I'm sorry to see you're having a bit of trouble mastering the breathing you need to be able to have your radiotherapy magpiemaggie. Hopefully some of our members will pop by soon to share their advice and experiences with you but do give our cancer nurses a call if you feel having a quick chat with them about this may help. You can call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

I hope our members can help you with this and that you're able to master it next week.

All the best, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thanks Steph - hopefully someone has experience of this as I’m hopeless at it. 

Hi there,

I haven't been through it yet as my radiotherapy isn't til January.  My oncologist said it is hard but I'm hoping that years of singing training and playing oboe should make it easier for me as I have good control over my breathing.  That said, I'll find out soon enough I guess!!!!

I imagine practising at home would help, and there are some YouTube videos on it.  Maybe just build up the time you hold your breath for each time your practise.  Looking up a singing teacher (preferably classical) and asking their advice on how to breathe properly might also help as they'd be able to watch you and analyse how you are breathing.  In day to day life we don't often fill up our lungs where in singing you do, and then use your stomach muscles and diaphragm to control the exhalation.  There will probably be YouTube videos of that kind of thing online too.

Hopefully others that have already had their radiotherapy will be along soon too to give tips they picked up.

LJx

Hi again,

Have just watched some videos showing people undergoing DIBH.  Looking at where it is they place the box etc. I do think a singing teacher might be able to help you with this.  Even just something like playing recorder for a bit could also improve your lung capacity and breath control.

Wish I was near you cause then I could meet up and assess your breathing, help you learn deep breathing etc. :(

LJx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGHcguwsEEo

This video is a bit annoying but he is entirely right about how to breathe.  Your shoulders shouldn't go up, you should feel your lungs fill up and as your lungs fully expand your stomach will push out, we don't get to try and look slim on the bed while being scanned :(

He does an exercise near the end where you breathe in fully over a count of 8, hold for 8 then exhale fully over a count of 8.  If you can practice doing this you'll probably find it helps.

Hi again,

i should have updated this thread - I failed the second simulation so DIBH is off the table. Unfortunately they have had to delay radiotherapy for the 3rd time as they need time to plan what they do next.

I had no problems taking a big breath and holding it for 20 seconds, the problem I had was making sure each breath was the same consistency. I was unable to measure the amount of air I was taking in each time. As you saw in the videos, there is a box strapped to the patient and a laser that lies at the bottom of the scanning table; when taking a breath, the chest rises and so does the box, which then has to hit the laser beam. It can’t be under or over the laser. Problem for me is that I can’t see either the box or the laser so have no visual clues.  

So back to the drawing board, it does worry me sometimes in that it has been several months since surgery and these delays could impact a recurrence.

x

I had inconsistency too, mainly depending on which radiotherapist was with me. Some wanted an immediate breath in and then hold, others wanted a couple of deep breaths and then hold

Ii wouldn’t worry too much about the time gap, mine was several months.

for your breathing try lying on the floor, put a pile of books each side of you and a plank across, now you have a consistent point for your chest to reach. It may not be the point the radiotherapists want but it should teach you consistency.

hope that helps you

And here was me going on and on and on and on... and it's too late :(

Sorry you 'failed' it again (don't like that word, sounds like it's somehow your doing when we weren't designed to be doing DIBH anyway!)

Unfortunately had you managed to get singing training in that probably could have helped (from the additional info you've given in that last post), you become very aware of how much breath you've taken in, how to control intake over time etc.  So you've got me now ensuring I get loads of practice in before I go!!!!!!!  So thank you for the tip-off, just sorry it hasn't happened for you yet.

Admittedly mine might end up being delayed as I still have a seroma and it's taking time for the build-up of fluid to slow to the point that my body just reabsorbs it, so I could be joining you in the "grrrrrrrrrrr" seats soon!

I hope they can sort something out for you, or find a way for your to practice that works for you.  Certainly doesn't sound very helpful if you can't see the box!!!!!!

LJxx

singing would have been useful as would the books on chest but as you state I’m not getting another chance so that ship has sailed. Lying flat on the table means the only thing you’ll get to see is the ceiling, remember you won’t be able to move as you will be positioned in accordance to the positioning of your tatttoos. The whole thing is very technical. 

sorry to hear of your seroma,  hopefully things will get a little easier and you’ll get your radiotherapy as planned. 

x

Thankfully I didn't seem to have a problem with the positioning and was able to hold my breath for the 20 seconds. The radiologists were excellent in keep talking amd encouraging me and that I only had so much longer to go. Important to know youre nearly there.

Also our rooms had blue sky, clouds and apple blossom to look up to which took your mind off the time thing.

Ask the radiologists to keep talking you through it. I found it a great help x