EC, accelerated paclitaxel and cold cap

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Hi - it’s been a while since I posted on here but I am looking for some advice or suggestions or perhaps there’s someone that’s experience something similar?
bit of background I am 52 and following first routine mammogram was recalled for 2 biopsies. One was clear and the other was diagnosed as 14mm TNBC, had lumpectomy on 30 march and 4 lymph nodes removed. Results were good clear margins and no evidence of cancer in lymph nodes so chemo and radiotherapy suggested to lessen chance of cancer returning as it was TNBC.

started EC in may 2021 and just finished my 4 doses of that. Used cold cap throughout but have lost probably 80%+ of my hair and during past couple of weeks my eyelashes are thinning a lot and eyebrows a bit thinner.

im due to start paclitaxel in 3 weeks and will have 4 sessions fortnightly but have heard from other patients that it can take 4 hours as opposed to the 1 1/2 hours for EC and I just don’t know if it’s worth continuing with the cold cap? It’s incredibly cold especially as I have little hair left and I’m not sure I can deal with it being on my head for about 6 hours in total. Do I stop using it? Do I continue and hope to keep what hair is left? I don’t think I want to use a wig but I’m having to use beanies and scarves anyway. Sorry for the long post lxx

Annna over 3 years ago

Hi , i just finished

Annna over 3 years ago

Hi , i finished weekly Paclitaxel a week ago , i used cold cap all 12 sessions and save 50% of my hair. It was not easy as cold cap adding extra two hours of stay in hospital. My advice to you to ask nurse when you come for chemotherapy but from what i can see you lost 80% and this is to much . With little hair what you have left probably they will not advise you to use cold cap as it can freeze your head, i know how difficult its cold cap with my own experience…. Its sad that you already lost most of your hair … wish you to be strong and positive and finish your treatment. Xx

Monalisa1869 over 3 years ago in reply to Annna

Thanks Anna that’s what I’m thinking too - I wanted to do all I could to try and keep at least some hair but sadly lost much more than I hoped. The nurses did say at my last appt they would recommend stopping with the cold cap if I lost any more and that’s what made me start to reconsider especially as the infusion is so long. Lxx

Annna over 3 years ago in reply to Monalisa1869

On some medication cold cap effects not so great, but this is not end of world. Iam still attending hospital for injection and see so many ladies are bold. I bought myself three hats incase if i need at that time, they bamboo and different shape and colour from web Anabandana , they very very good… x

Monalisa1869 over 3 years ago in reply to Annna

I’m already wearing pre-tied scarves as my hair was very blonde and I’m very light skinned so as there’s not much hair left you can see most of my scalp. The more I think about it the more sensible it may be to have it shaved? Still more thinking to do but that’s the way I’ll probably be going lxx

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EC, accelerated paclitaxel and cold cap