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Original poster

I need to have a head MRI but worried about being enclosed

81 replies

Booboostwo · 30/09/2019 08:10

I need to have a head MRI but I am really worried about going in there and about the cage thingey they close your head in. I've had several back MRIs and just about managed these, although they put me feet first so my head was closest to the exit. I assume now I will need to go head first.

I told my doctor and he seemed a bit dismissive, told me I'd be fine and I had to insist that I was not going to be fine and would probably not manage to do it. Finally he gave me a prescription for Atarax and Tranxene. Is that going to be enough to zonk me out? I am worried that because he dismissed my fears he prescribed something really mild!

Has anyone managed to make it through a head MRI even though they are scared of enclosed spaces? Any tips?

OP posts:
HelloYouTwo · 30/09/2019 11:48

Yes definitely on the eye closing technique. You have to close them before you go in and don’t open them at all! Nice slow calm breathing and imagine it’s like being at the beauticians and having your eyelashes tinted, or the end of a gym class where you relax for a bit. I know it’s not relaxing in reality but you can fool your body (a bit) by keeping your eyes shut.

Paddington68 · 30/09/2019 11:49

I so feel for you.
Tell the staff.
See if they will let you put your hands above your head so you can feel the 'outside' air. Mine was more like a polo than being enclosed.

Hop it goes well.

Bluewavescrashing · 30/09/2019 11:52

Are you allowed to wear plastic earplugs?

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CIT80 · 30/09/2019 11:56

Hi OP my first attempt I only lasted in there seconds- the second time I went the doctor gave me diazepam to take before and they also gave me an eye mask to wear ! This meant I couldn’t see how close I was to the top of the tube - was a lot lot better - so make sure you ask for that - and if not maybe paying privately for an open MRI would be an option ? X

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 30/09/2019 12:08

I was really worried when I had this but found that closing my eyes before I went in and keeping my eyes firmly closed worked for me.

EKGEMS · 30/09/2019 12:13

I have claustrophobia and couldn't complete an MRI and I then received sedation for another attempt and I slept through it

MrsRufusdog789 · 30/09/2019 12:49

I had one and they only put my head and neck in there . And not for very long either.
I didn't like the noise the machine made . Like me have a talk to your inner child , give her a hug and tell her she will be fine .

Cruddles · 30/09/2019 12:57

I kept my eyes closed the whole time, ended up nodding off

GlamGiraffe · 30/09/2019 13:37

Close your eyes before they slide you in and ask them to slide you into position really quickly. It gets it over with. I am a veteran of MRI brain scans and still hate them. New scanners are more spacious and better ventilated than they were 25 years ago which us a blessing. A brain scan used to take 3.5 hours😫.
Scrunch the foam earplugs in really tight. Sounds odd but then put the headphones on and have the music on loud and listen to the songs.keep still or it will last longer. It might be a good idea to start with a blanket on your body as I get freezing.
It will be fine. Keep your eyes shut and listen to the music.
Open scanners are much lower resolution than closed scanners and dont give good definition for nerve structures and brain.

gamerchick · 30/09/2019 13:41

I shut my eyes and kept them shut until I was out. They're bloody noisy machines.

SilverySurfer · 30/09/2019 14:23

I'm claustrophobic and the first time I had an MRI I ended up a jibbering wreck. The only thing that worked for me for subsequent MRIs was wearing eyepads and also visualising myself being in a beautiful garden, looking closely at the flowers, butterflies, etc.

Good luck.

SlavesToTheKitchen · 30/09/2019 14:56

I recently had one and the head piece had a mirror on it. Somehow, I imagine with a series of mirrors, you could see the picture on the ceiling so it didn't feel like you were enclosed st all.

6demandingchildren · 30/09/2019 15:26

I had one a few weeks ago, i had music and they kept asking if i was ok, it was'nt as bad as i thought it would be but i kept thinking how would i get out of this if something happened and i really wished i had asked before so i could stop thinking about it, the worse thing was they put a wedge under the tops of my legs as its more comfortable and when it was finished i lifted my legs so he could remove the wedge and i farted at the exact moment he was moving it, I couldn't get out of there quick enough.

RosieMapleLeaf · 30/09/2019 16:03

I am a seasoned veteran of the head MRI!

I found the first time stressful and didn't think I would cope when the machine started. They key IMO is to focus on something else and it doesn't really matter what it is, you just have to get your mind to go elsewhere.

