Advice on diazepam

[Soontobe60]

I have to have an MRI scan and last time I had a panic attack so had to stop the scan. My GP has prescribed diazepam to help. I've never taken it. Can anyone advise me on what it might be like! Also, it says to take 1-2 hours before the scan. I'm worried that if I take it 2 hours before it might wear off, but if I take it 1 hour before I might still be anxious. Help!

I take this to fly. It’s fab. No ill effects. Just removes all the panic. I’d suggest taking it 60-90 mins beforehand. Hope it helps.

I've not taken it for a while but I remember for me it was fairly fast working - I usually felt calmer within half an hour, and it usually lasted for at least 6 hours or in reality just until I felt more in control of my anxiety/ emotions.
It definitely reduced anxiety, but try to think of it as something which will help you to rationalise and access other calming techniques rather than waiting for a sudden sense of calmness to hit.

I can't describe from personal experience, but I work as a mental health nurse so I have some knowledge.

Take it around an hour beforehand and it will be working in time. Two hours before is too long and it might be starting to wear off. It will relax your muscles and make you feel chilled, maybe a little sleepy. Don't drive when you've taken it.

I'd say it depends on the mg dosage. I just had to get some from the doctors for severe panic attacks that had me unable to sleep for three days so I can definitely vouch for their effectiveness. It is all relative to how bad you panic and how your body reacts I suppose

It will have kicked in by one hour. Have you got more than one tablet then you can test to reassure yourself.

Diazepam is lovely. Enjoy!!

Don't drive on diazepam it really impairs you so get someone else to drive you.

I have it for MRIs. Especially head MRI scans. An hour before should be OK. I keep my eyes closed for the whole thing (mine can be very long) and it helps me resist the temptation to open them. I also have a CD that I take that really distracts me to listen to.

I have it for smear tests. It just makes you a bit more relaxed. You feel chilled out although I had to request two this time because one didn’t do much for me last time

It works well, gives you a lovely warm feeling inside.

An hour will be enough, I normally find it kicks in around the 30-minute mark.

Take someone with you if you can in case you get a bit dazed, and like other posters have said definitely don't plan on driving the same day.

Thanks for the replies. It's a head MRI and as its for my jaw joints I can't wear headphones! Once when I had it done they gave me some weird glasses with mirrors that enabled me to see the staff in the control booth if I did open my eyes. But now they can't guarantee that there will be any available - it's at a different hospital! My DH is taking me. I feel like such a wuss because I'm normally very matter of fact with medical procedures!

Oh that's a shame about the headphones. If they don't have the glasses, close your eyes before the cage goes on and keep them closed until it's off. I usually tell them that's what I'm going to do and they're really good at telling me when I need to shut and open my eyes.

Hello... I've had 6 head MRI'S.... I wear foam earplugs as they feel less claustrophobic than the headphones that clip in. I also take one diazapan one hour before. I fell asleep on the last one! I get panic attacks too. You'll be fine. All the best.

I take diazepam for claustrophobia during flying and it works really well, I have no anxiety and feel really calm and in control. I’ve never had an MRI but I’d definitely need it for that too.

MRIs suck. I'm claustrophobic, but no one had warned me about the cage, and I was terrified. I cried a little bit in the machine, and also had no earphones or earplugs. Not fun, and getting help to cope with it is sensible, nothing to feel silly about.

Please remember - you have survived one before, and you will survive this one! try to spend the next few days focusing just on your breathing, so that during the MRI you have had practice. And remember that it will end. It will!

I'm guessing they have given you 2mg, if you have not been prescribed it before? Expect to feel it after 20-30 minutes, it will last a good few hours, 4-6 seems to be average. I would also recommend taking it an hour before the scan, because it will allow you to get used to the feeling, and to do your focused breathing.

Tell the medical team that you have taken the diazepam, and perhaps write a quick note before you reach the hospital, stating simply that you had a panic attack previously - the team should know, but this will guarantee it, and means that you don't have to talk about it (because I know that can make my panicking worse!)

All the best for the scan, and I hope the results bring good news.