I’m just home from an attempted MRI of my head - only managed to last about 5 mins in the scanner, was literally trembling from head to toe and the more I tried to control it the more panicky I got, in the end I felt unable to breathe or swallow and had to come out… I struggled a bit last time but managed to control it - I had thought this time would be easier and did feel pretty relaxed until I was actually put in the scanner with the thing over my head. Radiologist said new appointment will be sent out next week… Was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on how to cope???
Hi Tay! Bless you!! AC/DC blearing & closed my eyes!!! Polls right, think your nicest thoughts, itll be over before you know it!! Good luck & I hope everythings ok Tracey xxx
GP prescribed diazepam for me because I am claustrophobic, tried all the over the counter stuff Kalms etc which did nothing. Diazepam worked for me. Something to make you laugh, the first brain MRI i had I was worried sick because I’m claustrophobic but not only that, the scanner was on a lorry trailer in the hospital car park, I was worried that it might be highjacked with me still in the mri scanner! how silly is that!
I have had 3 MRI scans now of head, spine and full body, they didn’t really bother me at all. I am a big star trek fan and thought of myself as being one one of the scanners on the show
Sorry to hear of your fear of the scanner, I just shut my eyes and started thinking of the countryside and all the beautiful flowers and imagined the noise as just being an areoplane flying overhead. But if all else fails do as the others have suggested get a sedative from your gp and remember it’s only for a short time.
Hey Tay, Yup - same! Tried 3 times, they managed to get me in backwards (feet first for the spinal MRI) but not a chance for the brain MRI never had an issue with claustrophobia but I managed about 7 mins each time before squeezing the life out of the buzzer. Felt like a total failure not being able to do it but each rebooked scan made the anxiety worse. Crazy thing, never had an issue with confined spaces before. I had to cut my losses and give up on the lying down MRI as I was clearly going nowhere fast. Instead, I researched and opted for an upright MRI. Absolutely amazing! I could sit - at ground level - feet firmly on the floor or at a slight angle (went for 2 feet touching terra firma) with a nice open and spacious unit with a head cam to get the pictures. Had the choice of films to watch and another good thing was that the unit was quieter than the usual MRI unit and I didn’t need to wear plugs. There are a couple of places in London, Manchester & Leeds. Contact me if you want any further details. Lots of luck.
I’m going to be really annoying and say it didn’t bother me at all, I was in the doughnut for about 40mins because they had to re-scan bits for a clearer picture. Apart from being rather bored I was fine.
A sedative sounds like the best solution for you, talk to your GP and see if he can prescribe something that will space you out.
I accept this may not suit everyone, but my last MRI, the music feed wasn’t workng to the operator offered to talk me through the whole thing. I really found it fascinating. The whole 'This is a deep scan of * section of your brain. In order to scan this point the coils firing are at a 45 degree angle to where you are lying. They are the thicker coils so the banging noise as they expand will be deeper than the last time. The table is now going to move forward 2 cm so as we can scan * section."
I accept this may not suit everyone, but my last MRI, the music feed wasn’t workng to the operator offered to talk me through the whole thing. I really found it fascinating. The whole 'This is a deep scan of * section of your brain. In order to scan this point the coils firing are at a 45 degree angle to where you are lying. They are the thicker coils so the banging noise as they expand will be deeper than the last time. The table is now going to move forward 2 cm so as we can scan * section."
A friend of mine has to (absolutely has to) have Diazepam before an MRI. Works for her.
I’m like FrostPaw - it does not bother me at all.
An alternative to Rosey’s upright scanner is the “Open Frame” or “C-Frame” type. As you lie on your back, a chunk of the frame roughly around your right shoulder is not there - you can look sideways and see open space. My first MRI was done (privarely) in one of these.
Thanks for all the replies…, glad I’m not the only one. Think I will have another try but will definitely be using diazepam this time. Just have to practice lying flat, closing my eyes and letting my mind drift. I liked the suggestions re music, I think there was music playing but maybe if it was music I liked it would help. Also quite liked the idea of someone talking me through what was happening as that might distract me and stop me obsessing about my breathing etc… Will ask re ‘open’ MRI when I’m there as neuro did mention organising a spinal MRI at some point in the near future.
Was advised to bring someone with me to ‘hold my hand’ next time so I’m away to beg someone to accompany me…
When l had my MRI done - 30yrs ago - l was sedated - canula in back of hand which they topped up when l started to come round. This was done in case l moved ‘involuntary’ - as my left foot/leg/arm would suddenly jerk about. My MRI was head and spine.
My first one was 15 years ago and I had an LP the same day, I had some sort of sedative to calm me for both actually, however I felt with the MRI if you shut your eyes and don’t open them at all, have music on you should be o.k, on a subsequent scan I remember I kept opening my eyes to look and that made me worse.
My first one was 15 years ago and I had an LP the same day, I had some sort of sedative to calm me for both actually, however I felt with the MRI if you shut your eyes and don’t open them at all, have music on you should be o.k, on a subsequent scan I remember I kept opening my eyes to look and that made me worse.
I’ve had several done, last done in 2008, but to this day I have no idea of what the inside of the scanner looks like. I am very claustrophobic and before my first one a friend told me to close my eyes before they slide me in and sing in my head, listen to music, think what to cook for tea, anything EXCEPT open my eyes as if I did I would not be able to go through with it. The temptation to open my eyes has been great but I have resisted. So I can lie in the scanner and imagine anything as I don’t know what it is really like. You can ask for an eye mask if you like too. Good luck.