I’m due to start chemo very soon like you This my worse fear for me avd also don’t want my children seeing me bald or with patches is it really uncomfortable or bearable
My daughter (7) said it was her worst fear if I turned up to pick her up from school with no hair. Sob. I tried the cold cap upon a friend’s recommendation as it worked for her and it has been amazing. It is uncomfortable to wear, to be fair, and unpleasent when on for first 20 mins but doable enough, and 20 mins is worth it compared to results I have done 3 x fec and 1 x t, and finish treatment next month,and have kept about 75% of my hair. I look no different than previous to my treatment and no one can tell that I am going through this unless I choose to tell them. I can do the shopping and school run etc without anyone looking at me twice. It has been a Godsend. Please try and preserve if you are able to.
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VJ that’s great news - glad the cold cap worked for you !!!
Thank you. Happy to answer any practical questions on cold caps. I am using paxman at hospital, only wash my hair once a week, leave it 3 days after treatment to wash it, use fingers to come hair, no highlights, hair dryer, straighteners, and use the Aussie brand of shampoo and conditioners. Don’t know if any these things have helped or whether it’s just good luck. It could still all fall out on my last 2 treatments but it’s allowed me to keep my hair for 3 months from start of treatment to date, which has covered my birthday, and psychologically has really helped despite everything else.
…and have had what seems like huge clumps of hair come out in her shower which made me think “that’s it” but once hair dry it doesn’t look too noticeable at all, so has been worth perserving.
Is that all you wear the cold cap for 20mins and is it really uncomfortable jus found out I need chemo and feel sad at losing my hair
Where do I read reply’s to comments I put cant even see them anymore new to this
Hi chocolate (love the name!) and welcome to the forum, you will find lots of useful info, tips and support on here.
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Unfortunately you have to wear the gold cap for much longer than 20 mins 
Depending on the drug cocktail you are on you wear it for about half an hour before the infusion starts, then during the infusion which can be an hour or so, and then for a set time afterwards which is specific to the drugs - can be an extra couple of hours. My memory is a bit faded (3 years since I had chemo) but I think I wore it for around 3 hours with FEC and a bit less with taxol.
The first 10-20 mins is the worst but then you get used to it (like getting into a cold swimming pool!). It helps to take some pain relief half an hour or so before.
When do you start treatment? In “going through treatment” you’ll find monthly threads, if you join the one which is named after the month you start chemo you will have lots of other ladies to chat to who are going through treatment at the same time as you.
Us old timers are always here if you have any questions.
Sending you big cyber hugs xx
It makes a 3 hour normal treatmentioned (on fect) last 5 hours but frankly worth it, not like I have anything more important to do on the day. Pop a paracetamol or ibroprofen half an hour before. Discomfort lasts about 20 mins then I forgot about it and could watch a film or check phone x
Hi i have one more treatment left, thank God! I use penguin cold cap.its not the from hospital,the hospital one is only 3° and penguin is -32°,so my dermatologist said it works better. I lost 15 to 20% of my hair but i still have it and not really noticeable. I wear the cap 1 hour before 3 hours during treatment and 4 hours after,also I have to change the cap every 25 min,so I have family come with me to help because u can’t do it urself. It’s not pleasurable at all and it depends how much u really want to keep your hair. Good luck to all of you !
Hi miliemoo,r u using cool water to wash ur hair and shampoo and conditioner are supposed to have no sulphate or parabens,and ur supposed to hold ur hair in sections when combing with a wide tooth comb.no hats on ur head or any covering they don’t want any heat on ur scalp. Same thing happens to me In shower I get a big clump everytime I comb it in shower while conditioning.i lost about 20% but I still have a lot of hair.i have one treatment left.what cooling cap are you using?
I had sore and scabby scalp after my first cycle but this was because I didn’t wash my hair much compared to before treatment when I washed it 3 times a week. However as months have gone on, my hair has got used to not being washed that often and my scalp has got used to it and is fine. The loss in the shower after each treatment feels dramatic but when hair is dry it’s not so noticeable at all.
