Forum Discussion
Loss of eyelashes
Hi everyone,
It is about 8 weeks since my last round of chemo, during which I lost most of my body hair with the exception of my eyebrows and eyelashes. Now, 8 weeks on my eyebrows have thinned out to virtually nothing and my eyelashes have all gone completely. This has upset me more than my actual hair loss!!
Has anyone else experienced this?
Jen xx
21 Replies
Margherite, isn't it exciting when you wake up one morning and realise your hair has started growing back! And Anne, I didn't even notice that my eyebrows were gone to tell the truth. I wasn't fussed about it but then I wasn't much fussed about being bald either - just goes with the territory. I do have one very strong memory though. About 6 months before my hair started growing (I was wtihout it for quite a lot longer than Margherite) I was taken to the gardens on a mild sunny autumn day. I have never experienced such pleasure as the sun on my head and a gentle breeze across my skull. Something those with hair will never feel (and I kind of hope I won't feel again... ) That was my "silver lining" and I really hope you find some of your own. s
- Great plan. It is best to take one day at a time. I am nearly 8 months post chemo and my hair is about 3 inches or more long. Take care. M
Good luck to you Anne - eyebrows and eyelashes are definitely the last and mine didn't fall out until after radio - that was a surprise! Wishing you the very best for the rest of your treatment and recovery - it's long and slow but we all get there in the end, wherever that is! s
Hi Murph
Any worries do speak to your doctor or breast care nurse although I bet you'll find everything is "normal". Chemo can do weird things and I definitely remember that my eyelashes seemd to thin out before growing back finally. I think it was because we lose so many lashes each day and you're noticing these things, possibly for the first time! Good luck with the rest of your treatment.....
s
- I have finished Chemo in June this year and Radiation in early August. All my body hair grew back quite well, though now my pubic hair and eyebrows and lashes seem to be thinning out, it seems to be a bit of a cycle. Is this normal and will it stop.
- Hi all. Yes looking back The time I felt most vulnerable and exposed was when I lost my eyelashes. And then I ended up with styes in my eyes Where my eyelashes used to be. I was putting cream on from the chemist to keep it clean .... the husband had to lead me to bed because I couldn't see. now two weeks after radiotherapy stopped, three months or so after chemo it's all coming back. Hang in there, have courage and look after yourself. It will come back. I know I said it before, but the rehabilitation has been absolutely awesome. It's made me feel like I'm getting my power back and taking some control. I've been seeing a neuropsychologist weekly it's all covered by the health insurance. I've been having exercise rehab physio. Good thing to get something back off the health insurance. If You don't have health insurance I think is other rehab available publicly really I'm not sure about this. I must admit I remember thinking that the Breast care nurses would reach out to me but I had to reach out to them. then. Maybe that's what I want to say the most. Reach out to people, seek support and look after yourself. You will get through it.
Hi Margherite
I'm sorry you're starting to not believe but it's very normal - you can't be happy and positive every single day. You've been through the hugest upheaval ever, both physically and emotionally. Stay with how you feel - don't pretend that you're okay when you're not. I hope you have someone who will listen to you whinge - if not a friend, do you have a breast care nurse? I didn't want to be a bother to family and friends (which is the totally wrong way to feel, by the way) and my nurse was amazing. This forum is also ideal because we have all been there one way or another and we listen to each other.
I still get the odd stye as well. Throw away any eye products you might have had for a while - I found that this helped reduce the amount of irritation alot. And chest infections make the healthiest people feel low so you are entitled to feel as low as you like.
Thinking of you - it gets better, slowly, slowly.
s
- Thanks all. Yr comments are v helpful. I finished Five months of chemo last week and though my lashes had been thinning I got away with using liner (as well as eyebrow pencil). I then lost all my lashes and The last two days I've had styes. First in one eye then th other. The chemist gave me an antibiotic cream but hey are so sore and effect my vision. It's worse than the chemo. ..or maybe just that I thought I was over the worst when chemo finished. Also have a chest infection which is depleting my energy. I try to keep telling myself that if this is the worst it will get I will be fine. I don't always believe it but I try.
- Thanks all. Yr comments are v helpful. I finished Five months of chemo last week and though my lashes had been thinning I got away with using liner (as well as eyebrow pencil). I then lost all my lashes and The last two days I've had styes. First in one eye then th other. The chemist gave me an antibiotic cream but hey are so sore and effect my vision. It's worse than the chemo. ..or maybe just that I thought I was over the worst when chemo finished. Also have a chest infection which is depleting my energy. I try to keep telling myself that if this is the worst it will get I will be fine. I don't always believe it but I try.
