Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi just thought I woukd add to angelas (feel the fears ) advice. I too have very successfully cold capped, I have done 5 x fec which is said to be the worst for hair loss. My initial nurse toldme not to bother capping as it rarely works, so glad I never listened to her! So don't be put off by anyone if you want to try it everyone is different. I have been overly careful with my hair, I have just began washing it in the shower 4 weeks post chemo. I washed my hair once a week woth tepid water, with the help of my mam and a jug. I too used the paxman shampoo and conditioners. I would wait a week after chemo to way it the grease was horrific but it made me feel like I was giving my hair a better chance. I wore a hair net for bed and used a silk pillowcase. Only ever brushed when my hair was dry and with a wooden comb. I still haven't used a hairdryer or straighteners though I'm dying to get it dyed and straightened. I was maybe overly cautious but losing my hair was my worst fear I have kept all of my hair which I am still rather shocked about. No thinning or bald patches anywhere. I nwver expected it to be so successful though of course I'm delighted it was! Not going to lie I found the cold cap awful I was always aware of ot even after ghe first 15 mins and would make me feel dizzy and queasy. But glad I stuck with it. Good luck to all those just starting with it, I'm well aware it doesn't work for everyone but I am proof that it can and will work. I'd upload a pic if I knew how. And Angela..hooray we DID IT!! I would put a swear word in there but it would be blocked haha x ... View more

Thanks ladies.. I've still got the total fear of it coming out as soon as I scrub it in the shower... Angela your braver than me 😕 I think because I know the fec is not vicious on the hair im more wary. Think ill wait a good 4 weeks before using the delightful hot water might wait until after radio to get it dyed! Some people havw advised 6 months before dying it but maybe if that's if they have lost a lot of hair I dont feel like my scalp had really been affected just my hair is more dry than usual xx ... View more

Hi I've just done my 5th and last fec, just wondering when everyone started washing hair as normal. Dying to give it a good scrub. Also when did you first dye and or get it cut after cold cap. I'm getting so much differing info xx ... View more

Riversdawn I didn't realise the cap could be put on differently, I was under the illusion before cold capping that it would gradually warm to my head which I thought wound be much kinder not.only for my hair but the shock my body gets getting me head Instantly frozen... seems a much kinder way to do it that way. Don't think I'll bother to ask to change methods now though as the instant head freeze seems to.be working for.my hair xx ... View more

Vicclo what chemo regime did you have if you don't mind me asking. I'm having just the fec and I know that's supposed to be harsher on the hair... but so far so good! Congrats on keeping your hair xx ... View more

Vicclo what chemo regime did you have if you don't mind me asking. I'm having just the fec and I know that's supposed to be harsher on the hair... but so far so good! Congrats on keeping your hair xx ... View more

Second daughter has the bug now... up half the night cleaning up sick! So glad no chemo today as I couldn't have managed with sickly kids on top. I swear someone is filming my life and watching it like an episode of eastenders.. so unlucky at the minute. Be really careful from day 10 angela when your bloods drop think that's when I picked up my infection. Hope you feel a little better soon mishy xx ... View more

Hiya I didn't get the pic but my email address is kamelia3011@yahoo.co.uk that's really quick nice to know! I best get saving just incase. Xx ... View more

Mishy so glad your feeling better about your hair. I bet you look fabulous without... whereas I would resemble a Spanish footballer. Angela could you send me a pic of the wig if you don't mind. Did it take you long to actually get it from ordering? I've not ordered one yet as don't want to tempt fate. Hairs still holding on but starting to get very dry so I'm putting cocunot oil on which then makes it really greasy.. but id rather that than have it snapping! I was due 3rd fec on Thursday but my daughter has a sickness bug now so theyve delayed treatment until next week. I think my body could do with the break after hospital etc but the longer I delay the more I don't want to do anymore xx ... View more

Awww sorry to hear this mishy. Such a shame when we u have went through the time and effort of the cold cap. I don't really have any advice as but thinking of you. This part will never be easy so definitely go out and treat yourself and make yourself feel a bit better xxx ... View more

*your hair ... View more

No no don't shut up about your... we are all hair sisters! Seems that's all I'll talk about to anyone who will listen. Keep the faith mishy sounds like u havw plenty to lose mine is really fine but lots of it so looks thicker than it actually is. All I am doing is keeping permanently positive about keeping mine I try not to let it enter my head that it might go. It's the only thing I can manage to keep positive about. Angela my nurse is lovely was so patient and nice thank God. Maybe it's fate that I was in hospital this week as my usual nurse was on holiday. I really want her Every time as she makes sure it's the correct cap etc maybe another nurse wouldn't have xx ... View more

Sounds like were having very similar success im.having my mam wash my hair and she's saying she can see new hair growth! I would think the chemo wasn't working if I hadn't been so I'll! But I would honestly spend a week in hospital than lose my hair. Is it worth buying the wig I really don't think you will need it if you havw kept this much so far even if it thins a bit Now would it not still look ok. Xx ... View more

I've been meaning to sign up but hospital visits have got in the way of that. Angela my hair is still staying should have been due my second chemo today. Of course I'm delighted about it but completely baffled I haven't even had a shed I'm losing less hair than I usually do. Not complaining though! Maybe determination and stubbornness do pay off after all haha. How is yours doing? I'm neutropenic... there were treating me for sepsis but can't find a source for infection. I came in feeling unwell and with a temp last Tuesday expecting be sent straight home and im still here:( they sent me home last Thursday but I was back in within 3 hours with same thing. So I think they are being ultra careful with me now and don't want to send me home to soon. Just waiting on bloods coming up so I can hopefully come home! So glad my hair is staying at that would have tipped me over the edge xx ... View more

Oh no well hopefully it's just a small shed! I bet that course cheered you up I've seen the good bags you get If your on Facebook you should come join us on there I think I might havw seen u mention it in the chemo starters group xx ... View more

I haven't heard of shedding after round 2 either I hope I'm not an exception. I'm actually amazed with results so so grateful it's staying as think that would tip me over the edge at the minute. I've brought my hair net and silk pillowcase to hospital with me haha. I don't care how ridiculous i look as long as I keep my hair. My next chemo is delayed due to being in here. I hope they just tell me that I don't need anymore:/ wishful thinking xx ... View more