radiation mask

rkliveson
rkliveson Member Posts: 15
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Was fitted this week with Radiation mask. Had to be in for about 30 or 40 minutes while they did pet scan. Start radiation treatments next wed march 26th. 6.5 weeks 5 days a week. Any hints on how to cope with the being strapped in can't move freaking out feeling that comes with being in that mask.  must admit Nervous.

RK

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Comments

  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    #2
    Hey RK

    its hard to believe but the mask which was my main reason for thinking I would not be able to deal with the cancer fight ended up being one of the easier things to deal with.  I hated my sheets being to tight around my legs in bed so how could I possibly deal with a buckeled down mask, well suprisingly well, it took a bit of an adjustment and the time generally flew quickly.  I prayed and sang (to myself) and had them cut eye holes in the mask although I admit I kept my eyes closed anyway..  You will hear from me and others different ways to cope, meditation, music, etc. you will even learn the buzzzing sound of the machine so you can almost time it perfectly for when the techs come out and remove the mask.  You be fine and many more will be along to show you im not just blowing smoke.  Good Luck

  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #3
    Xanax is your friend

    I am clostrophobic and it  worked like a charm.  In fact I had a eyes to thighs combination CT and PET scan this morning and took one.  I am about 2.5 years post RT so this was my annual scan.  Are you getting TomoTherapy?

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    Timing Is Everything...

    Like mentioned, Xanax works wonders for taking the edge off...

    I used it for the first few days, but the routine was familiar enough after that I no longer need Xanax. It just took the edge off, I was still OK with driving and such, but I'd get fatigued later in the afternoon.

    Some tips...

    First, your daily scans will only be around 15 minutes or so, not the long 30 minutes plus like you just had.. I had IMRT...

    Mondays or one day might be an extra five minutes if the do the x-ray or ct to check your fit.

    Things that helped me;

    Music, bring in a CD or music that you like and keep it there..., 4-5 songs and your done for the day.. The songs make a great reference of your time and length of how long you have left.

    Dress comfy, for me that was shorts, a tank top, and flip flops or easy slip ons..

    The usual, drink gallons of fluids, take in calories, stay positive, stay a head of the game on any needed meds...

    Best,

    John

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #5
    Mask hasn't bothered me yet

    Mask hasn't bothered me yet except when they made it as it was tight against trach and had me gaging.But when I went back tuesday for my dry run was easy as they cut a hole in the mask for my trach.The longest you'll be in the mask is when they made it.It's all new but as time goes on does become easier.Just take your mind elsewhere.As for me I just took a 15 min nap...

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #6
    Mask fears

    RK, I had to go somewhere everyday when I was in the mask and would remember great times with the family.  In my mind I was somewhere else when I was lying on that table.

    It will actually go faster than you think and after a few days you'll get to know the noises and know how long you have left.   The techs are awesome as they will get there as quick as they can to unfasten the mask from the table.

    You will have about the same as me in that i had 34 treatements and it sounds like you'll have about that.  Just get a drink of water before you lay on the table and relax with good thoughts.

     

    Keith

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    I used Lorazapam (Ativan)

    .....I was getting Ativan anyway, when I got my Amifotine shot every day.....by the time I got to rads I was very calm....I also had eye holes in the mask, but like many others tended to keep my eyes closed during the treatment. 

    Maybe do like John and a couple others....take Xanax 1/2 hour before you go.....at least till you get use to it.  Lucky we only have to be in it for 15 minutes a day, huh?

    p

    PS....After a week or so, getting up and heading to rads starts being like a work schedule....you do it cuz you have to, and don't think about it as horrible.  John calls it Ground-hog days....and it is!!  Same thing everyday, day after day...

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #8
    I'm weird

    I loved to go to rads everyday. What made it fun was watching the fingers move in and out of the collimator as it swung around. I focused on all the rays being focused on the tumors and just kickingh the crap out of it!

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #9
    rad mask every morning

    RK,

    For me it was 1 Lorazapam for the anxiety, a sip of magic mouth wash (during later session), a pee, a swish & spit, rub my arms, rub my head & face, put on the 60’s & 70’s rock-n-roll, snap down, count, watch, it is over.

    I never liked it, but came to find it interesting.

    I loved my techs, they were great.

    Matt

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #10
    RK

    Like various people have stated. Thoughts of things that make you smile and music helped me. I took nothing to help me through it. Just before the mask when on I joked and told them if there was a fire drill don't forget about me. I did count the 7 stations and the lucky 13 zappings as the machine circled my head and although I didn't like how it was making me feel I know I was kicking some cancer butt. Overall my six weeks went quickly and now I am around able to talk about it.

    Your turn to kick some butt................Good Luck

          Jeff

  • hrowe
    hrowe Member Posts: 57
    #11
    Bring a CD of your favorite

    Bring a CD of your favorite music, or if they have something like Pandora, have them pick your favorite genre. Close your eyes and try to go to a happy place. I didn't have a problem with the mask but I always got a stiff neck after every treatment. If I recall, the treatments took about 17 minutes on the table. I finished June 12th of 2012. It will be over before you know it!

