Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Camama2

TeeHa2 - I'm sorry you're going through this. I used the Penguin Cold Cap system last year when I had Taxotere & Carboplatin. My hair is VERY thin because 15 years ago I had my 1st round with TNBC and had TAC. I lost all of my hair and it did come back however VERY thin. Prior to 15 years ago I had very thick hair (10 on a 1-10 scale) and after it grew back and still now I have very thin hair (2 on a 1-10 scale). Because I now know that Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss and I had partial permanent hair loss I chose to do the cold cap for all of my chemos. I didn't lose as much hair as you but I think you should do it for all of your treatments. I told people I didn't care as much if I was bald for several months but I didn't want the possibility of being bald permanently. Good luck to you!

Laurie

JanieHS

TeeHa2 - I had pretty much your exact same experience when I did TC. I used Dignicap and I lost about 70% of my hair - virtually all of it on top. (I never felt that the nurse who was doing my capping was very in to it and kind of just yanked the caps on as fast as she could). By the end I couldn’t even do a comb over. But like others have mentioned, I knew that taxotare can cause permanent hair loss and wasn’t willing to risk it. My fourth infusion did not feel good but it was doable. My hair has come back even thicker than it was originally, so I am glad I powered through. I would try to hang in there if you can.

kaylie57410

hi I used penguin caps for 4 rounds of TC and kept 80 percent of my hair- lost another 5 percent due to ongoing shedding for a few months -- do keep capping as is protecting your follicles and will help your hair start to regrow sooner--I wouldnt put anything between the cap and scalp to interfer with the cooling -with the Penguin I also pressed down on my crown much of the time to keep cold on scalp where is apt to thin the most--it is a hard journey for sure- but am so glad I stuck with it--best to you,Kaylie

TeeHa2

Hi Hippmark, Laurie, JanieHS, and Kaylie -

Thank you so much for all the feedback! I did end up using the cold cap on my 3rd chemo session. I'm glad I did it.

My hair continues to thin evenly (though it's not falling out as much as before). However, several weeks ago I thought I noticed little hairs growing in, but I wasn't quite sure. Now I can confirm that indeed my hair has started growing back (especially at the crown/part where I lost the most hair). As Kaylie pointed out, it's important to press down on the cap, especially on the crown as the cap tends to not fit well there. I'm planning to use the cold cap again on my last chemo in a few weeks. I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to my post - this forum has been truly helpful!

morrigan_2575

I remember being shocked that my hair was growing while still falling out. It's a very weird dynamic.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment!

GoKale4320

Hello! I cold-capped in 2017 when I did 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan. I might be doing chemo again with weekly Taxol, but rather than cold capping, I am considering doing ice socks and mittens for feet and hands to avoid neuropathy. Has anyone done this? What brand of ice socks and mittens do you recommend? I have looked online, but I see ones that only stay cold for 20-60 minutes which doesn't sound long enough.

Thanks!

Hippmark

Hi GoKale,

I start chemo on Tuesday and I have purchased Natra Cold Therapy socks on Amazon. I also purchased additional 4 packs of those that I can freeze too and take with me to switch out after 45 min. I also purchased from Amazon Healthy Hands Cold Therapy Gloves. They come with an extra set of packs that you can switch out. I hope that helps!

morrigan_2575

i bought mine on Amazon as well. NatraCure Cold Therapy Socks (came with extra cold packs) and icing Power Hoy/Cold Gloves. These didn't have packs they froze really well and stayed cold long but, you couldn't do anything with them on. Not sure I'd recommend the gloves. The socks were great though

NinaCA

Last week the nurses brought me ICY FEET from their freezer (donated by a past client), and it was so great - I went on Amazon and bought a pair. You put them on like sandals, they last a long time. The only issue is your toes are not covered so so they put a pad on top and kept it down with their own ice pack.