Breast Cancer Now Forum

I'm experiencing the same irritation. I've peeled back the edges and applied aloe vera gel which seems know be working. Will be asking the nurse for a different dressing this week. ... View more

Thanks for your reply Tina. It has made me feel more positive again as yesterday I wax very down!!!! I am determined to persevere with cold cap and terrified to wash it again this weekend. Have managed not to wash since Monday but it looks and feels horrible. How often did you wash in between cycles? Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. I have 2nd Chemo on Tuesday and used cold cap on cycle 1. I've had some minor shedding over last few days but tonight my scalp is feeling sore and tender. Is this a sign of further hair loss to come? Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. I have 2nd Chemo on Tuesday and used cold cap on cycle 1. I've had some minor shedding over last few days but tonight my scalp is feeling sore and tender. Is this a sign of further hair loss to come? Helen x ... View more

Hi Lou. Hair is thinning a bit at sides and at back which is where I thought the cold cap wasn't snug enough. It probably looks worse than it is as no one has commented yet. Still upsetting to see it in the bottom of the sink!!!! Will be cold capping again next week as I know some thinning is common. No panicking just yet. Helen x ... View more

Wow that great news Lou. You must be so relieved. I'm having chemo first then mastectomy and reconstruction. Maybe it's because auxiliary node clearance was OK when did lumpectomy. Just wish they had got clear margins buy hey hoe!!! These things are sent to try us as they say!! Chemo no 2 on Tuesday and can't wait to get it over with. Helen x ... View more

Good luck for today Lou x Glad you are feeling OK Sarah. The steroids had that affect on me. My whole body felt restless and like it didn't belong to me. I had terrible hot flushes too. Oh the joy!!!! X ... View more

For those ladies who cold capped throughout can I ask does the shedding continue once you change to docetaxil or does it slow down/stop? ... View more

Hope it went well today Sarah. Did you cold cap? How are you healing Lou? My hair has started to shed today. Minimal at moment but still upsetting. Trying not to fiddle with it now and don't want to wash it again. Will try cold cap again next Tuesday as not ready trying give up yet. Will ask them to make sure it's extra tight this trying. Helen x ... View more

Hello ladies..I'm due second EC next Tuesday. Used cold cap on 1st cycle but wasn't convinced it fit right despite nurses saying it was. It wasn't as cold as I was expecting. Well shedding started last night and have had some more today but only small amounts. I'm trying not to pull at it or brush it now. Will give cold cap another go next week but will be asking for a smiler outer cap to try and get a closer for. Fingers crossed!!!! Good luck to anyone thinking of trying it. Helen xx ... View more

Day 15 of cycle 1. Mouth ulcers getting better but now I'm constipated!!!! Will these side effects never end?? Hair has started to shed tonight while I was watching TV. I did cold cap but worried at the time that it wasn't a good fit as it wasn't as cold as I expected. Hoping the shedding is not as bad as it looks. I really admire all the ladies on here who have just shaved it off but I'm not ready to face that just yet. I know that sounds vain but it is totally freaking me out!!!! Intend to cold cap again for cycle 2 and keeping everything crossed that it works. My hairdresser says I have more than the average head of hair so hoping that's a good thing. Helen xx ... View more

Been to docs and I have oral thrush so sent me home with difflam and nystatin. God it tastes vile but better than a sore mouth!!!! Had to have bloods checked and white cells are low but nothing to worry about. Just want to get 2nd cycle over with now. X ... View more

Day 12 of my first EC and finally feel like myself again. No sign of any hair loss yet so fingers crossed the cold cap worked. Started with sore mouth over weekend and beginning to think it could be oral thrush. Just made appt at doctors as it's easier than going up to chemo unit at hospital. Helen x ... View more

Hi Lou. Yes I have a silk pillowcase. I'm trying to only wash my hair once a week and using a bit of dry shampoo if I go out. The pillowcase helps with "bed head" too so I can manage without straighteners too!!! I'm really hoping it works as losing my hair was the first thing a cried about when I got my diagnosis. Helen xx ... View more

Hi Lou. I feel back to my normal self today. Sickness gone and appetite back to normal. Suffering a bit with a sore mouth and a couple of ulcers. Day 12 and no sign of any hair loss yet so fingers crossed. Hope you are feeling OK. Helen xx ... View more

Hi Julie. My picc line settled down after a few days and I don't even notice it now. The dressing is a bit bulky and I have to wrap my arm in cling film to bath or shower. I have also cut up an old stripey sock to make a sleeve to cover as I found tubigrip bandage too tight. I don't regret having it put in as both routine bloods and the chemo were an absolute doddle. I even watched nurse take blood which is something I've never done before. It's a bit of a pain having to wait for district nurse to come once a week to flush it as they only give a date and not a time. Obviously it's in for the duration of chemo so gonna be a bit of a bind but a small price to pay for me as the stress and anxiety caused just thinking about a blood test made me so poorly. I have no regrets and would recommend to anyone who has a needle phobia or who just gets anxious about bloods tests etc. Helen xx ... View more

Hello ladies. I had my first EC on 22nd March so thought I would drop in on your group as cycle 2 is 12th April. I felt really rough for the first 3 days and the sickness was horrible. Got some different anti sickness tablets on day 4 and felt better within hours. So don't suffer like i did. Ring the chemo nurses and tell them. I assumed it was normal but your meds should work and if they don't there are plenty others to try. Sianbun........I did the cold cap and it's bearable. Like you I am always complaining I'm cold and my work colleagues laughed when I told them about the cold cap. Take a couple of paracetamol just as you arrive at the hospital as this helps stop brain freeze. The first 15 mins were the worst but no where near as bad as I thought . After that I did get used to it. They even unplugged me twice so I could go to the loo. It was on for 30 mins before chemo, during the chemo and then for 2 hours after. Then it has to warm up for about 10 mins before they take it off. I would definitely say give it a go. If it's not for you then you can ask them to take it off. I was determined to try it at least once as I didn't want to look back when my hair had gone and think "what if". Good luck to all April ladies starting on this horrible journey. We can do it!!!! Helen xx ... View more

Yes I cold capped Lou. It was no where near as bad as I expected. First 10 minutes were the worst then I got used to it. It was on for 30 mins before chemo, during the chemo and then for 2 full hours after. No hair loss evident as yet so fingers crossed although I hear that it's usually 3rd week when hair loss starts. I'm hoping mine just thins. All I can say is give it a go. If it's not for you then you can ask them to take it off. If you don't try it you will always wonder if it would have worked. Helen xx ... View more

How arw you recovering Lou? I've finally got the sickness under control and now have my appetite back although I've gone off coffee and chocolate (hopefully only temporary). Started with sore gums now. Oh the joy!!! Helen xx ... View more