Scared of MRI scan

[springtime12]

I have a MRI scan on Monday and as I'm claustrophobic I'm scared. GP has prescribed diazepam as I have anxiety as well, but now I'm scared of taking it as I've not taken it before.

How effects does diazepam have?
Do you have any tips to get thru the MRI?

Ainu to be scared of both the scan and the meds?

I was a complete nightmare. Head and cervical neck like PP. I pressed the button. More than once. They got me out each time like lightening.

I wish I'd had had dizepam. And if I ever have to have one again, I'll make sure I get some.

Mine took over an hour in the end, but I got through it. The staff were great.

springtime12 I hope your scan goes well! For a hip scan they should be able to do it “feet first supine” which means your head should not have to go in the scanner. Hopefully that will make it feel much less claustrophobic! If you are nervous make sure to tell the radiographers - they are used to dealing with this and will be able to put you at ease.

I had two brain scans, the first to check me for glaucoma and the second as they found cysts and wanted to check they were non malignant. It is noisy and I found the ear plugs made a difference. You aren't allowed to take handbags or any belongings into the room. I had dye in for part of mine. They told me to keep still,and because its noisy I kept swallowing and my feet moved, totally unaware I was doing it. The staff are very good though. Its only a short period of time though.

I like Gronky's explanation.

I was able to wear my own clothes had a long sleeved t shirt and leggings they put a blanket over me too. Not sure if a gown will be needed?

springtime12

I'm sure when I had hips and pelvis scanned that my whole head wasn't in the scanner. I think I only went up to chin maybe mouth level. I could certainly tip my head back a bit and see the room.

I had my pelvis done and my head was out of the machine. Not sure if that’s the norm or not. It takes a while as that area is quite complicated, but it was a series of scans, so you get a bit of a chance to move/fidget in between each one. It’s the keeping still that I was concerned about!
They did give me earplugs and headphone things.

I had an MRI scan and they gave me glasses to wear which allowed me to see behind me so I could see the people doing it, also they gave me earphones and played music.

I was scared and the first time they put me in I made them take me straight back out, I waited a few minutes went back in and actually fell asleep.

I had my back scanned and pelvis and could tip my head a little and see out. I've had 5 now
You can wear your own clothes, I wear leggings, t shirt, wireless bra and socks! They can play music and they will put earplugs and headphones on you. It's loud, I made a little tune in my head from the banging noises

The new units are much quieter, more open and faster than the old ones. It's not that arduous a test anymore.

I'm claustrophobic. I've had two MRIs.

They usually allow you to choose a radio station, so pick a good one for a start. It's a distraction, but also drowns the sound of the machine down.

Then just try and relax, close your eyes and listen to the music. Yes, the machine is loud and it feels veryalien. But the staff are used to people being scared, so tell them in advance.

You then just keep reminding yourself that you can stop it and get out at ANY time. It's not like being stuck between stations in a tunnel on the tube, as that's beyond your control. For the MRI, it's YOU in control. You can come back out in seconds. Focus on that. Take each minute as it comes.

I, like many found it challenging, but nowhere near as bad as actually expected, or that I'd build up in my head.

You've got this. Let us know how you go.

It's worth mentioning that if you are extremely claustrophobic many areas have access to standing MRI scanners which are not enclosed at all and where the scan can be done standing, sitting or in some other positions. I had one of these done about a year ago as I am not only claustrophobic but cannot lie flat.

I'm an MRI radiographer, a lot of people are claustrophobic so firstly don't worry you are not the only person who feels this way. Most patients I've scanned who are claustrophobic always apologise and say they are being silly, please don't feel like that we understand you can't control it.

Let the radiographers know how you are feeling when you arrive and if you have any questions they will be more than happy to answer them and try to put you at ease.

The diazepam shouldn't make you feel anything other than relaxed, some people don't feel any difference but they do help them to manage the scan.

Whatever body part is being scanned needs to be in the middle of the tube, so where your head will be will be dependant on how tall you are but even a shorter person the head would be near the entrance to the scanner if your tall your head might not even go in. You can go in feet first for a hip scan, if it's not already set up that way don't be afraid to ask.

They will put a piece of equipment over your hips this is called a coil and is like an aerial it picks up signal from the scanner to make the pictures. This just rests on top and doesn't hurt or do anything else.

Every hospital has different rules with regards to what you can wear during the scan. Some places have a blanket rule that u must wear a gown for any type of scan this is for safety reasons. However the hospitals I have worked in would allow you to go in wearing anything metal free. So leggings or jogging bottoms would be fine. If you have a bra without any clips or wires I'd wear that too as u may be asked to remove it.

