Cold cap therapy

Hi ChickenWine

Just to say I have popped a response and link to your other post that is hopefully helpful.

If there is anything else you need, please do ask. 

Jane

Hello chickenwine, 

I used the cold cap for each of my 6 cycles of chemotherapy. I kept hold of about half of my hair. It is worth doing and is supposed to help with regrowth too. my hair started growing back 2 weeks after I finished treatment which was really encouraging. I have about an inch of hair now where I lost it. 

There are some really good courses with MacMillan - the look good feel better courses. There are some about hair loss etc. I found these really helpful and can highly recommend them. They talk about there being a lot of myths around hair loss however hair that is going to fall out will do so whatever you do. 

I washed my hair once a week roughly and used dry shampoo the other days but this was just to keep it simple when I was feeling poorly. I had chemotherapy every 3 weeks and usually lost hair in week 2 and 3. 

keep doing the cold cap and try and book on some of the look good feel better courses. 

All the best with your chemotherapy treatment. Look after yourself. 

Rose x 

Hi Rose,

Thank you for the reply, really appreciate it. 
It’s good to hear of people having positive experiences with the cold cap. I have 8 cycles of chemo in total, 1 down, 7 to go. I’m definitely hoping to persevere with the cold cap, even if it’s mainly for the regrowth purposes. 

Ah that’s really informative, I wasn’t aware that such courses were available so I’ll definitely be looking into that - thank you for sharing.

My chemo sessions are fortnightly but obviously I’m only a few days post the first session at present, so I still have a lot to learn about how it looks for me inbetween cycles. But it’s good to hear how others have found the treatment and the cold cap therapy. 

I hope all goes well for your recovery. Thanks again and take care x

Just following as I'm also worried about my hair if/when I have to go the chemo route. I've always had excellent enviable hair and it's straight with a fringe, so the idea of looking totally different post treatment sounds like it might be a bit of a blow!

Hi Vera, have you been told that chemo is part of your treatment plan? If it is it will depend on which chemo IV drugs you are on. Some of the chemo drugs you do lose your hair. The cold cap helps save some of it and helps with regrowth too. 

I also had very long hair and a lot of it. As I knew I would lose a lot of hair, I had it cut to my shoulders. I have 4 x 30cm plaits from the hair cut. I did find this upsetting but I realised it was what I needed to do to try and get rid of the cancer. Hair will grow again. 

I wish you all the best x 

Hi chicken wire, 

what chemo drugs are you on? I had Docetaxel and Carboplatin. The taxels you lose hair. 

I didn’t find the cold cap too bad to be honest. It’s a bit unpleasant for the first 5-10 minutes I guess but then it’s okay. The nurses advised paracetamol before hand to help but I didn’t need this. 

I lost most hair on the top of my head but kept my fringe and some hair all the way around. I wore a beany hat to cover the bald on top and my fringe and hair length looked okay with it.  The bald patch on top is already covered with a decent length of hair just 2 months later. 

definitely look at the look good feel better courses, they are really helpful. I just did a nail care one that I wish I had done earlier on. Lots of nail serum, 3 times daily to help hydrate and nourish them. There is an excellent face to face course skin and make up course. You get a free bag of loads of make up and goodies. A lot of are expensive. Companies donate them to the charities. 

all the best in your treatment. Xx 

Hi ChickenWine,

I had my first chemotherapy on 11th May and cold capped. I had paracetamol an hour beforehand and tolerated it quite well. I have quite thick hair and have noticed some shedding in weeks 2 and 3. I'm due my 2nd infusion on 1st June. 

I'm getting a wig styled as a back up on the 2nd but hoping to cold cap all the way through to retain as much as I can and get a quicker regrowth.

I'm 41 and keeping things as normal as I can for my boys and myself is important. I've only washed my hair twice since 11th May and only very lightly with cold water. I use a leave in conditioner and gently brush each day to prevent the shedding hairs from tangling.

I am having 4 EC and then 4 Docetaxal but they have said these might be reduced to 3 of each.

It sounds like we are on a similar journey. I wish you all the best with the cold capping.

Rie x

I don't know yet. But of course my mind is wandering. And hanging out in the forums is helping me feel less alone. Thanks for the more info. Fingers crossed I don't need chemo but let's see!