Cold Capping and hair loss experience with TC chemo
I went for my first TC chemo session with cold capping on a Paxman. I've got wavy coarse hair, that's not particularly thick. Conditioner and water was applied with a focus on the top of the head. I was expecting a brain freeze but came nowhere near that in the 2.5 hours of the cold capping. I'm a skier so I'm comparing it to having damp hair on the snowfieds. The nurse said only about 20% of his patients keep their hair. I'm now paranoid it was ineffective and am sitting at home with a bag of ice in a large ziplock affixed to my head, which feels colder than the cap. Has anyone had a similar experience with cold cap not being as cold as you expected, but still had reasonable hair retention after that session?
Does life go back to normal?
Hi! thanks to BCN for putting me onto this discussion page. I was diagnosed with ER, PR & HER2+ breast cancer June 2024 at the age of 53yrs. Had surgery to remove two (R) breast aggressive tumours, three months of chemo and 4 weeks of radiation. I’m now on Anastrozole. I feel I got off lightly and just thought I’d get back to my normal life. That wasn’t so easy. I’m gradually returning to full-time work, exercise and trying to return to my once active single social life. I’m having acupuncture to help with immunity and general wellbeing. I had beautiful long blonde hair. Spent lots of money on my hair and nails. My question is… what do all you amazing women do to get back into fitness, to avoid the tiredness, and to help with your hair and nails? Are there any good vitamin supplements? Am I able to use collagen? Thank you for your advice xx
Caps with 'fake hair' to wear , during/post chemo
On Xmas Day, I was at a restaurant for lunch with friends & one person was wearing the 'middle' cap below - and it looked really cool!! They are available on ebay & Temu etc I am sure there are more 'styles' too. Here's a couple more - would you consider wearing one? take care
Starting chemo this week: Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Pegfilgrastim then Paclitaxel
Hello everyone, this week I start chemo. As I understand it, 4 cycles of Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Pegfilgrastim then 12 cycles of Paclitaxel. I am looking for any advice and tips on how to get through it. We all know that experience and side effects are all different and individual but it would help to know how others have coped. I haven't had my introduction session with the oncology nurse yet and the fact sheet is a bit scary. I am in Melbourne and will be treated at St Vincent's private in East Melbourne as that is where my medical oncologist works. For the time being I am remaining a private patient as insurance covers it. I am choosing to try the 'cold cap' to see if it will help with not losing hair but as I have fine hair and already experiencing age related hair loss, it may not work. I know it will add about 2 hours to treatment and am willing to give it a go. My plan is to take audiobooks and colouring books with me to pass the time during treatment. I'm aiming to keep busy but not taxing myself too much. At this stage I do not plan to work on treatment days but do plan to work from home other days. A friend has suggested a probiotic as a precaution as a relation and her mother used one during their chemo and found it helpful. Has anyone else found this? With the second treatment and Paclitaxel I am concerned about the possibility of peripheral neuropathy side effects due to a previous condition. I read in another post that some ladies have tried cold gloves and socks - has that worked? I will have to look into it further but am curious and want to be prepared. Thank you all for reading and any advice and tips :heart:
BYO Cold Cap?
Hi all, I have just found out that my hospital (Monash) doesn’t offer the cold cap for chemo. The breast care nurse I spoke to was very disparaging of them, saying there was no evidence they worked, which surprises me as they seem relatively common in better hospitals. She said the only option was to BYO frozen caps in an esky - has anyone here tried this? Was it successful? How do you keep the caps cold enough?
Hair Loss Advice
Hi beautiful people. I have just commenced chemo a few weeks ago and I am just starting to lose my hair. I have bought some hats and scarves but I would appreciate some advice on wigs. Looking at the possibility of a real hair wig? Would really appreciate your opinions. I live in the the Wollongong area. Thanks ☺️
Tender scalp 5 months post chemo
Hi all, did anyone experience a tender scalp post chemo. I noticed it happens if I brush my hair back perhaps. Is it perhaps a sign of growth. My hair is still very short , back and sides are longer than the top and very curly. My natural is curly but it's curlier now which iama very common I understand. Wondering if there is a reason why it feels tender at times and what best to do, to handle it? Thank you.Chemo almost done...next is surgery. Hair growth questions.
Hi all, it's been a little while, hope you all doing well and this year brings you all good health and happiness. I am almost done with my chemo (AC and 12 weeks paclitaxel, 4 perjeta and another one (not sure of name), 2 more infusions of paclitaxel. Did anyone find bits of fluffy hair starting to grow already? I don't want to get too excited but am starting to notice some growth. Anxious and excited about my appointment tomorrow with the surgeon to discuss surgery options and how the tumors have responded to the chemo. Any advice would be appreciated. Still awaiting genetic testing results. Now the fun part. We have a family wedding in October this year and some other events and I am very excited for my hair to start growing. Any tips or advice. Scalp treatment or oils etc vitamins. Should I have a shave after chemo so the hair grows evenly and also what kind of length can I expect in 6 months or so. How did you hair grow? Lastly. If anyone is based in Sydney and would want to meet for a chat, support, pray , let me know. Would love to meet some ladies, we can encourage each other. Can direct message me if you like. Thanks and look forward to hearing your progress xxx
Hair cut before cold cap?
Hello there! I am going to start chemo soon and am going to use a cold cap. I've read your hair may still fall out so I'm wondering if I should still make a hair appointment to get it cut pretty short? Did any ladies with the cold cap get their hair cut short before starting chemo or should I just wait and see how my hair goes before taking drastic measures? And while you're at it, any tips on withstanding the cold cap? xx
