Hi Girls
I had my first FEC last week and used the Paxman cooling cap. Has anyone any advise for me? If my hair is going to fall out, when will it happen?
Any tips and advise to keep my hair would be most appreciated.
Many thanks xx
Hi,
Sorry that I can’t help you with your question about the cooling cap as it wasn’t available at my hospital.
The information I had been given about FEC was that hair loss would start 2 - 3 weeks after first treatment. In my case I started to lose a few strands the week after my first lot so had long hair cut to shoulder length. Had 2nd FEC 3 weeks later and was as bald as a coot within 48 hours - bang on time line! I’m not sure if it was a case of running to time scale or, if it was the cumulative effect of the 2nd dose. Either way, I couldn’t believe how quickly it happened but, as is always the case, we all react differently.
I had 3 x FEC followed by 3 x Taxotere and found that my hair was starting to grow back before my last treatment.
Hope everything goes OK for you and that the cap works. Let us know how you get on.
Spongebob x
Hiya
I don’t know any tips for keeping your hair but can give you my experience of the cold cap.
I’ve used it since my first chemo (FEC) in August. My hair started to come out halfway through the third week after treatment. This first fall out was the worst and it didn’t seem to come out as much after the next chemo sessions
I’ve now had 4 FEC and 2 TAX (2 to go) and still have hair on my head although it is very thin. Hair has gone from everywhere else on my body. My eyebrows and eyelashes started falling out only after the first TAX. Hair still falls out with the TAX but not to such a large extent.
The main drawback to having thin hair is that the cold cap is now very cold.
Good luck with your treatment and I hope the cap works.
Lynn
Hi there,
There is another thread on here somewhere about tips for using the cold cap but at the risk of repeating myself I would say it worked well for me ( 6 X FEC). Make sure you use lots of conditioner - I was advised something with a nutural ph - like Dove (i think) reallyslap it on! make sure the hat is a snug fit - especially on the crown of your head if possible, make sure the nurse switches it off and lets you thaw out for about half an hour before removing it - otherwise you’ll rip some of your hair. I lost a lot of hair after chemo no 2 and nearly gave up when I saw the huge clump on my hairbrush - like a birds nest BUT I left my hair completely for about 3 days and it did settle down. The lady next to me had a pony tail and it worked for her too, so in my opinion although pritty horrid it is worth a try.
hope it works for you
cheers
caroline
I have only had 1 FEC so far, and had the cold cap. 2 and a half weeks later, I have lost more strands than normal, but still have a full head of hair. First place to go in a dramatic way was down below which was strange! But I have my 2nd FEC on Friday 19th so I’m hoping the cap will rejuvinate my folicles and slow the process down again. Will let you know how that goes. Good luck with yours.
In terms of keeping it, I try and do as little as possible with it - hense I am wearing my wig regardless as it looks awful. I only wash it once a week and don’t use my hairdryer or anything - I’m not even brushing it much and I use leave in conditioner.
I had FEC in 2003…not at all convinced the Cold Cap would work as the Onc nurse said it was only effective in some 10% of cases. I figured I had nothing to lose but my hair so went for it. I had the Paxman cap, a motorcycle type helmet attached to a a freezer unit beside the chemo chair (gosh, sounds like the Electric Chair and I prayed I had done nothing wrong in my life when being wired up to it). My hair did thin a lot on the top of my head, and I could definitely see my pink scalp, but I never needed to use the NHS wig (which was brilliant by the way). funny thing was, when my hair started to grow after chemo it came back really curly - brilliant, just wash and go and no hair drier or hot brush. Guess I got lucky.
Liz.
Thank you girls for all your advice.
I guess all I can do is keep my fingers crossed and be very gentle when I was it etc. I have found however, that since my first FEC that my hair has become very greasy!! So when they advised me to only wash my hair twice a week, my hair is almost wet with grease by the 3rd day which is so unlike me and it makes me feel really yucky so I end up putting on a headscarf.
Has anyone else noticed that their hair and skin has become more oily? I thought that chemo would dry it out.
One other thing… is it true that with FEC you usually keep your eyebrows and eyelashes?
Good luck girls
xx
In my case, lashes and brows thinned considerably but didn’t disappear altogether - unlike other areas!
Spongebob x
Hi foxy
I use the scalp cooling machines with various results losing between probably 20 - 60% depending on treatment, not used it with FEC though so cant be specific.
Toni and Guy do a dry shampoo, spray and go type thats a godsend, I wash once a week and thats just before my appointment, and leave it wet! cold but helps speed the whole thing up! GHD do a spray on leave in conditioner so I lather with that just before cap goes on as well!! I try not to brush, dry, straighten etc carefully use a wide tooth comb and dont panic when it thins a bit, it probably will and its scarey as hell, but stick with it, the nurse told me if it didnt work Id be bald within 2 weeks of the first treatment. So hang in there, now all we need is something for the eyelashes and brows!!! Again different people have different results with these, I lost them last time, but have kept them this time!!! wierd
Lots of luck
Sue x
I have noticed yet more hand fulls today, but again nothing too horrific, so hopefully the cap has worked and will continue to do so after Friday. Yes my hair has got more greasy quicker as has my skin, and I am all spotty and grim looking. I have been wearing my wig when I go out as my hair looks so awful. Hope all your locks stay in tact, and good luck with it all.
Mandy xx
Hi suecco, thank you for your advice on the Toni and Guy dry shampoo. I was advised to only use natural shampoo etc…does this product have lots of chemicals or will it be OK to use? I’m so paranoid to put anything on my hair as i’m so scared it will fall out!!
