Hi ladies,
Without tempting fate as I am only halfway through chemo (had 3 FEC 100s, and have 3 Tax to go…) - I wanted to report for anyone thinking of using the cold cap - that for me at least it does seem to have worked (so far anyway).
Keeping my own hair is important to me - I’ve kept it long (28 inches) and to protect it between treatments and reduce its weight I’ve worn it coiled up under a wig cap - with a wig on the top. I’ve washed it only once - a week ago to celebrate halfway through chemo (and strangely scalp did not itch and hair did not smell) - and still lost very little hair, a fraction perhaps above normal loss. Perhaps with the hair washing thing I’m being to cautious - but reading other people’s postings, washing it can be associated with more loss. I also take it down every few days and tease it out - but do not use a brush or comb.
You have to really want to do this - as the cold cap is a bit uncomfortable for the first ten minutes, and the smell of the conditioner (for best effects dampen the hair and apply leave in conditioner prior to the cap) - almost makes me feel sick as I associate it with chemo.
And my onc tried to dissuade me from using it - said it wouldn’t work as did my BCN (but did say I could if I wanted to - and that using it wouldn’t make the chemo work any less effectively) - and so I still thought I’d give it a go anyway.
Just thought I’d post this at this stage… in case anyone was thinking of using the cold cap and wanted to try to save their hair.
Bright x
Hi I start chemo on Friday not using cold cap as fully booked so Id have to wait to start treatment …
Well done will let you know when mine starts coming out …
lisa x
Hi Bright and ladies,
Can I just back up what bright has said for anyone considering using the cold cap. I have just had FEC no 4 and still have my hair…eyebrows are getting a bit sparse but you can pencil them in!
I had my hair cut short before it all kicked off-wasn’t that long anyway- and manage to wash it every other day with non perfumed shampoo-dry it with my fingers on low setting and so far very little thinning, so it can work!
Good luck with anyone trying it, though like Bright I get a sick feeling now before using it, but it is the association of the chemo to come.
Hope all goes well with TAX too Bright,
Lyn x
Worked for me too…i did 3 FEC and 3 TAX. Hair got thinner on top during TAX but I used a band to cover the thin patches.
Hair is thickening again now (finished end Jan) but I am so glad I didn’t listen to the negative advice and persevered.
Well done for sticking to your guns
I too am trying the Paxman Scalp cooling and just had my second FEC 100 yesterday. At day 19 my hair started to shed more than usual and is shedding everyday!
Is this normal with the cold cap as I am aware that my hair will thin but no idea what is normal and what is too much shedding! Any advice is welcome.
I was going to wash my hair tomorrow but now I’m wondering if I should leave this until after my next session???
Hello Doire
We have about a million hairs on our head, and so can lose a lot before it will make an impact on hair covering. I’ve used the cold cap through FEC and a more punishing chemo called Tax. I have lost hair but still have a good covering. Just try to ignore the loss, keep going with the cold cap and you may be suprised just how much hair you end up with at the end. And even if you do go a bit thin in places (I have near the temples - where the tissues go under the cap) - then these will be much quicker to grow in again than starting to grow the whole lot from scratch. Stats show that around 80 percent of users of the Paxman cold cap do not have to use a wig.
Good luck.
Bright x