Hi everyone. I have also posted in July chemo starters bur thought maybe here would be good for advice also.
I have my first cycle of EC on 19th July, the side effects took me by surprises as I had it in my head I would sail through it. I was wrong! However, by day 6 things were looking on the up. I had fairly long hair so have had that cut into a pixie style. I am now getting what I can only describe as hair/scalp pain. It almost feels like the follicles themselves are hurting or sunburn to the scalp. Iām finding it difficult to lie down comfortably and the pain is waking me when I move at night. Does this mean my hair is going to start to fall out? Has anyone else experienced this?
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Hi there. I also have been having EC and have been cold capping. I developed painful hair about 12 days after the first treatment, having had an itchy scalp for a couple of days before then. It sort of felt like my scalp was sunburnt. The hair started shedding on the 18th day and within a couple of days the hair pain had gone. So Iām afraid it may mean that your hair is going to start falling out.
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Hi, I also had this for a few days before my big shed. I think my scalp was sore about day 22 after my first EC then big shed was day 26. A lot came out but it was even rather than one big area. It settled after this 
I continued to shed afterwards but scalp wasnāt sore and it did slow down
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@belle1 and @pat thanks so much for replying. Iāve washed my hair for the first time since I had it cut last Wednesday. Got out of the shower and said to my husband āwell it seems firmly in thereā then it dried. As I went to style it load came out. Iāll see how it goes for the next few days before I decided whether to leave it or buzz cut it off. Thanks again x x
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No probsāŗļø Mines came out when I washed it - my hair literally matted as so much shedded at once. Tbh I found it really upsetting as I didnāt expect my hair to matt and I thought it was a gonner ā¦ I considered shaving it but after one big shed (about 30% maybe more) in one day it came out fairly heavily for a few more days then started to slow so it wasnāt noticeable other than just a bit thinner than usual. I do find it a lot colder now than I did at the start as I started with super thick hair. Iām 6 chemos in out of 7 and for my 6th I wore a surgical cap (it was recommended by cancer hair care if hair thins a lot/bald patches) for some extra insulation and it helped make it much more tolerable so if you do keep with it and find it gets colder towards the end due to being a bit thinner then itās worth getting some surgical caps to put on under the cold cap
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Hi Ronnies,
Iām afraid the scalp pain does mean that itās starting to fall out. Most people lose their hair about 19 days after the first EC. The scalp pain is quite rare though cos I worked as a cancer nurse for 10 yrs before I was diagnosed and donāt remember one patient complaining to me about pain when their hair was falling out!! So it was a shock! My hair matted overnight and thatās when I made the decision to shave it. It was on a Sunday and my hairdresser wasnāt available so my husband did it! I felt that once I made the decision, it had to be done that day!! 
Hope this helps, take care xxx
Hi
I had a painful scalp during EC Chemotherapy, certainly the first cycle of cold cap, this eased by the 2nd. and i did loose 50 % of my hair, but that was all. If you are on cold cap i strongly recommend that you persevere, please donāt cut more of your hair, especially as you are going into the autumn months for your treatment. I say this because coming out of the unit with damp hair isnāt good for the immunity. i made sure to have a turbun with me and then wore a woolly hat over the top, whilst a i waited in maggies for my lift home, my hair managed to dry. Iād also recommend only wash your hair in warm water and set any hair dryer to a cooler level, it is these last two points that can actually damage your scalp and hair. a for the hair under your arms go for Sanex. ALl this information i found in the Macmillan guide booklets.
Believe me you will get through this, focus on some date in the future, and take goodies with you during your treatment, even a blanket to help you sleep- as cold cap is a longer process. Love and light Moonsox xxx
Hi ronnies
Thanks for posting.
As @pat and @belle1 have said, hair/scalp pain is common before hair loss caused by chemotherapy. People also describe their scalp as being sensitive, sore or itchy just before and during the initial hair loss. It can feel very unpleasant, but is normal and usually settles down in a few days. This can also happen when hair starts to regrow too.
Cancer Hair Care mentioned by @belle1 provide lots of information about managing hair loss. You can read more about scalp care guidance here. You may also find our booklet on Breast Cancer and Hair Loss helpful to read.
Itās good to read youāve joined the July chemo starters thread here on the forum for support from others, but you may also be interested in connecting with someone whoās had a similar experience through our Someone Like Me service.
The service can match you with a trained volunteer whoās had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0114 263 6490 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org so they can then match you to your volunteer.
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