Taxotere and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Reb...
• November 21, 2017

For Solid Tumors "Doing 6 rounds three weeks apart. Also getting Perjeta and Herceptin. Have hair loss, heartburn, facial rash, weight gain, bowel issues occasionally. Overall, the first week after treatment is tough. Terrible taste in my mouth from this drug, and that is difficult to tolerate as most foods taste awful. Only one more treatment to go, I can't wait to be done with this. I do get tingling in my fingertips, like they are asleep. Doesn't last too long."

• Cce...
• September 13, 2016

For Solid Tumors "I had a hysterectomy in December of 2015 and was diagnosed at a stage 1a with leiomyosarcoma (rare form of uterine cancer). I was also given Gemzar at the same time as Taxotere. Four cycles altogether (every 3 weeks). My side effects were hair loss (yes - eyelashes and brows), some nausea, skin peeling of hands and feet, severe edema and shortness of breath, fevers, bone pain, and muscle aches. It has now been 4 months since that drug was given to me. I had to follow those two drugs with 4 cycles of Adriamycin (which was like taking a baby aspirin compared to Taxotere). I completed my chemo on July 28th, I have had 1 CAT scan come back clear, so I get checked every 3 months for 2 years. I was scared at first, but now that I made it through, I am thankful I chose treatment."

• MAM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I had some horrible side effects. All my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows fell out. I have super thin hair now, no eyelashes, and hardly any eyebrows. I had 4 treatments with this drug. At that time, I experienced severe pain that I had to go to the ER for, all of my fingernails and toenails fell out. I also had what seemed to be chemical burns on my hands and feet. My skin peeled off to reveal red, sore skin. I also had an infection at my cuticle site on all of my fingers. Though I have been in remission for 4 years, the side effects were awful. This was my second round of chemo. I had a first treatment with a different drug, 3 surgeries, and then this chemo followed with radiation."