Forum Discussion

sheryn's avatar
sheryn
Member
9 years ago

To cold cap or not too

Hi everyone,
my oncologist appointment was today and  had alot of information finally explained to me. Made  feel a little better about understanding this journey. 
I  start chemo this friday and they are suggesting to use the cold cap. I really not sure about it as I have thin curly hair already and loose a lot naturally.

 I have 4 round of TC thats what the doctor called it as I cant pronounce the medical term. 
To have the cap on for 4 hours each time I really dont know! and its not guaranteed

Has anyone had experience with the cold cap.

send love to all
sheryn

6 Replies

  • sheryn's avatar
    sheryn
    Member
    9 years ago
    MMM woke up this morning feeling seedy very nervous about tomorrow and still trying to decide. my chemo regime is 4 lots docetaxel & cyclophosphamide that will take 2.5 hours in it self, the doc said plus the extra 1 1/2 ontop of that.. then I have an hour drive. I think that is what is making me hesitate as well they say its still probably still going to thin out on top. I really dont know if its worth the extra time and stress. 
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Its certainly worth a go!! really depends on your Chemo regime, I wouldve done anything to keep my long blonde hair...but cold capping wouldnt have worked with mine. I figure try and if it doesnt work, doesnt matter. x
  • Jailbirdstreet's avatar
    Jailbirdstreet
    Member
    9 years ago
    I should add: a friend in the US had such success with cold cap therapy a few years back she became a rep for the company. She has thick curly hair and it was so important to her. 
  • Jailbirdstreet's avatar
    Jailbirdstreet
    Member
    9 years ago
    Timely question, I have today elected to have cold cap when I start AC on Monday. I figure I might as well give it a try. I'll find out how vain I am about my hair, I guess 
  • fairydust's avatar
    fairydust
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Sheryn, I personally did not have the cold cap but observed women who did.
    There were three in my group. It all worked for them but all complained of thinning hair. Another could not tolerate the cold cap and had to have a sedative to cope.All individual . I think try and do what feels right for you. I loved my hair but chose not to do the cold cap. I wanted the process of chemo to be as uncomplicated as possible.I was not working so it did not matter to me if  I lost my hair. I did not like loosing my hair but guess what after many months it has come back.
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hey Sheryn, if you look through the discussions there have been a few on cold capping. I did 4 FEC and my oncologist said it wouldn't work for that. If I just had done taxol he said it may have. So dependant on your chemo regime. Some ladies are successful with hair thinning and others abandoned it. I have friends who did cold cap but their hair thinned a lot on the crown that they had to wear headwear anyway. Up to you if you want to try and see how you go, in a way I was glad I lost all my hair because I felt like the chemo got every last bit of me. I had beautiful long hair but it's amazing how you adapt. X Melinda