Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

wyomama

chemo 4 of 6 today still have hair, and I love my medical freezer!!!  

Warrior_Woman

Woah Wyomamma!  You look great!

mdg

Wyo we need a "LIKE" button!  You look awesome!!! 

 

RainDew

wow wyo - fantastic!!! LOVE this :-)

Warriorwoman - thanks for reminder. So many petty indignities...I mean, really? 

I just picked up my rxs...meds for constipation AND meds for diarrhea. Gah.

wyomama

thanks ladies! It really means SO much more coming from those of you who've been through this. My hair has thinned more than I thought it would, but I'm blessed with very thick hair, so it helps hide the loss. Frankly, I feel blessed to have any hair at all!! It's the little things these days

Hortense

wyomama - You do look great!  After this is over and you can wash your hair more normally you will discover that you have a lot more than you thought you did. That's because right now, your hair is weighted down by leftover products and oils that you can not effectively wash out because you have to treat it so gently. I used Nioxin for chemically treated naturally thinning hair about two to three weeks afterwards and it made an enormous difference.

kpmacmill

Wyo - not only does your hair look great, YOU look great! What a nice smile - you look healthy and happy considering the circumstances.

dancetrancer

Wyomama - you look fantastic!  Congrats!   I love the feeling of power and courage I get from your photo.  Keep on kicking cancer's *ss!

ciaogina

Sorry I've been off the board for a while---

kpmacmill---i found that tom's of maine or Jason's were too sticky.

In my PCC packet, they recommended Adidas Cotton Tech. Found it on amazon.com, but I had heard they sell it at Walgreen's. It's aluminum free, but it is more like a solid, than a gel, smells great and works great. I was using those Secret or Dove clinical deodorants before as I am a sweater (tmi). The aluminum free deodorants do not prevent wetness which sucks, but this brand has been working for me. It's a been more expensive than regular brands, but I find it is so worth it. Good luck!

I am having my 3rd of 6 TCH treatments later today. Hair has thinned but not if someone who didn't know me would notice. I am using the Brian Joseph's brow and lash gel. My lashes are fine, but brows are thinning. I have jet black hair. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to fill my brows in with?

I still have a lot of hair but my main concern is the greying---I am using an organic mascara to cover it up some, but I ma finding it more of a hassle as it is difficult to apply and when my hair get an itch, my fingers get all black! Any info on greying would be helpful. I'm just afraid to use any chemical sprays.

Also--this sound silly but what does PFC mean? I'm assuming it means post chemo? Sorry I fell silly asking that.

Thanks--and wish me luck. I'll be halfway done after today. Surviving the summer heat. Even was at the beach for a week, but avoided the high sun and heat. it was nice that my hubby took my kids tot the beach while I relaxed and then met them later in the day.  Good luck everyone! 

ciaogina

wyomama---you look fantastic--giving me hope!!

thanks for posting your pic!

dancetrancer

PFC = post final chemo...or, if you have a potty mouth like me, post f*cking chemo. 

schoolmom

ciogina....I use a color stick from Sally's beauty supply. I think it is Clairol. It comes in a few different colors and cost about $15  orv$20 if I remember. There is a cheaper brand but it doesn't work as well. I still have one.  It is like a wide tip marker. Washes out so u have to reapply. I use it to cover grey. I found my hair looked thinner because the new baby hairs were coming in white. I slapped some color on them and it helped. Now regrowth is back to my normal brown. My mom started  to grey in her 60's so I just have a little at the crown and temples which is good for 61! Good luck. 

sue219

Wyomama you look great,   your in the home stretch!!!

Ciaogina -  Good luck  today,  half way there!!!

Dlove72

Wyomama you look awesome ! I also only have two left! Yay!! 

Moderators

Hi all! We're looking to update the information on the main Breastcancer.org site on cold caps, and would like to include some brand names that members are using. Would you all mind posting some of the brands you're using?

Thanks!

Lillypoppy

For your information - this machine is used with excellent success in UK - paxman. 

http://www.paxman-coolers.co.uk/how-it-works/

Kind regards

Lilly. 

wyomama

yay moderators!!! 

