MRI - anxiety, couldn't go through with it.

[fingersandthumbs]

I was supposed to have an MRI scan today on my brain, but I panicked. I opened by eyes and there was a white frame right in front of my eyes and I needed to get out.

I felt too enclosed, claustrophobic and had to be taken out before they even started the scanner. The staff were lovely even though I wasted their time and told me to speak to the consultant who ordered the scan. His secretary has just told me it will be rearranged but despite me asking for support to get me through the scan she said I needed to get on with it.

I need to have this scan done and if it was as simple as just getting on with it I would have lay back on the bed and told them to try again. I've never experienced panic like this before. The thought of trying to do this again terrifies me. My hands are shaking as I type this and I'm nearly crying.

But I'm also so cross with myself, FFS, I'm 48 years old, I've been through things more scary than lying still on a bed for an hour! How can I get through this. Does anyone have any experience they can share.

Oh Fingersandthumbs I am sorry!

I had one this morning and enede up hyperventilating!

Next one (they said I'll need another) I am having first(as I have some left over from the dentist)

When I had a series of scans I was told I could request some valium from the GP but if I took it I would need to have someone else drive me home, is that an option?

having a valium first

Only correction I'm coping with sorry

Yes I know someone who had some Valium first. As a pp said though you can't drive yourself home after Valium

I had one last year and my consultant prescribed me valium, it really did the trick. I didn't give a monkeys where I was!
But you need someone with you to take you home.

Having someone drive me home shouldn't be a problem. I'm now worrying that if I panic again and waste their time they'll just remove me from the Consultant's list - like a missed appointment.

So, valium... do I make an appointment with my GP to request this or via the hospital consultant who requested the scan?

I don’t think I could do it without sedation OP
I had one on my knee last year and panicked a bit as it came up my body even though it only reached my waist. I got through it and the staff were lovely
Can you think about the worse case scenario if you DONT have it? Gets me through my smear test

There are MRI scanners that you go into sideways and they are like a clam. I’m not sure where you are but I know of one in Surrey. It’s in a private hospital but you can get an NHS referral. Maybe ask in your area if such a thing exists. I really feel for you it’s a horrible feeling.

There called open MRI scanners and there seem to be lots around.

If it's any help I have had one done on my brain following the sudden onset of migraines and an episode of amnesia.

I got through it by concentrating on my feet, which remained outside during the scan.
It doesn't hurt, nothing is going to touch you. It's a bit noisy though (I thought it sounded like the beeping noise reversing lorries make). Just think of it as a means to an end.

they did discover a perfectly normally functioning brain surprisingly

Diazepam, rang Gp and script sent straight to the pharmacy. Sleep mask for eyes, ask the radiologist to help you on the bed due to putting sleep mask on and not looking at the scanner at all. Tell the radiologist how nervous you are so they can keep in contact with.

Radiographer not radiologist 🙄

You can take somebody in with you if it would help, I think they need to sign something to show that they are aware of any risks although the risks are very minimal. Do you have a DH or a good friend who could go with you?

Or the drugs could work

I had this problem - had a panic attack and couldn't get in the thing.

They sent me to an open scanner instead and I went with my husband who held my hand.

It wasn't quite as open as I'd have liked but it helped being able to stick my arm out and hold my husband's hand. It did take longer though (something about the type of images it can take).

Ugh, much sympathy to you, it goes against human nature to get into one.

I meditate while in the MRI - really makes the time fly. TM meditation - so emphasis on chanting mantra.

The tip I was given was lie there, do not think about where you are and DO NOT open your eyes for even a second as it will make you feel claustrophobic even tho nothing hurts you or touches you. It worked for me but I agree valium too.
I do similar on planes too in that at no point do I think about being in a metal tube at 30000 feet etc, I just think of positives (and I'm not a positive person) like ooh, someone's bringing me food,, ooh a movie, ooh no chores etc and it has helped!
Don't open your eyes!! 😌😌😌 Good luck!

As someone else mentioned, there are open MRIs you can have. I had an MRI on an open scanner, not requested, it was just the one that was available. I don't think I would have liked the standard type but the open one was absolutely fine, just like lying down anywhere. The nurses said often people do request the open scanner as lots of people feel how you felt on the standard ones.

Speak to your consultant and see if it's possible to request an open one. Ignore the secretary, she sound very unhelpful.

I feel for you Op, I had one a few years ago and abandoned it first time for the same reasons.

I've got on on Monday and receptionist said it's for an hour, (spine one) I'm going to wear and eye mask and see how it goes.

Good luck

As PP has said, the most valuable thing I was ever told was to never open your eyes. I got the option to listen to an audiobook or the radio while I was in there although I couldn't hear it at all. Mine was about 45 minutes in the middle of winter so although it wasn't that long it was freezing! That shouldn't be a problem now though. So just keep your eyes zipped and think of what you will do after the scan - put your shoes on, get changed, walk down the corridor, have a coffee etc.

Diazepam from the GP.
Close your eyes before they put the thing on and keep them closed until it's off. Take a cd to listen to and tell them you're avoiding looking at the mask. They're always kind with me once they know.

I lost my nerve, felt shitty for wasting time and resources but apparently it's not uncommon.

Like PP's got diazepam prescribed for the next attempt and I was completely fine.

In 2003 I had an MRI on my knee cartilage and only my legs were in it. I remember thinking thank goodness I don't have to go in head first as no way would I be able to do it without a GA .

I later knew a woman who had a ring type of MRI similar to the CT scan instead of a tunnel. She had a heart scan, though.

My muscles kept jerking from the magnets but didn't affect the clarity of the images.

Good luck. Valium is the way forward.

Thanks everyone. It was opening my eyes that set me off, wish I had known not to! Trouble is now I know what it looks like I’m not sure I’m going to forget.
I’m in the Midlands, no idea about the possibility of an open scanner but will try the GP and Valium, diazepam route.
It’s good to know I’m not alone but I am still so cross with myself for panicking about lying on a bed in a metal tube, it just seems so ridiculous.

I have an annual MRI, having my head done usually takes around 15mins, the sec telling you to get on with it isn’t at all helpful, sorry you were spoken to like that.

Some good suggestions on here, good luck ☘️