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“Getting a cancer diagnosis is extremely stressful, and that brings a whole load of emotions, and lack of sleep certainly does not help. I think many of us have periods of insomnia. I experienced a long period of not sleeping. I could go off to sleep quite quickly, but after an hour I would find myself wide awake again, and would spend the rest of the night getting frustrated because I couldn't sleep."
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Hi Chloe
It is worth giving scalp cooling a try. I had paclitaxel and carboplatin and it worked for me and many others. It will not affect how your chem works in anyway. It means arriving a little early to have it put on and then waiting a bit longer at the end of the day while it is cooling down.
It is paclitaxel that will caused the hair loss. Carboplatin causes thinning. I lost all body hair at around 14 days yet still had hair on my head throughout chemo. It did shed but I did not need the wig or scarves that I had on standby.
As long as it is done from the first session.
The only time it can not be used is for blood cancers and cancers where tablets are used.
Home - Paxman have the data and you can put in your chemo regime and it will give you an idea of efficacy. Yes the nurses are right in thinking that scalp cooling does not work for everyone- it can and does for many.
This is my experience- the photos show it works.
Jane
Hi Chloe- I just responded but yes, I would say that you would like to give it a go. You can show the blog if you like. Also the data is shown on the Paxman site.
Jane
Thanks very much much Jane. jane2511
It’s very helpful to have lived experience from someone who has been through this.
Sarah xx
My hair has started to fall out after 4 weeks of paclitaxel only... I was just told from the start that it will and wasn't even told about cooling... maybe because I'm a man they think it wouldn't bother me as much
Hi Chloe
Do you want to send me a private message to tell me who your consultant is? I’ve gone through several there and gt to to know them, but it’s fine if you’re not happy to disclose that info. Been through a few CNS staff too! If I can help with any other questions, just message me. For me, they gave me limited information, based on a one step at a time approach which suited me but I appreciate that’s not what everyone wants or needs.
Sarah xx
Scalp Cooling Outcomes Calculator - Coldcap
Paclitaxel 80% chance of retaining 50% of hair. I put in paclitaxel as carboplatin only tends to cause hair thinning. If you know the doses of the chemo then that can be put into the calculator for a more precise result.
This is the actual Paxman calculator. Paxman is science backed.
There is another type of scalp cooling that involves putting ice packs on the head and continually changing them- I am not sure how effective it is and from my understanding it is more used in America. I have only heard of Paxman being used in the UK. Paxman does have info and training for health professionals as well.
My feeling was that if it did not affect the treatments, then it was worth a try and the worst that could happen was that I tried it and it didn't work for me. I believe it also protected my hair follicles.
From my understanding it is only contraindicated in blood cancers and where tablets are taken. From my understanding carboplatin and paclitaxel are always given by infusion.
Unless there is a contraindication or circumstances specifically in your case then I am unsure why you have been told it won't work.
It should be offered to everyone as long as its medically possible (solid tumours- not blood cancers) It is wrong to assume that men are not affected by hair loss.
Chris Hoy - the cyclist has been doing scalp cooling.