I use penguin cold caps, and had a medical grade freezer donated by the Rapunzel Project. 

wyomama

hortense, thanks for that info, I was planning on going to nexus when I'm All done. I'm using Burt's bees baby shampoo now. It's ok, but my hair feels dirty all the time. Blech.  I'm also looking into Wen. Anyone else use Wen? 

In this heat I've been breaking rules and using a low and loose bun. I just can't have it down my neck and back all day!

Those of you just starting, keep your chins up! I was so scared and convinced this wouldn't work, but the others ahead of me encouraged me and they were all correct. I still have hair!!!! You will too

jc254

Moderators- I'm glad you're going to update the information. 

There are two brands currently available in the United States-   Penguin Cold Caps (which most of us on this thread have used) and ElastoGels.  Both of these brands require the use of dry ice or a  biomedical freezer to cool the caps.  Some facilities have biomedical freezers but most do not.  A nonprofit called the Rapunzel Project donates biomedical coolers to willing infusion centers.  They have a great website with lots of accurate information about cold caps and links to clinical trials. 

The Dignicap is currently in clinical trial in the US and is only available to those who entroll in the trial.  The advantage of the Dignicap is that the cap is hooked to a self contained chilling unit so that no dry ice or special freezers are required. 

jc254

Dancetrancer, I'm at work and almost spit out my tea when I read your explanation of PFC.  Love it!

jc254

wyomama, you're looking great so far and I agree, your smile is even more beautiful than your hair.  Hang in there, only two more!

Kazzy115

hi all!  So great to see the number of women learning about this option.  Today at my infusion i saw a fellow capper in action.  Then two women approached me to learn more!   One for future chemo she expects in the fall and another would had friend recently diagnosed.   Very exciting. RNs were asking if I'd mind talking and providing information.  So happy to do so

For me, shedding accelerated this week.  Not sure it'll hold out through today and two more taxol.   Doing what I can to stay calm and realize I've done all I can and is now out of my hands. 

Best to all the newcomers!  You can do if!

Warrior_Woman

Kazzy - Hold tight.  I know this is stressful.  It's nice to see women learning about the caps BEFORE chemo rather than after. 

Dancetrancer - Great new pic with your hair in your face!!!  And you got the acronym correct!

Moderators - I too used Penguin Cold Caps.

Ladies - My brows were growing back but not a clump of my lashes.  I had been using Brian Joseph's and did avoid losing brows and lashes completely although they thinned.  After months of no progress with my lashes I ordered http://www.dermstore.com/product_SmartLash+Eyelash+Enhancer_27893.htm Smart Lash from Dermstore and within a week the lashes started to grow back and are almost back to normal.  I have tried other products sold by this website and have to say I am impressed so far.  

Warrior_Woman

Hmmm...link doesn't work...I'll try again

Smart Lash by Dermstore

dancetrancer

WW - thanks for the tip on the Smart Lash.  Is it a clear gel treatment that you use mascara over?  Or is it mascara itself?  May have to try it! 

Warrior_Woman

dancetrance - It is a clear gel you apply where eyeliner would go but not on the lashes.  It helps them grow.  It worked for me.  It's not a mascara.  You let it dry and then you can apply make-up.  I got it in my eye a few times and I'm fine.  No change in eye color or anything like that.  Mild burning for a few seconds.

dancetrancer

Thanks WW!

Moderators

Thanks all for adding your information on cold caps

Warrior_woman what brand did you use?

The Mods

2-boys_mom

moderators- I used Chemo Cold Caps.  They were great to work with and supplied everything I needed.  I just had to buy dry ice, but I sent them a picture of the receipt and they subtracted the total from the rental price for each treatment.  They brought everything I needed to first treatment and taught my hubby and I everything.  Steve even stayed until we were comfortable.  After my last treatment, they emailed a fed-ex return paid receipt.  We just boxed it all up and arranged for pick up.  

I used Latisse on my eyelashes during treatment and did not lose them.  I lost some of my eyebrows, but used latisse on them and they are thicker than ever.  A little pricey, but so worth it!!!

jc254

Just to clarify- I believe Chemo Cold Caps is a service company.  They do not have their own brand of caps.  They use ElastoGels and it is possible to purchase ElastoGels independently without using this company's service (although it very useful to some).  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.