Polar Ice Caps - the unofficial survey :)

D Lewis
D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member

So, how many of us were on line early enough this morning to see the U of Chicago "research" survey briefly posted on the Head Neck forum (until Admin took it down)? The survey supposedly addressed chemotherapy-related alopecia.

Upon questioning, the poster admitted to Pat that the real point of the survey was to determine if their hair-saving product merited the expenditure of the "$ millions" it would take to obtain FDA approval.  Snerk.

Here is the million-dollar question:  As a head-neck cancer patient, how much would you pay for the opportunity to wear an ice-filled bag on your head that supposedly reduced your hair loss?

Several smart-mouthed responses come immediately to mind. What are your thoughts?

Deb 

 

Comments

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    Deb
    Funny you should mention this. When I was 22 I got the measles. I was extremely sick and had horribly high fevers that caused major hallucinations and in the long run, hair loss. It was very strange...about a month after I started feeling better my hair started falling out big time! I of course was freaking out trying to figure out why. I lost a little more than 3/4 of my hair before it finally started to stop falling out. I went to my dr and she sent me to a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. The derm told me that my hair loss was caused from the extreme fevers much like what happens when the chemicals from chemo burn the hair follicles. She showed me my hair under a scope and you could literally see where the roots were singed! Then she showed me magnified pictures of hair that was lost from chemo, they almost looked identical. She then told me that she and a few scientists were working on an ice cap type of thing that people would wear during chemo and high fever illnesses to try and prevent hair loss. I wonder if this is part of that study?? It's been over 20 years but I guess it could be possible.
    Would I wear one?? Hey I guess it couldn't hurt and it might help so I'd have to say that I'd give it a try.
    Billie
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    Billie67 said:

    Deb
    Funny you should mention this. When I was 22 I got the measles. I was extremely sick and had horribly high fevers that caused major hallucinations and in the long run, hair loss. It was very strange...about a month after I started feeling better my hair started falling out big time! I of course was freaking out trying to figure out why. I lost a little more than 3/4 of my hair before it finally started to stop falling out. I went to my dr and she sent me to a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. The derm told me that my hair loss was caused from the extreme fevers much like what happens when the chemicals from chemo burn the hair follicles. She showed me my hair under a scope and you could literally see where the roots were singed! Then she showed me magnified pictures of hair that was lost from chemo, they almost looked identical. She then told me that she and a few scientists were working on an ice cap type of thing that people would wear during chemo and high fever illnesses to try and prevent hair loss. I wonder if this is part of that study?? It's been over 20 years but I guess it could be possible.
    Would I wear one?? Hey I guess it couldn't hurt and it might help so I'd have to say that I'd give it a try.
    Billie

    Interesting.

    The first thought that crossed my mind was, even if the process was effective, the idea of icing my head, with a burned neck, violently sore throat, compromised swallow, feeding tube, surgical scars and a very high pain level was more than I would be able to handle. 

    The question that arises from your comment is, would cooling the scalp work when it isn't excessive heat to the scalp that is causing the burning?

    Deb

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Hot Heads...

    Might be note worthy for the hot heads in the group, LOL...

    JG

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    D Lewis said:

    Interesting.

    The first thought that crossed my mind was, even if the process was effective, the idea of icing my head, with a burned neck, violently sore throat, compromised swallow, feeding tube, surgical scars and a very high pain level was more than I would be able to handle. 

    The question that arises from your comment is, would cooling the scalp work when it isn't excessive heat to the scalp that is causing the burning?

    Deb

    Deb
    The way the dr explained it to me was that the chemicals in chemo, while not feeling hot, chemically burn the hair follicles. It acts very much like a fever just without the hot feeling.
    Billie
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hot Heads...

    Might be note worthy for the hot heads in the group, LOL...

    JG

    LOLOLOLOLOL John.....

    I was already giggling when I got to your comment...which darn near guffaw'd me off my chair....

    For myself.....there is no way I'd add insult to injury wearing an icecap on my head during chemo....can ya imagine the headache that would come with that little piece of apparel?  Besides I was already cold enough....I wore an insulated sweatshirt all summer.  Did they have a picture of it?  I'm wondering....does it tie under your chin.....LOL.

    p

  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member

    LOLOLOLOLOL John.....

    I was already giggling when I got to your comment...which darn near guffaw'd me off my chair....

    For myself.....there is no way I'd add insult to injury wearing an icecap on my head during chemo....can ya imagine the headache that would come with that little piece of apparel?  Besides I was already cold enough....I wore an insulated sweatshirt all summer.  Did they have a picture of it?  I'm wondering....does it tie under your chin.....LOL.

    p

    Well, Heck!

    Now I know what I can do with all those ice packs that my hubby's insulin comes packaged in. I can give them to fellow cancer patients. LOL

    Luv,

    Wolfen