I’ve also used the paxman cold cap. Had chemo 4 last week of fecx 6. Mine has thinned quite a bit and I have a balding bit on top (bit like an old man), but I still have lots of hair! I did lose loads during cycle 2 but It’s definitely worth trying and I’m glad I did. I think mine has gone on top because the cap is probably not a great fit and my first session the machine wasn’t working and I only realised 15 mins after them putting it on. So they took it all off to check the cap and machine. I then think they rushed putting it back on. At a glance no one would know as fringe, back and sides are all pretty good. I think it has made a huge difference to my confidence and mental state to keep my hair. I also wash it once a week with gentle shampoo and conditioner, I ash it in the shower with a jug using warm water. i have curly hair so the only time I use a comb is when I’ve washed it, the rest of the time I fluff it with my fingers. The first 5-10 mins are the worst and I take paracetemol 30-60 mins before treatment. Just ??That I don’t lose too much more.
Can someone please help I have posted but can’t find replies or anything
Is this done at hospital or do you wear indoors I’m a bit confused with it all
Hi Chocolate , It is done at the hospital on the day you have your chemotherapy treatment - you wear the cap for a time before they administer the drugs ,during the treatment and for a little while afterwards . Are you using the forum on a phone /tablet/ laptop ? We may be able to help you find your way around if we know what format you are using .
Hi
I think I posted in wrong place before. I have secondary bone and liver mets. I have my second weekly chemo with cold cap today. I dont know how long before eyebrows will disappear but wonder if anyone knows of a good and sensitive tatoo place in London who would do eyebrows.
Hi Warriors!,
There are so many questions and concerns on this thread about the cold cappiing. i have stage triple positive breast cancer and had to go through 12 rounds of Taxol and currently having the Herceptin every 3 weeks.
I was more stressed about losing my hair than losing a breast. I was determined to keep my hair. I did my research and founf that cold capping was for me. I was completely comitted to the process. I chose the Penguin cold caps bt the elastogels are good too. Whatever you can afford is the ones to get. THere are important things to know when cold capping. I kept 80% of my hair. It just thinned, no bald spots. NObody could tell but me when my hair was wet. I am going to give some advice and tips for you all as this is what i did for optimal results.
It;s is very inportant to use orgaic shampoo without any parabens and sulfates. try to find a clear shampoo without added color. I also used Rogaine for women and take a Hair/Skin and Nail vitamin. Do not wash hair 2-3 days before chemotherapy and only use COOL water on hair. I waited 3 days AFTER chemo to wash again. Very important to wash hair on the 3rd day to remove residual chemo residue from the scalp. Use conditioner and use a the widest tooth comb you can find to comb through in the shower with conditioner. Do not use a hair dryer, curling iron or any heat tools. Do not use a hair brush. Wide tooth comb only. Do not put hair in ponytail, use clips head bands. Nothing to pull or put stress on hair. No hats or head bands. Do not get head hot as the scalp needs to stay cool all the time, (even working out or being in the sun getting head warm is not good) THink cool all the time. Use a satin pillowcase as this does not pull hair. DO not cut more than 2 inches during chemo and wait 6 months after chemo for any color. It is important to keep this up for 6-8 weeks AFTER your last chemotherapy infusion. THe hair will remain delicate for awhile. Treat it well and it will be reward you back with a head of beautiful hair. Research good shampoos. Don;t go cheap here, Get the best you can afford. I used Juice Beauty shampoo and conditioners. Got it from amazon. Read the labels and make sure its chemical free and organic. Hope this information helps ladies. I am 6 weeks out from chemo and get compliments on my hair. I am so glad I did the cold capping. Cancer took my breasts but it was not going to take my hair!! Wish you all the best in health and beautiful hair! 
Great advice Momoftwoboys - hope you are doing ok post treatment .