush my daughter's hair with her boar bristle
� brush for 3 minutes. Then I part my daughter's hair with a rat tail comb
� in sections and apply the oils. Afterwards, I give her a scalp massage
� which relaxes her and helps her fall asleep. If you have a family member
� that can help, it would make it easier and you would find it very
� relaxing.

********************

Roxeli,

Do you ever buy Emu Oil Shampoo and Conditioner? I looked into it for relaxing my mustache textured, gray, colored hair which has a mind of it's own. I never bought it but it's not that expensive. I wonder if that would
help as well. I'll have to look further.....

Elizabeth is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Elizabeth

09.10.2007, 08:01

@ Elizabeth
Reply to Roxeli....
Post reply

� � It does make your hair oily. I apply it to her scalp EVERY night. I
� also
� � mix the essential oils of rosemary, basil, lavender, and lemon with the
� � emu oil. Those herbs are known for their hair stimulating properties.
� � The emu oil helps the essential oils to penetrate deeper. Emu oil by
� � itself, also stimulates hair growth. It also blocks DHT and helps with
� � inflammation.
� �
� �
� � Here's what we do. First I brush my daughter's hair with her boar
� bristle
� � brush for 3 minutes. Then I part my daughter's hair with a rat tail
� comb
� � in sections and apply the oils. Afterwards, I give her a scalp
� massage
� � which relaxes her and helps her fall asleep. If you have a family
� member
� � that can help, it would make it easier and you would find it very
� � relaxing.
�
� ********************
�
� Roxeli,
�
� Do you ever buy Emu Oil Shampoo and Conditioner? I looked into it for
� relaxing my mustache textured, gray, colored hair which has a mind of it's
� own. I never bought it but it's not that expensive. I wonder if that would
� help as well. I'll have to look further.....

I did and found this site:

http://www.pure-emu-oil.com/emu-oil-product-hair-loss-kit.html

Let me know what you think....Thanks!

Elizabeth is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

HairSite Admin

24.05.2008, 23:11

@ Chris
to Roxelli
Post reply

Emu oil has essential fatty acids and anti inflammatory properties. These are the reasons why it may be helpful in inflammatory bowel disease like ulecerative colitis and also to some extent in hair loss.

HairSite Admin is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
---
I offer research assistance for HairSite.
email: hairsite@aol.com for free consultations
=====================================
reminder:
1. FREE Hair Replacement System Worldwide

