MRI scan - tips on coping!

[BigbreastsBiggerbeard]

Can anyone tell me how to cope with claustrophobia when having an MRI scan? Really need one but had a panic attack the other day when they wheeled me into it. Really need one but the thought of going back fills me with dread.

You can actually scoot down and slide out either end. I told them straight that there was no way I could tolerate a mask in there so didn't have to wear one and there is a mirror positioned so you can see outside the machine which is helpful. The neck brace is also easy to remove yourself if you actually try.

I just tell myself firmly that I am simply lying in a giant donut shaped machine and I can scoot out any time. Its noisy and boring but other than that, surprisingly tolerable.

I've had lots. (Breast cancer, and as I'm youngish I have a remaining breast with tissue too dense for mammograms - and I had to have a brain MRI as well). I'm also claustrophobic.

My biggest tip is to keep your eyes closed. If you open them, panic will set in. Closed, and blocking the idea of what is happening out and thinking about something else, and it's manageable.

They do have 'doughnut' scanners which are fully open for people who really can't cope, at my hospital. I had that when newly diagnosed - they also needed to do a PET CT which was how the conversation started as that's a doughnut shape, too.

I just let my mind take me somewhere else and think about other things. The noise is the worst part with eyes closed. The two times I opened them I was close to meltdown, but I've not done so in a couple of years, so it's fine.

Thanks, @sleeponeday - you do really well to cope with the all the scans you've had to have, especially with you being claustrophobic! You're right about keeping the eyes closed, as I had one years ago and keeping eyes closed helped. This time though, even with a mask, it didn't. I'll ask the GP about doughnut scanners. Still have to make an appointment to ask for a re-referral.

@PinkFootstool - so sorry to hear about how frightening it was for you having to endure the scan - I can't imagine how awful that must have been. It was clearly needed though so very glad you managed to get through it. That's the thing, it's such an enclosed space, and I'm not particularly overweight, can't imagine what it must be like for larger people. Yes, heavy duty drugs may be needed if I can't get an open scanner.

@user1497207191 - love the thought of a sit up scanner. Looked that up online and yes, that would be much better.

I had brain MRI and whole spine done earlier this year. I found that closing my eyes made me feel like I was swaying so I had to keep them open. It wasn't too bad, you would manage to wriggle out if something happened, which it won't, but there is room on there. I did get a few frights when the noise started at random times, be prepared for that, it is very loud. You will be fine, just let your thoughts ramble and it'll be over before you know it.

I am claustrophobic and have had to have a few fully enclosed MRI, I hate them, from the moment the doc says I will refer you, the fear builds... so I had hypnotherapy in the end. You create a panic room that you escape to... like a previous poster...

mine is a desert island with white sand and a hammock swaying, I can feel the heat, hear the waves... it is a lovely space and I can escape to it at will now. (It has also helped my insomnia)

£90 well spent!

[quote BigbreastsBiggerbeard]@DaisyDreaming - unfortunately that wouldn't have been possible on this machine. I went in feet first and couldn't have exited from the end and the space was (I'm pretty sure) too small for me to turn around and crawl out the way I went in. Plus I was blocked by a big thing that my neck was resting on. I think that was what caused the panic, I couldn't imagine being able to escape under my own steam! Totally reliant on the staff to respond quickly to my pressing the button.

@ftw163532 - it's my back, 'whole spine' it said on the doctor's letter. Would have taken approximately 30 minutes.

Thanks everyone for your helpful and understanding responses - really appreciate them. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one to experience this.[/quote]
You may not be able to literally get out yourself, no one is suggesting you crawl out, but they do give you a button to press if you need anything and they would be able to get you out if you really weren't coping. They wouldn't just leave you. So you can always get out.

I'm also going to be slightly blunt here - but this is coming from someone who has life limiting illnesses for which i have absolutely no choice about whether I have invasive and unpleasant procedures, scans, imaging, tests constantly.

You either get the MRI or you don't. Go to your GP and ask for some meds to cope with it, but winding yourself up now is just going to make the whole situation worse.

You've got a choice - get the MRI and hopefully you'll be further along the way to getting any medical help or treatment you need, or don't get it. And then you won't be able to get that help.

Sometimes we have to do things we don't like doing and this is one of those times. If the benefit of a diagnosis / something being monitored and treated is outweighs the unpleasantness of having the MRI.. you'll just need to suck it up.

There's no risk to you whatsoever in having it done. It can't hurt you and nothing can go wrong, so as medical procedures go that's pretty good as there's no possibly way you could be adversely affected.

So it's your choice, no one is forcing you, but if you want the over all situation to improve, then you need to get some help from your GP, and just get through it, otherwise you're stuck.

