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Original poster

If you are claustrophobic - how you handle an MRI?

71 replies

Gastropod · 05/10/2022 07:30

Just had an MRI - not my first but definitely the worst. I'm guessing I'm claustrophobic - maybe there's a more specialised term, but in general I hate being anywhere with no escape route, low ceilings, restricted space to move, having my face covered.

Was for the hip so had to lie with my legs tied together, facemask on, immobile for about 25 minutes, and it was absolute hell! My rational brain was telling me it was fine, but the panic button was definitely pressed in my head and it took every bit of inner strength I had not to start yelling at them to let me out!

Unfortunately, I have to go back for another one next week and I'm really quite concerned I'm going to have a full blown panic when I get there.

Surely lots of other people feel this way, and MRIs are a common enough thing so... what are your tips? I'm not an anxious person generally, pretty cool about most medical procedures but this just has me shuddering at the thought of going back!

OP posts:
Worriedaboutethics · 05/10/2022 16:42

@Gastropod

everyone hates them
close your eyes

gamerchick · 05/10/2022 16:45

I shut my eyes before I go in and don't open them under any circumstances until I'm out.

Arse still sweats though.

FictionalCharacter · 05/10/2022 17:15

@goldierocks That doesn’t sound right. Surely radiographers don’t give medication?

Can any of the radiographers on here confirm that if someone yells to be let out, they’ll whoosh the table out immediately? A lot of us have said “stop” during medical procedures (usually painful ones) and been completely ignored.

LuckyCat4 · 05/10/2022 18:16

I had an open one. The noises still bothered me but it was much, much easier than a tunnel. I'd tried diazepam and still couldn’t cope in a tunnel (that was in my third head MRI, the combination of tunnel and head cage made it unbearable).The funding can take a while to come through if you are being referred by NHS.

Ladysodor · 05/10/2022 20:19

I’m the same. When I went for MRI on my back I panicked, couldn’t tolerate it. They allowed me to lie with my head outside the tunnel. You should ask about this next time.

newnamethanks · 05/10/2022 20:28

I ran away from my MRI years ago and will have to have one soon as it can't be avoided any longer. Are they still as noisy? I seem to remember it was like lying down next to a pneumatic drill. I don't know how I'll deal with it.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 05/10/2022 22:23

FictionalCharacter · 05/10/2022 17:15

@goldierocks That doesn’t sound right. Surely radiographers don’t give medication?

Can any of the radiographers on here confirm that if someone yells to be let out, they’ll whoosh the table out immediately? A lot of us have said “stop” during medical procedures (usually painful ones) and been completely ignored.

Just a patient, but this was my experience: I was trying to hold it all together, so the guy left the room & went to the observation place. I realised I couldn't go through with it & pressed the buzzer or whatever it was. He asked me if I was sure & I told him I was, & that was it. He got me out.

MrsFezziwig · 05/10/2022 22:41

Can any of the radiographers on here confirm that if someone yells to be let out, they’ll whoosh the table out immediately? A lot of us have said “stop” during medical procedures (usually painful ones) and been completely ignored.

@FictionalCharacter that was certainly what we would have done (bearing in mind that the table doesn’t actually “whoosh”),

The other thing I should have mentioned for general clarification is that the area under investigation has ideally to be in the centre of the scanner. There are a few workarounds to this but they are limited. So not everyone, for example, can go in feet first, or have their head sticking out. The head is the most problematic area as obviously it is then the furthest away from the “outside”, so even though your legs will be on the outside you may not be aware of it. You will also have a frame round your head (needed to obtain the very detailed images required) but there is generally a mirror attached to it which is angled above your eyes so that you can see out.

saltofcelery · 05/10/2022 23:00

I don't look. I keep my eyes closed the whole time- I'm EXTREMELY claustrophobic...I had a panic attack in the tunnel at Chatsworth and worst of all when I was on a date at Forbidden Corner in that shrinking tunnel. I genuinely thought death would be better.

