Radition question GBM4

My brother will start in one or two weeks his radition. They are creating a mask for the radition and he is  concerned about being claustrophobia.

I suggested he  looks into breathing techniques, to calm him down. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Bettina

Usually the technician will ask if you are claustrophobic. Also, there are medications for panic problems, and maybe he should ask his Doctor about that. Breathing exercises help me also, but I am sometimes not able to control my anxiety with that alone. You and he must remain positive and hopeful for it to all work together!

Hello Bettina,

Jay had SRS radiation and had to wear that mask too. He has been a tough guy going through radiation, chemo, and the effects from everything. He rarely complains, but towards the end of the radiation he didn't want to wear the mask, it was getting tighter because of facial swelling from the steroids.

My suggestion would be for him to get some medication to mildly sedate him, like xanax or ativan. I saw a lot of patients being brought in sedated. He will be nervous enough going the first time so I would suggest he takes something before to relax him until he knows how he will react. I think breathing techniques and trying to take his mind somewhere else will help, but if he is nervous already I would suggest medication.

I wish your brother and you the best.

Take care,

Lori

Yes, zanax would help.  Maybe a mantra or prayer, saying something over and over again in his head.  Just a thought.  My husband is not bothered by it which shocks me, I know it would freak me out.  So much to go through with all of it.  My thoughts and prayers.

Donna, Rob's wife

My husband will begin his radiation treatment next week. He will be taken xanan he just can't handle the mask. I will keep him in my prayers.

I asked Andy how he did it. He said he just said he knew it wouldn't hurt, and that he visualized the tumors being zapped. Sure 'nuff, they really were. He also was fairly drugged back in those days. He had a Fentanyl patch that made him loopy and carefree. He made friends with all the technicians... really cracked them up. He would sing along with the oldies on the radio until the mask went on and then hum along with the music.

Believe me, he's not so loopy and carefree now. In retrospect, the drugs were key. ;o)

Sarah

mother of Andy 27 dx gbm/pnet 1/09

Because the mask has holes in it for the eyes and nose, I wasn't as claustrophobic as I thought I would be. And it's such a wide open room, not like being closed into a coffin, so I felt safer with that. Once I realized it was about 5 minutes long and a certain sequence of zaps, I'd count the zaps, or sing a couple of 2 minute songs in my head, knowing they would open the doors and remove the mask soon. I also kept my eyes closed while in the mask--I do the same in mri--it helps me a lot. But if he needs an ativan ask for one in advance so the ordering of it doesn't hold things up. Good luck. It's painless, just tedious.

On Nov 02, 2009 10:10 PM gehleb wrote:

My brother will start in one or two weeks his radition. They are creating a mask for the radition and he is  concerned about being claustrophobia.

I suggested he  looks into breathing techniques, to calm him down. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

Bettina

My husband has a phobia about needles (he has bloodwork every week and receives a vaccine every month) but had no problem with the radiation mask. He used to lay there and shout  to his tumor cells "get out, get out of my head". The radiation only lasts a few minutes so if your brother can find some way to relax that would be great. If not, xanax can be a good friend.

I too had problems with the weekly bloodletting, but not the mask.  Meditation helped.  I would be so relaxed I almost went to sleep.

Ativan helps me now with the dye injection for the MRIs.  I had developed a psychosomatic nausea problem somewhere along the linel.

I still have the mask--three years out.  Thinking about mounting it.

Larry

First, prayers for your brother, I have had GBM Stage IV for 1 yr 5  mths and was only given 3 mths to live last May, so I had to have MRI'S every other month I am very clostorfobic so I told my doctor I would need something to he keep me somewhat clam and he prescribed me a Xanax to take 30 mins before the MRI & it has worked so far as I am still here 2 surgeries, radiation & chemo later.

God Bless you & your Brother