Anyone ever "poor man's" coldcapped?

Options
Karen2019
Karen2019 Member Posts: 98
edited October 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I have decided not to coldcap through my TC treatments for several reasons, financial and otherwise. I think I will be able to make it emotionally through losing my hair, but I would really like to avoid being one of those women in the up to 10% whose hair never grows back. I would like to know if anyone did any sort of "poor man's coldcapping" just to give your hair follicles a "please don't die altogether" message during your treatments? By this I mean that I am considering shaving my head before chemo begins and then using cheaper coldcaps (online headache caps with some extra ice packets) during treatment, with the hope that this will give my follicles enough protection to at least allow my hair to grow back once my treatment is finished. Does this sound crazy?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    Karen: I did not cold cap - so I did loose my hair. I was way too cold just keeping the frozen peas on my hands & feet. But I couldn't stand the thought of no eyebrows or lashes. I used "Latisse" on my brows and never totally lost them

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SarahSmilesatMe
    SarahSmilesatMe Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2019

    Karen2019 - I am capping with the Penguin Cold Caps for the exact same reason - fear of permanent hair loss! I’m on treatment 2 of 4 total and I estimate that I’ve lost 40% of my hair to-date. Sorry, but I have no opinion as to your idea/methodology. I have seen on line that there is an organization called “Hair to Stay foundation” that will discuss financial assistance for those wanting to cap. Maybe contact them to discuss their process.... Regardless, good luck and stay strong!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackster51
    Jackster51 Member Posts: 357
    edited October 2019

    I'm one of the 10%. :-(.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited October 2019

    I did the migraine cap method. Had 4 or 5 or them, cooled w/ dry ice, and I rotated them. My hair fell out due to doing nothing at all on chemo #1-- but it grew back before #6 and it grew back thicker than before.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hapa
    hapa Member Posts: 920
    edited October 2019

    Permanent hair loss was my biggest fear during chemo. I cold capped with dignicap but it fell out anyway. I kept a ring around the edge, but the top was just a couple of sad wisps. It looked even worse than bald. The dignicap didn't fit very well, I probably would have had better luck with the online cold caps. My hair took FOREVER to start growing back after chemo but once it came in it came in thick and full.

    Jackster - my heart goes out to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Scrafgal
    Scrafgal Member Posts: 631
    edited October 2019

    I'm part of the 10%, too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Karen2019
    Karen2019 Member Posts: 98
    edited October 2019

    Jackster and Scrafgal, I am so sorry you are part of the 10%! Did you do any sort of cold capping during your infusions?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories