Cold capping

I did 18 weeks of Paclitaxel and the cold caps were brilliant. My hair thinned but I could go about my daily business without anyone noticing anything awry. Mind you I did still lose my eyebrows and eyelashes which was annoying. All the best whatever you decide.

I was determined to keep my hair. I think the speed of the whole thing - ten days from total shock diagnosis to first A/C Chemo - left me reeling so I just couldn’t cope with the idea of being bald. I did the cold cap twice, first time was fine, second one was ok to start but really uncomfortable by half way through, then gave up as I had lost so much hair I had large bald patches and couldn’t face the idea of the cold cap touching those. I waited to see what would happen afterwards and got through the last two rounds of A/C and one of Paciltaxol before I shaved what was left of my hair off after another big shed. Tbh I’m glad I gave up when I did as my taxol infusions are 3 1/2 hours so adding the extra time for the cold cap would have had me sitting there all day. By leaving it so late to shave I also won’t be bald as long as I might have been as I now only have two more rounds to go (four in total and everything at fortnightly intervals).  I would say give it a go and see how you cope but keep an open mind. I met someone recently who stuck it out, though she cut her hair short, so never had the identifying “cancer patient” look. I did buy a wig which was fun but don’t have the energy to go anywhere I can be bothered to change out of my comfy headscarves at the moment. Good luck with your treatment whatever you decide. 

@kezmusc that would be great, thank you!

Hi @Yango

You need to wet your hair and plaster it with conditioner so it sticks to your head and the cold can get through.  Watch the video on the paxman website.  The cap should be tight with no bulging bits. The better the fit, the better it's going to work.  I was pushing the cap down in the middle of my head every 10 minutes to make sure it stayed connected.
If you like I can PM you with a walkthrough of what I did.  Just let me know.
Cheers.
xoxoxo 

Definitely you are aiming for maximum scalp to cap contact.  You will be given a spray bottle to wet your hair down beforehand.  I have very long hair at the front which I normally wear flicked back, no part. But when it was wet I just let it hang off to the sides to maximise scalp contact.  The cap felt really tight around the front and sides and actually bulged a bit at the top of my head - which I guess is why I lost more hair at the top and back.  So whatever works for you to maximise scalp and cap contact.  👍🏻

Thank you a for your replies.

@MvB would you recommend having a side or centre parting in your hair while the cap is on or slicking your hair back so that there is no scalp touching the cap? I'm wondering whether having the cold cap sitting on the scalp would reduce clumps of hair falling out from that area....

Hi Yango, it’s definitely worth trying. It’s a little uncomfortable but bearable for the first 10 minutes. Then you don’t really notice it for the rest of the treatment. I’ve only had two sessions with it so far. The second time it didn’t feel like it fitted as well for some reason. I’ve thinned a little on top but not bad & I do have very fine hair anyway. I met another lady last week also using the cold cap and she doesn’t appear to have lost any hair. 
After chatting to her, I think the secret may be using a size smaller in the outer cap that holds the cold cap in place. I’m in between sizes so they have used the larger size for both caps. I’m going to have a chat with them before my next session & see what they think.

Hi Yango, definitely worth giving it a go. I’ve just finished (2weeks ago) round 4 of TC & used the cold cap.  It has worked pretty well. I do have some bald patches on the top and back of my head but around the front and sides I still have a fair bit of hair.  It’s meant I could just wear caps and beanies out and about and with my longer hair poking at the back and around the front no one knows I’m “sick”. I go back to work next week, and will wear a wig, as without it my hair looks a bit like a “white walker” (GOT reference!🤓). But the other thing I’m noticing is that I already have some stubble growing through on the bald patches, so I think that is pretty fast and no doubt has been helped by the cold cap.  Best wishes for your treatment. 

@Yango it was kind of an even shedding. It got very thin and u could see my scalp but definitely grew back super fast. 

Keep pushing it down hard.