Hi @ JJ70. It is one of those personal things i guess. I would have walked over broken glass to keep my hair so I really didn't care about the cold or the time. Besides, the chairs are comfy, you can order food and get to sit under nice warm blankets and read a book:)
I used the cold caps for 4 x AC and 12 x weekly taxol. The first time you do want to rip it off your head as soon as it starts, you just have to remember it doesn't take long to settle. It took me about 5 mins for it to be ok. I took no sedatives or panadol, it just depends how you cope with it I guess. It gets better as you go along as you know what to expect. The time at the appointment is a bit longer, but given that you need premeds an hour before they start anyway that takes up the first hour of cooling.
Make sure the nurse knows how to fit it properly and keep a check throughout the treatment on the centre of your scalp. I just used to give it a bit of a shove down every 10 minutes or so to make sure it was flat on my head and that my hairline around my face stayed covered.
I guess it all depends how much you want to keep your hair. Personally I was so absolutely thankful I got to use it. It worked brilliantly and made everything just that bit easier to deal with. I could go to work or out with friends and family not looking any different to normal. My profile picture is at week 1 of radiation so 4 weeks after chemo finished. It thinned but only I could notice. If you want to know about products or anything I used just message me. (I wasn't paying $100 for the recommended shampoo and conditioner).
All the best. XOXO
