Hi. Awil. Well done you finishing chemo!! I’m hoping the docetoxyl will be a bit easier but I’m guessing there will be a whole new boat load of side effects!! Sounds like the hair loss slows down through this. Has yours started growing back now? Xx
Hi rosarty … Funny I found docetaxel harder but all doable … Er only a slight bit of fluff !!! On my legs yes lol can you believe it !!! Start rads next week and still have to have herceptin but yes pleased chemo done … Good luck … I have a card someone bought me saying
You are stronger than you think and braver than you feel ? I quote that most days … We can do this all of us xxxxx
I started my T yesterday after 3 fec. Have been cold capping all way through. Have lost about half my hair and have a very annoying bald patch right at the top. I can’t complain though as manage to hide it really well with clipping the fringe back in a kind of quiff. You can’t even tell. The thinning has definitely eased off loads now too. I’m told it will start to grow back a bit now too. So I’m thinking with regards to hate loss my worst is over. I bought a product last week that I ordered in from boots called topik. It’s amazing!! It’s like a coloured powder that I sprinkle on the thinning bits. It works brilliantly. Definitely worth a try if any of you are darker as that pink scalp shinning through can look a bit obvious xxx
Tomorrow is my first chemo and I am giving the cold cap a go, if it does start to fall out in big chunks and does not work for me, I think in the back of my mind I will shave it off. I don’t think I can cope with looking at myself with big bald patches
Hi babypink. The hair falling out in chunks and the bald patches were far more stressful for me than the shave. My approach was it didn’t bare any resemblance to my original hair so what was I trying to save! I had to wear hats all the time and cover it up anyway! I just look at it now as the new me. My hairdresser is looking forward to trying out lots of new pixie hairstyles when it starts growing again! Good luck with the cold cap. You have to give it at least two goes before you’ll know if it’s worth it. Xxx
Ho rosarty I did try the cap unpleasant as it was I’m happy I gave it a go. If it does not work for me as I do have shiny and thick locks and it starts to drop out it’s likely it will come off. I’m not sure how I will handle it I’m probably going to be heartbroken. I’ve had long hair for years and always complimented on it. It’s going to be a shock I think
I’ve got two nice like peak woolly hats. Three bobble caps and one beanie. I’ve two wigs just in case. I am also glad it’s winter so I won’t look odd with a hat on. One thing on my mind is head itching and sweating under the wig. Mine is for work and it would be all day
Hi baby pink. Yes the wigs aren’t the most comfortable of things! But I ordered a bamboo wig liner from Wigs4u which feels really soft against my scalp. Better than the normal nylon things you get. It’s alot thicker and breathable.
I have a bit of fluff on my scalp so not completely bald and I think my hair is actually growing! You can never be sure what will happen next with this treatment!
I was the same. I used really gentle shampoos and products. Did everything to the book. Unfortunately didn’t work for me. I found once I knew the outcome and made my decision to cut it all off it was a huge relief. And one less thing to worry about. You’ll know what’s the best thing to do when the time comes. Fingers crossed for you but I think you will know pretty quickly after the second cycle. I didn’t lose any hair after first. I changed my focus to my diet rather than my hair and it has really helped me. I’m loosely following the professor jane plant programme for diet. There’s an excellent recipe book and easy to follow advice.
Try not to worry too much about hair. It’s really hard but a temporary phase. Xx
Hi everyone am new to this, this is my first post. I had chemo a week ago and used the cold cap, it was terrible but managed to stick it out for 3 hours, however I have just read that it’s supposed to be changed every half hour, mine wasn’t. So I’m wondering if mine was done properly, has any one any info on having used the cold cap? I thought I was just acclimatising to it but maybe it wasn’t freezing merely defreezing ?
Hi Dotty, well done for sticking with it for 3 hours. It depends on the type of cold cap you are using. One system is plugged into a cooling unit so you have a tube connecting your cap and to the machine which keeps pumping icy water round. The other (ive not seen) I gather that they keep snapping new cold caps from the freezer throughout your treatment.
I found that I got used to it and kept asking my nurse if it was still switched on as it didn’t feel cold!
