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

I had to have a head MRI before my cochlear implant. It was a lengthy one and of course, with the reason for the implant, there was no way I was going to be able to listen to music or talk to anyone. I just had to put up with it as a necessary step for something I knew would change my life.

Longest 30 minutes of my life, but the staff were kind, and angled a mirror so I could see them at work through the window in the room behind, so at least that reduced the feeling of disconnection. My husband peeped through the window and said he could just tell from the look of my toes just how little I was enjoying the whole experience.

What got me through it was holding on to the outcome (yea or nay to the CI) and thinking of the French phrase ‘un mauvais quart d’heure’ (a bad quarter of an hour)

Just knowing that a name for it exists makes me feel better, whether it’s the dentist’s chair or an MRI. It’s only 15 minutes or (30, two bad quarters of an hour!) and helps reduce the stress to manageable proportions.

It really wasn’t fun, but I think the pp who said it wasn’t just claustrophobia had a point - it’s that feeling of not being connected to the world around you as well as being hemmed in. I felt so adrift and would have felt more so without that mirror because I didn’t even have auditory stimulus.

(I will never be able to have another MRI. Once the CI is in place they’re contraindicated. Strangely, I’m at peace with that!)

Was it at the hospital or was it a mobile unit.

If it was a mobile unit then ring the hospital, explain and ask for a hospital based appointment. The NHS's own staff are far better with dealing with issues with the tunnel.

I was allowed to leave my jeans on😠 in a mobile unit and they refused to help my disabled mum causing her neck problem to flare up

Hope you manage to get a new appointment sorted quickly.

I’ve had three on my heart and have felt panicky in all of them. The one I had on my knee was fine as my head was sticking out of the top. During the last heart one they pulled me out after a few minutes to check the positioning of something and I told them I didn’t think I could go in again. They were very kind - the nurse took the pillow away from my head so I could tilt it back and see the outside world and then she stood at the end of the tube so I could see her too. That made the whole experience much more bearable, but I don’t know if you could do it with a cage.

I too had a head MRI. I would never have considered myself claustrophobic beforehand, but that procedure ruined me for life! I was told by the nurse to request sedatives if I ever need another one, and possibly an open scanner.

This is good advice. I closed my eyes and didn't open them until I was back out. It was easy.

?? What does all that mean?

OP had a horrid experience; now she's wondering whether she will have to go through it again.

You could have been a bit more descriptive in the thread title. I would never have clicked on it. Thank you so much for the panic attack. Very bloody kind of you.

Well no, I’m just interested as to what the distinction might be! Some people clearly have panic in one situation and some in another and it would be useful for me to understand more about it.

It's hard.

They should be kinder, it was difficult for you. But they're not because they're going to get it in the neck for it. Essentially you were a no show.

NHS so broken you probably waited months for that appointment, they're being told to reduce the waiting lists, maybe even put on an extra clinic to try get through some. By not going through with it they have to find you a new appointment, extending time you've been waiting, lengthening the list.

I hope you get seen soon OP and all is well. But their reaction to you isn't personal.

This. Also ask for sedation (take some valium before hand )

I had been told this could happen before I had my first one so practised some breathing exercises and all was well.

I suggested this to the DH when he needed one but he said it wasn't necessary. So my lovely DH all 6 foot something and normally very calm and civilised started shrieking in absolute despair before he'd even gone all the way in the thing.

This is why on Monday I'm going to the hospital with him to help him get through the whole thing. Fourth time lucky perhaps???

My friend asked his gp for some diazepam specifically for this and was given some

I have to keep my eyes open. The panic is far, far worse with my eyes shut and means that I can't actually keep them shut. My problem is linked to PTSD but I find it almost impossible to lie there and not be able to run away. I am hyper vigilant and so closing my eyes would make it a thousand times worse

I've had numerous MRI scans and they aren't pleasant. My head scan was 50 minutes long! During that time, I zoned out. Planned my meals for the week, chewed on gum and gritted my teeth with the noise.

Full sympathy to you OP, maybe try a beta blocker next time? Staff should be kind, it's not a nice experience.

Had one a few weeks ago. Not a pleasant experience. I made it through but it was like being in a metal bin hit by a hammer. I can completely understand why you didn't want to go ahead with it.

Oh also another poster recommended the Dare book by Barry Mcdonaugh, and that is truly the best book I’ve ever read for phobias/panic attacks, it’s genuinely made life easier for me with enclosed spaces.

I had exactly the same thing. They booked me another appointment and gave me diazepam beforehand. Made me not care about anything!

I disagree with PP who said it's not claustrophobic- the roof was literally about 2 inches above my face if I remember rightly. I had expected to be in a fairly sizeable tunnel not so at all.
The noise was incredible and I just closed my eyes as I went in and counted the seconds. Twenty minutes later I was out and opened them again. It was bloody awful and I completely get your feelings OP. I think they will give you a sedative if you're so affected, next time.

Don’t be ashamed Op, it’s so common!
I used to pride myself on not being scared of much, I’m fine with heights, public speaking, spiders! I’ve done loads of adventure sports, love sailing, skiing, mountain biking, climbing.

I was in a simulator ride in Disney, not scary at all and very suddenly had a massive panic attack about the enclosed space and was desperate to get out, I was trapped from another 5 minutes, It was horrific.

I’m slightly better now but when your body sends that horrible panic feeling it’s just awful. I’m a logical person, but I’ve had to really work hard to get it under control so I can fly, go on trains etc. I had an MRI recently and I felt I could wiggle out if needed (I’m quite small), so I just about coped!

But you’ve nothing to be ashamed of, it’s a terrible feeling. It’s something deeper in your brain that goes beyond the logic and it is so tough to control sometimes.

You're not an utter idiot, OP. If it happens, it happens. I hope you're feeling a bit better now - if not, then have a think about what would comfort you, & just do that. I had an equally horrible experience the only time I tried to do an MRI, & when I got home I showered & washed my hair & then got bundled up in a big chenille dressing gown I'd never used before, & zoned out until I felt ready to face the world again.

Mine was made worse by the staff appearing very hostile, glaring at patients, not talking or explaining anything, etc. I was already nervous & that set me up to fail, I think. Whatever. I never want to do an MRI again.

I would say though that I've done several CT scans since then (had some great advice here about CT scans) & they were completely different to the MRI & much easier, so if you ever have to do one, don't let your MRI experience put you off.

Now, make some hot chocolate or whatever you fancy, & snuggle down for a bit...

I had one a year ago.

Like another poster, I’ve given birth without any pain relief, I’m a trooper at the dentist , I’ve had surgery, I go for smears of my “tilted” (can’t be found) cervix

But I only barely made it through it. I was a trembling mess. It was horrific. I surprised myself because I’m usually so calm in any medical situation. The hardest part was the person doing it was in no way sympathetic, and at one point even told me that I needed to get a grip, when I told her that I was nervous I’m still sorry that I didn’t report her for her attitude.

It’s such an unnatural situation, and you are not an idiot

I had my first ever one this week. It took 3 attempts to do it. I kept my eyes closed but it was horrible.

Yeah, never ever open your eyes. Your body reacted, there's nothing you could have done about it. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Gosh how horrible for you. When I've had scans, the staff have been aware that this kind of reaction can happen and repeatedly said that if I squeezed the button they would first speak to me and then take me out if I wanted. Knowing this was helpful. I got through it by keeping my eyes closed and listening to the music played into head phones. I hope you get offered another scan and can manage it better now you know what to expect.