My boyfriend starts radiation tonight. Was supposed to be yesterday but, he couldn't do it. He is very panicked even after xanax and norco. We have 8 weeks of this. He can't medicate everyday for that long. He has a lot of congestion on a regular basis so, with the mouth trays and the positioning, he has a hard time breathing. Any other ideas? He has music...

Welcome! The first day of radiation is usually the hardest. Some use Ativan, but I have no experience with these, and did without, but some do need, and many only need for the first two weeks, after that, may need pain meds anyway. Try relaxing techniques, deep breathing, meditation, visualization, maybe see a therapist, and talk to doctor about the congestion, and his or her recommendation dealing with radiation, which may help matters. Usually the techs talk with you during the process. Hopefully, he has your company or from another going to his treatments daily. Good luck.

Hi Jodi and welcome.I had the same problem as my throat was swollen from biopsy. They had to reposition me and make another mask. I was also pretty claustrophobic and twice had panic attacks and had to get out of the mask, take a beak and start over. It took 25 extremely miserable minutes for each session but I made it. The rad techs all said they didn't think I would. Btw, that was 5 years ago this week and I'm still cancer free and doing great. Please pass on my best wishes to your BF.

I can only speak as a caregiver here so hopefully others will be along with more helpful suggestions. Everybody reacts differently, though and your boyfriend may just find it gets easier, as time goes on. I would make sure the doctors know about his reactions - maybe try something different for calming effect. Besides music - where you can follow the song to know how close you are to the end of Tx session, listening to an audio book, or working out a decorating scheme or math problem in your head, some deep breathing exercises before the session for calming effect. Let us know how he does.

Remember each of us can react differently but for me my first "strap down" was heart pounding but after that I adapted. Listening to LOUD music helped me pass the time.

For me it was an audio book. If your boyfriend is a reader, maybe have him get into a book that really engages him, start with print and also get the audio version. So he's already involved with the story/text before he moves into listening to it on The Ride. Probably have to use portable speakers as I doubt they'll let him use earbuds in there.

It's no fun, but I'm glad he has you for support. Keep us posted.

Thank you all so much! He made it through the first one!! One down, 39 to go! We met with his Radio-oncologist today and he was very helpful. We will be working on the "magic concoction" and hopefully, we will come out relatively unscathed. We have ideas of what to expect but, living in the moment. Stay well everyone and I will post more questions or updates as they come up. Thank you again...

Hi Jodi! Its not easy the first one. The fear of the unknown makes it so much harder to do. Have him close his eyes and pretend he is someplace else. I would imagine myself on a warm sunny beach. I never opened my eyes at all during my rad treatments. After he gets past the first one it will be much easier. He must accept this is what he must do and then do it.

So glad he got through it... I just closed my eyes and ignored everything. It worked but when they put the mask on me the first time I was surprised when they locked me down!;o) It does get easier. best of luck