MRI so scared!

[soontobemrs]

I'm hoping somebody can help/reassure me. I have already been twice to have it done only to get there and just back out. I am so claustrophobic hate closed spaces. I've even tried going on the open MRI and that also terrifies me! God why can't I get this done? They have offered GA but don't reaLly want that either, will diazepam help?

Hsoo I can understand your fears as MRI scan can be terrifying. I had to go for an MRI few years ago for My knee, so I was only half way through the machine. What part are you having, if you don't mind me asking?

Hi there,

I've had MRI scans lots of times in the past. The first time you go in it can feel scary but i've now got used to it so much that just fall asleep! One thing that can be reassuring is if they play music in your headphones, you could ask them if that appeals to you. I also tried to tell myself that it was "comfy" and "cosy" rather than close - it really is and nice and warm, and the noises the machine makes are quite regular and dull sounds. Also I try to focus on looking at the mirror rather than the top of the machine.

I don't know if any of that is reassuring but feel free to PM me if you think of anything that might help.

I once fell asleep in an MRI machine.

Yes, Diazepam works and your GP will most likely have no prob prescribing a small amount for just that day.

Thanks for replies everyone. I think I've got to have my spine and neck done, so I know I've got to go right in it. I'm that scared it keeps me awake at night worrying about it. The noises don't bother me, its the thought of being in a tight space that bothers me. How far awAy from your face is it please?

I've only had 1, but I had to stop it because of the head brace thing. I had no problem with the actual brace, but the extra padding stuff to keep my neck still made me feel physically sick.
They took them off and I promised to stay still. it was fine after that.
You will be fine.

Drugs all the way for me! And proper deep breathing before I go in. Take two diazepam about an hour before you go in and make sure you have somebody to drive you home.

I'm another MRI sleeper...

D

I have had several MRI's. If you are not wearing a head cover (normally for a brain scan) then there is quite a space above your face (up to a foor probably). I studied every mark on the tube above me whilst listening to the music and MRI sounds combined.

If you have to have the head cage it is easier to keep you eyes closed as I found it hard to focus with the cage so close - but that was for scanning the brain. They took it off for the rest of my spinal chord.

Foot! Not Foor - sorry!

I had a chest one, the top of the tube was very close to my face, maybe 10cm away.
I kept my eyes shut most of the time because it was so close but also found that I could see out of the tube if I looked "up" behind my head. That was nice, when I wanted a change from looking at my eyelids. :-)

It was loud, but I had music playing and nothing about the scan was unpleasant. Just like lying down for a sleep in a slightly odd place.

Best advice I can give it choose the LOUDEST piece of music possible :) the banging of the circuitry (nothing actually moves bar the bed) is incredibly loud.

Do ask the radiographers to constantly talk to you. Some places do, others just check you can hear them then get on with it. You need to tell them you need to have constant talking to. It helps a lot.

Do think of it as hiding under a duvet. A very noisy one. Close your eyes the instant you lie down, don't move (very very important else they have to repeat a measurement!) then you don't see anything after that.

They will give you a hand buzzer with which you can make a b. awful hooter go off outside, make the radiographers jump and get them to talk to you &/or come and get you out!

It takes just a few seconds to get you out after pressing the button and yelling. Most of the time they'll say are you ok? and if you say NO! then they'll get you out. During the scan they can't hear you talk because otherwise the banging would distract them. They can only hear you if they press the intercom button, which you can request via the hand buzzer.

If you are that bad, see if one of them will stay inside the room with you. If they hesitate, tell them the PAD has been delayed for another two years. (They ought to know what that refers to!)

If you think you have anything wrong with you, please try and have the scans as it could save you a lot of pain to have the right diagnosis.

Diazepam will help lots. So will making sure you're comfortable with pillows and foam pads under your back etc.

(I'm another person who has slept blissfully in a scanner - my record was 2h 20 mins during a quiet research scan for a student.)

My dad was allowed to go in feet first when he had his last one.

I've had quite a few and I'm extremely claustrophobic. My number one tip is to not look at the machine or think about how narrow it looks. Sounds strange I know! I put an eye mask on and tell myself I'm lying on a lounger. Take someone with you as they may be able to keep their hand on your foot - it helps fight the claustrophobic feelings. Tell the technician how you feel as they will talk you through it. Concentrate on breathing calmly. I sing songs in my head

Stay calm and keep telling yourself that you will be fine :)

I've had quite a few and I'm extremely claustrophobic. My number one tip is to not look at the machine or think about how narrow it looks. Sounds strange I know! I put an eye mask on and tell myself I'm lying on a lounger. Take someone with you as they may be able to keep their hand on your foot - it helps fight the claustrophobic feelings. Tell the technician how you feel as they will talk you through it. Concentrate on breathing calmly. I sing songs in my head

Stay calm and keep telling yourself that you will be fine :)

It is actually quite comfortable, but I felt better with eyes closed and amused self reciting poetry/songs/prayers - and going back to beginning after first time round as it is extremely boring in there.

