I am a patient from Northern Ireland who is currently waiting to have a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. My vestibular migraines cause a spinning vertigo when I Iie flat on my back. For this reason I am exploring the possibility of receiving radiotherapy in the prone position. Would anyone know if there is a hospital in the UK that offers this as the worry of experiencing vertigo is stressing me out. I would appreciate any advice on this matter.Thank yoi
Hi Carraig and welcome to the forum. Im afraid I havent heard of this though I did lie on my front for an MRI before my surgery.
Im not sure if you would be able to access this as your health authority would have to agree to pay for this if outwith your health board area.
Most Radiotherapy is given with people lying flat to enable a full target dose of the Radiotherapy specifically to the area and the placement of you on the table is measured and re-used at each session. It is worth however explaining this to the department and asking them if there are any alternatives or not.
Thank you for your reply. The prone position seems to be used more commonly in America but does not seem to be a thing here yet. Will speak to my radiotherapy department after my surgery and see what they can do for me.
Hello Carraig, those migraines sound awful and triggered by lying flat. I don’t have any suggestions for you but the radiologist may have a solution. I wasn’t totally flat as they make you a specific cast so you will be in same position for each treatment. You need to have arms above your head. I live in US and the prone position was mentioned but I am too small breasted so could not be done on me. The prone position is nice too especially if you need radiation on left breast as no breath holding and doesn’t impact heart or lungs. I hope you can get some answers
Prone breast radiotherapy is not the norm in the UK and it requires specialist equipment.It is usually only advantageous to be treated prone if you have big boobs.
When you are treated on your back you lie on a wedged board which is angled in order to get your breast bone parallel to the couch top so your head isn’t flat.
Speak to the radiotherapy department prior to your planning scan so that they can book a longer slot for you so you are not hurried and the radiographers can try out various positions for your treatment until you find one that works for you and is technically achievable for them.
Also speak to a medic to find out if there is any other medication that you haven’t explored which can help with your vertigo.
Above all try not to stress over it. Radiotherapy radiographers are a helpful bunch and they will do everything possible to get you through your treatment.
Hi, thank you for this really informative email Exraygirl . Your reply reminded me that my head wasn’t flat. I definitely had some kind of angle support, and I remember that when I looked up up at the ceiling, it was inahead of me rather than directly above, if you get what I mean.
