malignant melanoma

I am also on the tafinlar (dabrafenib). I was on the combo until 12/24 along with mek, but had to stop as I went to the ER that night with severe side effects. I seem to be one of those people that "if it's on the side effect sheet" I will get it! I had a rash which had been building for about a week, I had swelling of the lower extremities, severe body aches (my wrists, butt, back, arms, legs, feet, even my big toe hurt!), extreme chills that would follow with a major fever…not to mention fatigue! Nausea and diarrhea. Hair loss as well, it seems mostly to be thinning out pretty evenly. I'm not missing big chunks or anything. BUT…I think hair loss has hit me the hardest. I've always had long, thick hair my whole life and to see it coming out in handfuls and filling up my brush just terrified me. I decided to have it cut up to my shoulders in a long bob type cut…honestly I hate it, but felt my hair would look better shorter than long and super thin. I'm getting used to it now and started using some of the young living oils on my scalp to see my if that will help.

My aunt went thru breast cancer and her hair just thinned out really bad but she didn't lose it all and it grew back. My dad went thru colorectal cancer with chemo and radiation stage 4, and he didn't lose his hair even though they said he would. 

I've decided this is a small price to pay and there are others who are suffering much worse…

You aren't alone…and this won't get me down.

I am also on the tafinlar (dabrafenib). I was on the combo until 12/24 along with mek, but had to stop as I went to the ER that night with severe side effects. I seem to be one of those people that "if it's on the side effect sheet" I will get it! I had a rash which had been building for about a week, I had swelling of the lower extremities, severe body aches (my wrists, butt, back, arms, legs, feet, even my big toe hurt!), extreme chills that would follow with a major fever…not to mention fatigue! Nausea and diarrhea. Hair loss as well, it seems mostly to be thinning out pretty evenly. I'm not missing big chunks or anything. BUT…I think hair loss has hit me the hardest. I've always had long, thick hair my whole life and to see it coming out in handfuls and filling up my brush just terrified me. I decided to have it cut up to my shoulders in a long bob type cut…honestly I hate it, but felt my hair would look better shorter than long and super thin. I'm getting used to it now and started using some of the young living oils on my scalp to see my if that will help.

My aunt went thru breast cancer and her hair just thinned out really bad but she didn't lose it all and it grew back. My dad went thru colorectal cancer with chemo and radiation stage 4, and he didn't lose his hair even though they said he would. 

I've decided this is a small price to pay and there are others who are suffering much worse…

You aren't alone…and this won't get me down.

I am also on the tafinlar (dabrafenib). I was on the combo until 12/24 along with mek, but had to stop as I went to the ER that night with severe side effects. I seem to be one of those people that "if it's on the side effect sheet" I will get it! I had a rash which had been building for about a week, I had swelling of the lower extremities, severe body aches (my wrists, butt, back, arms, legs, feet, even my big toe hurt!), extreme chills that would follow with a major fever…not to mention fatigue! Nausea and diarrhea. Hair loss as well, it seems mostly to be thinning out pretty evenly. I'm not missing big chunks or anything. BUT…I think hair loss has hit me the hardest. I've always had long, thick hair my whole life and to see it coming out in handfuls and filling up my brush just terrified me. I decided to have it cut up to my shoulders in a long bob type cut…honestly I hate it, but felt my hair would look better shorter than long and super thin. I'm getting used to it now and started using some of the young living oils on my scalp to see my if that will help.

My aunt went thru breast cancer and her hair just thinned out really bad but she didn't lose it all and it grew back. My dad went thru colorectal cancer with chemo and radiation stage 4, and he didn't lose his hair even though they said he would. 

I've decided this is a small price to pay and there are others who are suffering much worse…

You aren't alone…and this won't get me down.