Cold Cap Results So Far

Thank you for sharing JPH. I am getting my post op results tomorrow and I have not really thought much further than it is almost a certainty that I will have chemo. Looking at your results so far, I’m thinking cold capping is definitely worth a try. I believe your hair grows back faster if you cold cap. 

Thanks again for sharing your journey. Sending you lots of positive vibes

Hi Mrsmagoo, I have just finished 8 rounds of chemo and scalp cool capped all the way through. I’m so glad I persevered my hair has already started to grow back. It does get a bit tougher if you loose some but you can ask for a surgical cap to go underneath the cooling cap, this makes it a little more gentle on the bald spots if you get any. 
I found EC was harsh on the hair loss but it started to return when I switched to docetaxel. 
It’s good to give it a go as if you don’t start it on your first cycle then it’s not something you can add in later. 
I used to take a couple of paracetamol at the start just to help as the freezing started. Distract yourself for the first 10 mins as that’s the hardest. I tried to people watch and look out the window or even munch on lunch or a snack to help. 
Wishing you all the best for your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

I admire you for tolerating the cold cap.  I’m not sure I’m brave enough to try it.  Trying to decide.  I expect to find out my treatment plan today but was told to expect chemo.  But you’re so right.  We will get over this mountain.  I’ve seen one of my best friends come through it.  

You could always try it and take it off if it’s too much. If you don't do it the first time then you can’t give it a go later sadly - all to do with the hair follicles needing to be frozen from the beginning i think. I’m lucky to have had really positives results with it - gotta take all the damn wins!!!!

Good luck with your treatment plan today - I hope you can take someone with you to help you with questions and taking notes etc etc. It’s all such a whirr when taking in treatment information. Im usually someone who doesn’t like to take people with me (over independent) , but I’m really glad I did as my friend remembered things I didn’t x

Same for me. 3 x EC and 3 x Dox. Cold capped all the time. My hair at the end of my Dox is the same length as a friend but it took her 3 months after end of her Doc as she shaved her head after her first EC and ditched the cold cap after first EC.

I’m not knocking shaving head, it’s a personal decision.

Depends if you want to speed up hair growth and have a better starting point at the end of treatment than starting from completely shaved!

Hope that makes sense! Basically in comparison I’m 3 months ahead by sticking with cold cap to shaving and not cold capping! 

Hi RugbyFan, I too didn’t shave my head. I wanted to keep what I had which wasn’t a lot, I looked like Gollum. It has started to grow back albeit a bit slow but the main things is it’s growing. I used the scalp cooling cap for all of my 8 cycles and was pleased on my final session to be able to say goodbye to it. 
As you say it’s a personal decision to shave one’s head. To be honest I just wasn’t brave enough and decided that I didn’t want to give in to that. 
wishing you all the best for your journey. Have you got much to go? I’ve still got radiotherapy, targeted treatment for a year and hormone treatments.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi JPH

Thanks so much for sharing. I think you look great! Brilliant results from using the cold cap. 

I'm starting 4 fortnightly cycles of EC next Friday followed by 4 x Paclitaxel. Every professional I speak to has been trying to get me to do cold capping. Even though my instinct is I don't want to do it. They keep saying to give it a try but it sounds v uncomfortable and the results aren't guaranteed. I'm also now used to the idea I'll lose my hair and it's not something that's bothered me that much! Do most people give it a try? It does feel like they're on commission for everyone who tries it! 

Hi Tabbycat, I had 4 cycles of EC and used the scalp cooling cap. Whilst I did loose most of my hair, EC is the worst chemo for loosing hair (although some people who scalp cooled haven’t) I’m glad I did as since being on docetaxel it has already started growing back. It helps with the regrowth. It’s the first 10mins that are the hardest as it brings your head down to temp, you can take paracetamol to help if you want too and you can also have a calming tablet too if you want. If you get yourself into a book, or talk with someone who is with you or get into a movie it helps to distract. After 10mins you don’t really notice it. It’s worth a go as if you don’t use it first cycle you can’t use it for any other cycles. 
There is a surgical cap that can go underneath the cap itself if have very thin hair or find you have some bald patches. I used it on my last 3 cycles.
All I can say is it is a personal choice and I’m glad I did go through with it. 
Im not sure I would have much hair now if I hadn’t used it. 
Wishing you all the best for your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x. 

I don’t think they are on any commission for trying to get people to use it. They’re not trying to sell it they are trying a system that is known to help with minimising hair loss. Every individual is different so there is no guarantee it will work just knowledge from individuals who report how they get on with the system. 

100% agree with this assessment from cuffcake. I didn’t take paracetamol got over the initial 5/10 min shock and got on with it for all 6 cycles! So glad I did!