Hi guys… Been a while since I’ve been in this thread. I’m cold capping, already had 3 FEC and first of three T due next Friday.
Ive shed about 50/60 % of my hair. It’s thinned a lot but it’s still there. I hope every day I wake that today is going to be the day it slows down or stops… But no. More strands on pillow this morning. I’ve got a wig ready, which I’ve not been brave enough to put on.
My questions are…
On having the T drug did this change, improve, or stay same in your opinion for you?
Have had burning sensation in set area and slight pain that started last night… Why? Am I to expect a bald patch?!
Any tips on coping better as hair much thinner since the start?
Tips on putting wig on and keeping it on? Please xx
Tina check out the videos this girl does on coping with hair loss. She suffers with hair loss due to stress and her hair has been through all sorts from bald patches in different places to it pretty much all going. youtu.be/6qVjgBYus2c
I found them extremely useful.
Hope it helps. I also started a thread that is called bald patches. Some useful bits on there too.
Vicky xx
Me too Tina although it hasn’t just widened but a small bald patch by my crown can cover it with a comb over though. Makes me sound like an old man when I say it though lol xx
Hi. I had chemo starting in July 2015. I decided to use the scalp cooling. It was horrible and I still feel sucking just thinking of it and writing this. It seemed to work ok until after chemo 4 and then I lost nearly all my hair. Up to chemo 4 I had got by with using mane spray to cover thinner bits. I started wearing my wig after chemo 6- my last one and wished I hadn’t bothered as I felt it hasn’t worked. I am now 3 and a half months past my last chemo and have loads of hair. A short style but it plenty. I stopped wearing my wig after 2 and a half months. I think it must have worked as my hair has come back so quickly. I went to the hairdressers 2 weeks after my last chemo and had a dermabrasion treatment and have been using Nioxin shampoo. I was really upset at the end of treatment about how little hair I had and how I felt the cap hadn’t worked but now I have a good 2 inches of hair. Hope this is helpful to someone. X
Hi. Thanks Kate.
My heart lurched when I read you lost even more after cycle 4! I’m having number 4 tomorrow and dreading it all again! I’ve still got my hair all be it very thin but it’s still there. List about 50% so far. Did you have 3 FEC and 3 T? Wondered if same drug cycles?
Praying it’s going to slow down!? But fear it’s not Feel sick at thought if it all again tomorrow
Xxx Tina
It will be ok Tina. I am right here with you, same amount of hair loss and same cycles.
I spoke with my onc the other week and he said that T is more forgiving on the hair. He is very hopeful that I shouldn’t loose too much more. He was very impressed the cold cap had worked so well so far too. I am sure it will be ok. Think positive and try not to stress as some people like that girl in the video loose hair if stressed. It certainly won’t help. PMA - positive mental attitude hun thats what we need right now.
Vicky xx
Less hair thickness made cold cap feel worse this last time. Still seems to be working as no more coming out than usual after fec. If anything it may be a little less but a little early to tell yet. Xx
Just looking for some advice/reassurance. I had 2nd T a week ago after 3 EC. I’ve cold capped each time and thought I was doing quite well - hair thinned, probably by 50%, but I felt didn’t look too bad. I was hopeful that I wasn’t going to need wig. However on washing hair yesterday I lost loads, much more than previously - I feel very despondent as understood T generally kinder to hair.
What is generally time frame for hair loss after chemo? When does it stop/slow down? When would you plan to go to hairdressers to improve style? I am having final chemo on 8th March and just want some idea of what to expect over next few weeks.
I had different chemo but hair started to grow about three weeks after last one. It’s about three months before its enough and you realise how long it takes to grow a fringe! It helps when you launch the new short style to wear loads of make up;big earrings and a pretty scarf …
Carolyn xxx
I had 3 FEC and 2 T my last T will be tomorrow. I lost around 50% of my hair or maybe little bit more I lost a lot the top of my hair not really bald patch but can see my skin a lot. After FEC it started to grow my hair a little bit, but still falling out every day. When it will stop falling out the hair. I am having chemo every 3 weeks and end of the 3. week still a lot, so after my last chemo when it will stop to fall out my hair? and grow normaly?