Hi dotty. I found the cold cap hard too. I used it for my first two doses of FEC. Yep 3 hours plus. No you don’t change it during that time I used the Paxman cooling system. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me. 
Just had first session yesterday. Used paxman cold cap and coped pretty well. However headache started last night and is still pounding, painkillers not touching it. Anyone else had the same?
Hi sue, I tried the cold cap twice and still lost all the top of my hair but hey it’s always worth it for you may be different … Good luck with the rest of your treatment xx
Hi I am day 12 post fec 1. I have the caps they keep putting on every half an hour. I have long red hair and with the only 2 places the £120 voucher is actually vaild I can only find 1 that matches my colour. It is £409! Apparently it’s because my colour has to be done with natural fibres and can’t be done on synthetic ones at all. Talk about sucks. Anyway I am hoping the cold cap will work. I have a slight itching on my scalp and trying not to touch it. Using an organic shampoo and always use a wide tooth comb anyway. I have noticed today thet there seems to be a little more hair after combing. Some with folicales on the end. Luckily my hair is really thick normally. It does feel different but not sure if that is the shampoo or the meds. I have to have 3 of fec and then 3 of t after. What do you think my chances are ladies? I am desperate to find out/have some sort of guidance seeing there is no way I can afford that wig. Feeling very sad at the moment.
Hi red robin
I had lots of brown long curly hair. I did 3x FEC 100 dose. Used paxman cooling system. Had no hair loss after FEC 1 but felt a bit of tingling in scalp but thought this was too good to be true and it was. Cold capped for 2nd FEC and hair started falling out 2 days after. Used gentle organic shampoos minimised combing etc but capping didn’t work for me. Came out in handfuls in shower and then decided to clipper off to a no1. I had a wig ready but couldn’t match my curly hair so chose one that was different but suited me. Only wear the wig occasionally in evenings going out as prefer scarves and hats in daytime.
I really think the cold capping must depend on drug regime you are given. I’ve been told the epirubicin is the killer for hair follicles. As long as its doing its job elsewhere!!! Good luck with it all. Once you’ve made the decision and moved forward it does become easier. Rosarty xx
I had a wig already when I started my chemo in April 15.I had FEC-T 3 off each.I decided to use the ‘cold cap’.It was very uncomfortable and gave me headaches from hell and extended the time sitting in the Chemo ward by 2 hours with FEC and a little less for T.I thought it was Worth it although It wasn’t easy.I was very lucky and didn’t loose my hair.It did thin a bit and only now as the strange short bits are growing through did I realise was a little more than first thought.I was told by my breast consultant that it was the best results he’d seen.I can totally understand those who try it and decide not to continue.But I’m glad I did.I know it doesn’t work for all but worth a try.Good luck xx Karen
Hi - I had 3 fecs and 3 ts which finished on 2 December 2015. I coldcapped. It is extremely uncomfortable for the first 15 minutes until your head goes numb - then it is fine . It does add time to your chemo regime. I cut my hair to a short bob before chemo started . I lost no hair with first chemo . I did start losing a lot of hair which only I noticed after the next few chemos. I then got my hair cut very short as I found that I was losing lots of hair when I combed it . By having short pixie cut - it didn’t really need brushing - just ran my hair through it . I lost the most hair ( again only I noticed it ) after my 5th chemo . Fortunately - because my hair is short - I can just comb it over the little band spots . I have also bought some “wow” which is like eyeshadow that you paint onto your scalp - to cover up any bald spots . I did use a ph balanced shampoo and conditioner - once every week and brushed Ruth a wide toothed comb . Don’t vigorously dry with towel and don’t use hair dryer or straighteners .Friends and family have been amazed how well my hair looks . Best of luck to anyone willing to try it X
This is lovely to hear ladies. I think mine has gone about 40-possibly 50% 5 days post fec 2. I am determined to carry on and hope that once I wash it that it will not shead too much.
It helps so much hearing your experiences. I have heard that the hair doesn’t go as much with the T part as it’s the E that is the hair killer. How true is this?
Thanks for sharing
Xx