Hair Loss and Hair Loss treatments

Chemo can be tough, and it's a bummer that you couldn't use the cold cap. But don't worry, you're not alone in this journey, and you're doing amazing! Keeping a regular photo record is such a clever idea – it's a fantastic way to see how far you've come and celebrate your progress how to fix protein overload ! By the way, have you looked into how to fix protein overload for your hair? It might be helpful to explore some tips or treatments to balance things out. Remember, you're strong, and you've got this! Keep going, and the rest will fall into place.

I had 4 cycles of ec and three cycles of docetaxel last cycle being in may. I decided to try cold cap knowing it may or may not work but wanted to do what I could. I started molting hair rather than losing clumps after my first cycle. Second cycle the cold cap made me feel sick but I persevered third cycle same so I decided to give up. But I in no way regret trying. I ended up losing all my hair but three months post chemo I had my first day trip out with no headscarf as my hair looks like a buzz cut. As it grows back. 

Hiya

Just reading over some old posts and was wondering how you're getting on. I've been contemplating the cold cap only because I was told by oncologist that there's always a risk of hair not growing back once it was lost. Until then I had no intention of wearing it and genuinly don't know what to do. I hate headaches and been told this can cause them and I keep thinkin do I really want to inflict more pain or distress on myself that cancer hasn't already done so. 

Hi 

my advice is to wear the cold cap at every chemo session. It’s not pleasant and you may or may not have a headache but it’s a small price to pay to protect your hair follicles. Your hair will still fall out even when you use the cold cap, that’s unavoidable with chemotherapy. The cold cap isn’t just to help with that it is to make sure that your hair will grow back once chemotherapy has finished. I used it once and my hair started to fall out, my nurse said poor you the cold cap doesn’t work for everyone, so I stopped using it.  I now know that advice was completely wrong. I listened to her and stopped using it and had a further 5 infusions without the cold cap. I now have PCIA persistent chemotherapy induced alopecia, my hair follicles have been so damaged that my hair will never grow back. PCIA is forever and it’s devastating, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Some chemotherapy especially Taxanes, Docetaxel have terrible outcomes. Please don’t do what I did, insist on using it. What’s a little headache? I can promise you your hair never growing back is far worse. I wish that I could go back and change what I did, unfortunately I can’t. I look in the mirror and a stranger looks back. Hair is so important.

Carol x

Hi Mcfc, I'm so incredibly sorry that this has happened to you. It's just unbelievable that the correct statistics weren't communicated. I'm familiar with Shirley Ledlie's story too. Thinking of you, and thanks for sharing - it could really help someone else 

Good Morning Jane

i just want to say a big Thank You for sharing all your excellent information about hair loss during chemotherapy .  I have not started mine yet and like yourself the prospect of losing my hair is a very big deal for me.  I had no idea that chemotherapy could cause permanent hair loss.  I have been looking at headwear, wigs, scarves, hats etc.  I tried some wigs on in a local shop that specialises in wigs and I looked absolutely awful in everyone I tried on. I was delighted to read that you now have a thick head of hair once again FABULOUS. Once again a really big thank you for sharing your journey.

Thanks so much for reading my post and for the very kind reply x

Am glad it helped. I think my hair, since using the cooling cap during chemo actually looks better than it did before. It has come back, thick and healthy with more body. My advice is to focus on what remains on your head rather than what sheds. Good Luck

I’m so happy for you Jane, I wish that I had been better advised by my chemotherapy nurse about the benefits of the cold cap because hair is so important. People say don’t worry it’s only hair. It is until it’s your hair and then physically and mentally it’s a devastating outcome . Again I would live to say how happy was to read your post. Scalp cooling works and I hope that anyone who reads this thread uses it . Best wishes to you.

Carol x

Dear Mcfc

Im so sorry to hear about your permanent hair loss. It must be devastating. You must regret not continuing with the cold cap. Hats and headwear are lovely but not the same as hair. 

After reading some posts including yours I have become quiet concerned. 

I haven’t cold capped for my first 2 EC treatments and have lost most of my hair. I have one more EC before 3 x Docetaxel. This is my worry. I wa thinking that I’d lose my hair with EC but didn’t really think about possible long term effects of Docetaxel when I chose not to cold cap   

I have contacted Paxman and they advise that I should start cold capping with a surgical cap before starting Docetaxel even though I have not much hair and haven’t used it before.  
Im going to try and hope it helps to protect my follicles for regrowth. I have bad headache so I’m not sure I’ll tolerate it but I’ll have a go  

I wonder if anyone else has started cold capping after 2 chemos.