Hi i 'm on the other extreme and as i just started my 3 rounds of FEC75 yesterday which will be followed by 3 rounds of docetaxel. I opted for scalp cooling and they have the paxman unit at the hospital. I was abit concerned that the contact at the back wasn’t as good and when taking it off the nurse commented that the strap was undone around the back, next time I will be more on the ball getting them to check it as I went to the loo and maybe things moved. I had a medium cap with a small covering hat. There wasn’t much advice regarding haircare afterwards. I was wondering where you can get the scalp caps to wear at nighttime to avoid finding clumps of hair on the pillow.
I have found snail888 practical advice very useful; thankfully I rung the chemo ward so I knew to bring a headband for covering ears and forehead and I had brought some conditioner. The nurse seemed to be under pressure yesterday and there needs to be attention to detail with cap fitting to get a good result. It would be better if they could have done this in advance.
I am not going to wash my hair for a few days, had it cut from long to a bob and fringe, it is v straight so I’m lucky it looks ok, there is dried conditioner from yesterday but going to leave it if doesn’t become itchy.
Thanks for advice against wearing hats if possible as best to keep scalp cooler.
Anna bandana do.lots of little caps to sleep.in. I’ve done 6 x fec. I have to listen chin and back strap as it was making me feel sick but to compensate I do 2 hours post epirubicin. My hair is thinner but the mad curls cover that up at the moment. I’m not sure of how to style it going forward. I had it cut to a bob and blow.dried it once a week but that will now be too aggressive for hair. I’m thinking of shorter on the sides over my ears xx
I am on day 11 of my first fec cycle having used the paxman cold cap. I followed the advice (used simple shampoo and conditioner) and have washed my hair twice so far & dried it with T shirt with minimal combing. I haven’t had any hair loss yet; just wondered the likely pattern of hairloss. I was worried that there would be clumps of hair coming out on my pillow at night. Is this likely to happen or is it more general shedding? I guess without new hair growth there will be cumulative thinning as a best case scenario. I have very fine straight hair cut in a bob at present but it doesn’t have much body.
My shedding seemed to be around day 14 and it was the odd hair not big clumps. When I washed and combed while ringlets would come out so say 30 strands together. I still have enough hair and wild curls to cover my head x
My hair loss was around the 13 day mark. Beware - the girlie bits may be the first to go! It was a bit of a shock for me! My head hair loss was quite dramatic for a few days. I didn’t brush or comb it throughout chemo, just ran my hands through. There was quite a lot in one go, but then it stopped and any loss was not noticeable during the rest of chemo. By the time I started taxol I had new growth appearing. I kept my hair in a loose ponytail which helped to hide the lankness.
I used the cap for treatment 1 and 2. My hair started to thin after 2 a lot but I also had major psycological problems. I am a positive person and nothing phases me normally but I am having nightmares about my brain freezing and suddenly turned neurotic about a cold head when I’ve never been neurotic before. So I had my hair cut off and never going to ever want to see a cold cap again. I’m amazed no one said anything about possible trauma it has caused me but seems I am an isolated case and everyone seems to be doing great on it. Take care and keep positive. suz
hi I’ve been using cold cap,ive just had my second chemo fect my hair is thinning but no bold patches as yet,ive one more fect to have on 13th April, then ive got 3 Docetaxel the doctor said I may well loose my hair with that even if I wear cold cap as the chemo is quite intense so we will wait and see
I’ve had 5 out of my 6 chemo treatments (docetaxel and carboplatin) so far and have been using an ice cap throughout. The first fifteen minutes is very painful but after that I seem to go through the pain barrier and rely on a heat pad to try to keep me warm. Take something to distract yourself and help get you through the difficult bits. I didn’t loose any hair for the first couple of cycles. Then each time I washed my hair I probably lost about 30-40 strands and a few more each time I brush it. The good news is it’s not from one area and therefore you can’t really notice the loss. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I’ve always had quite fine hair and had it cut into a short bob during my first cycle. I wash my hair using a ph balanced baby shampoo, no conditioner (except whilst wearing the ice cap). I pat my hair with a towel after washing it and then use a hair dryer on medium heat, medium power as if I let it dry naturally it gets greecier quicker then I’d have to wash it more. I comb it with a wide toothed comb. Good luck to those on their cancer ‘journey’.
Hi everyone,
I am just about to have my 3rd FEC tomorrow. I have had a cold cap so far. I had no hair loss in the first cycle and then in the last 3 weeks it hasbeen persistent generalised hairloss. I am quite disappointed and I had to wear a wig yesterday as my parting is now quite wide and my crown quite sparse. I wished to know if the cold cap will be bearable or not. I was ok with the first 2 treatments with doing deep breathing. I was lucky not to get a headache. I am due for 3 docatexel next which involves a much shorter time with the cold cap so I am going to try to keep going. I know I feel better having some hair.
Xx to you all
I have had two fecs using cold cap but 80 percent gone now and what’s left looks terrible so I got a hair topper which I have to say is so much more comfy than a wig I just need to hold on to my small bit of hair as it clips on I had loads of Thick hair too which I constantly had to blow dry so that’s one consultation I guess as all I have to do now is clip on my hair
I am about to go through chemo #3, and thankfully, I still have all my hair. I am using Arctic Cold Caps. i start 45min before infusion and continue 6 hours after. I wash my hair 2-3 x a week, but do use organic conditioner or cur activator everyday. I have curly hair, so I cannot go a day ala natural i still have my eyebrows, my eyelashes are thinning, but still have my hair. a Bad hair day is better than no hair day for me. Good Luck, all.
You’re not alone! I’ve done everything perfect according to the cold cap directions and lost a ton of my hair days 11-21 leaving a bald spot on my crown that I could have gotten away with hiding with a combover however the thinning grew and and grew over the next few weeks down the sides. Right now I could get by with a clip on topper instead of a full wig but I still have 2 more chemos to get through and shedding continues daily. It’s at a lesser rate but that can add up over the next 6-8 weeks. I’m devastated. My expectations were such that Zero wigs or hair pieces would be needed in this process and I am totally depressed about it. I k kw I should be greatfyl for the hair I still have in the back so trying to focus on that. Love and hugs dearie. I share your woes and send you the best wishes.
There are 2 reasons you may be losing hair on your crown. The cap may be too big and not getting a proper seal to the top of you head. Make sure that bit is really wet and has plenty of conditioner. Go down a cap size. And tighten chin strap.
Also make sure you defrost. Pulling the cap off to soon will break the hair as it is frozen to the inside of the cap xc
Hi Everyone, I am going to have my 3rd AC Treatment next Tuesday, I have been using the
Paxman Cold Cap. I am shedding loads and I’m now on Day 20, I have another 6 treatment to go. I Am following all the guidelines about how to take care of your hair during Treatments and using the Cold Cap. I would like to know if my Hair Shedding will slow down?
i still have my eyebrows, my eyelashes are thinning, but still have my hair. a Bad hair day is better than no hair day for me. Good Luck, all.