Cooling Caps

Yes, your hair certainly looks luxurious, encouraging.  Thank you
Sue P

@Payne Sue this is a great way to do a reply about this discussion.  I didn't use cold cap. I just had the bald effect for 6 or so months.. now from you profile picture you can see it is back and going well.  Chemo is a tough time without side effects so you are doing great one step in front of the other @Lynds hugs and energy Alice 

I used the cold cap throughout my entire treatment. 4xAC and 12xtaxol/carboplatin. It was mentally tough and I dreaded each treatment-particularly once I got to the weeklies. I found it very uncomfortable and had to zone out to get through my time by listening to music or watching something on my iPad.
But on a positive note I managed to keep all of my hair. There was a tiny bit of thinning and it wasn't in the best condition as I wasn't allowed to wash it very often or use a hairdryer. But I found it helped me so much mentally!! I only lost my eyelashes and eyebrows. 3 months since finishing now and they are back and hair looking healthier than ever.
Good luck and keep pushing through xx

Hi everyone, 

I dont use this site much so don't know if doing correctly. I started chemo last Friday(2nd) and used the cold cap.  I agree the first 15 mins or so was quite tough but after they put on the cold gloves I forgot about head. The worst part is having to start 30 mins prior to chemo and 1 hour post chemo.  The cold (freezing) gloves are not an option. Next cycle starts 23rd December and am undecided whether to use cold cap again because hair thinning on top is common so would probably just let hair go and then I could be out of chemo quite faster. I am on doxetel and carboplatin via IV infusion and herceptin s/c.  I also had Lonquex s/c injection 24 hours post chemo.  I experienced severe bone and muscle pain on day 7.  Side effects from chemo have been otherwise moderate but manageable.   No sure if this will be same for next cycle though.
Sue P

Oh I dislike the sensation of ice cream brain! Hope it works for you. 
Take care 

Hi 
Thanks for your comments, had chemo and cooling cap today.  Was told to take panadol 1 hour before appointment.  It was heavy and for the first 10 minutes was like having icecream brain but much worse.  Was able to manage so will try again next week as having chemo every week for 12 sessions, 1 down 11 to go and feeling ok just hope it lasts, must think positive.  thanks for all your comments. 

@Lynds

It really depends on Chemo regime in terms of its effectiveness, I have 2 friends who are Her2+ and both did cap cooling, not pleasant, it thinned on top but was satisfactory. Im ER+ and had FEC 3 weekly then 8 weeks of TAxol, my oncologist didnt recommend it for me due to the FEC it most likely wouldn't have worked. To be honest I actually felt better just losing it all, knowing the Chemo got every ounce of me uuugh!!! still tough of course!!! But can I say I am one year on now and my hair has come back lovely! so food for thought!!! Hugs Melinda xo

Hi. I had the ice capping for my first chemo round. Not a pleasant experience I must say (they are heavy as well as cold and I ended up with a very sore neck!) I figured it was worth a try. It didn't work for me unfortunately but from everything i have researched it seems to have a lot to do with the type of chemo drugs you are given. I had TAC. If you will have a different combo it might be worth a try, either way you will know after your first two weeks. Good luck hon xxx

I can't help with the cooling cap I'm afraid but I was also 67 when I started and managed OK. Had a mastectomy, also HER2 with chemo for 6 months, no radiation happily and herceptin for a year. Chemo was a bit of a pain ( lost my hair but no fatigue or nausea) but got through it and had no side effects from herceptin.

Best wishes!