Hi I have completed 3 lots of fec using the cold cap and due to start my 3 lots of T next week which having read about the side effects I’m really worried about . My hair loss hasn’t been too bad but I’ve now got a few bald patches at the top due i think not wearing the cap strap on the last treatment as the cold cap on my 2nd treatment was so bad I felt sick for the whole 4 hours. I am now trying to decide whether to continue with the cold cap and wondered if anyone had any experience of cold cap and taxotere and whether I’m likely to lose lots of hair even with using the cold cap?
Hi Julie I am on day 3 of T after having 3 Fec. I have used the cold cap from day one and noticed alot of hairloss round Fec 2 but it has slowed down considerably. I would say I have lost about 60% but am determined to carry on as 40% left is better than 0 for me. I was also told that hairloss is alot less on T and also you do not have to wear it as long as you do on the Fec which makes a big difference. Bit of a backwards bonus but the coldcap for me actually took my mind off the T when it was going through as it was so bloody cold compared to last time and did make me feel sick. I would dose up on painkillers first hand and have plenty warm drinks on hand.
Good luck with the T and let us know how yo6 get on. So far for me not to bad 
Hi i am doing first one of t and it is vile. I decided to have hair blade d. On number one of fec. They said cap was painful and didn’t work… The worst thing at min is pain in joints awful. On so many drugs. Two to go . Have to make it. Throw the cap away and hit the scarves. Mo
Hi Julie and whiskers
I am due to have my first tax tomorrow after 3 fec. Just wondered if you could give me an update on your cold cap experience and hAir loss. I too have lost a lot of hair and have a bald spot on top (quite large). I found the cold cap really cold last time I assume it is having less hair! Was also wondering whether I will now loose my eyebrows and lashes as so far they have not been affected by fec.
Thanks in advance
Joeyv
Hi Julie, I would say if you can comfortably put up with cold cap it might be worth it. My experience however was that it also made me feel sick (smell of cap and conditioner mainly) when on FEC , and it prologed the stay time at the clinic so I figured I’d rather loose some hair than go through that each week. I don’t know if anyone has not lost any hair whilst using cold cap on docatexel (T) - there may be some other old threads in the forum. I think it’s a case of weighing up how much you think hair loss is of an issue compared to using cold cap and how it makes you feel.
Best of luck with the rest of your treatment:)
Hi All,
I am due to start Taxotere this week after finishing 3 rounds of Fec.
Was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to try and minimise nail problems?
Saw a lady the other day with issues with her nails, looked really sore and were lifting badly.
I have read that dark nail polish stops the light getting to the cuticles but my nurse said that was just to hide the dark lines that appear.
Also has anyone tried putting their hands in iced water during treatment, this is suggested in the Taxotere leaflet.
Any suggestions greatly received!
Hi fj
I have just had my 2nd tax after 3 x fec. Now on day 4. I did not have any problems with my nails on the last cycle and apart from painting them dark did not do anything else to avoid issues. We have an October forum and I will ask my ladies if they have any advice for you
Joey
Dear All,
Hello - I am new to the Forum and have had 2 x FEC (one to go). I am due to start 3 x Taxotere in February once the final FEC is done.
Three quarters of my hair has gone ( I did use the cold cap for the first two FEC) but no loss of eyelashes so far. Could anyone give me some suggestions with regards eyelash loss - is this likely to happen more on the Taxotere than the FEC?
Also - is there anything to help slow down eyelash loss or do I just need to consider false ones?
Many thanks - your posts are so inspiring and helpful in getting through treatments.
Jules x
Hi RacingJules, welcome to the BCC forums
You may find the following link to the BCC ‘I am having treatments’ pages helpful for further support ideas and information :
Our helpliners are also on hand weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 with practical and emotional support so please feel to call
Take care
Lucy BCC
Dear Joey
Many thanks for your helpful post - it’s really reassuring. I think it’s just the getting started and trying to be in control that is important!
Lucy - thank you so much - that’s helpful.
