If you are having radiation on your neck or head region, chances are you will be fitted for a mask for your radiation treatments. For some people dealing with the mask and being in an MRI machine can bring about claustrophobic feelings. These feelings are extremely common. The following are some tips on dealing with the mask.
1) The feelings of constraint are in your head- nothing bad is going to happen. You lay still every night for hours. It is 20 minutes of relaxation. You deserve relaxation!
3) Create a support system- I thought I was pretty tough so I didn’t want my wife to go with me. That was a mistake. After my lousy first day I asked my wife to go with me. The bottom line- my wife helps me relax better than any drug. I was an idiot for not having her go with me the first day. If you are lucky enough to have someone that cares about you and helps you relax, let them come with you until you get accustomed to the mask. Use music because chances are that the MRI technicians will allow you to bring music. It is very comforting to have a human voice inside the MRI machine to keep you company. I’m not a big music guy, but the music was great.
4) Practice- Yes you can practice! It sounds silly, but practice helps a lot. Lay on the floor and put 3-4 towels on your face. Stay as still as you possibly for a defined period of time. This will get you used to the pressure of the mask and help you to relax.
5) Relax- this sounds obvious, but it is not. When your face is being strapped down, it is human nature to resist. Relaxing facial muscles will reduce the feeling of the mask on your face.
6) Ask for the nose and eyes to be cut from the mask- The mask can shrink after it is made. When I went in for my first treatment, the mask pushed on my nostrils. I know this stimulated my panic attack. When a person has their breathing disrupted I think there is a good chance it can stimulate a panic attack. I don’t understand why they don’t do this for everyone. It definitely helped me.
I wish you much success and a speed recovery.
Add a Comment7 Comments
I had my 1st Mask fitting on Thursday prior to 35 sessions beginning on 14th Sept. I flipped and simply asked them to stop and ended the session then and there. I found the mask not a problem it was the fact my shoulders were fastened down too. I am to speak to my Dr Tuesday with another provisional run planned that morning. I have spoken to staff about Sedative Midazolam and will be asking Doctor if this can be prescribed. Also wondering if the shoulder part of Mask could be removed. Radiotherapy is my only treatment option as Tumour is too big for surgery. Good luck to us all in the battle of the Mask.
September 4, 2015 - 3:07pmDavid Green Leeds UK
This Comment
I am starting this on Monday the16. I have only my nose open in the mask. Can I have my eyes and mouth uncovered? I thought I would loose it during the scan and waiting for the dr. T o read the scan. Any suggestions is appreciated
June 11, 2014 - 6:24pmThis Comment
I had a similar panic experience. I asked for a trial run on the bed with the mask locked in place, without going under radiation, and a demonstration on how I could unlock one side of the mask in an emergency. Simple conditioning. That was all I needed to overcome my fear. Our "emergency" plan was that I would ask the attendant to stop the RT, and then I would unlock the mask. Just the knowledge that I could "escape" along with the experience of remaining with the mask in place for the required time was sufficient. Interesting that none of the information on RT that I've read makes any mention of this technique. I remained in the clinic until there was an opening in the schedule in order to do my trial run. The RT staff cooperated and were very pleased with the result. Simple "conditioning" is common sense. Guess most of the radiation oncology professsion doesn't have time for such nonsense
May 11, 2013 - 11:32amThis Comment
I to struggle with the claustrophobic feeling when the mask is put on. Then it seems like it takes the technician 10 minutes to start the treatment. I pray a lot and breath through my teeth to calm myself down. I am always so glad to hear that first click when I know the machine is getting ready to move to the first position of the five...then it is only a matter of a few minutes and I am done. They also have the ceiling tiles above the table painted so it gives me something to look at. But the best thing for me is to spend that 20 minutes or so praying for my family and friends. I know I am going to be okay,,,this is just six weeks of inconvenience right now but it wont last forever. Would love to hear from anyone else dealing with Parotid Gland Cancer.
March 17, 2013 - 10:29pmThis Comment
The suggestion on having the hole put in the mask for your mouth is great. I found this helped immesely with my claustrophobia. No, the tranquilizer didn't really help.
October 11, 2011 - 12:47pmAnother way I took control is I brought my favorite CD for each session. The technicians loved it! They never knew if it would be John Denver, The Beatles or any number of other groups. It really helped me relax during sessions that sometimes seemed to take too long.
This Comment
Thank you for your blog. It certainly helps to read how someone else found a way to cope with the mask. After two treeatments, and knowing 33 await me, I really need to find a way to be at peace with this mask. Right now I just hate it and I know I have to get my thoughts in a better place and soon! Again, thanks for your courage and for sharing. I pray for your good health.
May 17, 2010 - 4:01pmThis Comment
Thank you, Bobbie, these are valuable tips. And I'm glad, for your own good health, that you've created your own support system and now bring your wife with you. :-)
I hope you'll keep in touch and share more tips as continue your treatment. We wish you the best. Take good care, Pat
January 20, 2010 - 5:45pmThis Comment