I’d try it if you can. There are programs out there to help pay for it- I ended up paying 1300 up front but got most of it returned back when I was finished chemo. It is less effective with adriamycin but I still kept some hair, and it was growing back on taxol.
The first thing you need to do is research. The cold cap will not work with certain chemo drugs. I wanted to use it, but my oncologist (ex-oncologist) was dismissive of the idea. After research that told me it would not be effective for my particular drug regimine, I abandoned the idea. Ladies, don't shave your heads. A buzz cut works better per my hairdresser who specializes in cancer patients. I was not brave enough to go bald in public so I literally lived in a ballcap with hair. Even my sister said it looked like my own hair, and just flipped on and off like a regular hat. You can also buy a hair halo that will go under any kind of hat which is also easy on and off and not hot like a wig.
My daughter did her first chemo on Tuesday using the cold capping and mitts and socks. Today ( 2 days later) she is experiencing tender foot pads and they are quite red, is this typical?
My daughter did her first chemo on Tuesday using the cold capping and mitts and socks. Today ( 2 days later) she is experiencing tender foot pads and they are quite red, is this typical?
Did you share about her feet with her care team? I'm wondering if the socks may have been too cold for her or on too long. Did she experience anything similar from the cap or mitten?
Did you share about her feet with her care team? I'm wondering if the socks may have been too cold for her or on too long. Did she experience anything similar from the cap or mitten?
I used socks and mitts. One time, I kept the mitts on too long and had redness on my hand. The next time, I removed them more times during the infusion and I was fine.
I used the cold cap for my chemo (22 weeks, every week therapy, the drugs were: Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab). It was difficult at first, to get used to it, but in the end it was really effective. The oncologist advised me to cut my hair really short and so I did a pixie! I lost very few of my hair, almost nothing, and nobody could see that they were a bit thinner! The first few times were difficult, because it's really heavy and you are very cold as the time passes, but with 1-2 blankets you get warmer. Also the weight of the cap is a bit overwhelming for your neck and back. At the 3rd therapy I had excruciating pain in the back and the doctors were afraid that the drugs have messed with my heart but after some tests they concluded that it was the weight of the cold cap that affected my back. In the end I got used to it. Also there is a delay in your therapy due to the cap as it takes longer to finish the therapy because of the cap. In my case it was worth the trouble and the money!!! A last tip that the cold cap expert told me: in his experience the patients that are calm (as possible) in comparison to extremely stressed patients have better results with the cap! Wish you the best1
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It doesn't work with Taxol! Save your money if that's your chemo drug.
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1 ReactionI will have combination of two drugs taxotere and cytoxan
I’d try it if you can. There are programs out there to help pay for it- I ended up paying 1300 up front but got most of it returned back when I was finished chemo. It is less effective with adriamycin but I still kept some hair, and it was growing back on taxol.
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2 ReactionsPlease send me name of website who can make easy installment plans
Thanks for your information
Cold capital fund is another one but they are only available for maryland, dc and Virginia.
The first thing you need to do is research. The cold cap will not work with certain chemo drugs. I wanted to use it, but my oncologist (ex-oncologist) was dismissive of the idea. After research that told me it would not be effective for my particular drug regimine, I abandoned the idea. Ladies, don't shave your heads. A buzz cut works better per my hairdresser who specializes in cancer patients. I was not brave enough to go bald in public so I literally lived in a ballcap with hair. Even my sister said it looked like my own hair, and just flipped on and off like a regular hat. You can also buy a hair halo that will go under any kind of hat which is also easy on and off and not hot like a wig.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy daughter did her first chemo on Tuesday using the cold capping and mitts and socks. Today ( 2 days later) she is experiencing tender foot pads and they are quite red, is this typical?
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1 Reaction@frantik223, I moved your post to this existing discussion where you can connect with members like @brighterdays @cancerwifemom @cjs123172 @conk @pinkybabar1962 @dlmdinia who used the cold cap. I'm not sure if they used the socks or mitts:
- Chemo cold cap, socks and mitts: Share your experiences https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemo-cold-cap/
You may also appreciate this related discussion:
- Did you do icing during chemo? Did it help? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/icing-during-chemo/
Did you share about her feet with her care team? I'm wondering if the socks may have been too cold for her or on too long. Did she experience anything similar from the cap or mitten?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI used socks and mitts. One time, I kept the mitts on too long and had redness on my hand. The next time, I removed them more times during the infusion and I was fine.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI used the cold cap for my chemo (22 weeks, every week therapy, the drugs were: Docetaxel, Carboplatin, Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab). It was difficult at first, to get used to it, but in the end it was really effective. The oncologist advised me to cut my hair really short and so I did a pixie! I lost very few of my hair, almost nothing, and nobody could see that they were a bit thinner! The first few times were difficult, because it's really heavy and you are very cold as the time passes, but with 1-2 blankets you get warmer. Also the weight of the cap is a bit overwhelming for your neck and back. At the 3rd therapy I had excruciating pain in the back and the doctors were afraid that the drugs have messed with my heart but after some tests they concluded that it was the weight of the cold cap that affected my back. In the end I got used to it. Also there is a delay in your therapy due to the cap as it takes longer to finish the therapy because of the cap. In my case it was worth the trouble and the money!!! A last tip that the cold cap expert told me: in his experience the patients that are calm (as possible) in comparison to extremely stressed patients have better results with the cap! Wish you the best1