The mask

thennies61
thennies61 Member Posts: 285
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well here comes another question.When they fitted me with the mask I did start to gag alittle.They asked if I slept on my back and told them not normally.Then after got to thinking if it was to tight against my trach tube.Friday I had to take a ct scan and had no problems.When I go back for the dry run then start radiation can I ask them if they can cut a hole to release the pressure againt the trach.I'm pretty sure as it tight against it it is causing me to start to gag

Comments

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #2
    Ask away

    My techs would not cut anything on the mask, however, there were things adjusted.  I had my surgery on the upper lip.  Lip was still healing.  Doctor wanted something they called a bolus, sorry to say it looked like thick snot, to cover the wound.  They added a mouth guard  because of all of the dental work that I had in the past.  Techs will be very helpful, let them know what your concerns are.  Yeas, it is a tight fit.  You might need to take a little med before, Skiffin has talked about it before.  Ask the techs what the sign would be if you needed to stop.  It really is only 10 minutes.  Rest, relax, and I prayed--then you're finished.  The second time I had radiation treatment I was having horrible headaches (couldn't make it through a CAT scan)  Techs were able to put a very thin pad at the back of my head and that helped.  You will get through this.  We are here to help and encourage.

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #3
    KTeacher said:

    Ask away

    My techs would not cut anything on the mask, however, there were things adjusted.  I had my surgery on the upper lip.  Lip was still healing.  Doctor wanted something they called a bolus, sorry to say it looked like thick snot, to cover the wound.  They added a mouth guard  because of all of the dental work that I had in the past.  Techs will be very helpful, let them know what your concerns are.  Yeas, it is a tight fit.  You might need to take a little med before, Skiffin has talked about it before.  Ask the techs what the sign would be if you needed to stop.  It really is only 10 minutes.  Rest, relax, and I prayed--then you're finished.  The second time I had radiation treatment I was having horrible headaches (couldn't make it through a CAT scan)  Techs were able to put a very thin pad at the back of my head and that helped.  You will get through this.  We are here to help and encourage.

    Am hoping that maybe that

    Am hoping that maybe that will be longest I'll have it like that.They did ask if I needed to be suckun and told them no.Then asked if I'm having a panic attact and told her no I'm gaging. They do have me wearing a mouth piece that keeps my mouth open .The only other thing I can think of is when I see my surgen he will take the trach out.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    Breathe-rite Mask

    T61,

    My mask did have cut outs for eyes.  They are not going to let you choke and ruin the whole radiation experience, after all someone is paying a bundle, you should almost enjoy it.

    By the way, I tool 1 Lorazapam every time and never enjoyed it, but came to find the whole procedure interesting.

    The techs are watching you the whole time, they will see you flailing if you need help.

    Matt

  • Steve5
    Steve5 Member Posts: 147
    #5
    you can always ask

    I asked for two eyelets and they cut them out, but I never used them, closed my eyes through all 35 trreatments start to finish, I asked about cutting near my nose to make it easier to breathe, but I could actually breathe and they told me they could not cut it anymore - but you can always ask and do so

    Good Luck

    Steve

  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #6
    My mask

    My mask pressed against the swollen area around the tumor and caused me to gag immediately.  The techs were great and cut out that area so I could be comfortable.  I used 1 Atavin the first 4-5 days and once I got used to the drill, got along well without it.

    Everyone has their own mask experience and story.  It's one of the most talked about parts of the treatment process--as is what people do with their masks once it's done.

     

    mike

     

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #7
    Mikemetz said:

    My mask

    My mask pressed against the swollen area around the tumor and caused me to gag immediately.  The techs were great and cut out that area so I could be comfortable.  I used 1 Atavin the first 4-5 days and once I got used to the drill, got along well without it.

    Everyone has their own mask experience and story.  It's one of the most talked about parts of the treatment process--as is what people do with their masks once it's done.

     

    mike

     

    Was talking with my speach

    Was talking with my speach specialist and she said maybe I could remove the disposable cannula while would give me about 1/2 inch since they made the mask with it in and thats what is pressing against my throat.

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #8
    thennies61 said:

    Was talking with my speach

    Was talking with my speach specialist and she said maybe I could remove the disposable cannula while would give me about 1/2 inch since they made the mask with it in and thats what is pressing against my throat.

    was

    i was going to suggest the removal of the cannula when i came upon your updated post. 

    also was going to suggest before the cannula was to remove your speaking valve if you have one

    without knowing what kind of trach you have you could try tightening your trach tie. i do that alot when i feel like i am gaging or coughing alot

    good luck,

    john 

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #9
    fisrpotpe said:

    was

    i was going to suggest the removal of the cannula when i came upon your updated post. 

    also was going to suggest before the cannula was to remove your speaking valve if you have one

    without knowing what kind of trach you have you could try tightening your trach tie. i do that alot when i feel like i am gaging or coughing alot

    good luck,

    john 

    Thanks John that is the only

    Thanks John that is the only time I have actually felt like I was gaging since the operation.Just wondering now if I do take it out if they will say it looks to loose and make a new one or if they are just interested how tight fitting it is against my face and chin.When I was fitted wasn't wearing my speaking valve.It just goes on or off by hand and my doctor has told to put tape over it to keep it closed and breathe though nose and mouth during the day.

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #10
    thennies61 said:

    Thanks John that is the only

    Thanks John that is the only time I have actually felt like I was gaging since the operation.Just wondering now if I do take it out if they will say it looks to loose and make a new one or if they are just interested how tight fitting it is against my face and chin.When I was fitted wasn't wearing my speaking valve.It just goes on or off by hand and my doctor has told to put tape over it to keep it closed and breathe though nose and mouth during the day.

    ask

    ask them to adjust the mask at the trach, i am certain it's about holding face and chin stable. if they don't adjust take it out. 

    fyi, they make a plug for it rather than tape. when i get a new on it come with. 

    john 

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
    Mask Modification

    Why not, my first mask I did not know too much but the second mask I had them open the mouth so I could breathe better and also the eyes so I could see. That made it so much easier on me during treatment, so ask them, their job it to help you be as comfortable as possible while going through your treatment.   

     

    All the best with the MASK

    Tim Hondo

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #12
    Hondo said:

    Mask Modification

    Why not, my first mask I did not know too much but the second mask I had them open the mouth so I could breathe better and also the eyes so I could see. That made it so much easier on me during treatment, so ask them, their job it to help you be as comfortable as possible while going through your treatment.   

     

    All the best with the MASK

    Tim Hondo

    I really had no trouble

    I really had no trouble breathing and when they stuck that mouth piece in was easier also.As for cut outs never bothered me at least not yet just shut my eyes .I can't see why they can't cut a small hole around the trach to relive the pressure against it.Will ask then if not going to bring another with me and pull the one I have out.Since it is suppose to be pretty stiff shouldn't bother my head and chin.The kind of trach I have cannot be capped so the doctor has me either tapping over it or put the voice devise on and tape that during the day.

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