Hair loss

Tathc001
Tathc001 Member Posts: 2
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hello everyone,  I am trying to make a decision. I have had my first round of chemo 2 weeks ago. My scalp is hurting so bad, it hurts to do anything. I already have a pixie cut, but if I went shorter and shaved it would that help with the pain at all? I asked my chemo nurse today and she told me my head would get really cold. I don't care about the cold I live in fl and it is hot! Plus I can cover my head.

Comments

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,360 Member
    #2
    Tathc001, I am a visitor from

    Tathc001, I am a visitor from the Uterine board, the below the belt cancer gals check in on each other, especially when the treatments are pretty closely aligned.  

    I remember the ache you are talking about - it felt like someone was pulling on my head - and I would just press my hand on my scalp.  I lost all my hair, so it doesn't matter if you shave it or not, it was weird to still have that feeling of the ache.  

    If you head gets cold (or go in to air conditioning) you can always throw a hat on, or watch the video link below on a t-shirt head wrap.  I personally loved the t-shirt idea and if you get designer t-shirts at Goodwill/Salvation Army, they have really good colors.  This woman did a GREAT job which is why I picked this one. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4gM7FmUe0M

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    edited May 2017 #3
    I'm from the uterine board

    I'm from the uterine board also. I never had the head pain, but have had a friend who did and she had her hair shaved as i did also. Mine was coming out like crazy, so it was a relief. I used sleep caps which are really soft and a comfort for a cold head.

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    edited May 2017 #4
    Scalp Pain

    Hi Tathc,

    I did not experience the pain you describe.  But after the first couple of rounds of chemo, I started icing my head during the Taxol infusion.  This reduces the amount of the drug that circulates in that area.  Interestingly, by the end of my treaments, I had about 1/4 of hair growing back already.  I was not aware, when I started treatment, that there are things called cold caps that you can wear during infusions and you will keep all your hair.  I know a few women who have done this and they seem to work very well.  I am just wondering, if you chilled your head during infusions, whether that would prevent the pain.  Good luck.

  • Tathc001
    Tathc001 Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Thank you

    Thank you everyone.  I don't mind losing my hair at all.  Today was the worst for the pain. I ended up losing about 60%of my hair just today. I am curious to know if once I lose all my hair if my scalp will still hurt.  I still have 5 more treatments left.  I might have to try the cool cap if it continues to hurt during treatment. 

  • Cindycrane
    Cindycrane Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Hair loss and Scalp Pain

    I'm also very new to all of this.  Two weeks since my first chemo treatment and I have 5 more to go every 3 weeks.  Hair started to come out on Sunday and today it's thinning like crazy.  I think losing my hair is the most difficult part for me.  Every time I have a handful of hair I cry.  I'm at such an inbetween stage...have an apnt to get it cut short on Friday but there might not be anything left by then.  I also have pain....it hurts just to touch my hair at all.  I''m only guessing but thinking the pain will go away once all the hair is gone.  

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,360 Member
    #7
    Cindy, losing my hair was

    Cindy, losing my hair was hard for me, so you are not alone.  I know it is hard, but consider getting your head shaved and work from there.  Me and two fo my friends cried when I got my head shaved, but it eliminated a lot of hair all over the place and I didn't want to clog my bathroom drain.  :)  I figured that was one more thing I didn't want to deal with since everything else was going on.  

    I did have the head pain some, even after I lost my hair.  Again, I would just press my hands on my head.  Hugs and hang in there.

  • bettyboop3917
    bettyboop3917 Member Posts: 45
    #8
    Rocking the Bald look

    The pain was worst then just shaving it all off. After I shaved my hair it stopped hurting and itching. This being my second go around with chemo I didn't wait so long to shave it. After it started to bother me I shaved it all off. Know what is right for you and go for it. :) 

  • lucky4thtime
    lucky4thtime Member Posts: 4
    #9
    Scalp pain

    I was told, take a really cold shower on your head. It worked for me... I hope you feel better soon. 

  • rejoycew
    rejoycew Member Posts: 36
    #10
    So sorry to hear of your hair

    So sorry to hear of your hair pain.  I'm not sure if cutting it all off will help.  I would try the cold treatments advice mentioned above.  I had my hair cut off after my 2nd dose of Carboplatin/taxol as it was falling out like mad and my husband was complaining about the hair all over.  I did keep my head covered all the time with scarves, and fun fir hats that I knit.  I did have a cute free wig from Am. Cancer Society that I got before I got my hair cut which closely matched my hair color and style.  I only wore it when I wanted to look nice out in public as it wasn't real comfortable and made my head itch.  Good luck.  I do hope your head pain subside soon.  You have enough to deal with without that too.  This journey is not for wimps!!

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