Winding yourself up on MN where other people are going to make things worse by saying how much they hate them as well, and confirming your fears, likely is just going to make things worse.

Sorry for being blunt but you just have to ask for some help and get on with it.

I have to have lots of MRIs due to a chronic condition. Keep your eyes closed throughout and breathe slowly and deeply.

I'm very claustrophobic (start feeling panicky in the back seats of cars) but I've managed a few MRIs in the last few years. Worth trying to find one of the newer ones which are much more spacious and not nearly as claustrophobic.

My last two have both offered to play music - on the last occasion, I made my own CD which helped enormously (perhaps less so for the operatives having to endure my music taste...). The previous time I chose their Queen playlist - had to see the funny side when they played "Under pressure" followed by "I want to break free". I sometimes count the seconds and minutes down. Also make sure the headphones don't tangle round your neck as you are moved into position.

The last time, I felt quite relaxed even with the head thing on. You can press the button at any time to abort and I think the stiller you lie, the quicker it's completed.

I've often had to be pulled from an mri screaming because I freaked out but I've managed a good few. My longest was 30 minutes. Having the staff speak to me is usually what gets me through it, they tell me when a sequence is done and how long left and somehow that gets me through it. Each section took 15 minutes so they offered me a break between sections. I find the private places also have far bigger machines than public hospitals.

See your doctor about a once off dose of diazepam.

Stress balls can help to too as well as breathing techniques and picking your music.

I had one the other day, it was ok with the headphones on and talk radio playing, it kept me nicely distracted. I kept my eyes closed but was tempted to open them, would really have liked a sleep mask, I think that would have really helped with the temptation. Mentally I tried fo think of it as a nice lie down during my busy day or the kind of relaxation you might do at the end of a yoga class. The eye mask would have been the final touch for that 🙂

Shall I play my life limiting illness card too? I tried the blunt "no choice, shut up and get on with it" approach for myself and wound up with PTSD so severe I couldn't access the care I needed anymore. That approach works for some but not everyone.

Now I use the strategies like those I shared upthread. Talking and sharing strategies does help some people. It's not about winding anyone up.

I have annual MRIs but I have to lie face down for them (as its breast tissue that's being scanned); I find the fact that you can't really see anything helps so I just keep my eyes closed and concentrate on the annoying noise the machine makes (like really annoying modern jazz at times with the rhythm changing all the time) - so my top tip is if you can manage to get into the room/machine focus on something (the noise/patterns behind your eyes - something that will distract your mind from what is happening)

Not sure if it's been suggested already but an eye mask. My sister had exactly the same experience and they gave her an eye mask and she was fine. I don't use a mask but keep my eyes closed and I manage not bad. For mine they make me breath in/out/hold etc so am concentrating on that which helps.

@makelovenotpetrol - actually, it helps to hear other people's experiences, not make it worse. I requested tips on coping with the experience, plus different types of scanners that are not enclosed, which is what people have given, plus empathy and friendly reassurance. This has helped tremendously. As for me being on here "winding myself up".....really nothing to say to that. People post on this site with all kinds of issues - they are not all "winding themselves up"...Simple looking for help/advice/useful info.

I'm so glad all the responses but yours have been helpful (thanks again everyone!)

The closing your eyes tip is a good one (not with an eye mask for me as I'd unfortunately find that claustrophobic too!). I had a ski holiday with my friends a few weeks later so closed my eyes and tried to think about how lovely the holiday was going to be. Or any other similar distraction.

@plk323 - that's a good idea. Will think of a beach somewhere!

We can split a whole spine scan into three shorter scans if that’s preferable: c, t and l spine. If you’re really struggling you can request your consultant books you in as a day case admission to have a full sedation.

Note; I have only worked privately and wouldn’t know if these options are available on the NHS due to the added cost/time.

@plk323 - that wasn't meant to sound sarcastic, by the way, I really meant it! Have been looking at potential holidays lately and thinking of past ones, so will choose my favourite beach (it'll be Wales, so a bit windy...)

I’ve had 3 MRIs. My best tip is close your eyes before you go in and think about a happy memory to keep yourself distracted, don’t open them until you’ve finished and back out again. Remind yourself you have the button in your hand and they’ll take you out if you press it.

Good luck

@Mamainthemaking - thank you, that's really helpful to know. Lot's of helpful advice here. Once way or the other I will definitely have an MRI as I need to know how my scoliosis is affecting my leg/gait.

I counted. Just concentrated on counting.

Two things made me determined to stay in the machine. The first is one of my DC was also getting an MRI that day and so I had to set a good example. The second is that a friend's young child had recently just had one and their Dad told me it was a case of 'mind over matter'. I think that appealed to my ego.

I do remember thinking 'never again' when it was over. It took 40 minutes and I went in head first. Claustrophobia is horrible.