Hi I am starting treatment next week 3 weekly tchp taxotene I've heard taxotene is very very strong has anyone experience of this - if I try penguin cold caps will it save my hair or not with tchp taxotene
Taxotere can be strong but doctor's take this into account more these days. There are possibilities for reduced doses or even weekly if you are reacting too much to the full dose. Just be aware of the side effects and discuss any reactions you are having with your nurse or oncologist frequently. I did have problems but the error was mine as I didn't want to make a fuss with reactions I thought everyone got.
So monitor any joint pain, burning sensations in hands and feet, skin peeling, skin reddening and discuss them frequently.
As for hair loss.....I had had FEC before my taxotere and my hair was already gone but I know people whose hair started to regrow during the T so perhaps you won't lose it anyway. I think the cold cap will work if fitted 100% correctly but it brings other problems like headaches during chemo. I bought pretty turbans to cover my bald head and changed headbands to match my clothes if I went out. My hair needed cutting exactly a year from when it started falling out so it does regrow.
I hope all goes well with the treatment. It probably won't be easy but it will be another step to being free from this cancer. My mammogram has been clear for nearly six years now.
