Any advice for fear of MRI scan?

[GettingMarriedAgain]

I’ve got to have an MRI scan next week before I start chemo for breast cancer and am actually more scared about that than the cancer treatment itself!

I had one a few years ago for my knee and I was freaked out by claustrophobia when I was having it - even though for that one my head was sticking out of the top. This has now built up to verging on panic at the thought of it.

Has anyone got any tips for how I might get through it without having a full blown panic attack? I know logically it’s only half an hour of my life but panic isn’t logical. Any advice would be very gratefully received.

Well, I had one last week and I feel asleep in the machine!
If you’re feeling panicky I would:

• take an eye mask so you can’t open your eyes and see how close the ceiling of the tube is
• take some rescue remedy before you go in
• ask them to play some music you like through the headphones, you usually get a choice of radio stations at least
• diarise something quite complicated that you need to think about/plan and set yourself the task of having made a good plan by the time you come out
• take slow deep breaths as you get rolled in and then tell yourself it’s time to get started on your thinking task

Fell asleep, not feel asleep 🙄

And so sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. You can breeze the MRI, honestly!

Close your eyes before you go into the scanner, and don't open them until you are out. Try to picture somewhere open in your mind so you aren't focused on being enclosed.

For me, I was able to tilt my head back and see outside slightly which makes it easier
I told myself I could just get out if I needed to
Closed my eyes and listened to the sounds and it made a tune in my head so was wiggling my feet to it
Listened to music
Diazepam?
Focused on relaxing so started at my face, relaxed the muscles, worked my way down my body
List things A to Z (fruits, veg, animals, countries, beauty products)

So sorry, OP, I get this. I had my first MRI scan last year, and I found it very difficult. Meditation techniques were helpful for me... could you try practising beforehand? Remember that there is a panic button if you really can't cope.

Maybe tell them how anxious you are before the scan, they may have ideas that can help.

Agree with what Flowers has said but very much emphasise the breathing. I did this for recent MRI and completely zoned out everything. Counting your breath, increasing the length of breath, hold and count exhale for certain counts. In through the nose, out from the mouth. See if you can work up to 6 or 8. Works wonders. You can start practicing now. Recently used this during very painful dental work and helped me so much whereas last year I had to sit in reception to calm down enough to be to focus to pay let alone drive home. Went earlier this week and I was so much calmer.

I had one. I told myself my father had had them so it must be all right!! However, I kept my eyes closed all the way through. They let me take a CD but the noise of the machine was a bit much against it. I did breathing that I had learned at yoga, e.g. breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 1, out for 4, hold out for 1, etc. Any combination of counting breaths in and out so your mind is concentrating on the counting. All best wishes for it, and for the treatment.
(I rather wished that hospitals would have a practice tunnel, not attached to anything, where you could lie in it and just get the feel of it, but that might be counter-productive.)

I wasn't copying PainterMummy, I was still typing when she pressed.

Oh OP, you've got a lot on your plate. The first time I had an MRI, I felt exactly the same as you did. The second time, the radiographer said 'if you can't bear it, you can always get out'. That changed everything - I wasn't actually trapped in the scanner, it was my choice, and honestly it felt completely different. Knowing that made it fine somehow. Don't know if that makes any sense at all, but it made a huge difference to me.

The scanners I've been in recently have a current of air blowing gently across your face, and more space than they used to have, that helped. Agree about keeping your eyes closed and taking yourself off somewhere else, and using breathing techniques. Best of luck

I had a breast MRI recently. You lie face down like on a massage table which threw me a bit as I’d imagined being on my back! You have your breasts dangling down into holes in a contraption on top of the scanner table, and your head down and arms above your head. It’s a bit uncomfortable staying still, but mostly a little undignified more than anything else. As your head is down, you can close your eyes and you don’t see anything. The noises are loud but they put headphones on.

I found it helpful just to breathe as slowly as possible and try to zone out. Google “breast MRI” to see pictures of how they do it. I must say I didn’t enjoy the loud banging noises - and the scanner table jiggled around at some points too - but it was over quicker than I thought!

Is it a breast MRI? In which case you'll go in lying on your front, and, highly likely, feet first.

