Does anyone else struggle in the MRI scanner ?

[stoneple]

I have to have regular MRI's, at least once a year.

Sometimes it's a quick brain one of 15 minutes. Other times it's a longer scan. Usually it involves my head so I have to wear the cage thing over my head and headphones.

I find it really difficult. No matter how often I do it, I absolutely hate it.

Today I had a 1 and a half hour scan and really really had to control myself. It was so horrible.

I just start freaking out in there. I close my eyes of course. But yeah I just hate it.

Any suggestions for the next time ?

Lorezapam is your friend here.

One should do the trick.

I had a 45 minute one for cancer detection and because I am short I could barely see out. If I had to do it again I would have to ask for a sedative.

See if you can be sent to an open one. But make sure its a proper open one not one that's just got the slits at the side. I am claustrophobic and knew I'd never be able to do it so they sent me to what they said was an open one but it was basically still the tube but with an open strip either side. I tried really hard but I couldn't do it and ended up crying and yelling to get out. There are ones that are properly open and can even have you upright. But you have to really plead or at least you did when I needed one which was several years ago now.

V a l i u m

I noticed there was a draw full of the foam disposable earplugs when I got out, I wasn’t offered them only the defenders which were not effective enough for me.

Totally depends on who is requesting the scan, GP is not obliged to prescribe any medication for this

Likely it's your hospital team requesting the MRI so it should be down to them to assess your need for sedation

I’m claustrophobic and had a brain tumour so have had 7 so far.
Every experience is different as is every scanner. I now know there’s 2 at the Neuro hospital and one is wider than the other so always phone ahead and explain that you’re claustrophobic.

I’ve tried with Diazepam and without, it’s still tough.

I only pressed the ‘panic button’ once and they got me out straightaway.

The longest one I had was about 45/50 minutes I find them quite relaxing, it's almost like white noise, I fell asleep once. Definitely not the norm though as every time I have one I get comments that it's unusual for someone to be so relaxed, when they had to wake me up the technician/nurse? was laughing. Having said that I have been diagnosed more recently with significant anaemia and b12 deficiency so maybe I should've seen that as a sign my fatigue had gone too far .
I think it's quite normal to not like them, the technicians are always really nice, be open with them about your concerns

@Soontobe60 the glasses sound perfect!

Absolutely hate them. Had to have many long ones (nearly 2 hours +) and they are awful.

initially had to have lorazapam to get me in them and that e were kind calm me enough to get me in the room and strapped down - then would lay there in total fear - the noise is awful and stresses me out so much - but I am so determined not to move / press the button to come out - as the thought of coming out then going back in is far too much.

after having so many now - I’ve got used to them and I now can do it without the drugs. Still hate them- the noise is unbearable even with headphones and I Feel so trapped being strapped down . I shut my eyes as I go in and just will the time to be over. Only opening them when I get out as the tube is so narrow and seeing the sides would totally freak me out.

so often I am on the brink of losing it - but they say ‘5 mins more’ and I grit my teeth and somehow do it.

plan a treat for treat for when you get out of it - a nice coffee and a cake etc.

they really are unpleasant but have to be done unfortunately.

ask for sedating drugs if you need them to get through. The long scans especially are so hard and anything that makes it easier and gets you through them is worthwhile.

Close eyes (keep them closed), slow your breathing right down, ask for music and imagine you are lying on a beach in the sun or lying in bed or trying to get to sleep or something.

I have to have them and struggled in the past. I saw a hypnotherapist - not to magically cure me of finding them uncomfortable but to help me develop a range of relaxation strategies. It really helped.

Depending on what they are looking for, the open ones are a lower Tesla so might not be detailed enough. I have to have the cage once a year, I take diazepam, I make sure the fan is on, and I try not to move while I panic and want to rip my insides out while in there!

Yes. I've only had it done twice, but I find it very claustrophobic and hope to never have one again.

I had a course of radio therapy which involved my head being in a scanner for an hour at a time.
I was prescribed some tablets which helped, I also took music to listen to. I found up beat pop much more useful than anything that's meant to be relaxing also it gives you an idea of how long you have been in there.

Sympathies. I know they’re very claustrophobic. Keep eyes closed from the time you’re on the table before it even enters the central scanning part. Ask them to play music. Keep eyes shut the whole time. If struggling keep telling yourself u have the emergency button in your hand to press and u will be out in seconds.

Nah happily feel asleep in one.

Porter rough as guts with suspected candula equine in January 2023 on a Saturday, whether they was transporting the person from an elderly admission ward no need for the brute force used. People may be quick to laugh and look down on Ipswich but spinal surgery knocks everything out of the park about Ipswich. 270123 I got my hands back and I know of other people as lucky as I in my home town who also needed spinal surgery quickly and it happened at Ipswich.

You poor thing. Not sure what to say except that you are not alone. I hate them!
I just bear it I guess and treat myself to a massive chocolate sponge afterwards.

Podcasts work better for me than music. TBH I'm not too bad with them but have to breathe a bit through parts of it!
But a good podcast I get really into

I have two brain and spine MRIs a year, and I'd say I've had going up to 35-40 MRIs in total so far. I need the head cage, too, and this presents the greatest challenge to me as I always feel my head is moving throughout the scan. The actual space you have inside the machine is roomier than you realise: your legs and hips are completely outside. Make sure you are listening to music, close your eyes, breathe slowly, and visualise your favourite things and places. I've turned it into an strange type of meditation - but it works for me.

Diazepam did nothing for me. I lost it as soon as I lay down (before actually being inside it). Had to be given a mask to sort my breathing, then sedated. You are all amazing for managing it.

I have had over 20 MRIs and don't mind it so much. I also do the techno music thing mentioned above and have had so many now that I'm waiting for the "familiar beat" to kick in (although there is a spooky one that seems to say "dad, "dad", "dad" over and over again which I hate).

My issue is staying still. Every single muscle in my body wants to twitch as soon as I'm in there. I find that the hardest bit.

I had one on my leg and so only my legs went in, I refused to wear the headphones, that's what would have made me feel worse. When they left the room I slid them off my ears.

Oh and I also went to sleep, but I appreciate you might not have that option if they are looking at your brain.

I sympathise- I had one a couple of years ago and really panicked- I pressed the button but they didn't respond. When it finished she told me she wanted to finish the scan before getting me out - it left me totally without trust. I was supposed to have another one but I refused, I had a different scan instead which didn't involve being enclosed.
I have stated to every health professional I have seen that I will not have another one without sedation. Fortunately that particular health problem has been resolved.