I am filling out information to apply for assistance to use the slrap cooling system (hairtostay), that I guess is supposed to help with hair loss. I heard that it may or may not be successful, depends on the thickness of one's hair to begin with. I'll post here if I can try this. If it doesn't work out of course there are wigs. Has anyone had experience with this?
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SusieIM
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I tried it back in March when I started taxol...Sadly I did not make it past the first session. It does make the treatment a lot longer I can't remember exactly but I think you have to leave it on for 40mn before treatment, then 1 hour after treatment... It started Ok just a bit tight and cold, as it progressed it became painful and I started having an excruciating migraine ( I don't suffer from migraine normally) ...With half an hour to go I had to relunctantly agree to take it off. I was feeling nauseous and was in a lot of pain and the nurses advised me to stop it... So sadly can't confirm if it would have worked. I am not going to lie I was distraught at the time but actually it worked out ok, not having the cold cap meant I could make use of my mobile chemo unit and have chemo down the road instead of trecking to the hospital every week.
What I can say is at the medical day unit there is always a handful of people using the cap so it must be working for them...
I used it in 2015 and it worked. My hair is not fine and is typically healthy looking. I noticed some thinning at the temples which I covered up with a colored hair spray.
I had 5 rounds of chemo over 3 months. So I could pace the cold. If it was more regular I would’ve found it more challenging.
I am sticking with it take pain relief befor and wear a head band to make forehand comfortable. I also sent for some silicone chicken fillets to add comfort😂 and make sure you have the correct size cap !
Just for the record...I had chemo at 40 and lost my hair. It was shocking at first, but I saved a lot in haircuts and quit carrying a brush (lighter purse. ) I wore a soft hat that I liked —not a cap. (Wig was itchy) And after four months, it slowly grew back — by 9 months I abandoned the head cover. Thinning hair on Ibrance 22 years later was harder. It wasn’t enough to wear a hat and I was self conscious. It grew back for six months on Afinitor, which didn’t impact the cancer. Now I’m on to Piqray which may cause hair loss again. So...if the cooling band works and is tolerable, hooray! But hair loss is also temporary and bearable most of the time.
I used it in 2015 also and it was pretty unpleasant but better if took painkillers before. Didn't lose all my hair but it did thin. You need to make sure it fits properly or you can get a bald patch on top. Hair grew back thickly afterwards. Good luck x
I had 2 sessions it worked somewhat it leaves some hair. Hair grows back no matter what the cooling cap adds too much discomfort to the infusion process in retrospect.
I'm using a cold caps system right now. Ask your onc. if the drug you are taking works well with the cold cap system. Some work better than others. I have thick hair so I am having some thinning but that's all. The cold caps are a MAJOR pain to deal with, you will need a friend to help you with them but I'm still doing them anyway.
Thank you, my onc. suggested trying the cold caps system. She knows how I feel about losing my hair (as with most women). It may or may not work because I already have thin hair, from the other treatments iv'e had. Still want to give it a try, am in process of applying for assistance to help pay for the cost.
Think about your fingers and toes too. I used ice packs to prevent numbness. It worked great on my feet but not as well on fingers. I wasn't as consistent with hands. 2 years later the numbness is mostly gone, not bothersome.
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