Couldn't even last 10 seconds, I freaked out. *content warning regarding MRI scans* title edited by MNHQ

[MammaKel]

Hi All,

I had an MRI scan today and I've never had one before but didn't consider myself claustrophobic so thought I'd be okay..

Led down on the bed, fine, put headphones on, fine, put cage thing over my head, fine ... got put into the MRI machine, made the mistake of opening my eyes and it was not fine I was shouting to be let out, crying, squeezing the thing they give you over and over and just I don't know what happened, complete and utter terror took over.

They let me out, weren't particularly nice about it but I just put my shoes on and left crying.

I feel like a utter idiot now, whilst still crying but I genuinely couldn't do it, panic and fear just took over.

It was needed for my head but does anyone know what happens now? Do I just hope I don't have anything wrong with me or will I eventually have to do it?

My mother was never claustrophobic until she had an MRI in her 50s. She had travelled the world by air for work etc. After that she found it difficult to get on a plane - had to take something and even then it was hard, tunnels were a nightmare etc. It took years for her to get a bit better.

When I had to have one I told them I was claustrophobic and I took something to take the edge off before I had it. No way was I going to risk what happened to her.

I have also had a panic attack in an MRI machine and had to stop. I wasn't even all the way in. Didn't know I was claustrophobic. They told me it happens all the time and not to worry. I managed it the next time with a diazepam from the GP, earplugs, an eye mask and slow breathing. Ask your GP if there's anything they can give you to help if you really have to have it done.

It's a stressful situation already because you wouldn't be there if everything was hunky dory.

It's perfectly normal to panic. I'm sure I read somewhere that Princess Diana had to have one and yelled her head off.

It's horrible that the staff weren't kinder to you-maybe you caught a bad lot. My mum, at an advanced age and with Alzheimer's had to have one and they could not have been kinder.

I haven't had one but have had some unpleasant procedures and the staff were, again, lovely.

You were unlucky. Next time you won't be and don't worry, it's perfectly normal to react as you did in an abnormal situation. Don't beat yourself up about it and please don't let it put you off trying again.

Bless you. For me, having an MRI is was being buried alive in a still-running fridge.

You can do this OP.

Ask whoever ordered the scan to prescribe you lorazepam, you take it 1/2 hour before and it takes the edge off.

Look up box breathing and practice that.

Think of a mantra you can remember and tell yourself when you're in, something simple like 'I am safe' or 'this will end'. This helps your panicking 'fight or flight' bit of your brain get back in touch with your logical bit of your brain.

Ask if you can be rebooked to a newer scanner, if it's a major hospital they'll have more than one and the newer ones are like being shunted through a giant polo mint rather than being in a tunnel.

Tell the operator you're scared before you go in, it should remind them to be kinder- even though from their end this is everyday, from your end it's scary.

Though it sounds like the operator was unhelpful, ultimately you and them and whoever ordered the scan all want the same thing, for you to get it done. So they should work with you so you can do your bit and they do theirs.

I have MRIs every 3 months. About 50mins each time. I hate them. One hospital I have them in plays music of your choice, I usually ask for the Beatles & sing along in my head - it helps with the noise & to pass the time. The other hospital, where I have most scans, does not play music.
The only time I really struggled was when I was put into a smaller machine, I'm a large lady & it was tight. I cried all the way through & did ask to be out, but they kept saying I was nearly done - they lied.
Usually the staff are very nice.
If I was you I'd enquire about sedation but also ask for the large machine.

They are awful. If it was NHS it's because they seem to be on such a tight turn around. When I had my most recent one I was early for the appointment and they said don't worry won't be long just one before you. Then it was AGES and the woman obviously panicked as as she was leaving she was apologising. Private is better. I'm not claustraphobic either but takes mental focus to make it through I barely open my eyes and just keep thinking if I didn't go through with it then what they are looking for won't be found and could be dangerous. That helps, if you're in for a bad back not so much😀

Oh I really feel for you. I cannot tolerate a MRI, I’ve had similar experiences in the past, panic arracks etc. When I had my wrist scanned I was able to lay outside with my arm extended & I recently had to have a urgent pelvic MRI but decided to go private to use the open MRI scanner in Croydon. But your GP can refer to a open scanners if it’s not urgent, I’m just not sure if it’s suitable for all body parts! Also always call and speak to the radiologist, they’re often really helpful and can come up with inventive ideas

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience and that the team were unsympathetic 😔

I had an MRI on my cervical spine a few weeks back and struggled massively. Had to come out as soon as the nurse had sent me into the scanner and couldn't tolerate the cage over my face. I think it is difficult for a lot of people.

Thankfully the team I had were amazing and really supportive so I got through it.

Can you rebook your scan and ring ahead, explaining that you are very anxious about it and struggled so much this time? The team should try to help you.

Diazepam can help 👍 also try desensitising to the noise of the scanner but listening to MRI scanner noises on you tube (yes, there really are videos with the noise!).

Good luck for your next scan OP.

I had an MRI recently on my whole spine and hips. I had told the rheumatologist that I was claustrophobic and he gave me a Lorazepam tablet. I took it as prescribed, although I was less concerned about it than I expected. I got through the whole hour and ten minutes by listening to the different sounds the machine was making and trying to decide what song they reminded me of. As I moved through the tunnel I could see the back of the lorry (it was a mobile one). I was very ready to get out and nearly flung myself off the table. Ironically I got home and the sedative worked an hour later, so take the sedative at least two hours before if you try again. I don't really want another any time soon.

@MammaKel Huge sympathies - I have to have MRI's including with a head cage frequently and suffer everytime. I would suggest the following, many of which others have already posted.

An open MRI - see if you can go where there is one

If not, valium or similar can help but the timing of it is important, too late and it doesn't help, other than you have a huge sleep after the MRI is done.

