Hi! Had my first radiation treatment for parotid-MALT today.

At the time, the worst challenge was handling the "mask", being locked onto the table for 20 minutes. (Claustrophobic me, of course.)

Everything was fine until about 5 hours afterward. Some of the area is still numb from the parotidectomy surgery (Oct. 28), but the rest of the area feels like minor sunburn. There's no redness at present, just warmth at the surgery site and a bit of discomfort like I got too much sun.

Is this normal? I didn't expect to have side effects so soon. Just checking.

THanks so much!

Hi Sally!

It would be a good idea to begin using a good skin cream to keep the area supple. Pat it on, do not ever rub it in. Apply it immediately after showering, your radiation treatments, and every few hours. Never apply the cream a few hours before your radiation treatment. I used Beta-Val prescription cream but there are several other types that work just as well. Ask your doc for a prescription.

Unfortunately everyone responds in their own way to treatments, medications, etc so its pretty hard to tell if its too soon for side effects. I cant remember being affected by rads until after about the first week or so of treatments.

I could feel immediate tightening of my scars - international and eternal from day one!! But my skin was barely affected - throughout treatment. I think it really depends on your skin type - and how quickly you heal. Good luck and do run it by your rads guy too. And as Christine said - cream! take care!

thats good advice on the lotion. the dr. can prescribe something to help with claustrophobia. the worst of my side affects was about 10 hrs. later. good luck with the battle.

I used to take my iPod and small speakers with me (they wouldn't let me use earbuds) and listened to music or a book. It was the only thing that kept me sane during those horrible 15-20 minutes being locked down to The Ride, as I called it.

And yes, get some of the prescription creams and such. I believe there are a number of good ones on the market that your medical team will be able to recommend. We're definitely all different and I too didn't start feeling the burn for a week or two. But then it got quite intense.

Hang in there!

I took Zanax all throughout treatment and slept through most of it. It was a little more un-nerving in the beginning, when the mask was tight, but is soon loosened up as I lost weight.

Like David, I ripped my own CD and listened to music every session. That really helped. All of our treatment rooms had boom boxes.

Great suggestions above! If you are still claustrophobic, certainly mention it to your doctor who might recommend something that would help. My son also listened to a CD. It helps to be able to tell how close you are to finishing the "ride".

Sally, if listening to something doesn't appeal to you or isn't an option and you don't or can't take anti-anxiety meds (which do really help), you might try some simple breathing and counting techniques.

My brother is a Zen buddhist and he suggested I simply count my breaths in groups of ten. Take long slow breaths, intoning the number in your head. Let each one out for a good long time. When you get to ten, start back at one. Don't think too hard about it, just let it happen and try to maintain the count.

Might be something to try.

I do remember feeling tightness under my jaw even after the first treatment. I am not claustrophobic but I did find that closing my eyes and listening to the music helped me relax during The Ride. I never did burn very badly but I followed my RO's instructions on lotion application to the letter.

Also, Xanax is a a miracle drug. I had to take it right after my diagnosis and it did wonders for me. I only have to take it occasionally now.

So - one less rad treatment to go.

It helped me to psych myself up during radiation sessions when I felt antsy. "My" music really helped. So did telling myself that the mask was not trapping me, it was helping me to hold still so the magic machine could do its job better. For whatever reason, it helped me to keep telling myself that the function was not to hold me prisoner, but to assist me.

I'm on the "Lotion, lotion, lotion" bandwagon, too - and - - - you know this is coming - - - WATER. Do well.