Bad claustrophobia and not even started yet!

Hi Hen. 
hmmm yes I suspect the usual distraction methods won’t work. Sedation has helped lots of people here but I do recall a couple of members having hypnotherapy which got them through. 
I think once you get the first few sessions over and done with you will find the rest easier. 
Hugs. 
Let us know how you get on. 

HenW029c53 said:

And I can't have the eye holes cut out.

I can’t understand that. If it makes the difference between you being able to cope and not I don’t see why they won’t do it. Can you ask again and remind them how terrified you are? 

Sedation does help some patients, radiotherapy staff will do everything in their power to help, play your favourite music, talk to you often to ease your mind. It is stressful but the treatment is crucial for curing us, your husband being nearby should also help.

Most of us are pretty terrified by the situation we find ourselves in.

Take care.

They said it'll make my mask too unstable. I'm having treatment on the right side of my head and neck. 

• Good evening,I guess there is no other way. My husband was very claustrophobic.What helped him, he pretended to go to sleep, after a few sessions it came natural. All my best. Big hugs. Fellow wife Mel.

HenW029c53 said:

I'm having treatment on the right side of my head and neck. 

Yes same here.

See how the sedative goes.

Hi like Dani says  I would ask again re eye holes. I had 35 sessions to right tonsil and 7 lymph nodes I had eye holes and nose and mouth didn’t destabilise my mask. Other technique that helped me was to lie still  lying in my bed at home perfectly still and took my head on favourite bike rides or walks I visualised them . I also set the timer  on for 12 mins as that was the average time I was told treatment would take . I rarely got to end of any ride or walk before the timer went off. I also took my own play  list in and I asked the team to give me a countdown to the end of treatment. I also virtually did the supermarket shop in my head anything to distract 

I also know  people who started with sedation but at the end of first week did it without anythjng. Remember it’s there to help,you kill the cancer it’s nothing to fear. My mask I gave a name and spoke to her yes she was an her I also brought her home she lives in the garage.  I’m said she was my first line of defense and was my lifesaver. 

hugs Hazel 

I've been looking into this and I can't see a reason why not. They said it was because they wouldn't be able to pin point the radiation as accurately but they are doing the right side of my face and neck and as long as the mask is tight, I can't see the issue? I'm going to push for this as it will make such a difference to me.

HenW029c53 said:

I'm going to push for this as it will make such a difference to me.

Fingers crossed. Many modern masks are quite open anyway. All they need to do is to keep your shoulders down and your head straight after all. If you lie still in them I can't see a problem anyway. There was no way I could move in mine. I could just about follow the treatment head as the gantry moved round with my eyes

Get your oncologist and your CNS to have a word with radiology too

This was my mask . I was at Leeds  cancer centre  

hope you get what you want there was no way i could  move my head and my mask was extremely stable as it went over my shoulders and clipped to table