I have been notified today that i am having a mri soon.
I had a head mri in april last year, and i was so anxious about it, for days in advance. I couldnt go in the 1st time, but managed to go in the second time, as i found out that you can get your head out, if need be, also my partner came in with me.
I have had quite a lot of head mri, and even spine mri, in the past. I have been okay.
But i would say the last few years, i am starting to get really anxious about the head mri, its the coil they put over your head.
Even though i know i can get out of the head coil i had on last time, which made me feel more comfortable about going in the mri.
I find myself now getting really anxious about having the mri soon.
It seems so strange i used to be fine in mri’s and now i am really anxious, to the point where i dont know if i can go in there. I know i need this done, due to medication, headaches etc.
Hi Ncm. When i get a head MRI I am lying on a sort of bed thing which is pushed into the MRI. I’m thinking that what you might be referring to is a sort of plastic cage type thing that goes over my head and which I think is to help keep my head absolutely still. Yeah - I hate that too! I try to think of other things while the MRI is doing it’s noisy thing.
I haven’t done it yet but the MRI team always ask me if there is anything I would like to listen to and I know that if people are very anxious they are offered a mild sedative - I believe this makes a massive difference.
You are not alone and I know from conversations with the MRI nurses that e.g some of them wouldn’t want to go through a head scan and even the apparently toughest of people panic , press the help button and have to be taken out of the scanner.
Hi, I know they are horrible, but try to zone out…you know it can’t hurt you x close your eyes the whole time! I try and pick a subject in my head…like soap characters starting with A etc…or authors or something…I find by the time I have got to say L I’m coming out! Take care….breathe
Have you had the mirror on the head holder thing before? I did last time and it was a game changer, I was able to just watch the radiographer guy and didn’t feel claustrophobic, because that thing over your face can feel very confining can’t it. Good luck.
Yes you can ask to listen to a radio station during the scan, these days.
It’s not like 30 years ago when all you can hear is a pneumatic drilling noise from the machine.
Hi,
I just had an MRI at the weekend -I used the time as a ‘me time’ thing.
I took a cosy blanket and put that over me, you could use lavender scented washing liquid to wash your clothes, so that when you’re warm it provides a relaxing scent. Use the option of music, choose something that makes you relax (for me it’s classical), and really try and make it a positive experience.
I know that’s easy to say, my husband suffers with claustrophobia and he had to have a sedative as the MRI was tiny and he’s a big bloke (he had to hunch his shoulders up to get into it) but when we requested a larger MRI scanner the hospital tried to accomodate on the subsequent scans, it just meant we had to go to mobile scanners instead, but was worth it as he can now go in without the need for sedatives.
Hi
I’m extremely claustrophobic and my GP gave me diazepam to take before a scan. Trial and error but I found 8mg works for me. I take 4mg an hour before my appt and the other 4 as I get to the hospital. Talk to your GP. Also ask if anywhere has an ‘open MRI scanner’ you can go to. I know how you feel and you’re definitely not alone. ask if someone can go in the room with you. My husband has sat next to the scanner with his hand on my leg! It helps. Good Luck xx
Hi,
First time I had an MRI I asked my Dr for some sedative as I used to have panic attacks in situations I couldn’t get out of. Really helped. Also I kept my eyes closed the whole time.
Hope it goes as well as it can.
Vital for information on if you have any new lesions.
Take care.
Jen