Chemo / cold cap

I agree- I did a lot of conditioning in the couple of weeks before. My hair was still a bit of a different texture to before chemo however the conditioning did improve it. I used the banana garnier deep conditioning one. My hair is normally fair/dark blonde and during chemo any colour that was in it faded and it was really light blonde and fluffy sort of texture. About a month later it felt coarse and dry. To me the grey looked really noticeable. Mental health is indeed as important and I felt so much better after doing it. I nearly did it a bit earlier but was scared it would fall out so did what Paxman said. I believe that the permanent nice and easy does have some ammonia but from what I read it was better to use the brand that you normally use. There are however semi permanent ones of the same shades so it might be worth trying one of those first- if you are worried. After the first time- I continued to use a dye every 6-8 weeks and not had any problems. If anything my hair is in a much better conditioner and has more body and shine. 

From what I understand the main issue if you do too early is that there could be more breakage and also that the colour might not be a predicted but didn't have any issues. If it makes you feel better then my advice is to do it, keep it conditioned and stick to what you would normally use 

Hiya. I would say give the cold cap a try and see how you get on. If you don't try it first session you cant try it later on. If you are concerned about additional side effects in top of chemo side effects - you might be lucky and not have too many side effects from chemo.

I had 4 cycles ec three cycles docetaxel earlier this year. Tried cold cap for 2 and a bit sessions but had shedding and additional nausea cycles 2 and 3 so I gave up on cold cap. I was very fortunate that I didn't have as many side effects as I feared I might. I had one hospital admission for sepsis and a bout of flu that floored me but otherwise the major side effect I had was constipation.  You will be given a wrath of medication to help with potential side effects as well. Make sure you ask for laxatives so you have them to hand and mouthwash so you can try to avoid mouth issues. I was prescribed both without asking. I swilled mouthwash after every meal. 

Lost all my hair but it's all growing back quite nicely. Found I have eyelashes again last night which was great. Head hair is all grey but people are saying how good it looks so I may not go back to colouring. I'm taking daily biotin zinc and selenium tablets to help with hair growth and that is working so well. I'm also using faith in nature shampoo and conditioner. 

Hope all goes ok for you. 

Hi Wilbur88.

My story: I was terrified about losing my hair so always planned to do the cold cap. My situation was quite unique but I found myself with time to really plan my treatment and by the time it started I was primed and ready to go. Positive attitude is SO important.

Anyway, first treatment I was like "bring it on". There is nothing I can say to prepare you for the first cold cap experience, BUT it is 5 minutes of O M G what is this and that's it. Take paracetamol before! Unfortunately, and rather embarrassingly, I had a panic attack partway in. They wanted to remove the cap and I said 'absolutely not'. They sedated me and I slept through the whole thing. Second treatment, straight into sedative, then sleep. I stopped the sedative after the second, and I would just count to 100 slowly when the cap is first turned on, then that's it. I slept through every single treatment.!! It's 5 minutes max of discomfort but was worth every second. I used very plain and simple shampoo & conditioners, I washed my hair 3 days after chemo and the day before ONLY. I never blow dried it, and I lost about half my hair but all over not in patches. I did debate shaving it off, but when it was washed you wouldn't think I had lost my hair, just that it was quite thin. I carried on to the end, and the result was that when it did start to grow back it looked better far more quickly than if I had gone for the shaven look. 

Now about chemo side effects: I know I was quite lucky but I had very few side effects. Not everyone suffers, and there are so many medications to help you with the ones you might get. Honestly, I used to sit at home waiting to feel ill and it never happened. I did catch proper flu and my temperature spiked but I was never ill. Think positive and take the bull by the horns. You'll be fab! 

Yay someone else who got flu. Doesn't it floor you. I was very similar not major side effects. 

It's not about being vain! On the day I was diagnosed my first question was am I going to lose my hair and my husband asked is it curable!

Anyway I had 3x EC and 3 x docetaxal and was very very lucky. I lost most of my hair on the crown and round my hair line where the cap didn't quite reach. I never had to wear my wig, just used Topixx to hide the bald spots on the crown. I'm so glad that I did use the cold cap and once over the first 10 minutes it was fine.

Hope you have good results xx

I too had ECT but nobody has mentioned having Pacliataxel instead of Docetaxel. I was 'sort of' given the option. Docetaxel was every 3 weeks as EC had been, but Pacliataxel was every week for 9 weeks BUT kinder on the body as it was not as strong. The pain is you have to be going in every week, but for me I felt I was moving along quicker as I was doing something proactive every week instead of 3 weeks. Of course if you're still working it's a pain all ways round, but I couldn't work as I'm a teacher in a boarding school, so fuelled with germs. The only downside is you have to put the cap on every week, instead of every three weeks, but by then you'll be a pro at the whole thing. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it. 

Hiya,

Sorry I’ve only just seen your post. Did you have the cold cap yesterday? I’ve just posted a video diary of my chemo day last Friday, as I’m 4/12 way through my IV and wanted to share my experiences as it’s not as bad as we’re led to believe. I know we’re all different. 

 I’ve tolerated the cap very well (just the intial 15 minutes was brain freeze and painful ) but the rest of the time it’s been totally bearable. I’ve also not lost any hair apart from a few pubes!!!!

Let us know how you’re getting on ️

Hi Wilbur88

How did it go yesterday? Did you go for the cap? If you did, it's quite an experience isn't it!! You'll laugh about it one day, I promise. 

Chill today and let everyone run around after you - even if you feel ok - you deserve it!

Hi Wilbur88

i hope your first session with the cold cap was ok yesterday ?

I start my 1st chemo session on Friday & I’ve put myself down to try the cold cap.

Other than the blanket & taking the paracetamol, was there any need to wear warm clothing ? I am going to take some hand warmers with me if I do start to shiver.

Best wishes, Jules

I just embraced the bald and was quite happy with that. I didn't want any migraines from cold capping, I didn't want to stay in hospital more new it was going to happen, and had prepared for it. Other side effects were pretty nasty.

than necessary during covid, and I didn't want to risk the tiny chance of cancer cells being in my scalp and surviving because of cold capping.

I had very long hair that I had loved all my life. I cut it off ahead of chemo, donated it to a kids' wig charity and then shaved the rest off for a buzz cut - which looked pretty good! I didn't even bother with wigs, I wore hats/head scarves when out and about.

My oncologist had said that with the regime I was on (EC & docetaxel), I would likely lose some of my hair anyway. I think thinning hair would have felt far worse than no hair, plus when it grows back, your hair would all be at different lengths so you would end up having it cut short anyway. Short hair would have been such a huge shock to me that I was just as well going bald.

My hair grew back the same colour and texture as it was before, maybe a little curlier but it was always wavy.

I never would have experienced a buzz cut or short hair without losing it all to chemo so I see it as a positive thing! Losing my hair was by far and away the easiest side effect of chemo. It wasn't painful and I knew it was going it happen and I'd prepared for it. Other side effects were pretty nasty.