Cold Cap Dilemma

Hi Amanda,

It all seems to be about waiting amd making decisions, Im nat at that point yet but have made so progress and got myself some beanies, the mac nurse told me the cold cap doesnt always work and sometimes it just makes the hair thin, dont know if I could go with thinning hair but thankfully dont have to make tha decision quite yet.

take care love Terri xxx

HI Amanda, I too have Breast Cancer. I have my last Chemo today. Can't sleep as I ant it and don't want it. Well I presume you are having FEC. I used the cold cap and it was not a nice experience, and after all that i lost my hair just as |I was about to start my second chemo.It works for some and not for others.

I too was so scared about loosing m,y hair, however I lost it and I have two fantastic wigs. So many people have commmneted that they did not know it was a wig adn how good it looks. HOnestly I have coped and my hiar is grwoing back already. I was feeling exactly the same as you.You will get a lot of support. It has been a long haul, but I a nearly there.

Hope you get on ok, let me know how it is going.

Take care Amanda.

Dee

Hi both Denning and myself had excellent results with the cold cap - mine was a plug in scalp cooler Denning used interchangeable hats from a freezer, she had FEC I had Paclitaxol! I have to tell you I actually TIMED the discomfort - 8 minutes - after that you are numb and dont feel anything much. It doesnt hurt when you defrost at the other end. I documented my progress on one of my blogs which you can check out via my profile (just click on the word 'Jools' ) I would say your hair needs to be WET for the cold cap to get good conduction to the scalp - this is particularly important on the first few goes when your hair is at its thickest. i have to say my hair did thin out because the thinner hairs on your scalp tend to snap off but the courser hair remains - I do think it is worth a try but would recommend you wet your hair under the tap and use some simple conditioner before they apply the cold cap (I just stuck my head nder he ta at the sink and took a towel with me). Good luck and let us know what you decide, Jools xx

Hi Amanda

I have replied with this on my last blog post, but have just seen your blog, so will 'paste' here too. I did consider the cold cap. However, I was told that you can still end up with 'bald patches', because there are parts of the scalp that the cap doesn't 'touch'. This is just due to the nature of everyone having a different head size and there being a limited number of cold cap sizes. I thought no hair was better than bald patches. I also figured that brain freeze and cold water trickling down my neck during chemo wasn't worth something that wasn't a guarantee. Just my preference though. Others feel different. If you're not sure, try it. You can always take it off if you don't like it. Take a towel with you though to put round your neck, to catch any drips (that's what someone told me). Wish you the best of luck. Just remember, whatever you decide, will be the right decision. We're here to help you which ever path you take hun :-)

(((((((((Big hugs)))))))))

Monna xx

Hi Amanda,

My sister used the cold cap twice (in 2005 & 2008)..the plug in one mentioned by Jools. Both times she kept her hair. She thinned ever so slightly on top, but you would never have known to look at her. As Jools, my sister used to comb conditioner through her hair at the start. It did make her chemo sessions longer by wearing the cold cap, but to her it was a 100% worth it. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but for my sister, it was highly successful.

Hope you come to the right decision for you.

Best wishes..

xx