Hip replacements, chemo and use of cold cap

Public Archive
1

Hi everyone,

I just wondered if anyone has experience of hip replacements for bone mets? My mum has undergone one but just wondered if this was common in the treatment of bone mets? Also wondered if anyone has experience of FEC chemo and use of the cold cap? Not sure if the cold cap is offered to everyone?

Thanks for your help.

2

Hi I received my breast cancer (with bone mets) diagnosis in 2003 when my hip spontaneously fractured. I was in my early 40’s. I had a really succesful replacement and have had no problems with the new hip since then…walk without sticks etc. I know quite a few others who have had hip replacements due to bone mets. Hope your Mum’s recovering well…x

3

I had 4xFec, used the cold cap and held on to most of my hair - had a small bald patch on the crown were it wasn’t fitting properly as I’ve got a big head and a lot of hair…good luck!
Josie x

4

Hi

I had 6 x FEC in 2003 and my hair also went exactly as Josiemarie described as I too have very thick hair and believe that the cold cap worked where it touched. I didn’t have to wear a wig then (unlike now after taxotere) but I did scrape my hair back to a pony tail, and pinned a hairpiece over the baldy bit.

Good luck

Linda

5

Hi
I also know of another lady who had a hip replacement as her bone mets were so extensive to her hip. She also had FEC after and used the cold cap with success. She’s now about 1 year on and all the followup treatment(hormones etc) are doing well. I have bone mets to the hip but haven’t needed an op. I also had 6 FEC and tried the cold cap on the 1st one. As with the other ladies on here, where it didn’t touch the scalp properly (and having thick hair) meant I had a bald patch which unfortunately I couldn’t hide. I had the lot cut really short after the 1st FEC and resorted to a wig and/or scarves etc as it gradually fell out.
Good luck to your Mum and her treatment, FEC (as with most chemo) is cr@p but do-able.
Nicky x

6

Hi everyone, thank you very much for all your replies. Just waiting for the first FEC session. It’s reassuring to hear that others have had successful hip replacement aswell. Hope everyone is doing well x

7

Hi

I recently had a hip replacement for my bone mets as my hip fractured. Am still in the recovery phase but think I’m doing well. Am happy to provide more info/support if helpful for your mum. (I’m 43.)

I also used the cold cap when I had 6 x taxotere last year, and found it worked very well for me, although I did cut my hair really short first. I found it a really unpleasant experience, and you have to sit with it on for about 4 hours before, during and after the chemo is actually going in … for me was by far the worst aspect of chemo day. But then as soon as I took the cold cap off the discomfort went and I was SOOO pleased (until the next time at least) that I’d done it, as it was very important to me this time around to keep my hair. It made such a difference to the way I felt and coped with the months of chemo, and so the 4 hours of discomfort every 3 weeks were definitely worth it for me. I doubt I’d have carried on with it though if I’d showed any signs early on of it not working, or only partially working, and my hair falling out.

Good luck to your mum.

Alison x