You can also take someone in with you while you have the scan, as long as they answer the questions on the screening form (you may have been sent one with your appointment) and there is no safety contraindications on their part. They can stand right next to you while they do the scan and even hold your hand.

If you find your head does go in the scanner and you feel panicky ask the radiographers to take away the pillow and tilt your head backwards and you will be able to see out.

It is very noisey when the scanner takes the pictures, I often describe it as being in the middle of the roadworks when they are drilling the road. But nothing is going to touch you or hurt you and once your in position if the table moves at all it will be millimetres so you can be assured that you won't suddenly go all the way through the scanner or anything.

You will be given ear protection for the noise (as will anyone accompanying you during the scan) either ear plugs or headphones (sometimes both) and you can have music so if you have a favourite CD take it with you.

The scan should take about 20 minutes, it's very sensitive to movement so if you happen to move at all during the scan (it's very hard to keep still for 20 minutes) the radiographers might have to repeat some pictures, so the stiller you can keep the quicker it will go.

Oh also some people like to bring a sleep mask and put it on as they get onto the bed so they can't see what's going on.

If you ask the radiographers they will speak to you during the scan and as others have said you will be given a buzzer which u can use to stop the scan.

Wow this was a longer post than I expected. I hope everything goes well for you, and if it doesn't go to plan please don't be hard on yourself xxx

I had an MRI in January for my knee. They brought the machine up past my feet and over my knee, but not as high as my chest. So I think there is every chance it might not go over your head. They gave me earplugs from the get go. I didn't ask. I found myself concentrating on the different chugs and clunks it made and closed my eyes throughout most of it and that made me feel fairly chilled.
Good luck.

I have what I thought was mild claustrophobia, but I couldn't handle an MRI without diazepam, it turned out.

I'd never had it before either but I've had it for four MRIs now.

5mg is perfect. It just makes you very relaxed and a tiny bit spacey. Like three double vodkas without feeling drunk, if that makes any sense.

Most importantly, it enabled me to tolerate the scanner. It was like magic. Completely recommend it.

I also agree that they might do you feet first for a hip.

Shutting my eyes did not work for me at all, that panicked me even more, so go with the other suggestions if you're a person for whom this, but the diazepam should do the trick!

My aunty is very claustrophobic and has then under sedation

I've had one MRI in the recent past.

Didn't think too much about it beforehand but shortly before going in I realised how claustrophobic I might feel when I saw the machine!

I pretty much shut my eyes as I was going into machine and kept them closed all the way through!

That's what helped keep me calm all the way through plus the music was a distraction

I knew if I opened my eyes and fully appreciated how close my face was to the machine, I wouldn't felt like coming out again

Good luck OP

*I would've felt like coming out straight away!

Definitely eyes shut.

Hi op. I’m terribly claustrophobic. I had one in December and had a panic attack in the scanner so they stopped immediately. They re referred me to a different hospital which has a bigger hole.

I had my new appointment in Feb and saw the doc. She gave me 2x5mg diazepam and told
Me to take 1. She gave me a second just in case I dropped or lost the first.

I was so terrified I took the 2. I honestly didn’t feel any different but the difference in my MRI was amazing. I was so relaxed. I had a little cry before I went in but it was much better than the first and I even opened my eyes. I had to have 2x20 min scans.
Also, in the first scan they strapped me down which made things worse. In the second, I asked them not to as I felt that being restrained exarcebated things. They were reluctant but told me to put my hands in my pockets and it was fine.

The staff are great. Take the diazepam, it will definitely make a difference xx

If you wear plain leggings and a plain t-shirt, no decoration of any kind, you will probably be ok to not wear a gown.
Just remember no decoration on knickers either as they sometimes put sequins or diamanté on with the little bow and bra will need to be removed because of metal clips / under wires / strap adjusters

I recently had an MRI done - I am severely claustrophobic. I took 5mg diazepam an hour before and another 5mg just before (as advised by GP) and most crucially, they allowed my husband to come in with me. He kept his hand on my shoulder throughout and I don’t know why but it helped my stay calm.

Sending , I was so worried about it but it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Keep your eyes closed as soon as you lay down and don’t open them

I agree with this. I'm not claustrophobic but still found the MRI I had quite unpleasant. I was glad that I chose to close my eyes the whole time, literally from the moment I was lying down. I pictured myself in an airy room. It wasn't stuffy which helped me imagine not being in a combined space. I wonder if an eye mask would help??

It was also hard not moving.

Apparently a lot of people can't go through with it so the operators will be quite used to it.

It's such an incredibly useful thing to have done though so you have to keep telling yourself it's just for a few minutes. Easier said than done though.

Good luck 🌼🌼

I had a hip scan last month, I'm pretty short and had my head completely out of the machine. Have you thought about an audiobook if they allow that kind of thing?