2 days ago I was fitted for my mask. I'm very claustrophic and can't stand feeling confined. After the mask was made I had my first scan in it the same day. Although horrible, I made it through it. Yesterday I had to do another scan. I totally freaked out (panic attack style). The mask had tightened over night (which I'm told happens when first made) and the throat area was so tight I couldn't stand it. They tried 5 times putting it on me, trying different things, and I had the staff immediately remove it each time. I can say one thing though, the staff was fantastic! After much discussion, it was decided to cut a hole in the middle neck section of the mask. That helped tremendously. Still hard to handle and I hate it, but at least was finally able to complete the scan.

Besides medication (sedatives, etc.) are there any techniques that are pretty good to keep from totally freaking out! Besides being completely terrified, I was also mortified that I was reduced to such "wimp"!

Hi Cricket
I found the prospect of the mask horrendous too. Something went wrong with the fitting of my first one so they had to make me another one, which meant another fitting and another scan before they could start treatment. I managed to control my panic by firstly learning to totally relax - the day before treatment I would lie flat and still on my bed at home, listen to some calming music, and consciously relax my shoulders and neck while concentrating on the music. Take a friend or relative with you and talk about holidays, music anything but damn cancer! If you have to go alone take a book to read to stop you thinking about what is going to happen. Finally, ask the staff if you could have some gentle music playing low in the background then take your mind back to the relaxation you've been doing at home. You are not a wimp - your reaction is totally understandable as you are putting yourself in a very unnatural situation and that feeling of being trapped is pretty scary. Hope this of some help.
Sheila

i must admit i didn't like the mask either,my poor nose was squashed sideways to the right i was convinced it would stay like that.one day i went for my session and there were 2 women i had never seen doing the radiotheraphy well they could'nt get it right,i was on that metal table for an hour just as i was at the point where i wanted to rip off the mask and go they took the mask off and told me to wait in the waiting room.the worst part was i was an in patient and only had a pair of short pajamas on it was winter and i was freezing.they called me back in and it took another 20 minutes before they finally managed to do it.when i went back the next day the usual staff were on and one of them said to me"we heard what happened yesterday"we are so sorry and promise you that it will never happen again.that was the only bad experience i had.radiotheraphy is not nice and i feel for anyone under going the treatment.i wish you all the best and hope the time flies by until you have finished all your treatments.love shirl xxx

I got very attached to my mask and I keep it in my bedside table. My wife hates it and wont let me put it on display in the house, much to my disappointment. Chelle, another member on the forum is the same and is very attached to hers. By the time you've finished the treatment you tend to feel like you've been through a war with it and dont want to give it up completely. All part of the "journey" I think. Hagg.

Hi everyone, thanks for the comments about the mask. I was telling my husband about those of you who keep the mask afterwards. My husband and I both love to play darts and I told him we would have to keep the mask and use it for target practice with some real sharp steel tip darts!! Mouth = 50 points, nose = 25 points, etc.!!!!

Cricket

It's not fun wearing the mask, but if you can try and tell yourself that it will only be a few minutes, you CAN get through it. See if you can get them to play relaxing music. They played Phantom of the Opera to me one day without thinking of the consequences. Kind of surreal!!

Chris

Cricket,

I also hate the mask. I couldn't wait to throw mine away. Although my radiologist kept mine for some reason. I remember when I had to have the MRI done, they put a metal mask over my face and I just freaked out. Guy told the doctor she is not cooperating. My doctor told the guy well you see how it feels then say she is not cooperating. Doctor was great, gave me a strong sedative, valium just doesnt' do anything for me. I went in and went to sleep woke up and it was over. Wonderful! Wish they could have done that for radiation.

The radiation nurses cut a hole in mine at the nose because I always complained I couldn't breathe and I needed the fresh air. That helped me. We are all so different and it is really weird what effects isn't it?

Leann

Hi all,
The guy operating the machine would strap on the mask and would say "RIP" (Rest in peace) - "it will be all over in a few minutes"
Love to all,
Ananth

Cricket,

I didn't have the claustrophobia thing going on, but in case I did, I decided to picture my cat who puts herself into the tiniest situations imaginable: shoe boxes, bowls, paper bags, sinks, between the springs in the old mattress, etc; fortunately, I didn't have to rely on this. My techs had good music but I brought my own CDs as time went on. (Suedebottom's story about "Phantom" being played was delicious irony.) Many years ago I learned some meditation/self hypnosis techniques that worked very well - I don't have to concentrate too hard when using them now as it seems very natural to slide into that state.

