Cold capping

Hi Penelope 

I started chemo on Wednesday and tried cold capping but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. Cap dug in really badly into my forehead  and was sending shooting pains into my eyes. The nurse did put some gauze between the cap and my skin to see if that would help, but it didn’t make any difference. When the cap was turned on the pain in my eyes was just unbearable and as I suffer from migraines it just didn’t seem worth it. Chemo itself  was fine, but I couldn’t have sat through it with a migraine. Hopefully you’ll have a better experience. 

Sending you lots of love and luck

Jo x

I’m cold capping, I had 4 x EC and lost about 60% volume quite evenly (albeit a bald patch by my ear that looked shaved). I almost gave up but continued, it’s now growing back, I’m 10/12 through Pax/Carbo. I  had it cropped into a pixie type cut to try and meet the regrowth. Cold capping has allowed me to go longer without headwear and when I started wearing a beanie, I’ve been able have some hair to frame my face. I had long hair and it came out and I shed everywhere for a while from about 2 weeks after the first EC.  I wouldn’t go out without something on my head from about the 5 weeks after starting chemo, I started with bandannas and a ‘hair scrunchie’ on my messy bun, I moved onto a satin lined beanie but have not really got on with scarves. I have some good wigs but it’s been too hot to brave them but as it’s so short I may embrace them as my crop grows back (hate the short cut)! If you do try, take 2 paracetamol about half hour before. It’s not easy but gets easier after first 10 mins. Good luck xxx

It didn’t work for me unfortunately, 16days into the first cycle I had lost about 80% of the hair on the top of my head. It does depend on hair type and chemo. Fine, straight hair and EC chemo (where I started) has a low success rate. It’s worth giving it a go, 

Hi, I’d definitely give it a go. I’ve had 4 EC and 10 weekly taxol and it’s been quite a journey. The EC wasn’t kind to my hair and I lost a lot of hair and ended up very thin on top. I bought some lovely scarves and wore them for about 6 weeks. When I started the weekly taxol my hair started to grow back and although I’m not yet finished chemo and have two weeks to go, my bald patches are already covered. I’m not wearing the scarves now and just tie my hair back in a loose ponytail. I can tell how thin and scraggy it looks but it’s not so bad. 

I really don’t enjoy the cold cap sessions but have found things that help a little. Take two paracetamol half an hour before you start. See if your team will prescribe you some lorazepam. I take half a tablet and it definitely helps me relax. Put a panty liner on your forehead to help with the cold - it stopped my headaches. Use an unscented conditioner because as chemo goes on, a strong smelling conditioner might make you feel nauseous. I had a much better fit when I put the inner and outer caps on separately so might be one to try. I lost so much during my first two EC and I think it’s because the nurse put both caps on at the same time and the contact with my head wasn’t so good.

Good luck with your treatment, hope it all goes well. Try not to be too disheartened if you lose what feels like lots of hair. It definitely grows back quicker if you cold cap.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, just have to try that’s all we can do. Good luck to you too Cx

Thank you so much for sharing your advice and experience, priceless information

Hi

I had 3 xEC then 3 x Docetaxol and only lost about 25%-30% of my hair ( I was very lucky).  Losing my hair was a big issue for me and so glad I tried it even though most said it wouldn't work.

Yes it's slightly uncomfortable but well worth it! Good luck x

Hi Lisa

i cold capped yesterday and endured the 3 hours.  I’m having 4x EC and 4 D and really hope I can prolong the loss.  

it is difficult but cancer is, all aspects.  Please keep me posted on when you started to lose and when you grew.

xx

Hi Daisy, I did the cold cap for my first EC and most of my hair fell out at day 18 , so I then had it all shaved off. I am now on the weekly taxol and my hair has started coming back really thick and uniform, I have another 8 taxols to go but i think by the end of it i will spray the grey hair brown and lose my wig. I am starting to see  light at the end of the tunnel, even though my hair is probably on 1mm long, I know it is coming back! 

Hi Tracey

So glad you got through it! I found there was that much going on you almost forget you've got it on until you try and eat anyway!

I only had 3 of each so slightly different to you. The best bit of advice I can give you it prepare yourself for the biggest 'shed' at about day 18 after your first treatment as it is daunting but it get loads better. I remember thinking I wouldn't have any hair left it it continued but in my experience it did slow down. I had a complete bald patch just over each ear but I have a bob so could hide it although I did need Toppix (Hair fibres) to help with patches on my crown where I think the cap doesn't fit as snug. I did buy ankle weights which I placed on the outer cap and tied with a scarf to get more contact to the crown and really think it helped as, like I mentioned it was never a complete bald patch! I also  used GHD throughout just never pulled on the roots and used Aussie 3 minute miracle each week when I washed my hair and it never dried out. 

I had my last treatment on 7th June this year and had it coloured (Balayage so not directly on the roots) 7 weeks after my last treatment and it was fine. I also noticed that once I had finished with EC it started growing back!! (And I'm now back to having to shave my legs, the only bonus of chemo)!

Anyway good luck and I really hope you'll be as lucky with the results as I was/am xx