Rob had a hole round his mouth and nose which i think helped a lot,and like Minnie he counted down his treatments.By the time he had had 14 treatments his mask was so loose he couldnt feel it.

For me the mask and the machine were a challenge in learning how to keep my mind off that which was really bothersome and at times fearful.

I had a few "freak out" moments with the mask (and its companion - the wax coated tongue depressor), especially on the first day when they were adjusting the machine - it took a long, long time. I had to talk myself back to calmness.

During my daily sessions, I would click my feet together and count (one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, ....) every second the machine was "on", and use my fingers to keep track of every 1 minute interval. The rad techs played music which also helped. If I was feeling bad on a given day I would tell them, and they would remind me that they were watching me during the session and would intercede if I indicated I was having a problem.

I could occassionally open my eyes a little, but there was nothing to watch but the machine moving around, and I didn't have much interest in that so I mostly kept them shut.

Best wishes,

Chris

I brought my own (custom made) CD (of thumping Andre Crouch and Michael W. Swith)and played it every day - must have driven the techs crazy. I knew exactly where I was at in treatment by what song and verse was playing. The first day I forgot and they stuck some new age stuff on there and it seemed to take an eternity to get through it (like "Time" by Enya. Go with uptempo is my advice. The techs went all out to make it as comfortable as they humanly could and like others have stated watched my very closely.

Peace4uall,

I hope today went better for you.. I think after you get about 2 or 3 times done it gets better.

Then you will start counting like the rest of us did. When you are all finished with treatment they will give you your mask, and then you really can take all your frustration out on it.. Just think about that.

Take care,
Diane

Thanks to you all,
I made it,took the xanax they told me to and my husband dropped me off at home and went back to work.. I woke up 4 hours later in the chair with my coat still on. HAHA I quess whatever works, now I am a druggie. I am so glad I made it through this first thing. many weeks to go, just one day at a time. I counted, by the way, which I read on here. I hope I will get through the first day with the real machine- just pray for me, and thank you for listening

Peace,

I'm happy you were able to make it through. You have the right attitude. One day at a time, and don't be ashamed about using drugs. This is a very difficult time for you and your family. I was relieved when my husband got medication to calm him down. I hope it will get easier for you as you get more treatments.
Not that I'm comparing MRI with what all of you are going through with the mask...but I am claustrophobic and really had a hard time with an MRI I needed. I ended up taking valium..when back to work..and woke up in a chair at quitting time with no recollection of how I got there. I walked across the street from the hospital to my office.
But I don't remember the MRI and that is the point after all. So do whatever it takes to get through it.
Vicki