I tried twice and had huge panic attacks. Third time lucky with Valium!

WOW ! I logged on to post my worries about my MRI scan and found this. I had a massive panic attack (made a right fool of myself) and am rescheduled for another. I have a scrip for diazepam from my gp. Still terrified, but thankyou for the timely advice. Its the noise that upsets me as much as anything. So can someone be in the room with me ?

candy the noise is caused by very fast electrical current switching. Imagine you're turning a light switch on and off dozens of times a second, each time making a CLICK sound. They all merge together into the banging you hear, amplified by the room shapes. But same principle as a light switch.

That's all it is.

No radiation that is harmful
No risk (unless you don't have your ear defenders on!)
It takes so long because you have to build up the images line by line, and also multiple images in one go.

Different patterns of banging means they are changing how the images look, so instead of looking for water, you look for fat. It changes what's bright and what's dark, to bring out what is wrong (if anything is!). That's why they do several. Also they change orientation. Some images follow eg the whole spine, some go through just one vertebra.

Finding this thread interesting as I'm an MRI radiographer!

One small point, re sedation. Sedation is good, and sedation is your friend if you're seriously claustrophobic: however, if the radiographers are following 'the letter of the law' (or highly likely their departmental policy!)- they're not supposed to knowingly put a sedated patient into the MRI because that patient can't be monitored (unless it's all being done with the fuss and bother of anaesthetics cover in which case most anaesthetists prefer to give a full GA as it's safer in terms of their control!). Now, we all know that the reality is the likelihood of someone lapsing into unconsciousness once in the scanner due to sedation is very low BUT if you've never had sedation like Valium before you might not know how much will 'take the edge' off your claustrophobia without knocking you out so accidentally overdo it, so it might be an idea if you're worried to get 2 doses from the GP, one as a test does, one for the MRI! And don't tell the radiographers! Personally, if I assessed a patient as being compos mentis and if they've used Valium before and they admit they've had a dose, I will say 'I'll pretend I didn't hear that!' and off we'll go, but an over-zealous radiographer might (and can legally) refuse to scan you!

Note you can't use earphone to play music for all scans. Some require the receive coil to be close to the body part we're imaging so the earphones just won't fit! DO ask the radiographers to talk to you between each scan sequence. I agree that some don't, though I almost always do unless my patient is very comfortable and relaxed about it all and just wants me to get on with it!

As for the RF, it's true that the jury is giving RF and MRI more thought but the reality is many radiographers aren't that happy about subjecting themselves to a lot of RF, either. A friend or relative can almost always accompany you into the room though they will have to be 'MRI safe' as well (no pacemakers, etc.).

Hope you can find a way to get your scan done however as an MRI scanner is a truly fantastic piece of kit, and, with neurological, joint and pelvic conditions, it's the bees knees.

Had my scan yesterday ! Did ok-ish, my DH was allowed in with me and went in feet first.
I was told to take my sedatives at the hospital an hour before my scan.
They got me the water and I had to take it in front of the radiographer !

That's great news. I'm glad you went through with it.

In Oz many moons ago we used to more or less 'prescribe' valium for our cluatrophobes but I am surprised there's an NHS hospital who actually encourage it. Where I work wouldn't touch it but we are very 'word of the law' and 'belt and braces' however daft it appears. I can understand our hospital's policy, I guess- I mean, were someone to pass out and choke to death inside a scanner and you knew they were sedated- had actually encouraged them to be sedated- you wouldn't have a legal leg to stand on.

IKWYM. Litten and I was a bit about taking the meds, especially as I havent before. DH said that the MRI service at our hospital has opted out of the NHS, not that I would have thought it would make any difference.
Anyway, all went well !
I just hope that I find out why I cant walk properly

Ah, that explains it!

Many NHS hospitals choose to subcontract MRI services to private companies because MRI scanners are so expensive. Were you scanned in the back of a truck?

By and large, especially if your scanning needs are 'routine', it's fine. The issues occur if there are complications or problems because the largely Easter European staff are not trained to know what to do under such circumstances.

My NHS hospital, due to weight of demand subs out some of the MRI service. We get irritated because the private provider gets to choose what they will and won't scan (even though they charge more than we'd ever get 'per scan' and they 'refuse' anything in the slightest bit tricky or non-pedestrian, sending that back to us to scan- oh, and your NHS scan gets reported by an NHS radiologist whereas the 'truck' stuff gets emailed to South Africa to be read!)

But no matter- you got through it.