ebean 01.10.2007, 21:49	Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly.. (Accutane or Medications Induced Hair Loss) Post reply
	I went through surgery, full chemo for estrogen-based breast cancer (adyrmicin/cytoxin and taxol) and radiation locally. it's been 1 1/2 years since the end of treatment and my hair is a ghost of what it once was. (and i'm on tamoxifen now). sides are ok and back is acceptable but the front is uber-thin and see through and it really hasn't grown back at the temples except for some baby hairs that never seem to go anywhere. i finally gave it up to the short hair gods and just cut my hair very short - which helps the appearance a great deal. Has anyone else here experienced this? I am at the beginning of this road (I'm now 49) and am interested in exploring medication that would help my hair fill in but nervous about anything that would muck with my estrogen issues. I'd love some advice on what is acceptable to take and recommendations for a good dr. in nyc. Many thanks. bean ebean is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Roxeli 01.10.2007, 22:59 @ ebean	Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly.. Post reply
	If you're looking for a natural topical approach, I've read a lot of good things about emu oil. Here are some links about emu oil and hair regrowth: http://www.hairloss-research.org/EmuOilfrontalregrowth.html http://ezinearticles.com/?Emu-Oil-for-Hair-Loss&id=543646 http://www.emu-oil.com/HairLoss.htm I've bought some for my daughter from here: http://www.pure-emu-oil.com/ Roxeli is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 02.10.2007, 08:50 @ ebean	Help: After Chemo, hair grew back badly.. Post reply
	Since tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker, it is most likely the cause for you hair loss. You hair needs astrogen , and tamoxifen is blocking that estrogen, almost as if you were going through menopause with a very small amount of estroegn. The drugs used to treat hair loss are for people with androgenetic hairloss whic is mediated by testosterone, and most likely isn't your problem. Besides, these drugs will alter your hormone levels whic would not be safe considering your history. I have found some websites with more info on tamoxifen and hair loss and several of them mention the use of Rogaine, whic is a growth stimulant and does not alter hormones...perhaps you could talk to your doctor about this option? http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/side_effects/tamoxifen.jsp http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/hair_skin_nails/regrowth.jsp http://www.drugs.com/cons/tamoxifen.html I am so sorry you are going through this. Best Wishes. V V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Chris 02.10.2007, 09:13 @ V	to Roxelli Post reply
	Hi Roxelli, I went to the emu oil site you posted and am interested not only in the oil for the hair but for the gel caps you swallow. It says it helps people with Crohn's. I have ulcerative colitis, which is very similar to Crohn's. I'm going to try it and see if it makes a difference. As far as the hair oil, do you apply it everyday? Does it makes your hair look oily? I only wash my hair every other day since I get so depressed after it, so I wouldn't want to wash everyday. Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 02.10.2007, 09:17 @ Chris	to Chris-Emu Oil and Rogaine Post reply
	Emu oil is also a great carrier oil and helps other topical be better absorbed. After I apply the Rogaine, I let it dry a little and then I apply some emu oil to my scalp with a q-tip. since it penetrates the scalp so completely, I am hoping it will help with Rogaine penetration. V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Chris 02.10.2007, 09:35 @ V	Hi v... Post reply
	How are you doing these days? Thanks for the info. So by applying it with a q-tip then it doesn't make your hair look greasy? Can you buy the oil at a health food store or do you have to order it online? Update on my progress: my hair is still shedding between 150-200 hairs after washing, so it has gone down. But I am telling you, the density is completely gone. I don't have any bald spots because my thinning is so diffuse but it is downright pathetic. If you've ever had your hair highlighted, they will take sections of hair, highlight it, flip that section over your head, then the next section, highlight it, and on and on. My hair has only about 2 sections. I'm not kidding! So if someone were to lift up my top section of hair they would see some of my scalp and a very thin layer of hair right up against my head. I don't know if I'm describing this so you can envision it but it's awful. No signs of regrowth and just passed the 3 month mark. I'm not quitting Rogaine, but am going to start on Roxelli's green smoothies and now want to try the emu oil. How are you??? Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 02.10.2007, 09:56 @ Chris	Hi v... Post reply
	Yeah, I apply it with a q-tip....any other way and I look like I poured grease on my hair. I am glad to hear your shed is down. I know it may not seem like much, but it's a start, you know? I am getting ready to hit month five in my Rogaine journey, and it has only been in the past few weeks that I have seen regrowth. There isn't tons, but when I part my hair different ways, I can see those little hairs poking through. I just want to hug them and kiss them in hopes that they will multiply my shed is down, still too high I think considering, but atleast it is down from what it was. I know it will take a long time for these hairs to amount to anything, so I stay away from the mirror. I know what you mean about density. I have none. My loss is so diffuse that I have lost just as much from the nape of my neck as I have from the top . Despite that, I am still hopeful and I feel like it is still early in the game. I may not beat this but I am going tothrow everything I can in there to give it a good try! Hang in there and keep me updated! Hugs V V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Roxeli 02.10.2007, 10:39 @ Chris	Reply to Chris Post reply
	It does make your hair oily. I apply it to her scalp EVERY night. I also mix the essential oils of rosemary, basil, lavender, and lemon with the emu oil. Those herbs are known for their hair stimulating properties. The emu oil helps the essential oils to penetrate deeper. Emu oil by itself, also stimulates hair growth. It also blocks DHT and helps with inflammation. Here's what we do. First I brush my daughter's hair with her boar bristle brush for 3 minutes. Then I part my daughter's hair with a rat tail comb in sections and apply the oils. Afterwards, I give her a scalp massage which relaxes her and helps her fall asleep. If you have a family member that can help, it would make it easier and you would find it very relaxing. Roxeli is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Elizabeth 09.10.2007, 07:55 @ Roxeli	Reply to Chris Post reply
	� It does make your hair oily. I apply it to her scalp EVERY night. I also � mix the essential oils of rosemary, basil, lavender, and lemon with the � emu oil. Those herbs are known for their hair stimulating properties. � The emu oil helps the essential oils to penetrate deeper. Emu oil by � itself, also stimulates hair growth. It also blocks DHT and helps with � inflammation. � � � Here's what we do. First I brush my daughter's hair with her boar bristle � brush for 3 minutes. Then I part my daughter's hair with a rat tail comb � in sections and apply the oils. Afterwards, I give her a scalp massage � which relaxes her and helps her fall asleep. If you have a family member � that can help, it would make it easier and you would find it very � relaxing. ****************** Roxeli, Do you ever buy Emu Oil Shampoo and Conditioner? I looked into it for relaxing my mustache textured, gray, colored hair which has a mind of it's own. I never bought it but it's not that expensive. I wonder if that would help as well. I'll have to look further..... Elizabeth is located in [NA]** and he is available to meet: NO
Elizabeth 09.10.2007, 08:01 @ Elizabeth	Reply to Roxeli.... Post reply
	� � It does make your hair oily. I apply it to her scalp EVERY night. I � also � � mix the essential oils of rosemary, basil, lavender, and lemon with the � � emu oil. Those herbs are known for their hair stimulating properties. � � The emu oil helps the essential oils to penetrate deeper. Emu oil by � � itself, also stimulates hair growth. It also blocks DHT and helps with � � inflammation. � � � � � � Here's what we do. First I brush my daughter's hair with her boar � bristle � � brush for 3 minutes. Then I part my daughter's hair with a rat tail � comb � � in sections and apply the oils. Afterwards, I give her a scalp � massage � � which relaxes her and helps her fall asleep. If you have a family � member � � that can help, it would make it easier and you would find it very � � relaxing. � � ****************** � � Roxeli, � � Do you ever buy Emu Oil Shampoo and Conditioner? I looked into it for � relaxing my mustache textured, gray, colored hair which has a mind of it's � own. I never bought it but it's not that expensive. I wonder if that would � help as well. I'll have to look further..... I did and found this site: http://www.pure-emu-oil.com/emu-oil-product-hair-loss-kit.html Let me know what you think....Thanks! Elizabeth is located in [NA]** and he is available to meet: NO
HairSite Admin 24.05.2008, 23:11 @ Chris	to Roxelli Post reply
	Emu oil has essential fatty acids and anti inflammatory properties. These are the reasons why it may be helpful in inflammatory bowel disease like ulecerative colitis and also to some extent in hair loss. HairSite Admin is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO --- I offer research assistance for HairSite. email: hairsite@aol.com for free consultations ===================================== reminder: 1. FREE Hair Replacement System Worldwide