I had XRT and I did have palpitations also. My doctor put me on Xanax, very mild dose, which I took one when I got up and by 9:15 when treatments started I was relaxed. In the evening I would take another one as I seemed to get really nervous around 6 p.m.

As the others said this disease is very stressful on the mind as well as the body.

Sending your Mom good wishes for a fast recovery,
Barb~

[i]"The artist, a traveler on this earth, leaves behind imperishable traces of his being." -Fran