Paclitaxel

[LorryLou]

I am about to start the above, I have been given lots of information.

My question is whether you used the Paxman Scalp Cooling system to try and save your hair during this treatment and whether it worked for you, also how did it feel?

Many thanks x

[YogaGRL52]

I did try to save my hair with cool caps but gave up after third treatment, I gave up on keeping my hair. Instead, I used cold packs on feet and hands to avoid worsening nerve neuropathy. My husband was there to help change packs as necessary. We put them on 15 minutes before Taxol and left on for 15 minutes after. Best of luck to you, LoreyLou…

[LibraryGeek]

Hi LorryLou,

I have had 4 sessions so far weekly with every 4th week off) and have used this system. So far I have only shed a small amount of individual hairs and it only started in the last few days. I cut my hair short before starting. It feels cold and tight when it first goes on but after about 15 minutes it goes quite numb and I find it tolerable. I have read that even if hair is lost, it helps with regrowth, so I will carry on. If you are on Facebook, there is a very active Paxman group on there, although it is mostly US (I am in UK) and mostly primary breast cancer.

Hope Paclitaxel works well for you and that you find it a kind treatment- I feel pretty well, although I am getting insomnia, presumably from the steroids. I feel much better than I did on Everolimus.

Jackie x

[LorryLou in reply to LibraryGeek]

thanks so much. I will let you know how I get on. Having a port fitted tomorrow then first treatment in the afternoon

[LibraryGeek in reply to LorryLou]

I have a port now too. It makes life so much easier as my veins are small and damaged by years of treatment. You will do great x

[Onedayatatime60]

Paxman cooling cap was not an option at my centre. I would definitely have tried it. On their website, there is a tool where you put in what chemo you are having and other particulars. It will give you an estimate of how much hair you can expect to keep. Pacitaxol is one with good results. Hope you have success.

[PJBinMI]

I'm so glad you wrote this! I'm waiting to hear when I get my first Taxol and hadn't thought about any of this! I hope you do well.

[Ntash01]

Definitely try it! At my hospital, if I didn’t use it at first session, there was no going back - so I wasn’t really given a choice. This was good as I’m rubbish at making decisions.

Make sure hair IS damp throughout scalp v important. If they say it doesn’t have to be, say your research says otherwise! Bring conditioner!

I have hair on my head, it’s seems to be working. Get ready to lose lashes and brows 😳 and the bits around the body!

[LorryLou]

Update - I had my port fitted yesterday morning. Interesting experience was pumped full of local anesthetic so did not feel any pain just pulling.

In the afternoon I started my first treatment of Paclitaxel given through the port. Firstly steroid then antihistamine then the main drug which took one hour.I had the Paxman scalp cooling experience. Hair dampened first the conditioner put on. Then the first cooling cap then the main one on top. The first ten minutes were eye wateringly cold but after that it was fine.

After treatment was complete I had to wait a further one hour with the cooling cap on. Then when finished wait a further ten minutes for the hair to warm up a little before removal of cap. Left with damp cold hair, but hopefully it will work.

Will keep you updated.

This morning 24 hours later, wound does not hurt and i feel fine.