Hi Fifi, 

I used the cold cap for my eighteen weeks of Paxlitaxel.

It was worth it. My hair thinned a bit, at the sides and parting, but after I stopped the Paxlitaxel it grew back within a week! The cold cap did get colder as the weeks went by. Just grit your teeth. It does add time to the whole chemo treatment but if it works, it's worth it.

I think you will know if the cap fits? I was a small fit despite the fact that I'm big boned. The cap should fit snugly. Pull it down until it fits your head.

I hated leaving the hospital with wet hair. Hated it and my treatment was over this summer. Paxlitaxel has a good record for keeping your hair. Not so sure about your other chemo? There is research online about the response rate of the cold cap and different chemotherapies but I forget what the research is called? 

Best of luck with your treatment. 

Ceyenne

Thanks so much for the message - am feeling positive about starting chemo and even though the cold cap will be unpleasant I'm still keen to give it a try as even keeping a percentage of my hair I'll be grateful for.  Hope you're doing well!x

Hi,

Sorry you have to go through this too. I started Chemo today and looks like I'm on the same treatment regime as you. I also decided on trying the cold cap, it was cold and uncomfortable but for me barable and not sore but everyone is different, the nurse told me not to wash or brush my hair for 24 hours after and only use a shampoo thats not perfumed for example Simple also try not to use a hair dryer but if you must on a low heat also no straighteners, I also have emailed someone else that knows the best shampoos ect at will let you know as soon as they get back. The chemo wasn't as bad as I imagined and I feel fine just a little tired from the piratin. I would recommend if your right handed to ask them to put the chemo through your left and vice versa it your left handed as I was struggling to write and text. Good luck sending positive vibes we got this girl.  If you have any tips too I would really appreciate  

Lots of love Natalie

Hello - apologies for the late reply! I started my chemo last Nov 2020 and finished this April 2021. I cold capped throughout chemo and while I still lost approx 75% of my hair, I don't regret persevering with it as my hair now is doing pretty well as a result.  
Everyone is different so the cold cap may work brilliantly or it may not be as successful as you'd like. I think it's important to be positive, hopeful and stick with it but also know that retaining 25% of your hair is still deemed a success. 

Tips... Wash and brush your hair whenever you actually feel you need to. Sometimes I'd only wash it every 7-10 days. I washed it in warm/coolish water while in the bath (using a cup) and used a variety of shampoos: Kerastase, Aussie & Childs Farm shampoo. I'd brush it while the conditioner was in but not much more than that. As I started chemo during lockdown my hair was shoulder length. I would have it cut shorter if poss so that it remains tangle free and you don't need to brush it so often. I had a silk pillow from John Lewis which definitely helped reduce hair loss. 
I started chemo 18 Nov (EC fortnightly) and around 20 Dec I lost what felt like a lot of hair. Approx a third of my hair perhaps. It prompted me to go buy a wig (only for Boris to then cancel Christmas social plans). I started using the wig around February 2021 and have only just stopped using it recently (July 2021). I'm grateful to have had a wig for social occasions but while at home I still felt like me thanks to cold capping as from the front I still hair some hair.

Before each cold cap session I would take two parecetemol and one ibuprofen approx 15 mins prior. 1hr in I would then take one more ibuprofen tablet. I never really had any horrid/painful experience while cold capping - the worst part was the first 3-5 mins while getting used to the cold (I would zone out and try and sing a song in my head). Before long I'd be feeling fine again (as my scalp as numb!).

If you have any questions, let me know. It's bizarre how quickly you forget the whole process once it's over. 
Hope you're doing ok and good luck!