Just had 2nd chemo FEC and was absolutely determined not to lose hair as like many women to me the thought of being bald was just horrendous TBH almost as much as DX and so doing my damndest not to . So far ( early days ) no hair loss just slightly different texture but hair on top of scalp actually thicker and the cold cap IS tolerable if you stick it out for first 10 minutes . Frankly I wonder if some hospitals do not 'sell ’ it v much because of cost and extra time it takes but my oncologist at. the Christie said very much worth the effort so just putting in a plea to more of you to give it a go . I admire the ladies who go straight for the funky wigs and scarves but a lot of us just can’t face it and I think the CC gets a bad press and often dismissed as waste of time perhaps in some places on cost grounds more than evidence . It can and does work for many and here in UK it is free ! Tip - cap must be v tight and slather hair in water and conditioner
It’s free for patients but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t cost something.
Hi Susanmanchester,
i mentioned to my bc nurse about the cold cap and because i have frequent headaches, she advised against it. This might help someone on here… good luck ladies ??
I chose not to use the cold cap because it wasn’t guaranteed to work so I wondered if the suffering was worth it - and it added so much time to each treatment. It didn’t feel fair to all the friends who’ve driven me to appointments, chatted me through it all and safely delivered me home to expect them to add another two hours minimum to the tour of duty. As it is, my 90 minute Paclitaxel sessions have lasted 5 or more hours sometimes as they take the blood on arrival and have to wait for the results before making up the drugs. I thought I could handle losing my hair and got a brilliant wig after my first EC, so close to my own colour and style. I then got my hairdresser to give me a no 6 buzzcut as clumps were already sliding out and I flounced around like and ageing Annie Lennox. However, I wonder if I jumped the gun? My oncologist said I would definitely lose all my hair by the second Paclitaxel session but, at session 7, it’s still there - a fine halo of white hair, obviously determined to prove him wrong. And I prefer going around like that (with a beanie for outside) than wearing the wig which has only had three outings! I feel more myself.
For me, losing my eyelashes has been more demoralising, as a girl of the Sixties who used to paint on additional lashes with eyeliner, but by far the worst has been the rapid and complete ‘alopoecia’ in my nether regions. The absence of pubic hair makes me feel infantilised, unhygienic and, worse, I had no idea how bloody useful the stuff is in directing pee where it should go. Now it chooses random routes, often several at the same time, usually covering an extensive area including buttocks and always necessitating yet another wash! No one warns you about the little things! And why does leg hair remain? The very thing we most would like to see the back of.
Great that it’s working for you, Susan, but a very personal choice. Just too much time added to my chemo to be bothered with it. Losing eyelashes and eyebrows however …
Hi, I’m going to give cold cap a go. I really don’t want to lose my hair but I have bought some Levi bandanas just incase ? I don’t think a wigs for me but might change my mind x
Hi, I had bc 10 year ago and I tried the cold cap for half an hour, then I couldn’t take anymore. It was awful. 2 years ago I was dx with secondary bc with bone, liver and omental layer mets. I didn’t even bother trying the cold cap. When my hair started coming out I shaved it off. I prefer to wear scarves. I have loads to go with different outfits and tie them all different, everyone tells me I really suit them. I tried a wig years ago but only wore it once. Didn’t feel comfortable at all. I too have lost my nose hair and have a constant runny nose, so annoying lol. My eyelashes are thinning out, I just hope I don’t lose anymore, I will be devastated. Haven’t lost it from anywhere else though, which is a shame. Hope your cold cap works for you. Good luck ladies.x