Starting ACT Chemo in 2 days

Hi Nadya,

I’ve 1 T session left and have had very few side effects. I used a cold cap for first 2 sessions. 3 weeks after I started on AC my hair fell out over a period of 2 days. It was like someone pressed the eject button. it didn’t hurt but I made a decision not to cut or shave hair before chemo. I took my meds as prescribed and I didn’t feel sick. I drank lots of water and walked each day. My oncologist said you can’t predict how your body will react but you can work on how you cope. This site is amazing and full of people who are so generous in sharing how to cope & get through. Best of luck 

Thank you so much for sharing. It seems losing your hair 3 weeks after your first AC session is the one consistent side effect. Did you end up shaving your head? I too chose to try the cold capping. I’m so happy to hear you didn’t have any other side effects. Fingers crossed I have the same experience. 

third week, eject button clumps, just shedding bits and gah hair everywhere. if you dont want to shave may want to try a shorter cut, my hoover is full.

please feel free to visit the auguts starters thread for thise of us a few steps ahead that might help answer questions

Hi, I had a different type of chemo but this will still help as it's more general advice. I blogged throughout all my treatment and this one is the things I ish I’d known before chemo. Hope it’s useful for you, best wishes 

Chemo hints and tips

Hi again AMA,

It's my Day 3 today after first AC infusion and also wondering when and how I'll lose my hair... Can I just ask whether you stopped using the cold cap after your second session? I've read that if you persist with it, it might help with the hair regrowth after you finish your treatment... xx 

I did not persist and regret that. There was an issue on my 3rd session and they had no cold cap for me. 14 weeks in I still have eyebrows and eyelashes- I use an allergy eye mask that you put in the freezer - I think it has helped the eyebrows.

Thank you, AMA! I bought the cream you recommended, I hope it will work. Is it possible to share the link for your eye mask or its name? I'm willing to try this as well. Not that how I look bothers me much in this situation - my family have been so supportive and understanding - but I have to admit that people staring at cancer patients really annoys me a bit... xx 

I use this after chemo

https://www.boots.com/fusion-allergy-cooling-mask-10288762

Thank you so much, AMA! 

Hi Nadya,

 I prepared myself by having my hair cut very short, opted for cold cap and booked myself to see a wig consultant. But a few days after my second infusion my hair started to fall and by that weekend clumps came off. So decided to have my hair shaved off. Now I’m so used to having no hair actually liked it for its convenience. I was nauseous and only got sick a few times but that was all. The steroids made me hungry all the time at some point. I have worse side effects when I had Docetaxel. Just finished my 8th round and completed chemo.

 I bought hair covers for going out and for sleeping. I also bought Weleda hair tonic for my newly growing hair. I also bought a recommended shampoo for my bald head. These were all suggestions from Look good feel better organisation working with people who have cancer. If you are interested you can book to join different online workshops which are brilliant by the way. They have workshops for looking after your nails, how to dress up when one loses their self esteem and confidence, how to put makeup on when one loses their eyebrows, lashes and they even give free goodies which are branded.

 I wish you well in this journey.