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JJR23's avatar
JJR23
Member
20 days ago

Scalp issues on medications

Hi. Just wondering if anyone has any issues while on Abemiciclib and letrozole with scalp dry patches? I’ve always had beautiful healthy hair and skin but since my diagnosis and treatment I’ve had scalp issues. I didn’t have this problem during chemo etc. but have the last 2 months. Any tips on how to resolve it would be very appreciated. I have tried several creams, shampoos etc. X

side-effects

6 Replies

  • JJR23's avatar
    JJR23
    Member
    14 days ago

    Thanks for your reply Katie46.  I lasted the two years on the 150mg x 2 daily.  It was hell, especially on my stomach, but my oncologist wasn't keen on me reducing it.  I am so glad to be finished that but now have been told that I will continue with these other side effects as a result of Letrozole.  For my condition there is not really any other option so it is going to be a long ride! I was hoping once the Abem was done things would go back to more normality.  Appears not!  I hope you do not have the side effects I am getting and that you do really well once you are finished your treatment.  

  • SC's avatar
    SC
    Member
    18 days ago

    Hi, These have solved all my scalp issues, from various causes known and unknown over the years; so hoping to help even if in general.
    But of course I cannot say whether it could be worth a try for you; or if your particular medication caused the scalp issue or it's a coincidence; or some specific cause might mean these would not help.

    1. Reduce hair washing to once a week, and only with the healthy natural kind of shampoo -or just water. (Live away from the commercialised 'civilisation' for a bit and you may find that un-chlorinated natural water works great after a little while). If at first or after too many days the scalp got oily, I sprinkled baby talc on it and combed out. This doesn't happen any more.

      I believe that the more we pile cream, oil, goo onto the skin the skin gets used to it, thinking that oh I don't need to produce anything. Then at the sudden lack of it the skin pours out natural magic cleansing-moisturising oil to counter the sudden lack. Not asking anyone to believe this, it can be tried out -even better, verified such as by student research projects.

    2. Cover hair well. I discovered this to be an amazing positive side effect of trying to combat hair strands on sensitive skin of the face, ears, neck. With the hair uncut, since Covid years,  combed to get rid of strands that detach from the scalp but still on the head as well as to massage scalp, and tied up,
      I have kept the head covered like this... 

      Fold a light-weight thin-fabric scarf as a triangle, tie the ends. Put the broad side at forehead, let the tied ends and the triangle corner fall towards to nape of the neck. Twist fabric to snug-fit from nape of the neck then up towards the tied ends several times, adjust till that loop comes round to fit snugly on the forehead.

      Adjust for any venting to suit the weather, wear hat against UV. Choose the fabric so it can stay snug and not too slippery. (Any hair band etc never work well and get lost.)
      I just bought a microfibre towel to cut up and experiment if that's anti-slip keeping hair strands from sensitive skin.
    • JJR23's avatar
      JJR23
      Member
      14 days ago

      Thank you for taking the time to reply.  X

  • Katie46's avatar
    Katie46
    Member
    20 days ago

    Hi JJR23​ 

    I'm currently on letrozole and abemaciclib and find my skin is a lot drier than it used to be, and I can get away with washing my hair once or twice a week, which I never would have got away with pre chemo and other medication. I'm using moogoo shampoo and conditioner at the moment, it's quite mild and doesn't dry my scalp. Katie 

    • JJR23's avatar
      JJR23
      Member
      19 days ago

      Thanks Katie. Do you mind if I ask how long you have been on the meds for? The reason I ask is my scalp issue only started 2 months before I finished my 2yr course of Abemiciclib. It’s now almost 3 weeks since I finished (am still on letrozole) and it’s not any better. I have used all of the moo goo products too but nothing is clearing this up. I’m worried I’m stuck with another wonderful side effect from the meds etc. I also have had a really sore wrist for 3 months and trigger fingers which I think could also be related to the meds & a result of being forced into early menopause. I hope you don’t experience the awful stomach problems from Abemiciclib like I did. I was so glad to be finished! 

      • Katie46's avatar
        Katie46
        Member
        19 days ago

        Hi JJR23

        I'm into my second year of letrozole and abemaciclib. I'm fairly convinced the letrozole is causing the reduction of oil in my skin, or rather the lack of oestrogen. I also now have very dry eyes, I'm blaming letrozole for that too, although it started when I was on chemo.

        Prior to all this I had quite oily skin and had to wash my hair every other day or it looked greasy, so although I've noticed it's a lot drier now, it's not itchy or patchy. Using sorbolene moisturiser daily and moo goo is working for me.

        I've had a bumpy road with abemaciclib, my stomach does not like it at all. I started on 150 x 2 a day and that was a definite no, I only lasted 5 weeks and felt absolutely awful. I dropped down to 100 x 2 a day and that was a definite improvement, I was still getting stomach issues but it was more manageable with gastro stop. Recently the diarrhoea started ramping up again, so they've dropped me down to 50 x 2 daily, which has calmed things down again, so hopefully that will get me to the end of the 2 years.