Hair Loss on Docetaxel

Hi Louisd - yes. Hair started falling out on day 19 in spite of cold cap. But reading various posts, I think everyone is different.

Hi @LFP,

 I didn’t have Docetaxel first, I had EC first. However one of the major side effects of Docetaxel is hair loss, you can try the cold cap to minimise hair loss, doesn’t work for everyone though, but worth a try x

Thanks Beachwalker.

To be honest I'm not fussed about it falling out.  Have already got wig and some hats/scarfs. Just wonde4ed when it would start - as debating whether to have hair cut a bit shorter in the meantime

Thanks Carmol

Im not bothering with the cold cap - it didnt work for me last time.  I have wig and hats ready.  Just wonderded how long before it started coming out - as I couldnt get a definitive answer from the nurses.

Also please can I ask you how many sessions of Docetaxel are you due to have?  I'm sure the onc said 6 for me.  But the nurses - in 2 seperate conversations - are convinced my notes say 18 sessions.  Cant check until I spaek with the onc on Wednesday

Louise

Hi Louise,

My partner had 6 sessions - could the nurses be thinking about 18 weeks? One treatment every 3 weeks?

Just a thought.

Go rock those hats and wigs, Jules had her hair trimmed short so that when it started to fall out it was less of a problem and so that she started to wear the hats before it fell out.

Bestest of luck to you - be very very kind to yourself.

There's two forms of this chemo.

Docetaxol is much stronger per dose, and is given in 3-weekly cycles. Most have 3 cycles before or after 3 cycles of (F)EC. I had 4, but at a slightly lower dose for the same total.

Paclitaxel is much kinder, and is given weekly, usually for 12 weeks.

Total chemo treatment time is usually 18 weeks.

Hope that helps?

Hi

Louise

I was due to get 6 Dosetaxel but only managed 5.

Everyone is different , Dosetaxel is an excellent chemo but can be tough . 

1st - no side effects for first 4 days , then some mouth ulcers and GP gave me Nystatin which helped . Muscle pain and tummy cramps BUT DID NOT keep me in. After 5 days back to normal . 

2nd again no SE for 3 days , horrid taste , tummy cramps and muscle aches again did not keep me in - I took paracetamol. After 7 days back to normal . Although tired .

3rd again no SE for 3 days then same as last chemo but I’m more tired but only for 3 days - felt great BUT I then had a high temp and was admitted to hospital for 5 days BUT I looked and felt great !!but low white blood count , got antibiotics and all came well in time . I was in a side room and treated like a lady , I just read books and chilled and I was content . I started to notice peripheral neuropathy in my fingers and toes but cleared for next chemo. 

4th got harder , poorly middle week and needed constipation medication and neuropathy wee bit worse . I did stay close to home in middle  week - like my own toilet etc. I needed to rest more and I adopted a - day out then next day rest - I follow that to a lesser extent now . 

5th was hard - middle week I was bedded and achy, bowel problems and neuropathy worse and felt so sorry for myself. 

I didn’t get anymore chemo due to my neuropathy. You must report it to your chemo nurse , 9 months on , my fingers are 95% back to normal and my toes 50% but I can manage well but need to wear flat shoes . 

NOW. !  I’m happy getting on with life and have been for months - you may not get any side effects , so don’t go looking for them - I kept a diary , so that’s how I recalled the above . 

I did cold cap and didn’t loose much hair during treatment but  after treatment it started to shed but at the same time my new hair was coming through , I took Boots hair , skin and nail supplement - I massaged almond oil onto my scalp - don’t know if it helped but my hair grew in great and my hair is much admired now - it’s in better condition than before treatment- I’m white now - so no chemicals . 

I also had my nails painted the day before chemo - just varnish NOT gel . I got lots of fancy colours and glitters and my nails were a talking point - that was my wee treat every 3 weeks . A bit of pampering and fun - just a file and polish . 

I only lost 1 big toe nail ! Not painful but scary looking before it actually fell off - I put plasters on it to keep in place till it fell off - a new nail was already growing under it. 

Last year is now a blur and I’m pleased I kept my diary ! I have to ask “ Did all that really happen ?”

Hope this helps and not frighten you - I got mouth medication and high fluoride toothpaste from my dentist before treatment started . I asked chemo nurse for mouth wash on day 1 , I’m sure it helped . Hospital constipation meds are far better than over counter ones . 

Sorry to rabble on ! 

I wish you well , take good care of yourself 

love 

Ruby Rose  

Hi Ruby Rose

Thank you so much for all this great info.

I thought I would be really poorly days 1 - 3/4  and would start getting better by day 4/5.  So your information has put me straight on that - many thanks for that.

Now I know better I can re-plan things - so it has been very helpful to me, much appreciated.

Louise x

Hi i had 6 treatments of Chemo over 18 weeks is that maybe what your notes mean?

Although my first 3 were FEC and only my last 3 were Docetaxel xx

Hi

just remember we are all different . 

Be gentle on yourself 

Love 

Ruby Rose