Couldn't even last 10 seconds, I freaked out. *content warning regarding MRI scans* title edited by MNHQ

I’ve just had a new MRI appt and it’s prompted me to ask how you are getting on @MammaKel. Did you manage to re-book it? I hope all is OK.

Are you able to be sedated?

For people reading this who are discouraged and need them please don't be. While not invalidating people's experiences, I've had many NHS MRIs on my brain and various limbs and I find them totally fine. They've also proved invaluable in terms of diagnosis.

When I worked at a GP we had to do a special referral for a patient to a standing MRI he was too claustrophobic for the laying down one. Took about 12 months but he got his appointment.

I’m so sorry you had this experience. I’m severely claustrophobic but have had to have several MRIs. Some tips - ask for an eye mask and ear plugs and put them on before you go in. Keep telling yourself you are in control, with the panic button, and that it will all be done in about half an hour and you will be out in the fresh air again. Try visualisation, go for your favourite walk in your head and really concentrate on it. If you are reasonable with numbers, start counting backwards from 10,000 in 7s (or similar) as soon as you go in. And trust the radiographers, they really want to help you and won’t judge you at all. Good luck 💐

Yes, it was the noise that got me. It was loud but also the frequency got me, I could feel it. And the heat as well. It was around 2000/2001 when I had it and I dot think there was the option for music to play or them to speak to you. I hope never to have one again.

It's the noise for me. I was genuinely like WTF is going on? Do I evacuate?

If you think how often you lie down and how often you give blood, and how much voluntary control we have over our hands, I'm slightly bemused by the I couldn't keep my hand still because I give blood comment ....

I had a scan in a large bore machine brilliant tube was much wider I even opened my eyes

I took my headphones off before I had my MRI on my leg, they make my ears get uncomfortably hot. It didn't occur to me that someone would talk to me through the earphones. I assumed they were so the noise didn't disturb me!

The only time they spoke to me was to tell me to keep my hand very still. (Which took some doing, as I give blood; and they ask you to keep moving your fingers. So it was an ingrained habit when lying down!_

As @MotherOfDragon86 says you can't do a head scan without this on. Also, all ours have a periscope mirror on the head coil that allows you to see out if you do open your eyes, so even if we are scanning your neck it can be helpful for the patient, even if you think you don't want it because it'll be close to your face.

We can only put you in feet first if we are scanning your lower body. We do put as many people in feet first as we possibly can, for exactly this reason. The area being scanned has to be in the middle of the 'tunnel'. We are very aware that a lot of people find MRI scans unpleasant for lots of reasons, and we actually try our best to reduce the stress of our patients.

You are not completely enclosed, and every MRI scanner I've worked in (in a 20+ year career) has had a viewing camera at the far end specifically so we can monitor the patient. We also talk to patients between scans, checking they are ok, telling them how long the next scan is etc.

I had to have a head one years ago I'm claustrophobic but thought I'd be ok, unfortunately temptation got the better of me and I opened my eyes - big mistake I was shocked at how close it was to my face which made me completely panic and then hated every single minute of it. I had to have another a couple of years ago I said I was claustrophobic and the doc said I could have a PET scan instead, my arms had to be stapped down across my body that was even worse, I had a bad experience as a teen and can't cope with being restricted now because of it, so I can't win!! So yes I really feel for you, but if you ask your doc you can get prescribed a sedative for it xx

I never open my eyes .. I've had 3/4 and keep my eyes shut .. I'm pretty good at disassociating though

I think this is really helpful information. I’ve had regular MRI scans over the last few years, and the biggest difference I’ve noticed for the last few are the automated voices telling you that the next scan will start and for how long.

I’ve not needed sedation yet, because most of them have been for a spinal disability, so on my back, and the occasional head scans but the last two, including one yesterday were to monitor a breast tumour for which I’m being treated with hormones to shrink it before surgery.

The scans involved lying on my stomach, head down on a padded rest and arms outstretched, with boobies in - for want of a better description - two buckets !! I was very high up in the scanner and it was by far the most uncomfortable and claustrophobic scan I’ve had. It lasted just over an hour, and the panic was just under the surface throughout. I couldn’t have got through it without the support of the radiographers - they were wonderful, and so kind.

You cannot scan the brain without the head coil I'm afraid. You can possibly get away with it if they're scanning your neck. Would love to see the images of a brain with no head coil 🤣

Ps, I refused the head cage.

I did the same except I tired to climb out and almost ended up on the floor!
I asked my Gp to re refer me and give me something for nerves,and got 6mg of Valium.
The day before my next one was due I went to the department and the receptionist called the radiographer to talk to me,she was doing it the next day so went through the last panic.
on the day I got my own eye mask and got all the metal bits off,and she gave me the headphones,and promised she’d tell me when it started and how long it would be at regular intervals and she did! And I did it!
I took all the Valium and a nytol and with help got through it.
The best of luck,it can be done, get all the help you can.

You're gonna be absolutely fine. Your in control remember, you have that buzzer if you need it. As radiographers we watch our patients throughout their full scan. No one is left unattended so to speak. I would recommend just closing your eyes before the head coil (equipment that clicks in) is attached and just keep them closed. Your scan is actually made up of several smaller scans each a few minutes long. Sometimes what I do is speak to the patient between each scan and say "next scan 3 mins long" etc. If you wish you can ask for this. You will notice a big difference with the sedation. Good luck, would love an update of how easy you're gonna find it now 😉 x

Good luck, OP, & I hope things go better for you next time. Hope you get a good outcome, too.

I've found your thread very helpful.

I think they are anxiety provoking and if you aren't well prepared it can be difficult but it's one if those things that it's better to manage than avoid. Sedatives have their own risk which I wouldn't be happy with - respiratory suppression etc and since you are enclosed you are not under direct vision so I'd rather be awake. I have long MRIs and MRAs with lots of different sequencing so usually have to keep eyes closed keep very still so they can get the best pictures and keep in mind the noises are expected. My son is a music producer and the noise is similar to when he was learning the skill as a teenager which came in handy.

I don't know if this is a daft question (and apologies if someone has already said it!) But why don't they put everyone in feet first, and have the head and shoulders hanging out?

Obviously if they are doing the head and shoulders area that's different, but if what they're scanning is below the shoulders, why are they not putting people in feet first? It seems that lots of people struggle with claustrophobia when it comes to MRIs. If peoples head and shoulders were hanging out, then way less people would struggle surely...?