Cold cap
Has anyone tried the cold cap when having chemo ? I commence chemo 14/6 .
Forum Discussion
Hi @Lillianne,
Welcome.
If the cap is available it's absolutely worth trying. I had a different chemo regime to you, but all these stinky drugs make your hair fall out. 4 x 3 weekly AC and then 12 weekly Taxol.
There are varying results but if you're lucky enough to have the opportunity to try it. Go for it.
I have fine, pretty average straight hair and did not follow the hair care rules very well.
The fit.
Number one session is the make or break. Do your homework on the paxman website and make sure you are happy with the way it's fitted. It should be tight and snug against your scalp. I used to push the cap down int the middle about every 10mins as the centre part seems to be the first to go if it's not fitted well. Make sure the machine has been turned on long enough before you start. I nearly got caught with this one once, luckily I just happened to glance down and see the big "not ready" display on it.
Brain Freeze
I won't lie, the first time I very nearly ripped it off after about 30 secs it literally almost made me throw up. I remembered reading the brochure that said it doesn't last long so persevered and for me it didn't. Less than 5 or 6 mins minutes then I was fine. Or I was numb, not sure. LOl. Each session after that was less and less intense until I was quite ok within a minute or so.
Time
Some of this depends on how organised and or busy your nurses are. The pre cooling can be done with the pre meds. You have to wait anyway for these to kick in. The after cooling with AC was 90 mins but we started that straight after the chemo drug infusion so by the time the last bag of fluids ran through I was only there for an extra hour and less with the taxol. Your day's buggered anyway so the extra time didn't bother me. Plus you get nice cosy blankets to sit under and read your book or whatever.
My hair did thin I would say by about 30 percent. I didn't really notice how much it had until it started to grow back as the thinning was even and looked normal. Nobody could tell but me.
Just send me a pm if you want any other info, products etc. Happy to help if I can. The first photo is me, Christmas day. 14 days after chemo number one. The second photo is my last day of radiation. So, 10 weeks after chemo. Wow looking somewhat tired and nice burn cream on the chest....eeewwww
All the best.
xoxoxo
Welcome.
If the cap is available it's absolutely worth trying. I had a different chemo regime to you, but all these stinky drugs make your hair fall out. 4 x 3 weekly AC and then 12 weekly Taxol.
There are varying results but if you're lucky enough to have the opportunity to try it. Go for it.
I have fine, pretty average straight hair and did not follow the hair care rules very well.
The fit.
Number one session is the make or break. Do your homework on the paxman website and make sure you are happy with the way it's fitted. It should be tight and snug against your scalp. I used to push the cap down int the middle about every 10mins as the centre part seems to be the first to go if it's not fitted well. Make sure the machine has been turned on long enough before you start. I nearly got caught with this one once, luckily I just happened to glance down and see the big "not ready" display on it.
Brain Freeze
I won't lie, the first time I very nearly ripped it off after about 30 secs it literally almost made me throw up. I remembered reading the brochure that said it doesn't last long so persevered and for me it didn't. Less than 5 or 6 mins minutes then I was fine. Or I was numb, not sure. LOl. Each session after that was less and less intense until I was quite ok within a minute or so.
Time
Some of this depends on how organised and or busy your nurses are. The pre cooling can be done with the pre meds. You have to wait anyway for these to kick in. The after cooling with AC was 90 mins but we started that straight after the chemo drug infusion so by the time the last bag of fluids ran through I was only there for an extra hour and less with the taxol. Your day's buggered anyway so the extra time didn't bother me. Plus you get nice cosy blankets to sit under and read your book or whatever.
My hair did thin I would say by about 30 percent. I didn't really notice how much it had until it started to grow back as the thinning was even and looked normal. Nobody could tell but me.
Just send me a pm if you want any other info, products etc. Happy to help if I can. The first photo is me, Christmas day. 14 days after chemo number one. The second photo is my last day of radiation. So, 10 weeks after chemo. Wow looking somewhat tired and nice burn cream on the chest....eeewwww
All the best.
xoxoxo