Hi Cheryl,
Like coop223 earlier in this thread, I got one "high" dose of cyclophosphamide at the start of the stem cell mobilization process. I was in the hospital for 2 days for that administration, and I don't know exactly what the dosage was. I'm sorry. I do know that it took about 1/2 hour for them to give it to me by IV.
Forums
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) and hair loss
I have CNS vasculitus. I have been on a dose of 150 mg cyclophosphamide everyday for a year and a half. My hair has gone to the dogs. Dry, frizzy, thinning. I hate my hair. I've even been taking biotin for my hair. Nada. Nuthin. Zilch.
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Vasculitis Vixen
Re: Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) and hair loss
I have been reading your responses regarding hair loss, and my question is when or if to shave my head.
I had Cytoxan two weeks ago, and my hair is coming out in big clumps and it is making a mess everywhere. I feel like a shedding dog. Will this stop at some point? Will I lose ALL my hair eventually, so I should just shave and wait for it to grow back? Should I wait to see if it just gets patchy?
Your advice would be welcome!
I had Cytoxan two weeks ago, and my hair is coming out in big clumps and it is making a mess everywhere. I feel like a shedding dog. Will this stop at some point? Will I lose ALL my hair eventually, so I should just shave and wait for it to grow back? Should I wait to see if it just gets patchy?
Your advice would be welcome!
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MJH - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) and hair loss
Three years post transplant hair update:
I have discovered that, as far as the hair falling out goes, just 'go with it." I did have my head shaved just before I went in for the transplant, and it did take a good four months to start growing back.
I had been looking forward to wigs and scarves and hats – I love scarves and hats – but it turns out that I only love 'em when I have hair under 'em. I purely hate wigs. So I ended up 'rocking the bald look." I wore big earrings, bold colors, and sunscreen.
Worked fine.
The hair grew back – soft, and thick, pure white and curly. (sniff) I miss my 'chemo curls'. They grew out, became darker, and I now have very salt n pepper locks, thick again, and wavy. Mom keeps telling me I need a hair cut. And no, I ain't doing that. Let it grow. Shoot, I might just hit the dye bath and see about being a redhead again. Who knows?
The biggest thing I learned (hair wise) is that I had obsessed over that aspect, mostly, I think, to take my mind off of everything else that was going on. It was the outward, unmistakable and glaring arrow "see the cancer patient!" sign.
Some of us get to play with wigs, some wear the scarves and hats, and a few, like me, just go with it. I looked GOOD bald. At least, I think I did.
The most practical advice I can give here is: ask the nurses when, or if, you will need to 'do' something about your hair. Try an 'alternative hair replacement" (quick: where did that come from?) find some fun hats. Have fun with it, because you'll either lose your hair or you won't.
Just be careful about dying your hair fire engine red. It gets old, fast.
I have discovered that, as far as the hair falling out goes, just 'go with it." I did have my head shaved just before I went in for the transplant, and it did take a good four months to start growing back.
I had been looking forward to wigs and scarves and hats – I love scarves and hats – but it turns out that I only love 'em when I have hair under 'em. I purely hate wigs. So I ended up 'rocking the bald look." I wore big earrings, bold colors, and sunscreen.
Worked fine.The hair grew back – soft, and thick, pure white and curly. (sniff) I miss my 'chemo curls'. They grew out, became darker, and I now have very salt n pepper locks, thick again, and wavy. Mom keeps telling me I need a hair cut. And no, I ain't doing that. Let it grow. Shoot, I might just hit the dye bath and see about being a redhead again. Who knows?
The biggest thing I learned (hair wise) is that I had obsessed over that aspect, mostly, I think, to take my mind off of everything else that was going on. It was the outward, unmistakable and glaring arrow "see the cancer patient!" sign.
Some of us get to play with wigs, some wear the scarves and hats, and a few, like me, just go with it. I looked GOOD bald. At least, I think I did.
The most practical advice I can give here is: ask the nurses when, or if, you will need to 'do' something about your hair. Try an 'alternative hair replacement" (quick: where did that come from?) find some fun hats. Have fun with it, because you'll either lose your hair or you won't.
Just be careful about dying your hair fire engine red. It gets old, fast.
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dianaiad - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Officially...March 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) and hair loss
One suggestion: Don't shave your head. This was recommended to me by a hairdresser that works with the wig-wearing population. He has all kinds of clients and was very helpful. He suggested that you cut it very short, but don't shave it. Wig caps, wool hats, etc. can be very irritating, and having even a little bit of hair as a buffer will help keep your scalp from becoming irritated and dry.
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Pattycake
15 posts
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