Best wishes,
Jules x
Hi Jo
Regarding the cold cap I was just the same as you didn’t want to look like I had cancer. I found the cold difficult for the first 10-15 mins when my eyes went heavy. I have taken my mother in law with me each cycle as she chats and chatting got me through that initial period after that it was fine until my body temp got cold and I started shaking. I found the fec worse as cold cap was. 3 hrs 15 where tax is 2 hr 15. My recommendations would be to wear an extra layer. I wear a shorts sleeved t shirt a thin fleece body warmer and a reasonable thick fleece (as long as you can pusone arm up). I also found a scarf helpful and have taken a plug in warm pad to put under my body warmer during treatment. I take a flask of coffee and drink this for the first half hour or so. All sounds a bit odd I know but it all helped. The cold cap really was not that bad for me and other friends on the forum who have used it have had much better results than me. That said as noted in my previous post I am still glad I did it and would do it again.
Hope this helps
Joey
Another thumbs up for the cold cap. I’m on FEC 3 and still have an even covering of hair but very thin ( lost about 2/3rds of hair bur shedding is minimal now). This has certainly helped me mentally, it allows me to feel normal at home with kids and family. I do wear a wig when going out which I hate ( feels like I’m constantly wearing a hat) and by cold capping hopefully I’ll have less hair to grow back when I finish in March. Fingers crossed T doesn’t take the remaining hair, I’ve read on a few posts that hair sometimes starts to grow on T, hope I’m one of them ?
Good luck with your treatment and decision making.
Love and positive thoughts
Tracy XXX
Hi Jo
There have been very different reactions to the tax. I am Pleased to say that so far I have got off lightly. My 3rd tax on fec-t was today so my last chemo which feels great.
What I would say is if you feel Rough tell you team straight away so they can do something to help. Talk things through if you are concerned.
Things to note:
I found indigestion was bad for me. If you get this don’t suffer in silence get something prescribed it took it away.
On tax I did not really have constipation but did get diarrhoea about day 5 on my first tax so watch out for that. Just in case.
First sign of aches take paracetamol and ibruprofen alternate every 2 hrs up to max dose of each. If the pain is too bad get codine or co codamol prescribed from the unit or gp
Pain you nails dark colour and keep your fingers well moisturised.
Get a soft bristled toothbrush for each cycle and get some mouthwash use twice daily. I use oraldene as recommended by my dentist but I realised it has alcohol in it which is not recommended.
First sign of constipation deal with it. If your Nola cycle is off take senna and if it doesn’t work get something prescribed but watch out for poss diarrhoea.
I hope I have not frightened you but that this is of some help
Take care
Joey
Oh forgot to say that the ladies that suffered with bad aches had their doses reduced the next cycle so don’t suffer in silence.
Hope it doesn’t come to that for you
Joey
Hi sjb
I don’t have a picc but found the fec really cold up my arm with the iv and had to have hot packs on my arm. In comparison I found the tax not at all cold in my arm.
Good luck with your 3 x tax. I just had my last one on Friday and can’t believe how quickly it has been completed
Joeyv
Good luck Jo. It will be all over before you realise
Joey x
Thanks Joey . Got a good friend coming with me so that is good (but they are not allowed in chemo suite as not enough room which is a shame). Will keep in touch and have joined FB group xx
Morning Ladies,
It’s so inspiring reading all your posts - all so similar, yet different emotinally and physically. I find it so reassuring to know we are not alone x
I just wondered if anyone has been treated with Taxotere for the 6 courses as I reacted to the FEC so they won’t risk it agian - or so they say for now anyway. i can’t seem to find anyone who has done it this way and curioius of the side effects etc…especially if the cold cap made any difference.
Big hugs Txx
Hi all,
Thanks for the all the information about the symptoms, it’s reassuring I am one week on from my frist T having completed three FEC which I was very affected by. T has been very different, symptoms didn’t kick-in for about three days then had the muscles aches, headaches etc, Nurse prescribed some sleeping tablets as I was having anxiety and insomnia, they helped massively.
The one symptom that I can’t see anyone else having is that about a week after chemo I get inflamed cheeks and then I break-out in small pimples across the cheeks almost like an acne, has anyone else had that symptom???
I have also found that this treament has left me much more fatigued or that could be the accumulation of having now had 4 treatments.
Best of luck to everyone.
Kirstyx