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Chemo for bladder cancer.

Posted by gordy6898p @gordy6898p, Oct 22, 2023

I'm undergoing chemo for a bladder tumor.....

As expected, some head hair is being lost. Any idea if this is a continuing thing, or stops at some point?

Just curious, at my age (81) I'm not concerned with appearance, I can always shave myself bald (more bald that is).

Something interesting. I'm aware that hair loss is caused by destruction of many hair roots. But, apparently chemo halts, or slows, growth of ALL hair.

I often skip shaving for a few days. At the moment I have the equivalent of about 3 days of hair growth, even though I haven't shaved for at least a week.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Oct 23, 2023

Hello @gordy6898p. My husband had a platinum based chemo 3 years ago for his bladder cancer. While his hair thinned and shaving daily was not required, he did not lose eyebrows, eyelashes or all of his hair. We joked that it was hard to tell due to his age related thinning and balding. It was not an immediate hair loss, but seemed to happen gradually early on and then never progressed. He was 68 at the time. As a helpful hint, to prevent mouth sores he sucked on crushed ice during every infusion and it certainly seemed to help. Good luck to you and I hope this is a successful treatment.

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gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Oct 23, 2023
In reply to @sepdvm "Hello @gordy6898p. My husband had a platinum based chemo 3 years ago for his bladder cancer...." + (show)
@sepdvm

Hello @gordy6898p. My husband had a platinum based chemo 3 years ago for his bladder cancer. While his hair thinned and shaving daily was not required, he did not lose eyebrows, eyelashes or all of his hair. We joked that it was hard to tell due to his age related thinning and balding. It was not an immediate hair loss, but seemed to happen gradually early on and then never progressed. He was 68 at the time. As a helpful hint, to prevent mouth sores he sucked on crushed ice during every infusion and it certainly seemed to help. Good luck to you and I hope this is a successful treatment.

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Thanks for your reply......

I too had several sore spots in my mouth. After speaking with the VA nurse, she ordered "Maalidoben Oral Suspension."

It arrived the following day, but the soreness had already started to diminish, so I never tried it.

Today I got a followup call, and the nurse advised keeping it around in case the problem returns.

It doesn't expire until 03/26.

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gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Oct 24, 2023

I Googled "Maalidoben".... mixed reviews as to its' effectiveness. One review referred to it as a "Magic mix." Apparently it's a customized blend, prepared according to which Chemo treatment is being used.

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gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Oct 24, 2023

Tomorrow, Oct. 25, I'm scheduled for four separate followups at the VA hospital in Madison, WI.

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gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Oct 28, 2023

Three days ago I shaved my face. As of today, NO air growth.

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