Anxiety over the mask

Hi. Has your husband tried visualising being somewhere else and listening to his own music the team can play for him? He can practice being non his favourite walk or favourite holiday every day at home. 
I recall a couple of people here tried hypnotherapy which seemed to help. 
What is frightening him? Is he claustrophobic? 

Thanks, he is not claustrophobic.

Hi I had my own playlist of music , I also practised by lying on our bed at home I visualised my favourite bikes rides or walks along the beach. I took my head off to nice. places I also asked the radiotherapy team to give me a 5 min countdown then a 1 minute countdown. I treated the mask as part of my treatment she was my first line of defence . I brought her hime after treatment finished as without her ( yes I even gave her a name I personalised everythjng) she was and still hangs in our garage at home my lifesaver. 
This is what helped me I also watched the machine move around me which was fascinating I didn’t have any medication but my way helped me. 
If yiu look at my blog there’s info there and photos  I’m 8 years post 35 radiotherapy and 2 chemo  

best wishes Hazel. 

Saste said:

Any suggestions?

Has your husband got eyeholes cut in mask? It helps a lot. If no they might still be able to do it. 

Thank you, yes he has.

Hi Saste, sorry to hear he is having a hard time with the RT. You said he isn't claustrophobic. If that's the case what is making it such a nightmare for him, is it the feeling of being held down so tightly? The whole experience is different for all of us. The way I looked at everything was that it was all  necessary to get me cured, which it did. Hopefully it will get less stressful for him along the way.

Ray.

Hello and sorry to hear your story, I've recently finished 35 radiotherapy sessions for throat cancer I thought of my initial sessions as a visit to the dentist..... that is for a short period of time I know I'm going to feel discomfort  but when the dentist is finished I will feel better. That is how I thought of my sessions with the mask, it's not natural for anyone to have the mask on and be clamped to the point of immobilisation,  same as dentist and his drill, it's not natural,  but what I'm saying is for a few minutes of discomfort  the rewards are greater than not having the few minutes of discomfort 

After 2 weeks I was at the point where I was that relaxed I was almost falling asleep 

So please try to think......for a few minutes of discomfort the rewards far out weigh the fear, also please talk to your radiotherapy team to see if they can help you put everything in perspective, good luck 

It is a surreal experience for us, causes anxiety....I went to a safe space in my head ...past holidays ...the pleasant memories helped me to get  through the radiotherapy sessions.

Hiya everyone 

i too have base of tongue cancer and secondary in my neck. I had some teeth out yesterday in preparation and have my mask fitting next week. I am claustrophobic and have extreme anxiety and the thought of it all is giving me sleepless nights already. They have given me Lorazepam to take but I just don’t know how I am going to do this and all the radiotherapy sessions. I am not great at taking my mind elsewhere as the anxiety tends to be stronger. I obviously want to be able to do this as and get better so just asking for some advice and encouragement . Thanks in advance 

Sedation is usually very helpful, your oncology team will be extremely helpful ...they will do everything they can to help you get through the treatment.