I’m currently having EC chemo and will be doing docetaxel next. I’ve been reading that some people end up with chemo induced alopecia because of this drug. EC has taken my hair which I accept, but I always knew it would grow back. Now I’m worried that docetaxel may permanently stop my hair growing back. I know it seems shallow and vain, but I will have no boobs, no hair and weight gain and I will have to complete 20 more years of teaching looking awful. This disease is taking so much. I’m really scared to start docetaxel. I will ask oncologist about it at my next appointment in 2 weeks.
Are there alternatives?
Does this alopecia happen a lot and are there risk factors?
I know this is a question for the nurses but just wanted to say that I was in the April chemo starters group and most of us finished chemo in July / August. Everyone who had docetaxel is now seeing new hair growth - so please don’t worry! I think it is rare for it to cause permanent alopecia and I don’t know of anyone who has experienced this, Emma
I am worried too but I was told by my consultant that it’s rare . 1% ? I was also told by a private oncologist at royal marsden (I wanted to check my treatment plan) that they favour paxitaxol as its kinder on side effects than Doxie ? I am going to ask my consultant why we don’t get the option. I’m confused
There was a discussion about this on another forum I follow and some of the contributors said they had requested to have paclitaxel instead of docetaxel as the risk of permanent loss is lower. This is second hand information obviously and not from personal experience but just thought I’d mention it
Hi bluesatsuma
I know everyone is different, I also lost my hair when on Ec but as soon as I changed to Docetaxel my hair started growing back straight away. Hope the rest of your treatment goes smoothly.
Thank you @ivy-cat . That is reassuring. Cancer steals so much from us but i just accepted temporary hair loss. I want it back now its gone. I hope i will be like the people in your group too. Bet you are glad chemo is over. Hope you are recovering well. X
Yes @epic1, ive heard paclitaxel is gentler but also a weekly visit. My dr said the alopecia risk was 10 to 30%! I want to ask about this drug too. Let me know how you get on…I’m in august chemo group. Next time i see onco is 30th. Its on my list. X
Hi @sharlou. Thanks…I’ve been popping into other groups, I’m in august, to look and saw this. I think i will ask about it. My onco is worried about the delays in my treatment and wants to hit the remaining cancer after 3 surgeries already hard before my masectomy. I appreciate her concern, but i have to be sure its right for me. Hope your chemo is going well @sharlou. I’m 2 ec down now. X
I had 3 x EC then 4 x docetaxel at the back end of last year; lost all my hair on c, but it’s come back think and OK. They warn us about permanent hair loss when getting our consent etc. but I’ve not come across anyone it’s actually happened to so I suspect is extremely rare.
You’ve definitely got to do what it right for you!
I’m doing ok, second EC on Thursday. No hair loss yet but I’ve had some slight matting when I wash it and my scalp feels sore and tight occasionally. I wish I just knew where I was at with it!
Hi @bluesatsuma how are you doing? I was thinking of you the other day as I know you’d been through the mill with all your surgery.
I was in the April chemo group and no one on docetaxal has had any problems with hair growth. I had EC to start then had nab-paclitaxel for 9 sessions I still have no hair but I only finished a few weeks ago. Most of the people from the April board finished beginning of July.
Try not to worry, I feel your pain though as I’m looking in the mirror everyday hoping for more hair!
Make sure you are taking it easy and don’t be scared to call your nurses number if any time you’re feeling unwell. Big hugs Helen x
Glad you’re doing ok so far @sharlou. I didnt coldcap. I’ve had 2nd ec and lost majority of leg, underarm and arm hair. I gave my long hair to a charity and had a buzz cut. Quite like it actually! But after 2nd EC it is almost gone. I can see my scalp and the slightest touch showers the room in hair. It was falling out in my dinner last night! X
Thank you @hc1973. I remember many conversations with you over the last 10 months! Glad you’ve finished chemo now! I hope you will see hair growth super soon! I just hope mine comes back like the others in your April group. I will chat to onco about it. As someone who has never really been on any medication in their 47 years, I gind it hard to deal with all of the uncertainty of sude effects. I’m probably the patient from hell! Hope you are well xxx
Ah bless you! I’ve been wondering how you were getting on as I know we were starting pretty close together.
I’m going to keep on with cold capping although I’m not as preoccupied with preserving my hair as I was. The first EC has almost annihilated my hair, it’s like straw, really brittle and dry. I had dry hair to start with but this is something else. I’m kind of thinking what is the point in trying to save it if what I am saving is basically dead hair? So I’m going to try the next treatment but suspect I’ll be joining you in a buzz cut before long X
@epic1 try not to be too scared. It really hasn’t been too bad so far. Aches and pains, tiredness and obvs the hair loss. But I am coping and you will too. I was scared in session 1 for just the first few minutes until I realised how chilled out the chemo ward was. The staff were so attentive and kind. I was really put to ease. I didnt feel any pain or discomfort and they give you all the meds you need to get through any side effects. Good luck and I will look out to see how you get on. Xxx
@sharlou you may be saving the hair follicles in your scalp even if your hair is changing. I think cold capping will be great in long run. But if you feel uncomfortable with it or think its not working,
I found the shave thoroughly liberating. A lot of my fuzz is coming out now, and i think I will be bald by Saturday. Kids can’t wait to draw on my head and then baby lotion it off! Plus some great Halloween ideas for costumes! Xxx
Im sorry you’re going through this. I used the cold cap during my chemo.in 2015, kept some hair but lost about 70% due to the nurse not applying the cap properly! My last 3 treatments were docetaxel and my hair started to grow back while i was on it. The oncologist said it would fall out again but it didn’t. It grew back lovely and thick and wavy.
