Hair loss....will it continue to fall out????

Hi...since at least age 6 I have had hair loss that isn't cancer treatment related ( and despite continual loss I still have long hair somehow!) but I understand the emotional impact. 

Its part of your identity and you have little control over what's happening and its another loss when you already feel fragile.

I am sure cold cappers will be along soon with advice...I know some have said they believe its important to get the hair really wet.

Meanwhile have a welcome hug

Take care

Hi there,  and welcome to ther forum. Poor you! Is horrible to see it start shedding at the end of the first cycle.  Can I ask what chemo you had? EC is the harshest on hair, and everyone loses a lot with the first one. If it is EC then most people lose 1/3 - 1/2 around where you are now, and then for some people it slows down a lot after that,  but for some it keeps shedding a bit more.  

Paxman say that hair retention is 20%-60% for EC, but up to 90% for many of ther other chemo drugs. Cold capping also protects the roots so that the hair usually grows back faster. 

Was it really cold the first time? Mine wasn't apart from where I'd asked the fringe to be soaked, but this time I asked all of it to be wet and it was much colder.  I don't know if it will make a difference.  I use sleep caps at night too, so I don't pull out the fragile hairs by lying on them,  but don't know if it helps....

Are you washing only once or twice a week with no heat drying,  gentle shampoo and a wide toothed comb used carefully? Sorry for all ther questions. It's an unknown how much hair is lost,  but all I can say is it does slow down a lot after the first few weeks. Xxx

Hi

I have cold capped. Currently on day 14 second cycle of FEC. I had a similar experience as Londonmumof2 for my first session where I believe the nurse didn't wet my hair nowhere near enough. I have (had) very thick hair so could hardly feel the cold and tolerated the cap very well. Sure enough day 14 of first cycle my hair started departing at an alarming rate, I am a bit bald underneath at one side end behind my ear although until its pointed out you wouldn't notice. 

For my second cycle I wet my hair before my session. Needless to say I was freezing with the cap this time! I'm still losing bits of hair but nowhere near as much as before.

I understand how you're feeling It's a horrible feeling, touching your hair and pulling handfuls out. I had a bin full by the end of each day. 

It really is up to you whether you persevere. Maybe try one more session with wetting your hair more and see how you go? x

Hi

Thanks both for replying 

I am having EC so expected some hair loss but the sheer amount today took me by surprise.

My hair is (was) very thick and I would say at least 50% has fallen out today

It’s so thin on the crown/parting you can easily see my scalp . I just don’t know whether to shave it all off or persevere with the old cap on Tuesday...maybe I’ll try it and see if it’s any better after..if not I can shave it off then 

i know most people feel the same..I just feel like I’m losing my identity and I just want to look ‘normal’ even if I don’t feel it.

Thanks for your comments I don’t feel so alone x

I know whay you mean about normal.  I'm day 27 and my hair is thin (I've lost over 50%) and still lightly shedding but don't want a wig as I've tried some which feel odd.  I've also a PICC like which I hate as it looks ugly,  aches and tingles sometimes and means i can't bathe properly for as long as it's there:(

If you decide to cold cap next well- them make sure that it's wet enough.  X

I think I will probably give the cold cap another go and see if it slows down the hair loss because although I will try a wig I’d rather try and preserve what I have !

im trying to work as much as I can between cycles so it’s important to me to try and feel normal at work if I go into the office 

if it doesn’t work I guess I tried!

i had a port put in rather than a PICC so luckily it’s very discreet..just a bump under the skin which is not really visible with most clothes.

i really appreciate your feedback...will let you know what happens...hope all goes well for you x

Hi ya! I’ve been cold capping on ec, had my 3rd last week. 

i too had very thick hair so the first was fine due to the insulation it provided but I did shed an awful lot before my 2nd one. The 2nd and 3rd were much harder so very very freezing! I was given some painkillers the 3rd time which did help but I’m so glad I only have to wear it for 30 min after Docetaxel instead of 2 hrs after Ec.

my hair is much thinner esp  on the top, I had a shoulder length bob bit now I’m rocking a pixie cut which means ppl just think I’ve had my hair cut short and coloured as I’m not dying it either!

But I do have hair and dont need to wear a hat, scarf or wig even tho I do have them, very few ppl have realised im having chemo. I’ve managed to carry on more or less as normal going to work and looking after grandson. Just been away from fri till now after last Wednesdays ec with new anti sickness and I’ve been absolutely fine.

i have mine via canula which can be hit and miss and does make my veins and arm tender but it’s bearable. 

Forgot to say my hair has actually started to sprout in places too apparently even if it falls out it grows back quicker. 

Let me know how you get on x

What's left of mine is also growing,  and I had to cut my fringe yesterday which was odd!

Sorry can't comment on cold capping as didn't bother (and must say have loved the cool feeling and no blow drying!)....hair started coming out fast on day 12 and by day 15 had shaved my head.....and now mid chemo my hair is growing back!...have this sparse little fuzz all over the top of my head...not so much at the sides. Eyebrows and lashes still intact but I'm expecting them to go some time.

Hi - thanks for taking the time to reply.

I have/had a chin length bob and my hair has always been really thick but its so thin today now. I'm a bit scared of having it cut but think I might have to at this rate now.

I'm glad to hear you are carrying on normally as much as possible - I too am trying to do that ....I need the normality for my sanity !

I didn't have a good experience with my anti sickness with 1st treatment so I'm hoping that they can give me something else this time - I'm having my bloods done tomorrow and seeing the specialist so will talk to them . The first lot of drugs didn't help and I was really sick and ended up back at the hospital 2 days later with a dose into the port and then a bag of fluid. The new ones they gave me(metoclopramide) stopped the sickness but made me a complete zombie - disorientated etc which was awful. I lasted a few days and stopped taking them and I felt much better and no sickness.

I am not great to get a cannula into so having the port was the right decision for me although was another day case and sedation but its there now until this is all over !

I'm sure everyone feels the same but I just want to get this all over with ...just feels like the end  is a long way off......7 more cycles to go and then 3 weeks of radiotherapy to come.

Thanks again for getting in touch - I really appreciate it x