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

I don’t think you should just forget about it OP. Clearly it was urgent as you’ve only been waiting a day or two. I’ve had several MRI’s after a recent breast cancer diagnosis (another tomorrow as it happens). I get claustrophobic, so I know exactly where you’re coming from.

I would book an appointment with your GP and explain what happened. I guarantee you it won’t be the first time they’ve come across it. Ask if it would be possible for you to be sedated for your next one - even if it’s only mildly so, to take the edge off the panic. It may mean you have to be dropped off and collected because you won’t be fit to drive after, and the appointment may be longer, while they make sure that you’re OK when it’s finished, but it’s absolutely possible for them to give sedation to those who really struggle.

Sorry you have had this experience.

However I have found this thread really useful as waiting on a date for an MRI. Reading everyone's experiences gives me an idea of what to expect.

I had to have one every year for about 8 years (cancer related) and yes, it’s not the most pleasant experience. It’s a lot noisier than I expected. I shut my eyes and imagined I was in episode of Star Trek. I actually find having my boobs squeezed to the point of excruciating pain by scanning machine at yearly checkup far worse.

Sorry this happened OP but if it’s any consolation at all lots of people have a similar reaction when having an MRI.

i have previously been prescribed diazepam when I had one but last time I took an eye mask and practised breathing techniques beforehand so that I was familiar with how to calm the panic during the exam. The staff weren’t that nice to me either when I was crying but one lovely staff member offered to hold my hand all the way through which helped. I had to have my arm up by my head and out the machine for her to hold it but it definitely helped.

I hope you’re ok

ILoveToCleanSaidNooneEver If you're claustrophobic (and mine is quite mild) being in a confined space with something quite close to your face is very distressing. I opened my eyes as they slid me in, then kept them firmly shut for the whole procedure. And my claustrophobia is confined to not liking packed buses and lifts, so I feel seriously sorry for anyone with the full-blown condition.

I have had a few MRI scans and I find them incredibly difficult so I really sympathise with you.
I am the toughest old boot going and everyone I know thinks that it’s hysterical that I am like it but it scared me witless.
What I do now, is I ask how long will each scan be and then in my head I count; so they swap plates between scans and the radiographer will say ‘this one will be 10 minutes’ so I count down the 10 minutes which gives me something to focus on.
I also take my husband; again I am a super independent person which adds to my friends’ amusement, but I know that I have a complete meltdown he would just calmly get me out of there and I’d be fine. It’s always a fight - but they give in eventually - and he just holds my ankle while I’m in there and says ‘you’re doing very well love’ - as he knows that drives me mad - and but that with having tightly closed eyes some how gets me through it.
Good luck though - you can do this but it really isn’t easy.

Speak to your GP, see if you can get something to relax you.

I had one ages ago and just about went through it, it's very difficult. Staff were not very friendly in my case either. Back then (almost 10 years ago) they had told me that if I couldn't do it, I had to go to my GP to get sedatives and come back again. Good luck.

My first MRI, I ran out of the hospital the moment I was dressed afterwards leaving my handbag, phone, car keys in the changing room, my mum had to go back in for them while I was throwing up in the car park. I've since had 3 more at a different hospital where I explained I was claustrophobic & the staff allocated me to the largest scanner & gave me diazapan to take an hour before the scan. I've survived one scan that took 90 minutes, I fell asleep listening to my favourite music.

Why shouldn't you open your eyes? I've never had one, but did a quick Google search. Is it because the scanner is very close to your face?

Oh, reading the experiences sounds very scary. If I wasn't physically immobilised and could get out I think I'd be ok, but if I was immobile, I really don't think I'd want to be in an MRI scanner.

OP surely they have this often and can work with you to suggest ways of having a successful one? Hope you get the help and support you need.

You poor thing. I'm sure they can come up with a way to help you if you ring them and chat about it. Good luck.

I have them regularly, and luckily don't mind them. I say my tables and recite poetry to pass the time. My husband pretends he's piloting a spaceship - maybe doing something like that would help?

