Pain relief during radiotherapy for tonsil cancer

My medical team has prescribed codine, and morphine as well as paracetamol, I i am avoiding the opiods for as long as possible, and I've not started my radiotherapy yet.  

After three weeks in what do I have to expect

And the biggest issue I have is that mask, it really freaks me out, when you have treatment, how long is it on for, ie setting up, and the actual treatment,  basically how long are you alone for?  Would you mind telling me cos I amnuclear site terrified.

Ironic as I was a Radiation Protection Supervisor for many years on a nuclear site

Take care and best wishes

Hi Soulgirl834763 

come and join us in the head and neck cancer group  Head and neck cancer forum 

As for analgesia you will get stronger stuff as time goes on, you just don’t need it just yet. The RT doesn’t really impact your throat for two weeks. 
I ended up on long acting morphine twice a day,  oromorph alternated with paracetamol every four hours and a nasogastric tube. 

Same for you Andi… join us in the  Head and neck cancer forum 

Treatment with the mask takes about ten to fifteen minutes. You’re alone all that time but the radiographers can see you and can stop the machine and be in with you in seconds. Nobody ever needs that though. Have you had eye holes cut in the mask? It helps tremendously