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?

I hate MRIs, but have had to have many. The key is not to look---- take an eye mask that has no metal on it then you can't open your eyes. If I look then I freak out. Sorry you had a rubbish time :-(

MRI's are a vitally important (expensive tool) in diagnostics. You have to find a way to tolerate.

I'd much rather undergo than a dental scaling.

I've found that the nurses were very reasuring and capabile, and one instance they played music thu the headphones, you maybe could specify.
As suggested, perhaps a sedative would useful.

But please do not dismiss this process, if you do, your doctor may lose patience and empathy.

Does sound a bit different to what I had - there wasn’t any sort of strap thing

I completely feel your anxiety as I had a similar issue, i was getting my liver scanned so they tied me onto the body board squashing me and i found it incredibly claustrophobic and the fact you are expected to hold your breath for 30 seconds at a time. The woman doing my scan was horrible and kept saying to me that if didn’t stop moving (I was shaking with the anxiety) they wouldn’t be able to do it etc
I managed it and came out and was crying getting changed, i was a wreck, sat in my car for 20 mins before I could drive home.
anyway, i was asked to get another one two years later (they were tracking a benign growth), i was distraught about getting it again and went to my GP who gave me a diazepam, so have to say that made a big difference so go and see your GP and explain. I also practised the breathing and how to calm myself…really hope you manage as they do give the images your consultant needs.

I had an mri on my hip early this year I.was absolutely terrified I nearly had palpations even when I think of it I didn't realise I was claustrophobic I went in all way feet first I was weighted down with heavy covers it was most frightening thing ever. I've had many operations cancer treatment and this was far worst terrifying I.did stay in machine but was terrified..I.didnt have a vage over my head I think id have left too if I had that. I don't think I coukd hane another 1 without being sedated .

It's one of those things fore warned is fore armed.
Usually there is an eye cover I think ? Anyway bottom line is expect a lot of mouse which is irregular in rhythm and normal is nothing wrong. Expect it to take a while. Take note of breathing and stay calm. You are in a situation where there are staff there, it's just noisy.
There are open scanners but only few and far between

I really hope this thread does not put anyone off going for an MRI. I feel the responses on here are giving the impression that they are awful, as I guess the majority of people who have them find them ok and won't bother posting.

Sometimes I think it's a bad idea to read about health procedures first because you do get people talking about how panicked they were or how much it hurt and it just sets you up with that idea in mind before you even get there. Becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Some countries would kill to be able to afford multiple MRI machines. We are very lucky being able to have scans for free in this country. It is a short period of lying still with some loud noise. That is all. There is no pain from the procedure itself, no recovery time. Just close your eyes for the whole thing and lie still and listen to the music they play and you will be fine.

Thank you, that's made me feel better. I'm going to call the GP tomorrow

The other thing that helped was counting backwards in 3s from 500, strangely enough.

I am a radiographer who works in MRI so just wanted to add some information and clear up a few not so accurate comments. It's so common to have this reaction so don't be hard on yourself. The radiographer should have discussed what you wanted to do next, whether that was to rebook another time or not at all. You can request sedation medication from your GP (not from the MRI department) and be rebooked at a later date. We have quite a high success rate with return patients this way. If you don't want your scan at all they might offer you a CT scan of your brain instead but in my professional opinion I would really try and get the MRI. The images of the brain from a CT scan does not compare to an MRI to the point where things might be missed.

Whether you go in head first or feet first depends on what area of the body is being scanned. As its your brain you will have to go in head first. You cannot wriggle out of the scanner when your head is being scanned due to the head coil (equipment) that is clicked in. Not all scans require a separate piece of equipment but brains do. It's not safe to wriggle out of a scanner.

You also can request an eye mask which can also help. There are slightly wider scanners (wide bore) which you can also request. I would say most majors hospitals should have at least on wide bore scanner as a lot of patients cannot physically fit in the narrower scanners.

I would really try again with some sedation, if you have been sent for an MRI scan of the brain you won't get the equivalent detail of images using any other method. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. You should not have been to feel that way and also should have been given options before you left. That's not how it should have been handled. I am positive that you can do this!

I have had quite a few MRI scans. The absolute best thing to do is ask for music in your headphones and keep your eyes shut.
Do not ever open your eyes inside one as that’s the trigger for claustrophobia.
Keep your eyes shut and basically imagine something you enjoy a holiday or a summer picnic. Go through all the details in your head. If you start thinking about the MRI bring yourself back to the story and what you were doing in it. Remind yourself you are safe and stay in your own head and with the story you are creating. Sounds simple but it works. Again do not open your eyes. It will be finished before your story is.

