Cold Cap

Hi Bramble22, I’m due to start my chemo on Thursday and plan to use it. The nurse said if you can get through the first 15 minutes you’ve cracked it. I’ll let you know how I get on xx

Claire1974 Thank you so much! My team thought I would be starting on Thursday too but I’ve still to have an echocardiogram (Wednesday) so it’s looking unlikely! Look forward to hearing how you get on. I’m going to have FEC-D so not so sure if the cold cap would be effective while on that.

I'm using it and it is uncomfortable for ther first 10-15 minutes,  but I take co- codamol as I'm arriving at the hospital. You wear it 30 minutes before chemo,  but at our hospital the steroids etc are given an hour before,  so the painkillers have time to kick in .

What I've learned:

Your hair doesn't have to be cut. Mine is 19" long. 

Make sure it's wet through. Thr first time the nurse only wer the top and I lost a lot in the middle layer.

Make sure the machine is working properly.  The cap should be frozen,  not squishy. One of our two machines isn't cold enough and i lost half my remaining hair this time. 

Paraben only shampoo and conditioner.  Not baby shampoo. 

EC has the lowest success rate,  but Taxanes are 80-90%. I'Ve had 4 x EC and until my 4th had enough hair to avoid a wig or scarf. It protects your roots,  so hair grows back quicker. My remaining hair is growing,  with new baby fluff,  even with EC. 10% of women have permanent  hair loss of some sort with docetaxel, which is avoided using thr cold cap. 

Good luck either way!

Brilliant info Londonmumof2, my breast care nurse said go for it if I want to but the chemo nurse hummed and hawed a bit ( which my breast care nurse said he would) which kind of put me off a bit! Almost there with my decision but it’s great to hear from those who have actually used it!

Should I use Paraben only shampoo or paraben free?

@Bramble22 ah it’s so frustrating when you just feel like you’re constant waiting ! Hopefully they get the ECHO done ASAP and you can just get on! Good luck x

Thanks Londonmumof2, great tips, I’m about to start 4 cycles of EC so fingers crossed I keep some hair. I’ve got my wig appointment on Thursday afternoon just in case x

Hi @Bramble22,

Yes I did but only the first 3 times, the first 10 mins is not pleasant I’m not going to lie, but when you get over that it’s wasn’t bad at all for me.
My hair started to fall out after the 2nd chemo, I had the bone marrow boost injections to do, which has hair loss listed as side effects and I was told my next 3 chemos were Docetaxel which can cause total hair loss too so I decided it wasn’t worth it for me as I wasn’t  going to go out without my lovely wig anyway due to the bald patches after 2nd chemo, so weighing it up, I decided not to bother and felt so much better for it as I was out within about 2 hrs instead of 4/5 hrs.

You could give it a try they will take it off at any time if you’re not happy. If you do decide to do it take conditioner with you and a headband, if your hospital don’t supply them. I had chemo starting in January so I took a fleece blanket and a hot water bottle lol, I can’t stand being cold.

Best of luck to you T x x