Ask the radiographers to talk to you between each sequence, too.

I’ve got one coming up and was told I could ask my GP for diazepam

Thank you all so much.

I had no idea I’d be lying on my front with my breasts hanging down! I’m glad I know that now as that might have thrown me. And I hope I do go in feet first - think psychologically that helps somehow.

I’m surprised that they haven’t come up with a more patient friendly version as lots of people struggle with claustrophobia. I have seen that some places have more open scanners and I have had the time I’d probably pay £££ to go and find one but will try my best to cope with breathing etc. Though I’m going to ask my breast care nurse if I can have diazepam to get through this one

Keep your eyes closed think of girls names through the alphabet slowly spelling the names, boys names the same.

I ‘practiced’ by lying underneath my bed which is low, surrounded by pillows (just to give it more of a squishy feeling) and played the sounds of the MRI machine through my phone. My practice run was a bit of a mission - The cat squished itself between the bottom of the frame and my chest, the dog was constantly pawing and scratching at my legs and the kids were giving “helpful” advice and jumping on the bed. The bloody MRI was peaceful in comparison!

I get the tech to tell me how long is left in each sequence. It really helps me to know how long till I can get out. But I'm extremely bad at going in them. Also if they don't put you in a gown wear something light , I find it very warm inside there .

I know exactly how you feel OP. Throughout my first MRI I kept my eyes shut but panicked and dreaded the next.
This is how I now cope - really well, and I hope you do too.
If it makes you feel better, wear your own clothes. Ditch your bra and anything with metal fastenings. You’ll be able to leave the department super speedily too.
Ask if you can attend an anxiety clinic beforehand and be honest with the technicians. I told them my fears, cried , swore, held their hands, had a dummy run on the tray without the noise. They were wonderful, understood and helped enormously. It’s the best thing I did.
Before putting on the headphones insert foam swimmers’ earplugs as another barrier to the noise. (Music isn’t available in my local hospitals.)
Wear the special glasses provided which make the space seem huge and very bright to overcome the claustrophobia. They also allow you to watch those behind the screen so you don’t feel abandoned. Take comfort from them chatting and smiling.
Ask them to tell you how long remains and to keep doing it every five minutes.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a break. Use the button if you need to. They can stop and start the procedure whenever you need it but mention this beforehand.
Practise breathing techniques.
A friend sings as many nursery rhymes as she can remember if that helps.
Be floppy and still when inside. Think of nice images.
Good luck. DM me if you need to vent; I’m a good listener and will be able to empathise. Best wishes for your cancer treatment.

Hi OP, I had one last week...it wasn't pleasant and I would definitely say keep your eyes shut or wear an eyemask if possible.

Just before I went in I was chatting to a lady in her 70s who'd just had hers. She said she fell asleep!

Good luck..it will be over before you know it. I did a bit of counting backwards and names of capital cities. Anything you can think of to pass the time will help.

I had one at 9 months pregnant (to check for placenta acreta) I don't know how I squeezed my belly into the machine! The attendant kept telling me to keep still but it was my baby leaping about. Sympathy, OP. Not a pleasant experience, but one that can be endured.

I tried listening to music but the noise of the machine was very loud so i started singing loudly.

I'm a bit of a crap singer but took my mind off it - mine was on my head so maximum claustrophobia, but singing Madness songs got me through it.

I love the image of PP who practiced under her bed with kids jumping up and down and cat joining in

Oh, yes, diazepam. I forgot that as I took such a low dosage it didn’t work. I’m pleased you can go in feet first (better imo) though the glasses won’t be of use.
When I resisted the second MRI the consultant told me open scanners take longer and give less accurate results (plus there’s the cost). He gently urged me to, “Come to the clinic and give us a try,” which I found less obligatory.
The technicians explained how many sequences there were, how long each would take and what noises would be made each time. They could give me a break between each sequence as well as me asking for a pause if necessary. Being given control as a previous poster said and knowing in detail what to expect make a massive difference.

I also asked to be forewarned when I’d be moved in and out of the machine and to be given the three minute countdown to the end of it all.

