Sedative for cold cap during chemotherapy

[lisalisa]

I’ve just been told that I’ll be given a sedative called lorazepam I think as apparently the first 15 mins of cold cap are they said painful . I can’t find any reference on Google or websites anywhere about a sedative being used for this ? Has anyone been offered this ?

No, I just took a couple of paracetamol. The first 15 minutes are a bit painful, my first time was my worst, they seemed to get easier.

I guess it won’t hurt to take a sedative, I was given an antihistamine for one type of chemo and it sent me into a lovely dozen state!

Can you request a couple of diazepam? I don't think 5mg would be unreasonable

A low dose of Lorazepam will just relax you a bit (similar to Diazepam). If it's offered, take it😀

When it comes to chemo my advice is take whatever drugs you are offered to ease the way.

Having said that, maybe ask yourself if you genuinely really want to do it. I felt such pressure to try the cold cap, as though other people thought my appearance should come before comfort. In the end I refused to do it on the grounds that it makes chemo even longer and harder than it already is. It was a great relief.

Lorazepam is a much better option than diazepam in my opinion. Lorazepam is fast acting so, when you take it, it acts quickly, gives a good effect then wears off quickly. Diazepam is very slow/long acting so, although it still kicks in quickly, the effect is more gentle and lasts much longer.
As the cold cap discomfort is relatively short the effect is only needed for a short time so I'd stick with Lorazepam as the OP doesn't need the effect to last longer

Thank you all so much

I used to take a lorazepam before cold capping as I found it quite daunting. Paracetamol also very helpful. Good luck x

i took 2 paracetamol and lorazepam (can’t remember how much, 1mg I think) 30 mins before each chemo and I cold capped throughout (16 sessions). I took the lorazepam as it relaxed me a bit and the paracetamol for the discomfort.

if you decide to cold cap go for it. My experience was positive, I kept 70-ish% of my hair. And while the cold cap was not at all pleasant, once you’re through the first 15 minutes you will be able to do it. Having said that, getting that bloody thing off my head after every session was a delight!

Just coming home from 2nd cold cap
session. Hope to stick it out to all 16. I was given antihistamines and steroids for my chemo which made me drop off.

I’ve found it uncomfortable to start with but have done a lot of meditation visualisation practice, which helps me to imagine I’m out in the snow with no hat on. Ok so far.

I also took paracetamol 30 mins before my treatment.