I used a cold cap back in 1991 when I had breast cancer, kept most of my hair, but do have very thick hair. Now, 24 years later I am doing chemo again for cancer in the remaing breast after mastectomy. I hope the cold cap works as well this time as it did before. Some people may call it vanity, but I say why not give it a try. Good luck to all!
Oh catpope, sorry you’re going through it again. I don’t know how much things have progressed in 24 years, but hopefully you’ll get an even better result this time/ x
Well 17 days after first tc treatment and shedding lots of hair. Different chemo this time from the first back in '91. Head was really sore but not as bad the last few days. Thought they were improving the treatments not making them harsher. Oh well, life goes on…
I remember mine shed at 17 days after first chemo only. The first time nurse cooled the cold cap before putting it on, subsequently they put it on at room temperature and cooled it in my head - it gave a much better fit, I don’t know if that contributed to the success.
I was diagnosed today & getting 6 chemo sessions over 18 weeks & she mentioned cold cap is it worth it ? I’m overwhelmed, numb, terrified … Any tips/advice
I have kept a lot of my hair, about 30-40 % and it seems to be coming back fast too. I cold capped and yes it is very cold. Made my fiancé wear one for 5 minutes at the last session and he was so glad to get it off. I would keep in mind you most probably won’t keep all of your hair. It is possible to keep a fair bit though so as people don’t notice. It does feel colder the thinner your hair gets, nobody warned me about that. I felt like giving up so many times on the last 2 sessions but having someone there with me helped get me through. It is a very personal decision. It all depends how you feel about kepping or loosing your hair. Most who go for the bald look shave it or cut it shorter before so as not so much hair to come out. For me it was so definitely worth it! This is your decision though Lynn remember that and do what feels right for you. My mum 10 years ago did one but she suffered with Migraines and it brought them on for her and so she had to stop. My mum rocked the bald look and headscarves but it wasn’t for me. I do wear a headscarf at the moment but that is more to keep my head warm as it’s cold out and my hair is thin, and when sunny (yes I have seen it!) to help keep the sun off my scalp.
Good luck making your decision. If you have any questions let us ladies know! Xx
Been on 3 Fec then 3 docetaxel, last of which was 2 days ago. Cold capped for first 4 treatments (did the usual taking painkillers, keeping it pressed down tightly but didn’t bother with wetting and covering it in conditioner). Lost a lot day 14/15 especially after washing. At dose 5, nurses wouldn’t allow me to continue using it as there were too many bald patches underneath and they were concerned the cold would completely kill off the follicles and it wouldn’t grow back there. You couldn’t see the bald bits as I pulled the hair I have left into a hair grip to cover it up and have a fringe left with no bald bits on top. Since dose 5 it has still been coming out but nothing drastic. Have to admit I haven’t washed it for almost a month and just used dry shampoo. Nurses were amazed when they saw it at dose 6. I’m hoping it will last now until my next wash but will try to leave it unwashed as long as possible at least until it is stable again which according to some of the ladies on here can be anything from 6 to 14 weeks post chemo. Also the nurses checked the bald bits again and reckon it’s growing in again. Seems to be true in my case that the t part is far less damaging than fec.
Keep going, it’s worth it. I cold capped 14 times as had FEC followed by weekly taxol. It was tough going but I only lostsybe 50% all over, no patches. I only lost it after first FEC then it started growing. Just make sure it fits really snugly, and you must wet it and put in conditioner as the wet conducts the cold and conditioner prevents hair from sticking to the cap. My hair got thin on top but I found if I tied it back in a ponytail the comb over disguised the thinness. The nurse put a light layer of gauze over the top to prevent ice burn. Good luck x
I’m having number 4 tomorrow and dreading it all again! I’ve still got my hair all be it very thin but it’s still there. List about 50% so far. Did you have 3 FEC and 3 T? Wondered if same drug cycles?