Valium or, if you aren't keen on the sedating properties, propranolol will reduce your physical symptoms.

Other than that, remember that you are in control. You have a 'get me out now' button at all times - and if the feelings start building up, you can tell yourself 'in a bit, I can press the button in a bit'.

Practically, wear easy on and off clothing. Sports wear is perfect for that, as long as it's lycra and has no metal on it. You might be able to wear leggings (and socks, it gets quite cold in the rooms, even with the blankets they will have available) with a gown on top. Or even a stretchy t-shirt; if you're wearing them when you get there, it's simple for them to tell you what you can leave on and what needs to be off. A pair of slip on trainers is also good.

I found having my eyes closed made it worse, but opening them once I was in, although there was nothing to see, meant I wasn't imaging all sorts of horrors.

They're loud but rhythmic. You can try counting - annoyingly, they don't follow a steady pulse of beats, but that's distracting in a good way in itself.

I've had quite a few. Some have been far easier than others - for me, the hardest ones were a narrow bore one in a darkened room (came out of that one like a rat out a drainpipe) and, weirdly, the one where I only went in as far as my lower legs - although that could be because I was in a lot of pain in the position they had to support my leg in.

If you're uncomfortable laying flat on your back, it can be easier to have a pillow under your knees and to tuck your pelvis under so your lower back flattens out to take any pressure off your lumbar spine. The staff will help you get comfortable as much as possible before the scan starts.

Use as many calming breathing techniques as you can. Slowly blowing out air through pursed lips (like trying to move a candle flame but not blow it out) is very effective. Also trying to almost 'flop' in resignation so your body is physically relaxed helps your mind accept that you aren't in danger.

And above all, the amount of detail they obtain from MRIs is phenomenal. Tell yourself how great it is that they are able to see in such detail, that it's a good thing you are doing this - that doesn't change the perfectly reasonable anxiety you are feeling, but it's a way of calming yourself. It's OK, this is a good thing, it'll be completed soon, it's alright, I can stop it in a minute, I'm just having a rest whilst they look after me. It's OK. I'm OK.

And then when it's done, have a plan for treating yourself, whatever that entails. A warm drink definitely feels good afterwards, for example.

It'll be OK.

Pedants' Corner: they're radiographers, not 'techs'.

You'll have to get undressed to your waist, and you'll get a gown that opens to the front, so when you lie down, your boobs drop into the two cups.

You may also get a cannula so they can give you MRI contrast dye. Very few people react to it, you should only feel it a bit cool running up your arm.

As for allowing you in and out as often as you like/ taking a break, tbh, I'd advise against trying that. They'll be on really tight time schedules and sadly don't have the time and just may curtail the exam if they think you won't go through with it.

You can't do this exam on an 'open' scanner, sadly. The images aren't as good for any scan, either.

Diazepam might help. If you've never taken it, you might be able to get two doses, one as a 'test' and one for the day. You can think 'it's not working' but often it makes the difference between going through with it or not.

Good luck!

I see that the breast MRI is different than the typical 'on your back' method. Usually I get through it by asking for the mirrored glasses (they trick your brain into thinking you're in an open room by reflecting it back into your sight rather than the scanner) and asking for music to be played through the headphones. They'll let you pick a radio channel. It drowns out the noises (which are very very loud and can be alarming) and I also use it to gauge how long's left judging by the fact each song is a few minutes. I also find it helpful to ask the technician to keep me updated on how long I've been in and how long's left or just say hello occasionally if it's a long haul. Just hearing someomes voice makes all the difference when you worry you'll 'never get out' or they'll forget to come back and all the other nonsense claustrophobia brings.

I would call the department OP, details will be on your letter and just ask to speak to someone, tell them you're claustrophobic and ask if someone can go through the details of the procedure with you, being fully informed and reassured often helps.

Every letter I ever get about an MRI says to call and let them know if you're claustrophobic so they won't mind. Wear comfy clothes with no metal, no deodorant and if it still feels too much ask your GP to do a script for diazepam and try it prior.

I'm horribly claustrophobic and manage them regularly, the anticipation is the worst part OP, you will get through it and will be pleased you did.