Hair loss

Hi

Sorry cant answer your question but there are lots of ladies that can and by posting this message it will bring you back up to the top of the page.  I am due to start chemotherapy in a few weeks and will probably be asking alot of questions. Good link is the May Chemo 2020

L x

Hi 

Hopefully someone who had Paclitaxel / Taxol first can help with your question, most have FEC or EC first then move onto Taxol and the hairloss can be slightly different that way around.

Usually the first sign of head hair loss is a pulling, tingly sore type pain as if someone is pulling your ponytail. This can seem worse with longer / heavier hair because of the weight.  With FEC or EC this usally starts around 12 - 24 days from your first chemo session but this time frame may be some days out with Taxol ?  This usually why most have their longer hair cut shorter at this time.

Assume you aren't using the scalp cooling cap to reduce hairloss then ?

Hope this is of some help for now and hope the chemo is being kind to you ?

Take Care, G n' J

Hi Dreamthief,

Thank you replying. I have a lot of hair I have cut 20inches already. I am just debating if I should just shave the hair. I did not choose the cold cap because of my very sensitive scalp.

Hi 

Until someone with experience of Taxol first replies I would just play it by ear for now.  If your scalp / hair starts getting sore that would be the time for a much shorter cut, if you leave it any longer the pain can get worse even to the extent of just touching it is ouchy.

Cutting shorter is safer than actually 'shaving' it because of the risk of nicking your head and creating a source of infection site while your white cell count will be lower.

You could wear a thin skull cap overnight to keep any shedded hair from your bedding but most find that a bit uncomfortable and go for the silk type pillowcase option.

Have you checked out the May Chemo Club (link) in the main breast group btw ?  It is where most of the members having, or have had chemo for BC hang out to support and advise each other 

Try to have a fun weekend and enjoy a little   G n' J

Hi

I had weekly Paclitaxol, and had long hair before I started. I had mine cut off into a short style too. I was told that it would be about three weeks in when the hairloss would start - for some reason I thought this wouldn't happen to me! I had my third treatment on the Thursday, and remember clearly having a shower on the Saturday morning and washing my hair, and the amount of hair coming out just didn't stop. It did feel tingly, but I ha my friend come and shave it really short - it subsequently all fell out, along with most of my body hair apart from most of my eyebrows, a couple of eyelashes and some hair on my forearms (not sure of the weirdness of that!)

Once I had shaved my hair off I was actually fine, I think it is the taking control of the situation which helped me. When it starts to shed it can be really distressing, you have no idea how much hair you have until it starts fo fall out....

The hair loss never bothered me, not sure why, and I still have it short now, plus I have never dyed it again either .... I had problems with my nails with the Paclitaxol, and that bothered me more than losing my hair.

Best wishes for your treatment

Jo x

Hi Jo

Thank you for your reply. It really motivate me to keep positive and also answer my query as you had the same weekly treatment. 

Thank you again.

Zaza95xx