The hospital I have mine at, from the moment I enter the outer room, where they ask all the questions, I keep my eyes closed. I do not like seeing the head cages on the shelf, let alone coming near me. I keep my eyes closed until I exit the scanner. My scans are sometimes up to 90 mins long - I recite my times tables over and over again which seem to put me into a trance like state. I ask that every now and again I am spoken to, normally "you are doing really well, not long now". I actually find the noise and warmth I feel under my spine not too bad as I know it means for every noise I am closer to the scan finishing.

Be as truthful with the staff, MRI's are not the time for being an "I'm fine" person.

Hi I had one on my achilles and they just put me in up to my knee. It took 20 mins and I slept through it.

I didn't wear the headphones as I don't like the feeling on my ears and it wasn't too loud at all.

The only problem was my leg was bare and I got really cold. I also started to get cramp staying still for so long!

Bugger, I knew I shouldn't have read this thread. I'm going for an MRI on my shoulder in a fortnight. I am very claustrophobic. Also a bit anxious as I have a pacemaker and they have to fiddle about to protect it from blowing up. DH had one a few months ago, also on his shoulder, and they had to stop as he is also very claustrophobic. Please tell me some happy stories, if there are any!

Oh I feel for you OP, I had to have my first recently and I'd never considered myself claustrophobic but my heart rate absolutely shot through the roof and I found myself a bit tearful. Really didn't like it. Good to see that there are options for if I need another one!

Having an MRI is a horrible experience. The cacophony of noise from the machine, the constant loud rock music and useless headphones was an assault on my senses. The claustrophobic feeling was terrifying. Unkind staff didn’t help and I was in such pain from my condition. I had read about having an MRI beforehand, the reassuring staff, some noise etc. I cried when I met my husband in the waiting room afterwards. I will never forget the experience. The lack of care from the staff left me feeling abandoned.

I've had quite a few. One last year I sort of forgot and opened my eyes and it was horrible! My heart pounded the rest of the time.

Had another one last week at the private hospital mobile unit (was NHS but through health share or something) and it was totally different. Comfortable, and had a VR mask so looked like I was watching waves on tv in a room. I actually fell asleep.

Not sure if that referral was a one off but it certainly helped!

I've never had an MRI but do suffer with claustrophobia I when I was diagnosed with cancer I was panic stricken. Fortunately I never needed one, CT was fine. My friend was prescribed some diazepam and that got her through it. Is that an option?

I don’t like enclosed spaces and had an MRI last week so I shut my eyes as I was slid in. Much to my surprise I fell asleep for most of it. I was grateful, I jerked a little when I woke , it didn’t affect pictures thankfully. I didn’t like it. I had the headphones but couldn’t have the earplugs as they couldn’t guarantee they were latex free and I am massively allergic to latex. Mine was only 20 mins though. Sympathies to all.

Hi OP I do sympathise also like many others. I had an MRI on my back and hip due to chronic pain in the latter. I waited two hours for the scan and was the only person in the waiting room, but I hadn’t felt unduly anxious. Unfortunately I was then made to wear a mask inside the machine and when I realised how close the top of the tube was to my face, I started to feel panicky; this led to me feeling unable to swallow. I managed about 30 mins and that’s when they said ‘right we’ve done the spine, now we’ll get onto the hip.’ I asked to come out for a break, but then started to cry from relief that I had been ‘let out’. The staff were quite matter of fact about it and I could tell they’d seen this happen a few times. They did not try to persuade me to go back in told me to ask for Valium and to come back. I went home feeling like a failure and worried that my hip hadn’t actually been scanned. My gp refused to send me back for the missed scan saying it wouldn’t make any difference now anyway!

I didn't realise how claustrophobic I was until my first MRI, so I fully understand your reaction. I've had 3 now, each one was slightly easier - even the last one which was about an hour (I was expecting 10 minutes) 😬

The staff were lovely though which made a huge difference and got me through it. They asked me if I was claustrophobic, I said a bit. I was offered and used an eye mask, went in feet first, given headphones to listen to a local radio station, and they talked to me throughout - lots of encouragement, saying you're halfway through, nearly done, you're doing well, etc etc.

I would echo PP and call them, explain what happened and that you would like another booking. You now know what you have to do, and you can get through it.

Ask for a mask, it really does help - you can go anywhere in your head! Ask to go in feet first, if that's possible for a head scan. Ask for headphones and music. And emphasise to everyone you see that you are extremely claustrophobic, that you couldn't manage it last time and that you need their help.

Good luck 😀

I'm claustrophobic I can just about manage it without a mask but absolutely no way with the mask. Some technicians will let you in without the mask but I think it might depend on body part being scanned.

You're not weird, I nearly fell asleep in mine, it felt like a cocoon and it was a real luxury to have the period of just lying still, as my job is so stressful. I'm really surprised at all these posts saying it was terrifying.

OMG you poor thing @MammaKel !!! I have never been in one of these MRI machines, and would not go in one if my life depended on it. Fuck. That. SHIT! I am terribly claustrophobic and would simply freak out, and possibly pass out. They would have to knock me out to be honest.

I can't go in a lift either, and have walked up a dozen flights of stairs before now rather than go in a lift. I am terrified that the lift might get stuck! 😱

My DH went in one of these MRI machines some 5 years ago and said it was one of the worst experiences of his life. 'Never again' he said. He is not even claustrophobic, and he said the experience was horrific.

There is also the instruction to "keep as still as possible", so that, combined with the confinement of the tube makes me want to fidget. Disaster..... a magic Xanax (decent size dose) helped the second (repeat one), together with blackout eye mask and music. Awful bloody things, and honestly I admire those whose head must go in a cage. I would not be able to do that for a million quid unless I had a horse tranquiliser first.