Also, sorry if this sounds picky, but it's a bug bear for lots of us. In the UK MRI staff are specialist radiographers and specialist support staff. We are not nurses or technicians.

This really isn’t the case if you are claustrophobic or have other medical issues . I’m claustrophobic and also cannot lay flat for more than a few minutes because I have lung problems .It really is not a case of lie still with loud noise for many people and it’s very simplistic to say it is . Should I ever need another one I will be paying for an open , upright one and if that’s not good enough the Doctors will have to manage without .

I've had many MRIs and the first one was the one I was most scared of tbh. I kept getting told off for moving as I kept shaking.
I'm not a fan of the head cages and have to breathe through them but I've found that now I know what to expect, it's much easier.

Im so sorry you had such a scary experience. You're not the first and definitely won't be the last so please don't be embarrassed.
If you ever need another, speak to your gp about sedation.
Also, a lot of places will put your favourite music on for you if you ask.

MRI contrast doesn't make the scan experience worse, unless you have problems with IVs.

Yes, I had one done on my spine some years ago. My head and my arms were out, and my friend was able to hold my hand. That helped a lot.

Only some pacemakers are MRI compatible, it's worth phoning the department and discussing this as it might save you a trip. Depending on your medical issues diazepam or some other sedative from your GP will help ease your anxiety.

My SD had the same problem a few years ago. They made her another appointment and this time she was prescribed diazepam to calm her down which worked well. Good luck!

Just to clear up any confusion, when you have an MRI scan the body part being scanned goes to the middle of the 'tunnel', so if your head is being scanned you go head first in and your legs & feet are still outside, if you're having anything from chest/waist down you'll generally go in feet first.

So, OP, staff shouldn't have been shitty with you, that's deeply unprofessional, lots of patients panic in MRI scanners, it's so common we almost expect it. Please feedback to PALS so they get their acts together.

What happens now? You can be booked for another appointment, and see your GP a few days before to get some diazepam to help you stay calm, take a friend/family member that can go in the scan room with you to hold your hand, and some people bring a CD of music to listen to through the headphones.

(Name changed for obvious reasons!)

I'm fine with them but mine have been not on my head so I've tilted my head back a bit and then I could see the ceiling rather than the tube
I mostly slept on and off as I was tired!
Had 4 on my back and the last one was my pelvis with Buscopan which made me feel a bit weird

I'm very claustrophobic.
I've only had one but it was awful. I was shaking and crying and also trying to keep still. The radiographer was lovely though and he promised to get me out if it got too much. I couldn't have music because I felt I might miss some emergency instructions (I don't know what!) so I just listened to the clanging. At the end he said if you ever need another one get sedation.
Then the clinic said I had failed to attend and I had a massive meltdown down thinking they had lost my results. They found them in the end but it triggered a lot more anxiety.

Such good advice!

Oh god I absolutely hate them !
Had one a few months back on head and neck and they put this mask over my face and then I went in the machine for 80 minutes! I didn’t think o would have been able to get through it I very nearly pressed the button . I was panicking like crazy towards the end .
Most recent time few weeks ago I was in hospital as an in patient and they gave me a sedative. It was a much better experience.

I've had a few MRIs but the last one was a struggle. Weirdly my previous ones didn't have music but I think having the music with the background MRI noise really set me off. It also could do with the fact that I was just starting to come down with covid and felt really off all day after. I would definitely get an anxiety med. Helps a lot

I think the issue with these is you often don't think of yourself as claustrophobic going in.

I've just recently had a scan with a gamma camera that wasn't as bad as an MRI in that it was much quieter and not quite a tunnel - but I had to lie flat with a giant panel-shaped camera less than an inch from my nose for a good 25 minutes, leaving me with a tiny bit of peripheral vision if I dared to open my eyes.

In fairness they did tell me beforehand in the appointment letter that the camera would get close to my face but I was envisioning a few inches away which would have been more bearable. Certainly I didn't consider myself claustrophobic going in but am now reassessing on the other side! Wish I could have known beforehand just how bad it would be so I could have had something to calm me down. As it was I just had to get through it and scuttled off for a hot chocolate right after.