MRI failure!

[outnumbered4]

This is very embarrassing just wondering if this has happened to anyone else

I had to have an urgent MRI today after being in hospital last weekend with a gallbladder infection. During the ultrasounds they found I have a very dilated bile duct which they said could be from a stone blocking it, although no obstruction could be seen on the ultrasound.

So I went for the MRI this morning I've never had one before so I was nervous anyway but when I got in the room and saw the machine I felt really anxious. After being strapped down and the earplugs etc put on I started to really panic and when they actually put me in the scanner I went into full blown panic and demanded to be taken out straight away! They didn't even start the scanning I couldn't go in there at all I just ran straight out absolutely dying of embarrassment and so shaken up.

I feel absolutely ridiculous now but there is no way I can do it please tell me I'm not the only one that's done this in an MRI! And what happens next?

Forgot to mention I'm pregnant so there was no option for sedative please be kind I feel really silly and also really worried about what is wrong with me.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

OP

I have had more than my fare share of MRI scans and I agree they are horrible.

My Uncle had to stop one once when they were scanning his hip as he was having a panic attack

[Lunde]

The tube MRI scanners are very claustrophobic - does your area have access to an open MRI which have a lot more room?

[youarenotkiddingme]

My ds had an MRI a few years ago. I found the room and noise scary and it wasn't even me in it!

Not helped I'm sure by having to remove my glasses and I could see fuck all

Could you try using a mindfulness app or something? Maybe get something on cd because I was told we could take a cd for ds to be piped into the machine.

[outnumbered4]

They've told me they will have to contact the consultant to let him know the MRI wasn't done and said he will probably want to do another ultrasound and repeat blood tests to check if there's any change better or worse and then they will take it from there.

I just had a look at the open MRI machines why don't they just use those everywhere! They look so much less stressful. I don't know if they have any near me I wasn't given the option for it but I'm kind of hanging now waiting for them to say what the next plan is. And feeling really scared that there's something really horribly wrong with me and I've bottled a silly test that would have told us what it is!

[MrsMooks]

I had one last week and took a diazepam. Guessing you can't? It really helped.

[littlemissneela]

Ive been in the room while both my dds have had them and it is really loud, but somehow I still manage to nod off! I have also been in the waiting room while someone was shown the scanner etc who clearly had the same fear as you. It might be worth speaking to them to see if they will let you do some desensitisation sessions to see if you can eventually have the scan done.

[outnumbered4]

I don't think I can have diazepam at the moment, they did say no sedatives. That's a good idea about the desensitisation, although this was an urgent one so I don't think I've got time for that. I've never reacted like this to anything before it's so embarrassing!

[Natsku]

If you really need the MRI then they can give you sedatives as the benefits outweigh the risks really, certainly at least something like diazepam to calm you down for it.

[deaddeadgood]

It happens all the time op. Don't worry. They are horrendous things if you're even remotely claustrophobic

[Cooloncraze]

OP I really feel for you they are so claustrophobic. I had one last week and didn't think I was going to be able to- but the nurses were so patient and said loads of people just walk in the room take one look and walk out again! (And come back another day taking diazepam).
I managed it fine because I knew I could shuffle out of the machine if I needed to or they'll fetch you immediately if you panic and press the button. Just knowing I could wriggle out if I absolutely had to helped me stay calm. You're not trapped. And the nurse telling me I how many minutes I had left really helped too.

[mustiwearabra]

I have to have several due to a chronic health condition and it's hit or miss as to whether I cope or have a panic attack. It sounds really odd but what sometimes gets me through is thinking of quite a fast paced song and then repeating it over and over in my head, making it match to the beat of the MRI. Also ALWAYS keep your eyes closed as you're going in. Don't give yourself a hard time, they're tough

[outnumbered4]

Thank you everyone, I feel a bit better knowing I'm not the only one that's run away from an MRI! I will ring them and ask about sedatives so I can go and have it done

[Ollivander84]

I was petrified but I've had 3 now. Headphones and music help. And they tell you how long each bit of the scan is so "4 minute scan coming up" so I concentrated on staying really still by thinking if I get good images they won't need to redo it!

Depending where you are positioned, if you tilt your head very slightly back or ask for a mirror, you can see the outside which helped me a lot. And I keep my eyes shut unless I want to have a quick look to see the outside and that relaxes me that it's literally cm away
You can get out at any point at all, I had a buzzer to press if I needed to

[lilyborderterrier]

Op bless you I was exactly the same, I had an MRI to investigate a huge fibroid I've got and I'm pregnant, I was about 19 weeks, I totally freaked out, and the baby went mad inside me, it was so claustrophobic but luckily I was able to be turned around and go in feet first. They were very calm and patient with me and thankfully I was able to get the scans done that the consultant needed.

It's a very scary experience do not feel bad love xx
Is it possible that you could be turned around and go in feet first? That might be calmer for you.
Big hugs xx

[lilyborderterrier]

I agree maybe earphones with music and a blindfold might help. X

[DoItTooJulia]

I had an MRI (head and neck) got on the table, got the two cages on and bolted down, got put in the machine and that was it. Needed to get OUT and fast. Instantly, as soon as I was in there.

I did manage an hour in the end, but didn't manage all of the scans they needed. And I had to come out a few times in between.

It was bloody awful. So you're not alone.

Open scanners look so much better and if I had to have another one, I'd totally go for the sedation. I hope you can have sedation even if you're pg if you do end up having to have one.

op. I felt properly traumatised and unwell. (I even had a thread on here about it, but I was dead embarrasssd and put it in 30 days so it'd disappear!)