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

If it has the same effect - a sense of panic, terror, or needing to get out immediately - then a quibble about whether it's claustrophobia or something else isn't really relevant.

I had a CT scan which was nothing on an MRI but I was kind of annoyed the Dr said you can open your eyes

I should have kept them shut and had up deep breathe through it

If you tilt your head back and look up it is easier to manage (unless your head needs scanning I guess). I had one for pelvis and that was the way I managed.

I had a similar experience the first time I tried. Part of my problem was that I was getting over a cold and couldn't breathe through my nose, and my mouth got incredibly dry, couldn't swallow - not nice.

I rescheduled and got a prescription for one lorazepam tablet, which I took before the session. It did the trick.

Never open your eyes.

Absolutely that, if you have a normal scanner. I wish someone had given me that advice the first time. Once the radiologist told me to keep my eyes closed, I managed to get to the end of it. But I'd gone in with my eyes open, and I had to ask her to get me out within seconds. I forced myself to go in again, but only the eyes closed thing got me through it.

I really empathise with you. The only time I have made any fuss or panicked in medical setting was when I had an MRI. I felt overwhelming terror as they slid me into the very narrow enclosed scanner. The staff weren't sympathetic and I could tell they were irritated. Managed to get through it by keeping head out but I don't know how I could ever do it again.

I am not someone who makes a fuss generally. I am pretty stoical. Have given birth four times with no pain relief, had several hysteroscopies, go to the dentist no problem. But being trapped in an MRI scanner was simply unbearable.

I hope you can speak to someone sympathetic and get some support to have another scan. Or maybe see if there's an alternative method of checking whatever you needed the scan for.

Ask about taking something op

I had one when I was 15, it was awful. I also pressed the little button, crying and the nurse was not very sympathic at all. I managed to get through it but it was a really, really unpleasant experience.

I’ve had a mild sedative each time I have had an MRI and it really helps. You need to request a sedative from the doctor who booked your scan.

Ugh I was the same and hated it
i did a second attempt and just about managed, it really helped me when they told me I could slide myself out if I needed to as I had felt trapped and thought they had to get me out

Oh - mine was quite a wide tunnel - in fact I’d have called it an arch rather than a tunnel. Maybe that was why it was ok?

I had to have one on my heart where they give you an injection of a drug which makes your heart speed up and feels like you're about to have a heart attack/die.

0/10. Don't recommend 🙈😑

Further - I could have just wiggled out of the MRI thing, as it’s just an archway around you. So I wouldn’t call this claustrophobic as you could easily get out.

After a really awful experience the first time I had an MRI, the second time I needed one (also head) I phoned ahead to the hospital. The woman I spoke to was really helpful, and said that one of their scanners was much better for people with claustrophobia than the others, and rebooked me so that I could have that one. It was vastly better, my friend was allowed to accompany me, he could just reach to hold my fingers, and I could see out into the room a little.

In the end I felt daft having asked him to come, because I'd have been fine in my own, it was so much more open.

So yes, I'd call them, explain, and see if they can provide a more open one, or refer you to a different hospital that has one.

My gp prescribed low dose valium.
I took one about an hour prior and kept my eyes firmly shut.
When they took me out I thought I'd had
5 minutes, no I'd been in there almost 30 minutes.
Never open your eyes.

My daughter had a brain MRI when she was 11. It was done in the children’s hospital, their scanner has a wider tunnel.
The technician told me that they also scan adults who are claustrophobic or larger in size in that hospital. Unless urgent, adult Patients have to wait a little longer though.

I think it’s something other than claustrophobia that people get.

I am insanely claustrophobic- always have been since a child - but I was totally fine with it. Which is really weird when I absolutely cannot sit in a plane/ train/ theatre etc seat without direct aisle access.

If I’m in a slow moving crowd I can’t cope at all, but this didn’t affect me.

So maybe those who say they’re not claustrophobic but hated this, it’s because it’s not claustrophobia that was affecting you - maybe it’s eg to do with having something above your head, or the noise etc?

I would freak out too. My mom had one (not in this country though) and had to be sedated to get through it. I'm surprised they didn't offer you that option, I thought it was quite common.

I have, only recently for some reason, started having that claustrophobic/sheer panic feeling at the dentist. Weirdly, if I get up and walk round it subsides and I feel fine when I get back in the chair. But I realise you can’t do this with an MRI!

My dentist has said beta blockers work for some people as a temporary measure, so I’m going to see the gp to try and get hold of some before my next visit. That might work for you?

Whatever you do, I’m really sympathetic. That panicked feeling is awful, and it’s very bad you weren’t treated better.

A friend of mine gets something from the GP. And she said that a male radiographer held her hand the entire time, she was having her hip scanned

I am not fussed about anything normally but I will need hard drugs to get me through another MRI! I am planning on speaking to my GP if I ever need one again.

I wouldn't describe myself as claustrophobic but I absolutely hated being in the MRI scanner. Felt really panicky. Talk to them and hopefully they will offer some solutions.

Young children are given a sedative. I don’t know if adults are ever given that option.

@MammaKel I am very claustrophobic and when I needed a head one they just put my head in the tunnel bit, so my feet were sticking out. If you get a date for another one, ask them to do that. You don’t need to go into the whole machine. I’ve had my lower back done by going in feet first so my head was sticking out. I really couldn’t ever go in the whole thing.

If you can get to Bournemouth, there’s an
open MRI scanner at the chiropractic college - clinics.hsu.ac.uk/services/clinical-imaging/mri/