On the third or fourth treatment I asked the techs to show me how I could get myself out of the mask and off the table on my own. I concocted a fantasy about how they might be held at gunpoint or somehow asphyxiated and I had to get myself out of the situation, not being able to count on them. They showed me how the toggles work and let me try it. It gave me a sense of some control, no matter how minor. As the nun said to my Mom when I was in the third grade, "Your daughter has an overactive imagination."

As time went on I experienced something I didn't expect at all; the mask actually became comforting. After going to rads day after day, week after week, being able to talk to the techs, the nurses and my doc, I worried that having to wait 4-6 weeks for my first checkup might be a verrrryyyyy long time on my own. They (and the darn mask) had given me a sense of security.

I brought the mask home and placed it on a vase, added sunglasses and was eager to show it to my daughter. She laughed along with me but I could see my son-in-law cringe and said something like, "You don't want this any more, do you?" and without waiting for an answer, tossed it out. I'm glad it's gone but wish I'd had the techs take my picture wearing it.

I'm very sorry that you had to go through having your mask made too tight and count my lucky stars that it didn't happen to me. I imagine that it's not uncommon and hope that any lurkers reading our posts understand that it doesn't happen to everyone and can be adjusted. My techs had cut out eye holes, nose and mouth holes so I felt I could breathe normally. Couldn't talk, move my lips or anything else, but it was comfortable.

Best of luck to you! It'll be over in no time. How are you doing now? Is it getting any easier?

Mimi

Mimi, I don't start the actual radiation treatments until the 19th of May. I am so mad though. I received a phone call today that I will have to have a new mask made! The techs had my chin up to high when they made the original mask, so I have to go through it all over again!! I guess my poor brain was to close to where the beam would hit my throat! Urrggghhh!

I enjoyed your story, and I also enjoyed the story of the phantom of the opera song and the irony of it.

I think I'd also like to know how to get out of the mask on my own! Might help with my confinement issues that I have! I keep picturing a fire alarm going off and everyone running out and leaving me bolted to the table! Thanks for that advice!!

Cricket

Hi Cricket,

My husband Stephen was prescribed Lorazepam (a.k.a. Ativan) to take to help deal with being in the mask -- taken half-hour or 20 minutes beforehand was perfect for kicking in and lasting at full strength for scan and radiation.

All the best with your treatment.

Susan

Hi I too was given ativan for the problem of dealing with the mask , could you tell me when you stopped taking them did you get withdrawal symptoms like i did, for me it was terrible i had and still have a little anxiety problem and wanted to know if you were experiencing the same..

quote:

Originally posted by Cricket:
2 days ago I was fitted for my mask. I'm very claustrophic and can't stand feeling confined. After the mask was made I had my first scan in it the same day. Although horrible, I made it through it. Yesterday I had to do another scan. I totally freaked out (panic attack style). The mask had tightened over night (which I'm told happens when first made) and the throat area was so tight I couldn't stand it. They tried 5 times putting it on me, trying different things, and I had the staff immediately remove it each time. I can say one thing though, the staff was fantastic! After much discussion, it was decided to cut a hole in the middle neck section of the mask. That helped tremendously. Still hard to handle and I hate it, but at least was finally able to complete the scan.

Besides medication (sedatives, etc.) are there any techniques that are pretty good to keep from totally freaking out! Besides being completely terrified, I was also mortified that I was reduced to such "wimp"!

Ihope this is a reply! Do try keeping your eyes shut, I found this helped me. Also, the thought that it only lasts a few minutes, think good thoughts and what you'll use the thing for after it's all over (mine is a hanging basket full of flowers!)

Probably a too late answer now, but from what I can rememeber it was much more unbearable if you tried to rise up in the mask and escape from it. I think there is a natural tendency to try to push the mask away by puffing out the cheeks and pushing forward the jaw and then the thing gets even closer to you asit is totally unyielding being so stiff. So when it is put on do not try to push it off as that can make it sit even tighter.

It is horrid I agree. I hated every moment but if you tell yourself the less I struggle the sooner this will be done with, the easier you make it for yourself. Try also to ensure other areas are comfortable such as a pillow under the knees essential if you have bad back or neck problem sometimes.

I like the post above that suggested asking the technicians to show you how to remove the mask in an emergency. Mental and physical control is everything as so much control is taken away from us during this treatment.

Oh yes, the dreaded mask! I am claustrobic like you and it was very difficult. I hope your taking Larazapan because that calmed me down quite a bit. I asked the lab technitions to tell me when 15 minutes were over, when I was half way through ect. They walked me through the process and it was comforting to hear their voices which helped a lot. I just tried to stay calm and centered and realize the techs were on my side and it would be over soon. I finally freaked out at my very last session,but the technitions calmed me down and I got through. I was sure glad when it waqs finally over. Just take it one step at a time and it will be over soon.