Hi Many2310, I’m so glad I am not the only girl who has developed greasy hair and spots!! I also feel very grim and feel that I no longer have any control over my appearance!!
Hi Spongbob… fingers crossed I’ll save a few of my eyelashes then!! Are you also on FEC? Do you mean you lose all body hair???
Thanks for your help girls
xx
Hi,
I had 3 x FEC followed by 3 x Tax - finished in July and had mx in August.
It’s the ‘E’ bit of FEC that is responsible for the hair loss (as well as for the red wee!)
Although the hair loss seemed slower on other parts than on my head, I did lose it everywhere except lashes and brows - even the hair growing out of my ‘witches mole’ dropped out. The plus side is that at least you don’t have to shave your legs or armpits for a while.
I am happy (or unhappy depending on how you look at it) that all hair has now grown back. The only problem is that I have gone from being naturally blonde to silver grey!
Hope all goes well.
Hugs to all
Spongebob x
Hi Foxy
I kept most of my eyebrows - though they thinned - and eyelashes with FEC but since changing to tax they are gradually going. I’ve also practically all my body hair - which as spongebob says saves having to shave.
I had the opposite problem to you - my skin and hair became drier than usual - in fact after the first three doses of FEC my skin was better than it had been before!
I’ve been using Lush solid shampoo and their conditioner - no or very few chemicals - which is excellent.
take care
Lynn
Hi ladies,
All this talk of hair (or lack of it) has finally given me the push that I needed and I have let someone loose with a pair of scissors - I think quite an achievement when 6 months ago all I had was some fuzz starting to show through. Unfortunately, I can’t find a hairdresser at the moment who is willing to dye it - everyone seems to be saying to leave it another 6 months (groan - I was hoping to be able to get some colour for the New Year).
Although not directly related (but it is if you see what I mean), if the cap doesn’t work, have a look through the thread on ‘where to find a decent sleep hat’ for alternatives to hair - I’m pretty sure that there is loads of other stuff on the site about this particular subject but, have read so many that I can’t remember where they are.
Good luck to everyone and fingers crossed that the cap works.
Spongebob x
Hi FoxyLoxy,
I’ve just had FEC number 4 today, 2 to go. I’ve been using the cold cap and have managed to keep I would say 95% of my hair. I lost a little bit from crown after No1 and quite a bit from parting area No3 but nothing that anyone else has noticed. I think cos I’m waiting for it to happen I notice it more. I had my hair cut into a pixie cut just incase and have actually had to have it cut since as it was becoming a bit bushy. Have also coloured it.
Have lost armpit hair and lady garden. Still have eyelashes and brows and leg hair.
They do a really nice natural shampoo range in Bo*ts called naked. Not too expensive either.
Hope this helps
Caz xx
Hi foxy
I wasnt advised about “natural” products, and have been using the dry shampoo for ages. The chemo makes your hair fall out from the inside (blood to hair folicals), so what we put on the outside shouldnt make a difference to the chemo effect, but chilling the hair to -5 is what does the damage to the outside, if you get what I mean!! So I havent paid too much attention to the ingredients of products, Ive just treated my hair with extra care, and its worked for me. You literally spray the shampoo near to the roots at the greasey bits and give it a gentle tussle with your fingers, much gentler than washing and drying. I think we all develop our own little routines like having OCD!
Good luck, keep us updated
Sue x
I bought some dry shampoo in Sainsburys, to use in hospital,they also sell it in superdrug and it’s just £1.99 and you use it in the same way as suecco describes above
Hi Girls,
This is now 15 after having my first FEC using the PaxMan…when should I expect my hair to fall out, it’s like waiting for a time bomb??
Also has anyone else experienced severe depression after FEC? I’ve been a mess for over a week!! I want my old life back 
Hi there…
I have had 3 x FEC and 1 x TAX. I have used cold cap but not the paxman…just some ice helmets. I still have about 75% of my hair. it looks much thinner - I had a pixie cut too and have had it cut since starting treatments. It is sill growing. I would say not to have it cut too short as you may need a bit of length to cover the scantier patches as your hair sheds…think ahead!!! I agree it is so stressful waiting for the fall out. Foxy - what type of hair do you have naturally?
I would certainly recommend you to persevere. It’s stressful every morning to see what has come out in the night and I only wash it every 10 days now…it has naturally corrected itself with regards to greasiness etc. I just pick it out with a comb and I wrap a scarf round like a hairband to keep as much of it as possible from falling out around the home. At night I wear a scarf in a bandana style to catch all the strays…
I have 2 more tax to go and have been given conflicting info re hair loss on this chemo. My lovely oncologist says my hair looks no different…to most it doesn’t. As long as I have enough to feel like me I will feel I have won the race!
Lady Garden is as good as done (yay) eyelashes and brows are much thinner but as I am fair, it’s not too much of a strange look…false lashes are fabullous!
With regards to my skin…it is the smoothest peaches and cream I could wish for. At last at 48 I have skin and a complexion to match the best…long may it last (haha)
Good luck to you all
Hi Pheebster,
Thank you for your message. I naturally have fine hair but lots of it. I’m having to wash it twice a week at the moment as it has become so greasy…but i’m now using Toni and Guy dry shampoo which is helping a bit.
Did you find you lost your leg hair too?
Has your skin got better since you have been on chemo…mine went as greasy as my hair for the first couple of weeks!!
When did you lose your hair, was it gradual?
Speak soon
Foxy