Keep your eyes closed -- Perhaps being led in wearing a sleeping mask to blind you might help.

Otherwise, see if you can find a therapist.

For me and I am as anxious as they come...I have a severe anxiety disorder although never had radiation and that experience...For me even a cat scan I found myself getting anxious...the only advice that worked for me is to detach from myself and concentrate on breathing...follow the breath in and out...or focus on a part of my body and breathe it does help for me...

It's mind over matter.

i had to have them stop for a couple minutes when having the mask made. was all i could do to make it thru but i did it. ativan is what they use at the UW to help with it ... and maybe it works better than valium for this type of thing so i would try it if i were you. i would also speak to your oncologist and see what they suggest i am sure you are not the first and will not be the last to not make it thru without help. just keep trying everything until you make it thru.

Does the mask have eye holes and nose holes so you can see and breathe? If not, ask them to cut holes in the mask. For me, the simulations lastest much longer than the actual treatments. Simulations ran about a half hour while treatment was 5 to 10 minutes. As Jim said, it is mind over matter. Ya gotta do it.

Tare care,
Eileen

I had a similar problem. It was shortly after exploratory surgery on my throat to find the primary so my throat was still swollen and I had a hard time exhaling. About 1/2 way through the fitting I couldn't exhale at all and panicked. We worked with repositioning my head to get a clear airway and I managed to dig down and get through it. They also cut the chin away on the mask so it didn't feel like pressure there. Between those adjustments and valium I got through my 35 25 minute treatments with a few anxious moments but, as has been said, soothing music and counting the positions also helped. Work with the techs to find what's comfortable for you. The alternative is not, imo, acceptable.

Bill...My heart truly goes out to you as a fellow phobia person...closterphobia and severe anxiety disorder...As others are saying the mind is a powerful powerful tool either it is you friend or your foe...the trick is to make it your friend..I understand from the depths your fears arise...I am the same way thats why the suggestion of focusing on your breathing and I added humming to myself although not sure if you can do that during radiation treatments....I had some tests done where they did scopes I was relaxed during the first part but the moment they tried to go down my throat I paniced and they had literally force me and hold me down...I had nightmares for months after of drowning...having the feeding tube gave me the same sence of being choked...although I knew logically that it wasn't hurting me I could not let it go... It is a matter of trusting who is working with you...I made a connection with my nurse practicioner and well when I was having trouble with my feeding tube after surgery I asked for her...when I saw her and her determined eyes working on my tube and not letting anyone else do what they wanted to do (take it out and put it back in with the aid of an xray machine) I relaxed and drifted off...I know this is going to be the hardest feat to do in your life but believe me you CAN do it! I have not thank god have to have radiation and a mask and if faced with the same issue I know I would be in a spot...Try to learn to trust relax.. what ever it takes for you....Please don't give up...When all is said and done you will have so much more to be proud of also conquer fears wow...like I said for me it is a matter of detatching from myself or concentrating on something focusing on something other than what is scaring me... and trusting you will be ok and you will!!

Persistance pays off...hypnosis, accupuncture, meditation anything that may work but keep trying!!!

Bill, I to have had a hard time with severe panic attacks with the radiation. My RO gave me 1mg. Xanax and I take it 45 minutes to 1hour before my 25 minute treatment and it has really helped. Now don't get me wrong I still have a problem with my mind running and wanting to panic every day but I keep telling myself that I have got to do this if I want to live. And I definately do so I just keep trying to keep myself calm and I am working through it. So far I have had 18 radiation treatments and 4 chemo, The radiation treatments have gotten a little easier over time and I explained to them that I wanted to make sure I could let them know if I was having a problem during radiation and they told me that all I would need to do was to raise my knees up and they would stop the treatment and help me. That has only happened once so far. I try my best every time I go to make it easy on the worker as I can and in turn they really go out of their way to help me as well. Good luck and I will be thinking about you and hoping peace will pull you through this. You can do it! I am also from Ga. Angel

mI think the fear is like being afraid of the dark when you were little. The more you had to do it, the easier it became.. You sure have my feelings following you. Good luck and you will do fine.

Bill,

Don't feel badly. That was a major concern for me when I had my treatments. I honestly prayed that God give me the strength to make it through being put in the mask and I asked others to pray for me about that as well. I know it worked, because I honestly fell asleep a couple times during my treatment. My treatments usually took about 20 or so minutes to complete.

Dianne's advice is good too. Make a connection with at least on of your nurses. We had a signal worked out that all I had to do was move my foot and they would come in if I needed them. Because of the prayers I mentioned above I never had to do it. The nurses made sure I knew that it was not a problem to stop if I was uncomfortable.

Maybe just having that reassurance that you can stop will help you if you get a signal and everything worked out.

You can do this and make it through!

Cindy