Anxious about MRI

[PookBob]

I'm going for an MRI and EEG in the next couple of weeks to check for epilepsy/seizures/brain tumour.

I've been calm about this for a couple of months, cheery with DH and the kids etc. but now I'm feeling real stress and anxiety about this whole situation, and I'm being really short and grumpy, especially with DH.

I've also had my driving license suspended while this is being investigated, which has really made me feel depressed and a bit 'trapped'.

How can I stop being so anxious over the next couple of weeks? I'm a real nightmare to live with at the moment :(

Is it getting the MRI and EEG done that's bothering you or the results Hun? Xxx

The results, definitely.

Oh hun try not to worry too much (hard I know). I got told 12 days ago I could have had a stroke and I was terrified, I had to get CT, lumbar puncture and MRI scan, luckily all clear so stroke was ruled out. Diagnosis Hemiplegic Migraines.

You could and my fingers are crossed that you will, get results come back clear or find its something less serious Hun.

I know your probably yelling I know nothing, just didn't want to read and run and I wanted to try and give you at least one tiny bit of hope that you will get good news.

Fingers crossed for you Hun xxx

Thank you, that's really kind. Are you feeling better now?

I had an MRI scan a couple of weeks ago and I've never felt so stressed health wise in all my life. My biggest tip about the scan is to close your eyes during the entire procedure, as ahhhhhbaby said above, hopefully everything will be ok.

I totally understand how you feel regarding anxiety, I felt like I was going to be given a life sentence when I went for my results and convinced myself it was bad news, luckily it turned out to be nothing to worry about.

My fingers are crossed too, when is your scan?

Sorry to hear about your migraines ahhhhhbaby, I hope your doing ok. I don't know what a hemiplegic migraine is, but I suffered from classical migraine for years and they are bloody awful x

Tip your chin right up and you can see out of the end of the scanner. I'm 5ft so buried right inside but being able to see out calmed me

Try not to build it up on your mind if you can my expectations were far worse than it was both times- i thought mine were very quick was expecting to be in there for a lot longer plus they are in contact with you and I found that reassuring.
I think limbo for me was worse than the tests and actually having confirmation of. My condition so for me knowledge was power and once in knew what I was dealing with I could move on.
Hope it all goes well OP x

Thank you all.

I've had lots of MRI's and they are fine. Very noisy though! I have to do lots of breath holding during mine, and they give an injection of contrast dye into my vein. (through a cannular they insert beforehand)

I agree with babyh200 that closing your eyes for the entire procedure makes it more manageable. Also you can often bring a copy of your music if that will help you relax.

I had the same investigations for the same reasons around 14 years ago. The biggest pain was having to relinquish my driving licence as I had 3 dc under 5, two of whom are asd so I can empathise with you on the feeling trapped aspect. After the second seizure they put me on medication and as long as I pop a pill down my mouth every morning I can carry on driving.

EEGs are a doddle and the MRI is as others have said, much more manageable if you can close your eyes for the whole thing. Kings gave me a blindfold last time. I haven't ever been given the choice to bring music, not sure I'd hear it given the noisy chugging of the machine and all the bleeps which I usually end up counting. 40 low pitch then a break then 10 or so batches of 12 higher pitch etc etc

Whatever the results of the investigation - there will be people on here that can support you

There's a free app you can get called Headspace. It's based on principles of mindfulness and has some short meditation/relaxation programs (there's no need to get the paid for version unless you really want to). I have known a few people who found it useful for anxiety. Good luck for your scan