I think the issue with these is you often don't think of yourself as claustrophobic going in.

I've just recently had a scan with a gamma camera that wasn't as bad as an MRI in that it was much quieter and not quite a tunnel - but I had to lie flat with a giant panel-shaped camera less than an inch from my nose for a good 25 minutes, leaving me with a tiny bit of peripheral vision if I dared to open my eyes.

In fairness they did tell me beforehand in the appointment letter that the camera would get close to my face but I was envisioning a few inches away which would have been more bearable. Certainly I didn't consider myself claustrophobic going in but am now reassessing on the other side! Wish I could have known beforehand just how bad it would be so I could have had something to calm me down. As it was I just had to get through it and scuttled off for a hot chocolate right after.

I've had a few MRIs but the last one was a struggle. Weirdly my previous ones didn't have music but I think having the music with the background MRI noise really set me off. It also could do with the fact that I was just starting to come down with covid and felt really off all day after. I would definitely get an anxiety med. Helps a lot

Oh god I absolutely hate them !
Had one a few months back on head and neck and they put this mask over my face and then I went in the machine for 80 minutes! I didn’t think o would have been able to get through it I very nearly pressed the button . I was panicking like crazy towards the end .
Most recent time few weeks ago I was in hospital as an in patient and they gave me a sedative. It was a much better experience.

Such good advice!

I'm very claustrophobic.
I've only had one but it was awful. I was shaking and crying and also trying to keep still. The radiographer was lovely though and he promised to get me out if it got too much. I couldn't have music because I felt I might miss some emergency instructions (I don't know what!) so I just listened to the clanging. At the end he said if you ever need another one get sedation.
Then the clinic said I had failed to attend and I had a massive meltdown down thinking they had lost my results. They found them in the end but it triggered a lot more anxiety.

I'm fine with them but mine have been not on my head so I've tilted my head back a bit and then I could see the ceiling rather than the tube
I mostly slept on and off as I was tired!
Had 4 on my back and the last one was my pelvis with Buscopan which made me feel a bit weird

Just to clear up any confusion, when you have an MRI scan the body part being scanned goes to the middle of the 'tunnel', so if your head is being scanned you go head first in and your legs & feet are still outside, if you're having anything from chest/waist down you'll generally go in feet first.

So, OP, staff shouldn't have been shitty with you, that's deeply unprofessional, lots of patients panic in MRI scanners, it's so common we almost expect it. Please feedback to PALS so they get their acts together.

What happens now? You can be booked for another appointment, and see your GP a few days before to get some diazepam to help you stay calm, take a friend/family member that can go in the scan room with you to hold your hand, and some people bring a CD of music to listen to through the headphones.

(Name changed for obvious reasons!)

My SD had the same problem a few years ago. They made her another appointment and this time she was prescribed diazepam to calm her down which worked well. Good luck!

Only some pacemakers are MRI compatible, it's worth phoning the department and discussing this as it might save you a trip. Depending on your medical issues diazepam or some other sedative from your GP will help ease your anxiety.

Yes, I had one done on my spine some years ago. My head and my arms were out, and my friend was able to hold my hand. That helped a lot.

MRI contrast doesn't make the scan experience worse, unless you have problems with IVs.

I've had many MRIs and the first one was the one I was most scared of tbh. I kept getting told off for moving as I kept shaking.
I'm not a fan of the head cages and have to breathe through them but I've found that now I know what to expect, it's much easier.

Im so sorry you had such a scary experience. You're not the first and definitely won't be the last so please don't be embarrassed.
If you ever need another, speak to your gp about sedation.
Also, a lot of places will put your favourite music on for you if you ask.

This really isn’t the case if you are claustrophobic or have other medical issues . I’m claustrophobic and also cannot lay flat for more than a few minutes because I have lung problems .It really is not a case of lie still with loud noise for many people and it’s very simplistic to say it is . Should I ever need another one I will be paying for an open , upright one and if that’s not good enough the Doctors will have to manage without .

Also, sorry if this sounds picky, but it's a bug bear for lots of us. In the UK MRI staff are specialist radiographers and specialist support staff. We are not nurses or technicians.