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #12
    Have you gone though the dry

    Have you gone though the dry run yet? I was fitted then had to go back for a dry run where they do everything but the zapping...They get you lined and and mark the mask

  • rkliveson
    rkliveson Member Posts: 15
    #13
    thennies61 said:

    Have you gone though the dry

    Have you gone though the dry run yet? I was fitted then had to go back for a dry run where they do everything but the zapping...They get you lined and and mark the mask

    suppose to be wed.. but may

    suppose to be wed.. but may have to do one more test.

  • Steve5
    Steve5 Member Posts: 147
    #14
    Take the valium

    Hi RK - they prescribed a mild dose of valium, or whatever analog they prescribe, for me to take 20 minutes before treatment, it calmed me during the mask treatment, but I also closed my eyes on the table and never opened them until treatment was over, also I asked the rad tech to talk to me during treatment by letting me know the stage of treatment, scan, first treatment, second, done - we are coming in to take the mask off, they did this for me every morning, the last few weeks I did not need the valium, I also thought about a renovation I wanted to do in my kitchen and dining room every treatment - this is how I made it through - you can do it, find your way - my last treatment was Jan 17th this year -

     

    Steve

  • dlygoblue
    dlygoblue Member Posts: 28
    #15
    rkliveson said:

    suppose to be wed.. but may

    suppose to be wed.. but may have to do one more test.

    Better Living thru Better Chemisty

    An Ativan or Valium wouldn't hurt for the first few days. After that, you get very used to it, and it becomes "normal".  Soon, you won't need it. Think of being on vacation, sitting in the sun, and watching the surf.  Or anywhere that helps you relax.

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #16
    Steve5 said:

    Take the valium

    Hi RK - they prescribed a mild dose of valium, or whatever analog they prescribe, for me to take 20 minutes before treatment, it calmed me during the mask treatment, but I also closed my eyes on the table and never opened them until treatment was over, also I asked the rad tech to talk to me during treatment by letting me know the stage of treatment, scan, first treatment, second, done - we are coming in to take the mask off, they did this for me every morning, the last few weeks I did not need the valium, I also thought about a renovation I wanted to do in my kitchen and dining room every treatment - this is how I made it through - you can do it, find your way - my last treatment was Jan 17th this year -

     

    Steve

    RK

    The unknown causes anxiety but I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the radiation sessions go. I had an easier time with the eyes and mouth cutout.

    Good Luck

    Candi

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #17
    hwt said:

    RK

    The unknown causes anxiety but I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the radiation sessions go. I had an easier time with the eyes and mouth cutout.

    Good Luck

    Candi

    xanax

    Friends, pardon my ignorance what is xanax? Is it similair to valium? Regards, G.

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #18
    Guzzle said:

    xanax

    Friends, pardon my ignorance what is xanax? Is it similair to valium? Regards, G.

    Xanax -vs- Valium

    I found this and it might shine some light of the difference for you...;

     

    Both xanax and valium are more or less equally effective and help in warding off anxiety and depression. But major differences lie behind their actions and their potency leading to approximately 20-fold variations. Xanax tablet comes in two doses, 0.25mg and 0.50mg whereas Valium comes in doses of 5mg and 10mg. 0.50mg of xanax is equivalent to 10mg of valium. This simply indicates that a person on 5mg of xanax daily takes approx. 120mg of valium, which is considered as a very high dose. 

     

    John

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #19
    Guzzle said:

    xanax

    Friends, pardon my ignorance what is xanax? Is it similair to valium? Regards, G.

    guzzle, that's NOT ignorance,

    guzzle, that's NOT ignorance, that's simply learning the NEW language.  we all had to do that, heck, i've been here for some time and I'm still learning new stuff.  with cancer, its never ending....lol.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Steve5
    Steve5 Member Posts: 147
    #20
    Skiffin16 said:

    Xanax -vs- Valium

    I found this and it might shine some light of the difference for you...;

     

    Both xanax and valium are more or less equally effective and help in warding off anxiety and depression. But major differences lie behind their actions and their potency leading to approximately 20-fold variations. Xanax tablet comes in two doses, 0.25mg and 0.50mg whereas Valium comes in doses of 5mg and 10mg. 0.50mg of xanax is equivalent to 10mg of valium. This simply indicates that a person on 5mg of xanax daily takes approx. 120mg of valium, which is considered as a very high dose. 

     

    John

    Smack on the mark

    That's right smack on the mark John, really nice answer - I had the X at .5, they looked at my height and weight and said .5 - ha ha -

    Steve

  • rkliveson
    rkliveson Member Posts: 15
    #21
    radiaton mask, unmasked

    well radiation is underway and all of you where very much on target with your comments.  the sessions do go by quickly and I have come to enjoy the music and thoughts that I drift to during them.  Hopefully the effects will be little and recovery will be as quick.. 2 down 31 to go. 

     

    rkliveson

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