For my first one we had recently moved so I took myself on a mental tour of our old house - very slowly, what it was like to walk through the front door, this was here, that was there ... I walked through every room and in the process completely forgot I was in the MRI and the noises faded into the background.

I've had a few more since then and now I find it quite soothing ... nobody is going to talk to me or ask me for anything during that time so I just send my mind off wherever it wants to go.

Good luck!

LuckyAmy1986 · 30/09/2019 16:49

I put my eye mask on beforehand which really helped, I would have freaked if I had seen how close I was to the top. I asked the lady to check in with me after every section (4-7 mins ish) which was great and asked her to then tell me how long the next section was so then it sort of broke it up and I only had to get through the next few minutes abd could deal
With the next part after that. If that makes sense!

Original poster
Booboostwo · 30/09/2019 20:00

The noise doesn’t bother me, it’s the forced immobility of the head and the small tube that are worrying.

OP posts:
Badtasteflump · 05/10/2019 14:15

Have you had your mri yet OP? I had been lurking on your thread as I was booked to have one this morning & was really nervous. I don't like enclosed spaces, or loud noises and was sure I'd freak out. But I wanted to come onto the thread to tell you it was honestly fine! The 'tube' was not very long at all, and even though my head had to be right in, I could easily see out of the bottom. There is also a clever mirror on the top so if you look up you can see round the room anyway. The scans are noisy but not too loud with the headphones on. I closed my eyes and forced myself to concentrate on counting backwards from 1000. Honestly, it was over much sooner than I expected, and I'm sure if I can do it, you can too. The only horrible bit was the stress I've been feeling all week waiting for it!

Badtasteflump · 05/10/2019 14:29

Oh and btw - there is no forced immobility of your head. Yes they put a helmet thing on you ( which doesn't touch your face or obscure anything) but you can still move. You could slide down and jump off if you wanted to! That's why they are constantly reminding you to keep still. I kept telling myself I was choosing to be there and choosing to keep as still as I could, so the pictures would be clear. You are in control Flowers

Original poster
Booboostwo · 05/10/2019 17:44

Thanks Badtasteflump, glad it went well for you! Mine’s on Wednesday. Good to hear about the head thing, seeing it done to my DD made it look quite restrictive!

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 05/10/2019 18:00

I can understand your concern OP. I have regular MRI scans, Head is quick around 15 mins. I usually close my eyes when I am in the scanner. There is a mirror so you can see the staff operating the scanner, they will sometimes give you the option to hear music. And will talk to you whilst they are taking the scans. They will also give you a device to hold in your hand that will stop the scanner if you need to. The scanner is very noisy so be prepared, it’s a bit like road work noise. It’s can be quite cold in the room, so ask for a blanket if you are cold. I also try to imagine a place that I like and where I feel safe, that also helps. Good luck.

catwithnohat · 05/10/2019 18:06

The first time I didn't know what to expect and ended up screwing my eyes shut. I counted to 20, 50, 100 frontwards, backwards, every which way.

The second time I nearly had a panic attack before hand but I had a sleep mask which worked really well (along with the times tables)

I don't think I can manage a third time without chemical help or a cosh!

SamanthaJayne4 · 05/10/2019 20:14

I am claustrophobic. I managed a back scan by swearing silently (but lips moving) most of the way through. I realised at the end there was a camera at the entrance to the tube! No wonder they kept asking if I was alright. I have also been in a so called open scanner but it was quite enclosed. My DD had one in London and it was entirely open. She isn't claustrophobic. I think they should all be open. Good luck OP.

SwedishEdith · 05/10/2019 20:33

Oh, timely as I need a head scan soon. When they say "keep still", does that mean now even moving your tongue? I'm worried I'll get distracted and start playing with my teeth or something.

Also, mine is to investigate an ear issue and I've been told I won't be able to wear earphones. Anyone else had one for similar? Is it really that loud?

Doobydoo · 05/10/2019 20:36

I had one..when I saw the bed and machine I thought there is no way! But it was late evening and my sister had taken me and I knew I had no choice. I took my ipod and gripped it tightly and shut my eyes. They tell you how well you are doing! And how many minutes for each bit..this was Nottingham....Good luck OP you can do it.

Oct18mummy · 05/10/2019 20:46

I’ve had a few head MRI scans. Find out if they have headphones and maybe get them to play music you know and will relax you. I’m not claustrophobic however didn’t like the idea of being in them so I closed my eyes before I got pushed into the machine and tried to relax- once I even fell asleep! Good luck it will be over and done with very quickly