Hi.

How did you get on with the cold cap, did you give it another go?

I've just had my 1st EC treatment and tried the cold cap, and my headache has been awful. I didn't take paracetamol beforehand, but have taken some since, but it doesn't touch the sides?

I'm nearly 48 hours after treatment and am drinking loads, hopefully this will help, but like you, I'm wondering is this down to the Chemo or the Cap

The thing about pain and painkillers, painkillers tend to be more effective before the pain begins, than once it sets in. Similar to anti sick meds, it's better to take those meds prior than to get on top of it once the nausea sets in.

You should have been given them prior to treatment.

I suffer from migraines, and luckily i get auras, which give me around 40 mins notice before the headache starts. If i take the pain meds at the beginning of the auras, the headache is more than bearable once it appears, and is away within hours. If i waited until the pain began, i'd be floored with the meds doing little or nothing to relieve it.

Good point, I wasn't told to take anything, or offered anything, even though all along I'd said I'd like to give the cold cap a go. 

I've just started on Ibuprofen now, I didn't like to put too much in my system, and I was unaware...

But will definitely know for next time, if I decide to give it another go. Fortunately no sickness, headache is manageable, but just highly irritating. 

I had my first EC treatment yesterday and feel fine apart from the slight headache I've been experiencing ever since, I knew it must be from the cold cap but like you I wasn't asked if I wanted some paracetamol or anything first before having it. The cold cap itself was fine, totally bearable I didn't have any issues apart from I will be bringing extra clothing next time (boiling outside so the ac was on full blast, I was literally quivering).

I also used a homemade cold cap when I got home for an hour as I didn't want to pay for penguin caps but what I liked about them was continuing for a bit longer once home, so I just made my own alternative .

So I know why I have the headache and am reassured it's not just me!

I have auras and the chemo EC has increased the frequency. So few people understand how scarey it is. What to you do to manage and did chemo make your worse? It's a worry that so few people understand aura.

I used to have maybe 1 a year perhaps 2 now it's 3 in 6 weeks. 

Thanks for sharing 

I have auras and the chemo EC has increased the frequency. So few people understand how scarey it is. What to you do to manage and did chemo make your worse? It's a worry that so few people understand aura.

I used to have maybe 1 a year perhaps 2 now it's 3 in 6 weeks. 

Thanks for sharing 

I cannot tell you how relieved I am to read this. Had first EC with cold cap 2 weeks ago and was admitted to hospital 24hours later. I can’t remember anything but couldn’t answer basic questions, my family said I didn’t know how to get dressed. I felt dazed for a few days afterwards and like you, not sure what was chemo, cold cap, stress or infection! I’ve decided not to continue with cold cap as had terrible headache and am convinced it was that that caused it. I’ve got you d 2 on Friday and terrified it will happen again but planning to get in and out as quickly as possible!!! Fingers crossed it was cold cap and I’ll be fine. 

Can I ask was you better without cold cap had my 1 st round every used cold cap was in hospital felt having a stroke headaches numbness eye blurry ct clear said side affects but is it kemo or the cold cap

Hi - I finished 12 rounds of chemo last week and after the first one, due to seizures, didn’t continue with the cold cap. I had further seizures and they put me on anti-seizure meds as think it was chemo causing it. I just didn’t want anything else to worry about although have lost my hair. I wonder if you could try cold cap again and if you still have side effects, leave it for rest of treatment? It depends how worried you are about losing your hair. If see effects came in during cold capping, you could ask to stop and remove it. Sometimes I wish I’d continued but we thought it might be cold cap causing side effects so just stopped it. Now I know it was chemo, I could’ve continued. Hope that helps - good luck!