Taxatere - anyone else?

[shirleyl]

Hi, i am trying to get as much info as poss so maybe there are some of you that can help me.
I finished taxatere 2 years ago, and have now been told that my hairloss is permanant.
I have written to the makers of tax and asked them if they would like to keep me in wigs for the rest of my life. They replied saying they knew about my case and sympathise but would nopt help with the expensive wigs! They also said in the letter to me that 'permanant baldness' can happen although its very rare.
Is there anyone of you that this has happened to please.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
I understand what you are going through.
Have you tried Minoxidil?  If not, maybe you can try it.  It could make your hair to grow back.

[shirleyl]

Thank you for your comments. I have contacted the makers of Taxatere and they replied, saying, that it can happen (very rare?????)that Taxatere can make you bald permenantly and they understand how i feel (yeah right)but they will not help me puchase any wigs.
I was told my hair would grow back, if i had been told my hair wouldnt grow back i would have asked for a different chemo drug.How can i 'move on' when everytime i look in the mirror (which i have almost stopped doing) i see chemo head looking back. IF i didnt have the most wonderful husband - how could i date anyone and say "oh by the way i am bald".This company should disclose the possibilities and i will not except this.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells in the body.
Hair loss is just one of the side effects of chemotherapy.  
Not all patients are alike.  I do have patients who regrew their hair after chemotherapy using docetaxel (taxotere), though it took them months to grow.
I guess what is more important is that you are cancer-free now and have survived 2 years.  Please regularly consult your oncologist for surveillance.
Good luck.