Scalp cooling - tips on cap size and forehead pressure?
Hi all, I'm about to start my first of 12 x weekly paclitaxel treatments on Monday (combined with trastuzumab infusions every three weeks). I am keen to try scalp cooling to try to reduce hair loss and had gotten my mind around the cold factor (I think!). However, I had my chemo education session yesterday and got to try on a cap. I discovered that the cap alone for just a few minutes was very uncomfortable/slightly painful on my forehead and am now not sure how I'll go with this for several hours! The nurse did get me to then try the next cap size up, but this didn't seem to be as good a fit and had a gap at the back of my head - hence may not be effective. I also didn't have a headband on when I tried the first cap - so possibly this might also help a little. Just wondering if this tightness/pressure/forehead pain is normal or if anyone else has experience and tips on dealing with this? I noticed from other posts about scalp cooling that these seem to suggest the hardest period is the first 15-20 mins and then your head acclimatises/becomes numb. Just wondering if this also applies to the feeling of tightness of the cap? Or if there are any other tips on reducing pain/pressure on your forehead during the cooling process? I figure I'll give it a go anyway on Monday as I can always stop the scalp cooling if it is too much for me, but any advice would be very welcome!
Ice Caps to prevent hair loss
Are you worried about losing your hair during chemo treatments? For me keeping my hair was very important. I am a private person and the thought of people seeing me hairless felt very intimidating and public. I wanted to choose who I would like to tell I had breast cancer and not just be on display everywhere I went for everyone and anyone to diagnose. I decided to give ice caps a try and it was absolutely successful. Keeping my hair gave me a sense of control over the chemotherapy and its nasty side effects. For me it became an uplifting and very positive experience, giving me something satisfying to focus on, instead of on the cancer.
Scalp cooling - should I stop, done 11 chemos and 5 to go
Hi BCNA community, Thanks for all the helpful advice re scalp cooling. It helped me decide to start and perserve with it this year. I've done 11 chemos (4 x AC and 7 x Taxol) with 5 Taxols to go. At my last chemo the nurse sat me down for a quiet chat and said they were reluctant to continue with scalp cooling as I've lost over 50 percent of my hair (their advice is not to continue after this much loss as I could burn my scalp). Thanks to advice on here, I've been using gauze over any spots that are thin so I haven't burned my scalp (they did warn me about the burning about 6 chemos ago but I've been fine with gauze). It looks like I'm getting some regrowth now too, a few mms in some areas and mostly grey. My questions are: 1. Should I persist with scalp cooling if I'm getting regrowth during Taxol, is it regrowing only because I'm doing scalp cooling? 2. Has anyone actually had experience with scalp burning while using gauze for any thin areas? How bad is the burning? 3. If I am getting some regrowth surely I have more coverage to enable me to continue with scalp cooling? I do feel the nurses find it a bit of a hassle (not many people seem to use it at my day treatment unit) but at the end of the day they are willing to support my choice as long as I understand the risks. Also, I've kept enough hair that I generally wear hats out and about as I have enough wispy hair that makes me feel more confident. However I do pop on a wig if I am on a work call or going out in the evenings. Thanks!
Cold cap therapy
Just wondering who has used the PAXMAN scalp cooling system to reduce hair loss with chemo, and how successful it was or wasn’t? I’m on weekly paclitaxol treatments, and have decided to give this cooling system a try. I missed the first week as there was a lack of enthusiasm regarding it. However at my second chemo session yesterday a different nurse was very enthusiastic and I figured it was worth giving it a go. With breast cancer 10 years ago it was still very new and not easily available and so I lost my hair and it took months to return and then it was extremely curly at first. Chris
First round of Chemo wearing cool cap
I had my first round of chemo yesterday. I’m scheduled for 4 cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide at 21 day intervals. I really have no expectations of how I’ll handle treatment, however I am a little surprised to wake today feeling ‘normal’. This is an unexpected opportunity to enjoy the day. I realise this will probably change in the coming days, but small positives make me feel happy. I wore a cool cap for the infusion which took my time in hospital from 2 hours to 4 1/2 hours. The first 2 minutes was a little intense but after that it was fine. I hope to retain my hair but again am prepared to lose it as well. If you’ve had my combo of chemo, what were your best and worst days?
Mater Springfield. 80% success rate now with cold caps!!! And the boys are using it too!
HI everyone, i went for my 3 monthly oncology check up yesterday. As I was one of the first few people to use their new paxman scalp cooler I was keen to see how it was going for them. I had a chat to the nursing manager who was saying that they are having about an 80-85% success rate with it now. The nursing team are now pros at fitting the caps and checking the positioning throughout treatment to get the best results. They are stoked they can offer the service and have a number of men using it as well. I can't speak highly enough of this team of nurses. Their dedication and compassion for their patients is second to none. Everybody there from the doctors, nursing team through to the receptionists are always so welcoming anc caring. Have a great day everybody. XOXOXo
Cold Caps
I started my 1st AC treatment on the 5th Jan and was pretty much told by my oncologist to use the cold caps. She stated that they didn't work for everyone 50/50 but they were worth a try. I found the cold cap not to be an issue and warm blankets definitely helped. I have been only washing my hair every 4 days in tepid/coolish water since and using a very gentle organic shampoo and conditioner. If I do any styling at all it's on a cool shot with my hairdryer and very quickly. On Friday, day 16 and for the last couple of days I have noticed that my hair is thinning a little when I brush it ( something I do as little as possible ) but is doing so evenly at the moment. I am doing the cold caps not for a vanity thing but probably more so for a recovery stand point, I was told that your hair grows back more quickly once Chemo is finished. I did have a teary day yesterday as it is confronting thinking that your hair may be gone in the morning, but I guess a lot of you have faced that day and moved on as will I. If I do lose my hair, do any of you have any advice as to weather or not to continue with the cold caps, I do know that Dak2 ( di ) mentioned that her hair initially thinned at the top and sticking with the cold caps helped with regrowth in that spot. I am posting this as I have found that there isn't a lot of 'girly' advice out there regarding the use of cold caps. I guess not everyone has the opportunity to have them offered so I am lucky in that regard. My Chemo regime is AC x 4 over 12 weeks then Taxol and Herceptin weekly x 12 weeks so I guess my hair or whatever remains will definitely test the cold caps.
