Ladies, once again I call on your advice and tips. Big sis is now 2 weeks into first FEC and hair is coming out in handfuls. (despite using the cold cap, but she did say one of the leads fell out and it warmed up) She wants to know what she could put on her pillow to stop her head rubbing against it all night. She has very thick, curly hair and was distraught this morning because a huge clump had got all matted at the back and she didn’t know what to do with it. She also says her scalp feels very sore.
sorry to be the bearer of bad news but to be honest the only thing she can do is take control and have it shaved off. It really distressing seeing it come out in clumps and handfuls and although its emotional to have it shaved at least she will feel better afterwards (honest). I didn’t have the cold cap but I know from comments on here, ladies have had different successes and if its coming out in the way you describe its best to shave it off. As she has had the cold cap apparently it does grow back quicker and faster so all is not lost…
Hiya,
I found the best thing while my hair was falling out were buffs. If you google buffwear you’ll find them.
I had really thick hair and my hair was falling out in huge quantities (day 16 of first FEC)for over 10 days and I still didn’t have any bald spots just much thinner hair. In the end it started to make me a bit crazy and I shaved my head, which although a bit drastic made me feel much more in control.
When I first heard I was going to lose my hair I wasn’t overly concerned but the pillow in the morning was frightening. The benefit with the buff was it caught it all and then I would just take it outside and shake it out. The only problem is that you are covering your hair whilst you still have hair and I found that a bit hard. I know it’s conflicting advice, but looking at yourself with a headscarf on is really hard at the beginning.
On a less serious note though it was nice not to wake up 3 times a night with hair in my mouth.
The pain is probably there for a while I’m afraid once it stops falling out it stops hurting. I’m not sure if the discomfort reduces or if I just got used to it but it only really bothered me for the first few days.
Take care
Joxx
Hi Kittyhola
BCC have published a booklet about hair loss which you and your sister may find helpful to read, just follow this link to order or read a copy:
Best wishes
Lucy
I wore a beanie at night which kept my head warm and caught the hair coming out overnight. I had the cold cap (paxman) for the whole of my fec/tax-c and although most of it fell out, it seems to help with it growing back nicely. Paxman have a good website and will answer questions by email. The scalp hurting usually happens before it all comes off, the night before mine went, it was very sore.
Thanks ladies, have ordered her a soft sleep hat which Murdo gave me the link for the other day. Have also bought her a towelling bath pillow which someone else recommended. Interesting what people say about the cold cap helping with the hair coming back. That might boost her spirits a bit. She is due for FEC number 2 on Friday and says she will go for the cold cap again if she still has any hair left!
Someone suggested using a satin pillowcase -might help reduce the friction on the hair?
i did the cold cap and found that i lost most hair after FEC no 2 - after that the sore scalp and hair loss seemed to reduce - hope it is the same for your friend
cheers
caroline
It’s my sister actually. Did you persevere with the CC and did you keep enough hair throughout for people not to notice?
I was advised to get a silk or satin pillowcase. At £25 each and hand-wash only for silk (and horrible colours), I bought a length of machine-washable satin and made up a couple of pillowcases instead. It’s only a rectangle after all (although needless to say I did make a mistake that had to be unpicked!).
Use an existing pillow case as a template to make sure you get the folds in the right places and the right way round, and it’s only two side seams and two hems. If you want to economise you can make one side satin and one side cotton - and that would make it less slippery and so easier to sew.
I’m three weeks on from first chemo (with cold cap) and haven’t noticed any hair on my pillow - just on my comb 
Hi Kittyhola,
I think I may have got my first fec on the same day as your sister (10th?). I used the CC, the type that is changed often and not plugged in. I have been searching through these forums for similar answers as I am day 18 and so far all seems ok…but it feels like a time bomb waiting to go off or not as the case may be.
So far I have noticed more strands but no visible thinning, but then I don’t know if that is because I am only washing it twice a week at most and usually hair would fall out during that and afterwards whilst brushing. The top of my head is a little sore to touch but only in a few small areas - not all over. I have read so much about when the hair can fall out with or without the CC so I am still waiting to see what my fate is going to be. I do have a great NHS wig on standby, although I really don’t want to have to get too acquainted with Miranda (the wigs name 
)
How is your sister getting on? So far all has been well for me. I had very slight nausea the first couple of days but the anti-sickness and steroids sorted that out quickly with no adverse reaction. Other than that I have had no other SE and my energy levels have been pretty normal - did a 13 mile hike on Sunday with my bf!
My next fec is Friday and am looking forward to chalking another one off, hope it goes as well as the first but again from reading on here it can go anyway and need to be prepared for that.
I meant to add I bought a 100% silk pillowcase on ebay for £11.90 in white. I think I will use it after chemo as my hair does not frizz or go tuggy and your face does not pucker (anti-ageing) - bonus!