I was wondering if anyone has used OR has information re: scalp cooling caps..used to prevent hair loss during treatment. ( it was mentioned to me by my medical oncologist ). Also cost of same. I commence Chemo next Friday and trying to gain as much information as I can. Also any tips re: managing possible side effects related to TC Chemo. Thanks to all. Take Care. Chrisxx

Yes you have it worked out now. Hopefully some people will be able to help you out with some good info on the cold caps. I had a different chemo to you but I am sure that you will get lots of good advice from others. I think the main thing is to keep an open mind re side effects as we are all different with what effects we get. Good luck and let us know how you go. Take care. Deanne xxx

I had the same chemo as you will be having.I didn't worry about my hair coming out,and I actually had my head shaved a few days before chemo.On exactly day 14 my eyebrows came out,and my little prickles of hair also! I found chemo pretty good actually,so I consider myself fortunate.I had 4 rounds of chemo. From about day 5 to 10, I had varying degrees of tiredness.Dont plan much on those days.Days 10 to 15 I felt good but stayed away from crowded places so I wouldn't get sick.The last week I felt almost normal.Have a look at my blog posts if you like,and you can see what side effects I felt the most.Looking back now,it seems like ages ago!Food cravings were strong for me,and also a very annoying skin rash.Buy some Zyrtec and have it ready.I used moo goo for my skin which got very dry,and Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash all day every day!!!Constipation was a problem the first week so take something like coloxyl before it becomes a problem!!!Also I took the anti nausea medication I was given,every day for the first week.I never had nausea.All the best.xoxCheers Robyn

Hi Chris, I didn't have 'cool caps' because there was a queue for them and my tumours were doubling every three weeks. I needed to get in there! I had treatment at 'The Cottage' at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney where they have a number of the 'cool cap' machines and I had lots of great conversations with the women using them and the staff. The pros are that you MIGHT preserve your head hair, and even if you get hair loss and thining it might help you feel better to still have some hair. The cons are that your treatment takes longer because you need to sit around after your drugs have finished and keep your head cool for a while. Women I saw were typically hooked up to cool caps for half an hour to an hour after their drugs finished. Results were mixed, with some women still losing significant amounts of hair and some having a better result, but your hair will not look healthy during this process. Patients doing cool caps were advised not to use hair products, or to only use them infrequently and to favour organic ones. Some women still cut their hair fairly short while others were hoping to maintain there lovely long locks. From a personal perspective, I was glad I hadn't gone with the caps when I saw what was involved but I'm in my 50's and I'd previously shaved all my hair off for charity (a couple of years before I got cancer!) so going bald for a while was no big deal to me. I did get a wig after I did the 'Look Good, Feel Better' day, but only wore it a couple of times because the chemo put me into menopause and I loved my head being bare when I got hot flushes! I also have friends that say not losing all their hair and not 'looking like a cancer patient' was a really important part of their recovery. It's a very personal choice. I didn't mind being visibly sick and, to be honest, it was heart warming to see how frquently people went out of their way to be kind to me. I finished chemo just before Christmas. Having previously had very fine hair I now have an impressive head of waves and my hair is thicker than it's ever been. For me, at least, going bald has been a blessing in disguise. Best of luck whatever you decide. Meg x

Scalp Cooling Caps | BCNA Online Network

Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago
I had the same chemo as you will be having.I didn't worry about my hair coming out,and I actually had my head shaved a few days before chemo.On exactly day 14 my eyebrows came out,and my little prickles of hair also! I found chemo pretty good actually,so I consider myself fortunate.I had 4 rounds of chemo. From about day 5 to 10, I had varying degrees of tiredness.Dont plan much on those days.Days 10 to 15 I felt good but stayed away from crowded places so I wouldn't get sick.The last week I felt almost normal.Have a look at my blog posts if you like,and you can see what side effects I felt the most.Looking back now,it seems like ages ago!Food cravings were strong for me,and also a very annoying skin rash.Buy some Zyrtec and have it ready.I used moo goo for my skin which got very dry,and Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash all day every day!!!Constipation was a problem the first week so take something like coloxyl before it becomes a problem!!!Also I took the anti nausea medication I was given,every day for the first week.I never had nausea.All the best.xoxCheers Robyn
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
Yes you have it worked out now. Hopefully some people will be able to help you out with some good info on the cold caps. I had a different chemo to you but I am sure that you will get lots of good advice from others. I think the main thing is to keep an open mind re side effects as we are all different with what effects we get. Good luck and let us know how you go. Take care. Deanne xxx

Forum Discussion

Scalp Cooling Caps

Related Content

Cooling cap

My Scalp Cooling/Cold Caps experience

Cooling Cap

Scalp cooling - hair loss

Paxman Scalp Cooling

Recent Discussions

Radiotherapy (5 weeks)

Joint pain, muscle stiffness

Abemaciclib Verezenio side effects

Neuropathy in feet - any advice? TNBC

Late onset side effects of radiation.

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners