I am severely claustrophobic and had to have an MRI scan yesterday…..

[Tethersend01]

Posting in case I can answer questions which might help others in a similar situation….

[Bumblefeet]

@FuckFuckGo

Not the OP but I believe you do need the cage on your head. However you’re not actually locked into it. It’s made of two pieces, one you rest your head on (and aren’t aware of) and one that goes over your head. It’s very roomy and can be removed easily. I’ve had lots of head MRIs and I cope with them by thinking that if I really had to, I could escape the scanner without much effort. Obviously it’s not advisable to do so (!) but reminding yourself that you’re not actually physically trapped inside and could get out if you needed to can be helpful. Also, you’ll be given a little buzzer to hold. If you press it they’ll speak to you and stop the scan if you’re not coping. Another thing that helps me is imagining the rhythmic noise of the scanner is a drum or bass beat and creating music around it in my mind.

The diazepam would need to be taken in advance as it needs to be prescribed by a doctor. It also needs time to work so ideally should be taken 45 mins - 1 hour before the scan.

Thank you so much. I did try a scan a couple of years ago, and had a massive panic attack. They've now offered me the wide bore, so I'll see how that goes. I think that I got myself really worked up last time and thought that I was too closed in. I can now see that it isn't the case, because your head can sort of pop out at the other end, so I'll do as you say, and talk myself into a better state of mind. It's my ENT doc who's referred me, so it will be head first. If this doesn't work, I'll make another appointment and go down the diazepam route.

[Tara336]

I've just had the letter for my next annual MRI. I take Diazepam but I'm not sure ut really makes much difference to me (you have to have it prescribed by your Dr) I actually spoke to my nurse and asked for an open scanner and she said they don't exist (they do) so I'm going to cancel this scan and pay privately if I have too as I just can't cope with enclosed ones any more

[HappyNewYear2023]

I have yearly MRI's and suffer with claustrophobia.

I wear a eye mask (containing no metal) and put it on before I go into the room so ive never actually seen the machine. That with diazepam sorts me out. Longest one was 2 hours, no idea how I managed it.

Those that asked. Diazepam just makes me feel relaxed.

[UnaOfStormhold]

It depends what your MRI is for; if it's not for the head then you probably don't need the frame, even if you do as a PP said it's quite light and doesn't prevent you moving your head. I find closing my eyes and focussing on my breathing really helps. Also for my last MRI I had the option to listen to music through special headphones which really helped. Your booking letter will probably have a number to call with queries so you could ring that to ask about the diazepam. Good luck.

[Orangesandlemons77]

I had an MRI recently and needed the contrast and cannula. They always struggle with my veins and it took 3 different people to finally get one in the right hand after lots if trying in the arms, so that was pretty horrible. They had this before with a CT scan - that time they had to do it without contrast in the end so at least this time they got there in the end.

Not sure why my veins are so tricky but have had lots of surgery in the past so wonder about scarring etc.

[FuckFuckGo]

Not the OP but I believe you do need the cage on your head. However you’re not actually locked into it. It’s made of two pieces, one you rest your head on (and aren’t aware of) and one that goes over your head. It’s very roomy and can be removed easily. I’ve had lots of head MRIs and I cope with them by thinking that if I really had to, I could escape the scanner without much effort. Obviously it’s not advisable to do so (!) but reminding yourself that you’re not actually physically trapped inside and could get out if you needed to can be helpful. Also, you’ll be given a little buzzer to hold. If you press it they’ll speak to you and stop the scan if you’re not coping. Another thing that helps me is imagining the rhythmic noise of the scanner is a drum or bass beat and creating music around it in my mind.

The diazepam would need to be taken in advance as it needs to be prescribed by a doctor. It also needs time to work so ideally should be taken 45 mins - 1 hour before the scan.

[Bumblefeet]

Well done on facing your fears, the claustrophobia is really something isn't it?

I'm so glad that I've found this thread. I've just had a call to have one next week, and it's the wide bore that I'm having, due to claustrophobia.
Two questions:

1. Do you need the cage over your head still? I'm sure that I'd bear it better without that damn cage.
2. Can you ask for diazepam when you get there, or do you need it in advance?

I'm tempted not to tell anybody, and just go. I don't want the pressure of people wishing me luck, I think I'd rather just go and get it over with.

They need to look at my ears and nose, would that be head first?

[UnaOfStormhold]

Well done OP. I'm not normally claustrophobic but had to have a head and spine MRI in July and even with the mirror to see the techs I found myself getting quite anxious. I found it much easier when I closed my eyes so I couldn't see how close everything was. I tried to focus on slowing my breathing - in fact I sometimes pretended I was in a yoga class doing the relaxation at the end. The staff were great, checking in on me and telling me how long I had to go before they were done so I could count down (and when I could have that all important quick wiggle break!).

The noises are very weird aren't they! I would have liked music though that didn't seem to be an option.

I need to go back for another in October (with a cannula for contrast this time which is something I'm not looking forward to). But it's absolutely amazing technology to be able to see inside your own body in such detail - and the results gave me a diagnosis for some weird symptoms which would have been unexplained before MRIs came along.

[hedgehogscrossing]

@Tethersend01 thank you for answering. It sounds like you have a pro active approach to your mental health and are very self aware.

I have a bit of a weird fear/anxiety about taking medication, I think im going to react or Something, I don't know. Even taking Panadol night I got panicky once. So I was interested in how Diazepam makes you feel.

[Tethersend01]

@hedgehogscrossing usually something will trigger it and I get stuck in a cycle of catastrophic thinking, I cant eat or sleep properly and I shake all the time. Twice in my life I’ve developed intrusive thoughts/ unusual beliefs as well but not thankfully tipped into psychosis. Last year I had some unexplained health issues and I’d had a very stressful house move which was the likely trigger.
Diazepam really helps me at these times as It calms me down enough to sleep and eat and ‘take control’ in various ways. I have a very healthy respect for it though as its very addictive so if I needed something everyday it would have to be something else. I mainly manage my mental health via lifestyle and i have had periods of psychological support and therapy in the past!

[5YearsLeft]

@Tethersend01

Hi, my GP gave me diazepam but only a small dose (4mg). I have really severe claustrophobia which is rooted in a very traumatic incident which happened when I was about 3 years old. I haven’t been in a lift or on a plane for over 20 years and it affects lots of areas of my life although I try to hide it from people as much as possible.
i was in a state of terror on the morning if the tests and was weeping and shaking uncontrollably yesterday morning but I had to have the scan so knew somehow I had to find a way!

Oh gosh, I misread that as lorazepam instead of diazepam and thought, “Well, 4mg! No wonder you didn’t care! You were probably off your tits!” (Note to anyone reading: lorazepam 2mg is the equivalent of 10mg diazepam). ANYWAY, yes, very well done, you, for getting through that on quite a mild sedative, and still making it through all the bits that sometimes scare people, like the noise! You did wonderfully, OP!!!!!

I have to take 1mg of lorazepam pre-MRI (so roughly 5mg diazepam) and it’s still hit or miss if I can get through the whole damn thing. Often also depends which part of my body they’re doing. When I feel my whole body is squished in there, it’s difficult. If it’s just a leg, I feel pretty brave. When it’s my head in one of those cages, I have to REALLY dig deep for some mysterious source of courage because I feel I won’t last the first 30 seconds. And they leave your head in the cage for the whole blooming MRI.

[hedgehogscrossing]

@Tethersend01 If you don't mind me asking what happens when your anxiety flares up? How does diazepam make you feel?

[Joshanddonna]

Well done. Because I’m very claustrophobic I just couldn’t cope. I’ve been to an open MRI once - like a clam you slide in. Then an open MRI where you sit upright and it’s completely open at the front. Even then I really struggled.

You did so so well. I’m ok in lifts and planes (short flights) but I can’t cope with the idea of being unable to leave somewhere. It makes no sense at all!

[Tethersend01]

Sending love and hugs to everyone else who needs these scans especially for life limiting situations xxx

[Tethersend01]

I have generalised anxiety disorder and every so often it flares up to the point I might need 3 or 4 days of regular diazepam to de-escalate it. I can go a few years trundling along fine or like last year had two very bad episodes. Anyway, as my body is to some degree used to the diazepam (its scary how quickly this can happen and once it does your brain never ‘forgets if that makes sense. What this means is that to truly eliminate anxiety i would need about 20mg which no Doctor would prescribe due to the risk of having an adverse event inside the scanner. I have other medical procedures under iv sedation which is fab but it would be much more challenging having that in an MRI not least because someone has to sit with you and monitor your breathing etc continuously!

[nocoolnamesleft]

Well done. I'm not normally claustrophobic but MRI scans get to me. The worst was a cardiac MRI, where I had to keep holding my breath on demand, whilst already panicky. You did well to cope.

[Wishyouwerehere30]

I'm an MRI radiographer and totally empathise with all of you!! Have had a scan in my own dept and I find it very claustrophobic/uncomfortable, just kept my eyes closed and got through it!!! If I had to do it again would def go with the diazepam (which I say to all the claustro patients!)

[FictionalCharacter]

OMG, it was 3 inches from your face and that was a wide bore one? I didn't realise they were that tight. Well done you.

[paisley256]

Oh I hate them I have this overwhelming fear that the machine is going to collapse on my face and I'm going to suffocate, horrible.

I have cancer in my bones and the bone scan machine is literally inches from your face and very slowly moves down over your body, I was willing it to get past my face, just awful.

Well done everyone who has had to cope with these scans whilst suffering with anxiety and panic 💐

[Tara336]

I have an annual MRI and am extremely claustrophobic. I have the cage over my head and go in a wide bore machine after taking 2 diazepam but I still can't stand it. My DH comes in with me, I have the radiographer talk me through the scans so I know how long each one is but for me each time I seem to struggle that bit more. I've asked this week if the next i have can be in an open scanner or quite frankly I won't be having any more as the anxiety I go through for weeks before my scan is too much to bear

[PearlclutchersInc]

A sedative wasn't an option and waiting lists for MRIs are horrendous so I didn't want not to have it.

[PearlclutchersInc]

I had an MRI last week, I'm also claustrophobic, one the students was kind enough to hold my hand and it made a huge difference.

[concernedrepurplehouse]

‘I became very unwell just after my son died and I am sure there is an element of knowing that the worst has happened and I no longer worry so much about anything happening to me.“

[greenhousegal]

Did the sedative help OP? I envy the way some people just sail through various tests and procedures while others like myself freak out!

I had an abdominal MRI so no escaping the fact that my whole body was inside the thing! But no head cage, I just couldn't do that in a million years, nope.

I did have a small dose of Ativan an hour before, and while I felt no different in myself, it most certainly must have helped somehow. I was ok, not great but got through it. The one thing I could recommend is an eye mask. I know I could keep my eyes closed but I think instinctively I would have wanted to open them and then see the curve of the cave and freak!

I won't mention endoscopy, oh dear me.... and that was WITH sedation and and lidocaine in the throat. How do people just lie there and accept/cope with it? I could see them coming with the big probe. OMG.

[Tethersend01]

@endofthelinefinally Im so sorry to hear about your Son 💐