hi bennyboysmum my dad has just gone through the same had a panic attack in the mri scan then again having to have the face mask on but the hospital was really good they cut out the eyes and nose of the mask and gave him something to calm him down just before he went into his radiotherapy treatment. if you are in a real panic about it ask if they can do the same hope this helps and good luck for friday

Hi

Please try not to worry about the machine and the mask easy to say I know but it really isn't as bad as you imagine.

I am so claustrophobic and always had to be sedated for MRI scans and was having panic attacks at the thought of having my mask made and fitted but staff were brilliant and so supportive I got through it without any sedation whatsoever.  The first time I went into the machine my whole body was shaking and I was so scared but it was fine and over very quickly. I can't say I got used to but I did learn to tolerate it and found myself counting the various sounds so I soon got to know that after number 11 I was getting out. It really did help.

I wish you all the best and hope it goes well for you on Friday. Good luck

Thank you, It's a great help just to know that I'm not the only one who has a terrible fear of the mask & being clamped down to the bed. I felt such a wimp thinking I was alone. 

Hi Thanks for the information. That's a big help.  It's good to know I'm not alone. Talking to people who haven't gone through it seems a waste of time as they just don't understand it al all. 

It's funny, I never realised I was claustophobic until I had the MRI scan!  I found the 40 minutes in that MRI machine the worst 40 minutes of my life. I was shaking when the 2 men helped me off the bed; I thought my legs would give way. I did tell the radiotherapy consultant and he said they could sedate me when I have to have any others. He also said if I found the radiotherapy treatment scary, he could give me a relaxant. He also suggested the eyes cut out of the mask…he said people found it easier if they could see something if they chose, but most felt better for having they eyes cut out even if they kept their eyes closed all the time.  For my trial run on Friday, I will have the eyes cut out, but will try it without medication to see how I go.

Thank you all for your  support & understanding; I really was beginning to feel like a real wimp. 

The first few visits are traumatic then you settle into the routine for your weeks of treatment. I got a cold half way through treatment and I was scared I woulndn't be able to breath properly as your throat is tightly held by the mask. My fears were unfounded and I was told to simply raise my hand if I wanted out. The worst part of the treatment is not the mask but the side effects of the radiotherapy. I joked with my partner that the treatment was just having to endure Radio 2 for 10 minutes each day.The last two weeks are the worst. Burned skin on the neck, dry mouth, sore throat with difficulty swallowing food and drink and loss of taste and tiredness. The staff gave me cream for burned skin, a moisturising gel for gums and mouth, I ate sloppy foods like porridge, soups, rice pudding etc. I found a drink from the healthfood shop containing Aloe Vera very soothing. Alcohol is out as it burns mouth and throat. Likewise anything with vinigar in. Make sure you keep up the swallowing excercises and neck and face stretching excersises. If you get really tired you could try Modafinal it can break the tiredness cycle. It is a very mild stimulant like a double esspresso. Students often use it for exam cramming. I took three weeks off work to rest during treatment. I finished 10 weeks ago and feel great now, and the biggest bonus is some of my taste is returning and I should get another 5 years of wonderful life. Hope this helps you.
 

I had my fitting done on Tuesday and I am not going to lie, it was a nightmare. The making of the mask wasn't very pleasant but when it was set and they put it on me for the ct scan and to make the markings on the mask that was horrendous.  They said it shrinks a bit, but this was unbearable and very painful, they took the mask off and told me to wriggle my head until it was more comfortable then when they bolted it altogether I felt as though my head was in a vice, my mouth was tightly closed and I just panicked as I couldn't swallow properly then it felt as if my throat was closing up. I was having a panic attack. When they got me out i asked if this was supposed to be so vice like and she said it has to be tight but they might be able to loosen it a bit when i have treatment. I am going to have to try and speak to someone at the Hospital as i am really getting in a state. I know I wont be able to cope for 40 mins treatment all in one go when I can't cope with 5.

Hi Big G your treatment isn’t anything like 40 mins the longest I had was 15 min Plus  that was only because one day we all forget to check my earrings we’re out that set  alarm  bells ringing mighty quickly I may had l Usually 7/8 mins unless they need a reposition  scan which in my case once I started loosing weight they did. I took my own music in , plus asked the radiotherapy team to talk to me through treatment they let me know when machine has done one side ,they would aks if I was ok and showed them a thumbs up Indo have a blog detailing my experiences it may help you .

Hazel x www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com

keep in touch Hazel x