I have been dignosed with Breast Cancer. I started Chemo today and so far it's been okay. However can anyone tell me if I will for sure lose my hair. Or do some people keep their hair? Also what are some of the side effects? Thanks in Advance for you time. :)
2006-07-18 20:55:39 · 8 answers · asked by pinkribbons&walking4boobies 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
also, if I don't lose my hair will my scalp still be sore? My physican said that I should probably wear something on my head even if I don't lose my hair to protect my scalp. Is that correct? Thanks Again.
2006-07-18 20:58:38 · update #1
ooo, I hope you caught it early! My mom's had breast cancer 6 times in the past 11 years, and both times when she had chemo, she lost her hair. However, a friend of mine also had cancer (not breast cancer though), and she was on a different type of chemo from Mom, and she didn't lose it. It depends on the type of chemo. My mom had the strongest there was both times (during the second time, she reached her lifetime limit and had to change to another type). Some of the side effects are that you are really, really, really tired. Picture never having energy to do hardly anything. Also, you become forgetful as well. The type and duration of the side effects vary from person to person I think, but the tiredness and the chemo brain are pretty common. A very very good book to get is Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book. She's an expert in breast cancer, and that book is absolutely wonderful. My mom had Dr. Love as her doctor at one point, actually, and when another friend of mine's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, Mom lent her copy to her. So be sure to get that book. I hope you don't have to go through radiation and/or surgery as well! (they did that as a precaution last time for my mom) My family has nicknamed them, actually LOL burn, poison, and cut I think it was, for radiation, chemo, and surgery, respectively. Good luck my friend! I hope that the chemo gets it all, that you recover well, and that it never comes back! :D
2006-07-18 21:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by High On Life 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your scalp can get burned easily because it is sensitive due to the drugs that is why the doctor says to have it covered. You may not loose your hair not everyone does, but it will thin. My sister in law shaved her head and wore a scarf or a hat she said she felt better and it was easier on her. She had patchy hair loss and had her long hair made into a wig. She rarely wore it because it was too warm. I am sorry you are sick and have to go through all that. Take good care of your self find a doctor who can recommend a dietitian or a herbalist there are many great things to help make things more manageable. Getting the right amount of food into you is also important so talk with your nurse or a public health nurse about healing foods. Take care ~A~
2006-07-18 21:06:34 · answer #2 · answered by momsapplepeye 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry for hearing that. But hope this few knowledge I have helps.You see, if a patient is undergoing Chemotherapy, you are immunosuppressed..meaning your defenses against foreign (or anything antigenic from the environment) is weak making you more prone to infection and other illnesses (mostly fungal and bacterial). That is why, all means of protection should be done. Most of the time, patients are advised to wear face mask too and as you mentioned something to cover your head. You will lose hair eventually because of the chemo drugs (this targets also few normal cells not just the carcinogenic ones )but once you stop taking them, your hair will grow back just as before ( I have a friend who survived the chemotherapy and her hair is as good as new).Well, i'll be praying for you. Have faith and be brave. God bless!
2006-07-18 21:09:46 · answer #3 · answered by justurangel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You most likely will lose your hair, but if you do it grows back. One side effect is nausea sometimes. Go to a maternity store and ask for Preggie Pops. They work great for chemo patients as well as for morning sickness. My 2 year old grandson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and they work well for him whenever he has a bout with nausea from the chemo. They have made great advances in treatment since my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978. She would be alive today if they had developed the treatments that they have now. Give it all you've got, think positively, and eat as much cancer fighting foods as possible. The link below will give you a great list to go by. Best wishes!
2006-07-18 21:08:30 · answer #4 · answered by still learning at 56 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's rare, but it happens. I started losing hair about ten days after my first chemo. My scalp actually felt bruised. As soon as it started to go I sheared it off and that helped with the achy scalp.
Make sure you take any anti-nausea meds you were prescribed... that was my biggest hurdle. Beyond that plenty of rest and a daily stroll helped.
Watch for things like a fever (call your doctor if this happens) and tiny blisters/sores inside your mouth (I had this briefly toward the end of treatment).
Good luck and God bless
2006-07-19 10:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by nimbleminx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most cases you will lose your hair eventually. I am sorry you got diagnosed with cancer. My grandma took chemo and she lost her hair when the doc said she wouldnt. But in most cases unfortunally you most likely will sorry.
2006-07-18 21:00:07 · answer #6 · answered by 0 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I administer Chemotherapy. I am a registered nurse. Can you tell me what the name of your chemotherapy drugs are, and I will tell you what the likelihood of you losing your hair is and what side effects to expect.
2006-07-19 03:32:45 · answer #7 · answered by happydawg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please see the webpages for more details on Chemotherapy.
2006-07-19 00:05:33 · answer #8 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