hya everyone i am due to see my oncologist on friday i am going to have epi-cmf chemo does anyone know if i will lose my hair my breast care nurse gave me a prescription for a wig and i am sure she said that i would lose my hair although i’m not 100% sure now as people have said that it depends on the person whether you lose your hair or not and not the treatment that you have i dont want to waste money on a wig if i dont need to doea anyone know
jackiex
Hi Jackie
I think its very likely you will lose your hair - I had that chemo first time round and the doctors and chemo nurses said it was pretty certain that I would…they were right!
Good luck
Cathy
thank you cathy
jackiex
hi jackie
Iam on same as you and i lost my hair weekend before second epi so yes it almost certain without help you will but good thing is it will grow back in between treatments i have kinda stuble on my head and it grows real slow but when you go ont to cmf hair grows back with a vengence so thats good.
joanne
Hello Jackie,
It’s true - you’ll lose your hair on epirubicin. You could try the “cold cap” option which can delay things. I didn’t find it too unpleasant and 3 months on, I’ve still got a kind of scrubby skinhead, much admired by workmates!
Best tip I can give is: get your hair cut really short beforehand. It’s less of a shock when it starts coming out later.
You’ll get lots of support from the Surgical Appliances people at the hospital re wigs - it’s a hoot trying them on - and there’s load of women on this site who have got through it.
A similarly challenged male friend said to me when all this was kicking off “It worries you once, and then it doesn’t bother you again”. I’ve found that to be true. Losing your hair is a shock, but it’s one that can be coped with.
So good luck, Jackie, there is fun to be had with scarves, wraps, bandanas and wigs, and there are other supportive threads on this site so let us all know how you’re getting on.
L. x
Hello Jackie, I lost my hair on epi- lasted until the third cycle but is now returning on xeloda. I think it does come back on cmf but unsure. It is like soft fur at the moment.
Rach
Also lost all my hair on epi. Tried the cold cap with my 1st one but my hair began to fall out two weeks later, so didn’t bother with it again.
Hi Jackie
I had 3 cycles of FEC and kept my hair using the cold cap. No-one would have known I was having chemo. It’s definitely worth a try and like Lanterna said definitely get it cut short before you start that way if you do lose it it’s not such a shock. I think the cold cap worked well for me because my hair was short and fine so there was good contact. Unfortunately when I started Tax it has fallen out but hey ho and all that I kept it longer than I thought I would.
I’m on FEC which has Epi and yes hair’s gone.
I chose to just get it over with and not bother with the cold cap, couldn’t bear the idea of constantly waiting to find out if it worked, enough of waiting I say 
I also chose not to wear a wig. I’m a bufwear girl because they suit me and some of them are funky and fun which is what I needed.
Good luck with it
Angie
Hi
Most of my hair fell out before my second FEC but I’ve been left with a fine covering of hair about an inch long, I,m glad I didn’t shave it all off. I don’t wear headgear much at all as my scalp seems tender and hats etc just irritate. I expected to wear scarves but now I forget my hairs not there.
good luck Babs
Hi Jackie,
I am doing the same regime as you, but as part or a trial. Hair was the big bug bear for me out of all of this, just vain I guess. I have just had epi number 3 and have used the cold cap throughout. I now have a bald monks patch on top and much thinned hair down the sides. Apparently the back is fine, can I trust them to tell the truth? I have been getting about without wigs, hats, etc so far (and no idea how long this will last) by wearing big stretchy hairbands over the bare part. They are really cool when the sun is out - not often. I was told epi will def always take all your hair and went for the cold cap. It takes longer but bear in mind you don’t lose hair on CMF so if you can save any on the epi, it will start filling in for the second half. It is a personal decision. I am a teacher so want to have hair before I go back to feel comfortable. It seems to have saved my eyebrows and eye lashes too as a bonus. Hope I have not jinxed myself again. My wigs have not been out their box yet, long may they stay there to frighten burglars.
Thinking of you as you start all this madness. It will be ok, and hugs as you come to terms with all this. Promise you will be able to joke about the most ridiculous things before too long
Lily x