I have a question to ask you all but think deep down I know the answer.
I am 2 weeks past my first AC chemo and for the past couple of days I have noticed my scalp becoming more and more tender.
I have read on previous threads that people notice this before their hair falls out. I did use the cold cap. Just wandering how long anyone out there had this feeling before their hair started falling out - and if it was the same for anyone that used the cold cap?
Hope you are all doing as well as you can be and having more good days than bad.
I remember experiencing this tenderness - I can’t remember which chemo I was on but I had used the cold cap like you. I thought it was the precursor to my hair falling it but it didn’t. What I am saying is that this sensation doesn’t mean that it is inevitable that you are going to lose it. Fingers crossed for you.
Hello Fiona
I used the cold cap with my first FEC. My scalp became very tender 16 days after the first one and then my hair did fall out over the following few days.
However everyone doesn’t lose their hair so let’s hope that you’ll be one of the lucky ones.
I used the cold cap for Fec and experienced the tender scalp roughly the same period as you, I would just suggest you wash your hair as little as possible (simple shampoo and conditioner are very good and don’t smell) and buy a good wide toothed comb and be as gentle as possible, you might experience some loss, I did but would just give a gentle comb over the bath every morning to catch the stragglers then after several days the sensation wore off. Each cycle I did the same and even though I thought I was loosing loads of hair it was not noticeable at all to others, on good weeks I was still blow drying on the lowest heat and even tonged my hair on a couple of occassions when I went out. due to not wearing mouse and other hair products I found I didn’t need to wash my hair so often. I then went on to Taxotere and did suffer with more loss but still on 8 sessions never had to wear a scarf or wig.
Good Luck hope it works for you, it did for me.
Debbie
p.s. I did start with baby shampoo as suggested by BCN, but I found this left my hair very knotted and I begain to associate the smell of babies to chemo.
I have been just washing my hair every second day but will try to do it less. Just washed it this morning and there was sure more fell out than at any other time (and the timing of 14 days is right!!). Hopefully will manage to hang onto most of it - fingers and everything else crossed!!. At least having used the cold cap I know I have at least tried and will have no regrets if I do lose it!
Like Anthi, I used the cold cap for my first FEC, and 16 days after my scalp did feel tender. Like when you have long hair that’s been tied back to tight. Then my hair did begin to fall out.
Be very gentle when you wash it, and very good luck to you.