Tender scalp
PositiveLady10
Posts: 62 ✭✭✭
Hi,I'm due for my 2nd Chemo next week for breast cancer.
I am still holding onto my hair at the moment,but today my scalp feels really tender to touch.
I have read online that while on Chemo,this could be a sign of the hair follicles dying and your hair could go in a few days time?
Has anyone else experienced this before losing their hair.
I am still holding onto my hair at the moment,but today my scalp feels really tender to touch.
I have read online that while on Chemo,this could be a sign of the hair follicles dying and your hair could go in a few days time?
Has anyone else experienced this before losing their hair.
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Best Answers
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PositiveLady10
Posts: 62 ✭✭✭
Hi Lou,I knew I should have asked you haha.
It is 2 weeks since my 1st Chemo,so I am expecting the inevitable.
As I had quite long hair 2 weeks ago and have had it cut drastically short,I am finding it quite hard to shave it off before it falls out.
I have various hats,scarfs and as you know my new wig ready,I will let you know when I'm brave enough to do it.Take care .
Barbara x3 -
PositiveLady10
Posts: 62 ✭✭✭
Lou,I've uploaded my photo now,this was taken this time last year on holiday in Fuerteventura,who knew "what a difference a year would make" !!!!0
Answers
Yes, definitely! I went through this when I began to lose my hair two weeks after starting chemo.
My scalp was very tender, and I was told it was as the follicles were dying and the hair was about to fall out.
Once the hair is gone, the pain does stop. I would recommend shaving it off as it starts to become patchy. I think seeing it in clumps on a pillow or back of the chair is upsetting enough.
I am sorry it is causing you pain, I understand how it feels.
Lou x
Hi Barbara,
Hahaha, you made me laugh! You know me, the one-stop shop! haha.
Bless you, it really is so hard. You are very brave to get your hair cut short already, it is so drastic, but at least your hair will grow back. It will, eventually, and a lot of people find their hair is thicker than before. You may even get a new colour!
Please let me know how it goes, hang in there, you are doing brilliantly!
Sending hugs
Lou x
Barbara, where's your pic? Technical hitch somewhere!
Also, not quite sure why all your posts are coming up as accepted answer??
You are making me chuckle.
I love Fuerteventura, its beautiful. Although a very long time since we went. I think the island has had a lot of development over the years. But still beautiful I am sure.
Lou x
Thats my fault regarding my posts coming up as accepted answer as I've been pressing Yes to did this answer your question ..... Haha what a nutter,I won't press that next time!!!
Lovely photo, you have red in your hair I see. I used to be a red head.
xx
I will soon have a red head ...... but no hair 😢 😢
xxx
I have been streaming with cold for 48 hrs, and can't see properly! So sorry!
I meant to put a crying face, supporting you!
Lou xxx
Hair coming out in clumps this morning..... here it goes x
Don't! I feel bad enough already at my mistake! 🤓 Got my reading glasses on!
Bless you, I am hurting with you. I can feel it. This is temporary, it will pass.
xxx
This was me having my hair shaved off Oct 2015
I could not face having my hair shaved off so when it started falling out i held my head over a bucket and cut it off myself. I put a hat on when i went to bed untill the ends fell out. I am now 6 months post chemo and you can see from the picture my hair is on the way back with chemp curls.
Hi @Minksy
You were brave cutting your hair off in that way, I'm not sure I could have done that.
Your hair looks great, and it looks like it is growing back really well.
I hope you are recovering well from the chemo, do you have any other treatment to do?
Welcome to the group by the way! It's great to have you with us.
Lou x
I have got to have something to protect my bones, the doctor said last week that the tablet can cause bad heart burn etc, as i had this with my first chemo untill i got some omeprazole from doctors i told him i would not take it, i asked if there was anything else i could have, he said you could have it as an infusion once every 6 months but it is more expensive that way, so i said that is how i will have it.
Cost should not come into it, after all we go through, so got appointment next week. I had it as an infusion with my last chemo. Then ino more treatment x
How are you doing. X
Hi @Minksy ,
I've not heard of that infusion, although there are so many variations of breast cancer treatment.
I take Letrozole and Adcal a calcium supplement every day. I also have a Dexa scan each year to check my bone density, as well as the other usual check-up appointments.
I am well, thank you, I don't have cancer anymore, the treatment (chemo, operation and radiotherapy) was very effective. I have had several post-treatment side-effects that have taken their toll, but things are slowly improving.
I try and stay active, do a lot of swimming which really helps me.
I hope your appointment next week goes well.
Lou x
Hello I too suffered for a week with really bad scalp pain before I decided enough was enough..I shaved off my hair and instantly the pain stopped..I look at it as it's another step I have completed along this cancer journey
Tina x
Hi, I start chemo for inflammatory breast cancer in ten days (and counting). Is the the cold cap painful? Thought I’d give it a go . Thanks
Can't believe the pain I suffered last night with my head and scalp. I'm just two weeks into my 1st chemo. I nearly cut my very short hair off in the middle of the night. Very lucky that my hairdresser fitted me in this morning and shaved off my hair. The pain and soreness is not so bad now and my hair is gone.
I cried all the way to my friends for a coffee and I won't have to face clumps coming out. I cannot believe how painful it was. I couldn't even place my head on the pillow for the pain of it. I did take two paracetamol and one Ibuprofen 5am this morning which did help a lot. Wish I'd thought of that in the early hours of a very long night.
Hi Jimjam,
I am so sorry hearing you describe your head pain, especially so soon after starting your first chemo.
I also had my hair shaved off as I found the pain so awful, nobody warned me about that, I think I mentioned it on this site almost a year ago.
Once you accept the loss of your hair, which I must admit I found very hard, pain wise things will settle down for you.
I bought some lovely head wear, and some bamboo ones which stop any sweating, to sleep in as I found my head got really cold during the night.
I did buy a wig, I’ve got it on in my profile picture, it was the best purchase I ever made as it gave me confidence.
Everybody is different, and you have to do what feels right for you.
Lease feel free to come on and chat at any time, I’ve been on this forum for a year now, since the start of my journey, it has been so helpful “talking” to others who are going through or have been through this journey.
take care,
Barbara x
@Jimjam
Sending you a big hug tonight! It was very brave to go for the shave, but I understand. It is very painful when the hair is falling out, which I wasn't expecting either.
You can take your time deciding what you want to do, wig or not, Barbara is right, everyone is different, just do what will work best for you. Whatever helps you the most to get through this period in your life is important.
I went for hats and scarves, and like Barbara I had a couple of beanie hats to wear at night. My head got very cold at night, plus it was weird putting my bald head on top of the pillow!
I had a lot of fun with my friend shopping for hats and scarves down at M&S. I cried laughing that day.
Chat soon,
🤗🤗
Lou xx