Ilovetocrochet · 05/10/2022 23:40

I was lucky when I had one recently as the machine had a window in the top and I could see the ceiling so I did not feel too enclosed. Also I have very acute hearing and I soon realised that I could hear a very faint ticking sound just before the loud banging noise started so I was ready for the noise and not startled.

I did suggest to the nurse that they stuck something like a Wheres Wally puzzle on the ceiling for patients to look at!

Bestcatmum · 05/10/2022 23:54

Its fine as long as you absolutely DO Not open your eyes under any circumstances.

Nat6999 · 06/10/2022 00:00

I'm claustrophobic, I actually ran out screaming after my first MRI years ago. Two years ago I had to have my head & spine scanned, I was terrified but the radiographer made sure I was on the widest bore scanner & even though I had to have my head in a cage I survived & nearly fell asleep. My tip is close your eyes before they put you in the scanner & concentrate on your breathing, it will be over before you know it.

DistantVworp · 06/10/2022 00:15

DH is severely claustrophobic. Best advice is a) make sure you tell your consultant / whoever is ordering the MRI well in advance so they are prepared b) diazepam c) try and get someone to go with you.

DH had had MRIs in open machines before, but not closed ones - he's always freaked out. The last time though, he had sedation and I was with him. His head was out of the machine, so I was able to put a couple of fingers on his forehead and just speak constantly to him. I rambled on about absolutely bollocks - he couldn't really hear me but he could sort of feel what I was saying and managed to cope

Idbetternamechange · 06/10/2022 00:40

@greenhousegal you think like me! I’m done with dealing with pain and fear when it is avoidable. It’s totally unnecessary and totally manageable given the age in which we live. I now have sedatives before most procedures - so much easier for everyone involved.

To the OP: Be firm about asking for help if you need it. Medical people are there to help you - it’s literally their job to manage your symptoms, all off them!

MRIs are not the worst for me - I listen to the weird noises the machine makes and they lull me into a trace like state. I love it in there - I know no one can bother me for a whole 20 minutes 😂

Rapunzel22 · 06/10/2022 00:54

Tell them, ask your doc for a mild sedative and take an eye mask and socks. I have had several including 3 brain scans.I am really claustrophobic but have been able to do them now. The last brain scan I got there was no cage.

QuitWhileAhead · 06/10/2022 12:11

With one of my scans the two nurses (operatives?) kept talking to me and telling me how well I was doing. I'm not claustrophobic but still found it very comforting. It's funny how things like that help. I guess they are used to dealing with nervous people.

MrsFezziwig · 06/10/2022 14:41

QuitWhileAhead · 06/10/2022 12:11

With one of my scans the two nurses (operatives?) kept talking to me and telling me how well I was doing. I'm not claustrophobic but still found it very comforting. It's funny how things like that help. I guess they are used to dealing with nervous people.

Radiographers (if you’re in the UK). Technicians if you’re in the USA.

TakeTheLowRoad · 06/10/2022 14:43

Get some propranolol off your doctor. It stops your heart racing, and staves off panic.

Original poster
Gastropod · 11/10/2022 16:33

Update: had the second MRI today and... it was not nearly as bad as the one last week. Told the radiographer that I was mega stressed by it and she couldn't have been lovelier. Took it slow, upped the aircon to give me more airflow - to help with breathing in surgical mask - , showed me exactly where my head was positioned in relation to the machine, and was generally very understanding.
Was still a not-very-nice thing to do, but bearable at least. And only took half the time of the previous one.
So, a big thanks to all on this thread - you helped me realise I'm not alone, and not just a big wuss!

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 11/10/2022 22:49

Glad it was manageable.

Cutemob · 12/10/2022 14:41

Fantastic news, glad it went well for you. I truly hope you never have a need for another one in your lifetime, but it sounds like you'll be able to cope if you do 😊

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