Fortunately I ended up not needing chemo but I was already prepared to lose my hair. I was curious about how I would look bald and had already prepared to go buy a wig. I have very short hair so I knew that it would grow back. I would not use a cold cap because I am very cold-natured and absolutely hate being cold. I realize for some people that losing their hair is very emotional and traumatic and I truly sympathize but the prospect wasn't upsetting for me.

Yes, I used the cold cap for all six chemo treatments I had. I was on an 18-week TCHP (Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin/Perjetta) regimen for HER2+ where I received chemo every 3 weeks. My oncologist recommended the cold cap to me — our treatment center has industrial ones — and I am really glad I used it. It was recommended even though I got two wigs pre-chemo because some patients undergoing one of the chemo drugs I am on suffer from permanent hair loss.

I love my two wigs and wear them when I'm working from home. Due to chemo and a lower immune system, I avoided going out where people were except for my treatments.

The cold cap worked very well for me; I have only lost about 20% of my hair, and it's mainly on the top of my head. It appears thin, and I have an almost bald spot in one place. My sideburns are also gone (those were the first to go.)

It took a bit to get used to the cold cap — it gave me a headache at first, and I felt claustrophobic — but my care team started giving me Ativan 20 minutes before it was put on, which helped tremendously. The Ativan totally knocked me out during my first treatment; in subsequent ones, it made me relaxed enough that the cold cap didn't bother me. (This was key for me as during the first experience, I almost stopped using it because it was so cold and uncomfortable. I also got Compazine the first treatment as an anti-nausea, and that made me feel anxious. I never took it again.)

I appreciate that my treatment center had access to a cold cap, and I didn't need to buy my own. It was one less thing to worry about. The nurses are also trained in putting it on and taking it off. They also handle cleaning and maintenance. I paid for the treatment csost, and brought a little card with me along with a spray bottle and brush that Dignicap, the manufacturer, provided to me. I had to spray my hair down, and then they put the cap on an hour before my chemo drugs started. It stayed on for two hours after. This lengthened my treatment by 3 hours, but it was worth it. I also wore mittens and booties with ice packs; my husband found them on Amazon, and I had no neuropathy. That idea came from a clinical trial we were told about at another cancer treatment center. The cold cap treatments for me were $250 for the kit and $300 each. I hope this helps. I have no regrets and may have felt sad if I had not tried or continued with it. The few times I went in public during the cold cap treatment, I would either go outside somewhere (lunch on a patio with few people) or go fishing with my family, and I would wear a wig or a baseball hat to cover my top of head hair loss. I did not wear a wig or anything at home. When I swim in my pool, I wear a sunhat because my scalp hair is minimal, and I don't want to get sunburned; I am at a higher risk due to photosensitivity w/chemo drugs. I am happy to answer any other questions you or your friend have about the cold cap treatment!

I didn't use a cold cap. I only had radiation treatments which did take out about 10%of my hair. Fortunately Rosemary oil has helped me to grow my hair back slowly and my hair is more thicker too.

I was the same as Carol, used cold mittens for hands & feet during Taxol treatment to help prevent neuropathy. I was super emotionaI the day my husband shaved my head ( Feb 13th) as hair was coming out in massive clumps but after few days adjusted to being bald. I am like well this is who I am now and shows what I am going through. I wore beanies as it was winter. Have a wig but rarely wear it. My hair is slowing coming in now, finished chemo in May. Had DMX June 18th. I still got neuropathy and hoping it will go away soon. Oncologist said can take few months before it resolves. I am taking Neurontin to help with neuropathy. My port only hurt for few days. It was just uncomfortable when I would do any kind of reaching. I could feel the tubing in my neck. Port was removed when had DMX.

I was more concerned about neuropathy so focused on my hands and feet, and shaved my head.