Losing hair

Hi

It is generally 2-3 weeks after the first chemo , like a lot of patients I had my hair cut short and then shaved when it actually started to fall out - it can be sore and distressing when this happens (you have no idea how much hair you have !) my oncologist suggested getting a wig before it fell out as she said trying on wigs when your hair is shedding is pretty awful.

Has she thought about using the cold cap ? 

Jo x

How lovely of you Alive to be so supportive, 

I had FEC-T chemotherapy and my hair started falling out 13 days after my first treatment, although not enough fell out to notice it just thinned out. After my second FEC the following day i washed my hair and all the top fell out. Has your friends mum talked about getting a wig? She should be able to get some help from the hospital toward getting on, i got a voucher for one and it looked amazing. If shes unsure about a wig, like i was show her this Our Wonderful Wigs its a few of us with our wigs on. 

Please keep asking if you think we can help anymore xx

I would also say that it is wise to avoid going for a wig fitting/choosing session within the first few days of having the first chemo session just in case side effects are having their wicked way! 

I made that mistake and I felt so awful during the appointment that I just chose the first one that seemed relatively okay because I just wanted to go home! I never wore it, and when I look at it now and compare it with some of the wonderful pictures that ladies have put on here of them wearing their wigs, I think I probably could have got one almost as good by going into a fancy dress shop! 

Hi Alive,

I cold capped but my hair thinned a lot after my 2nd chemo and after my 3rd had some bald patches. So it was probably 6-7 weeks for me. 

I stopped using the cold cap after that as it wasn’t worth the extra time as I wasn’t going out without my wig then anyway because of the bald patches. 

Also I was told to go for a wig fitting before chemo as it helps if you want something similar to your own hair or the wig needs to be ordered etc, I went in first week in January just before I started chemo, I love my wig.

Hope all goes well for you and your friend x x

Hi all, thanks so much for your replies, you have all helped me to help my friends Mum.

I thought it happened fairly quickly, but wasn’t sure. I am going to go with her for a look at the wigs before she actually begins the Chemo. I popped into the shop on Tuesday for a look and bought her her first hat as a surprise. She was thrilled with it and I think it helped a bit as it really suited her. Which made her feel a bit easier about losing her hair. She couldn’t make it to the shop this week so it will be 2-3 weeks before we go as I am having a load of teeth out on Saturday in readiness for starting on Zolendronic Acid. A visit to the dentist on Saturday is the reason for that. Apparently loose teeth might just cause me a few problems while I am on it, as I will stay on it for 3 years and then have a break before I start it again. These drugs we take for cancer really are a gift that keeps on giving aren’t they. Of course I am vain enough not to want to be seen when all my front teeth are missing.

love and hugs

Maggie xx