could anyone give me some advice on whether or not to use the cold cap while having chemo, my treatment begins next thursday
Hi Daffodil,
I gave the cold cap a go when I had my first dose of AC. Personally, I found it a bit hard going and had to have it removed after about an hour. Having said that, a work colleague of mine is having her second dose of FEC this friday and is continuing to use the cold cap, so it affects us all differently.
I am glad I did try it, but with the type of chemo I had it was probably inevitable that I would loose my hair. Why not give it a go and see how you get on?
Good luck with your treatment and let us know what you decide to do,
Very best wishes,
Tracy
Hi Daffodil
I wore a cold cap throughout Epi, it was hard going and wouldn’t do it again although the results were good. Hair thinned but never fell out.
The drawback is wearing it 30 minutes prior to chemo and for 2 hours afterwards, it just prolonged the whole process.
Hope your treatment goes ok.
Diane
hi i am in same position as you. my chemo nurse said my treatment 2hrs without it and 4 with it. i asked oncologist she said try it once see how i get on and after one treatment they would be able to tell whether it was working or not. i was told my hair would thin but hopefully not fall out. i start on 12th and will give it a first go i am also on fec. take care.
Julie
Hi Daffodil, I had it yesterday for my first FEC. It was pretty awful, but I stuck it out, and believe me I am the biggest wimp in the world. Hopefully I’ll know by the next cycle whether it’s worth continuing. The first few minutes it is truly awful, but it does get more bearable after that. I don’t think it prolonged my treatment by as much as 2 hours though, because they were putting the anti-sick stuff in while it cooled my head down and flushing everything while they left it in at the end.
Has to be worth a try?
Good luck either way.
xx
Cryst
A big thank for your advice, I think I have decided not to go ahead with the cold cap. Where would we all be without the reassurance, helpful hints etc from all you lovely ladies. I feel I have found lots of new friends and I thank you all it has helped me so much. xx
Hi Daffodil,
You know where we all are if you have ANY questions at all, you will always get lots of support from the wonderful ladies on this site - I certainly have over the last few months.
Let us know how you are getting on with your treatment,
All the best,
Tracy xxxx
Hi,
I wore a cold cap during all 6 cycles of Taxotere, which I finished in January. It worked brilliantly. My hair just thinned out a little but you really wouldn’t have noticed any difference at all.
All the best,
Jeanie.
Hi,
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cold cap, yes it was uncomfortable and yes time consuming and even p*ssed the chemo nurses off at times when the clinic was busy and I’d be still there at 6pm but it enabled me to carry on my life as normal, it was worth every second. I use it with every chemo if hair loss or thinning is an issue, my onc knows how important its been for me to use it and often comments on the sucess Ive had!