Hi. I’ve just started chemotherapy and am having EC followed by paclitaxel. I am trying the scalp cooling. I am just wondering if anyone has had any success with the scalp cooling on the same chemo drugs??
I tried it and sadly within 2 weeks it was obvious it hadn’t worked. I was very disappointed as I felt empowered by suffering the pain for what I felt was a worthwhile gain. I now know that it only works in 1/3 of people and was unlikely to have worked anyway. With hindsight I wish I hadn’t bothered as it turns out I’m ok with having no hair. I didn’t have a wig or hats as I found them too hot and uncomfortable but I k ow this isn’t for everyone one. Ruby
Hi, I've undergone the same chemo drugs as you are/will.
I believe the cold cap would have retained most of my hair had I not decided to have it shaved off. You will keep more hair if its not washed, styled etc. I followed this advice but mine was looking pretty shabby so thought far easier to have none! And in hindsight still a good decision.
I started noticing bald patches after 2nd EC dose.
The area where I lost hair was mainly near the temples as well as top of head and I think that's where the cold cap fit wasn't tight enough so these areas weren't sufficiently frozen. I can see, even with a grade 1,that I still have about 60% of hair so I would definitely pursue, I've come across lots of ladies who have retained a fair amount of hair so when tied back or cleverly covered with Alice bands you can't tell.
I had my hair cut short (was beyond shoulders before) to give the cold cap additional chance.
Hi, its worth a try because it does work for some. I had 1 and 1/2 goes at it. My hair started falling out mostly on crown just before 2nd dose so I cut it to about an inch because I thought it looked worse chin length and bald patches. I abandoned half way through 2nd dose because i developed a severe headache that made me feel sick and assumed it was cold cap but I now realise was the drug as I had it on 3rd treatment as well. I'm now day 10 of 3rd cycle and still got lots of hair round sides and some on crown.
Some advice for if your hair does fall out: it can be really sore , was not expecting it so bit of a shock. Wash really gently with a mild shampoo like aveeno as little as possible. If the worst happens I really recommend focusware chemo turbans of amazon, they are so much nicer than just a beanie! Good luck! Xxx
Thanks. It’s been 2 1/2 weeks since my first EC and it feels like quite a lot is coming out ....but weirdly a few days of what I think is quite a lot coming out but my hair still looks thick and no bald spots so I’ll persevere just now. Getting married next year so hoping it at least helps it grow back quicker. I have got a wig but it feels so weird that I can imagine not wearing it
I had FEC and then paclitaxol, so like EC, with the F bit as well!
I used the cold cap all the way through. I lost a lot of hair on my crown after the second treatment and it kept shedding through most of the treatment. I used a lint roller to collect it. All in all, I lost about half of my hair. I almost gave up, but I’m glad I didn’t because it started to grow back during the paclitaxol and I’m sure the cold cap protected the regrowth. I did lose facial hair with the paclitaxol though. I had my last treatment in March last year and by the end of May, enough had grown that it covered the scalp and I stopped using wigs. Now, the longest parts of my hair are chin length and the regrowth covers the top parts of my ears.
Thanks Ruby, I am sure it won't work for me as the fit wasn't tight enough.
I have been so upset and cried buckets knowing that I will loose all my hair, but what can you do? I am trying as you did, but will shave it off if it goes patchy. It's waist length.
Thanks again, for sharing it's nice to know I am not alone x
