Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

MRI: panic due to claustrapobia - anyone know about 'open' MRI?

36 replies

NonsensicalHair · 29/09/2021 20:34

Had to have an MRI scan last week - was rather looking forward to it! Unfortunately, I had the worst panic attack I've ever had once I was fully in (claustrophobia - the noise didn't bother me at all). Was pressing the button for all I was worth to alert the staff. I just couldn't go back in a second time so, no MRI for me.

The staff were absolutely lovely and reassured me this was fairly common and that I should ask my GP for oral sedation and we could try again. However, the thought of going back into that machine just fills me with panic. I really don't think that oral sedation would cut it, to be honest. Which brings me to my point: I've read about 'open' MRI machines and am wondering if it's possible to be referred to one of those? Has anyone struggled with claustrophobia in MRI and managed to be referred for one of the open ones?

Ideally, I do need the MRI due to scoliosis and assessment of how it impacts my gait.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

Original poster

NonsensicalHair · 29/09/2021 20:36

Just seen that it's called an open, high field MRI.

OP posts:

Mustardfan · 30/09/2021 19:42

I kept my eyes closed the entire time, that helped.

RampantIvy · 30/09/2021 19:45

I really don't think that oral sedation would cut it

It really does, plus keeping your eyes closed.

wetrainday · 30/09/2021 19:48

I totally and utterly sympathise OP, I had one a few years ago, and absolutely hated it! Again I couldn't of cared less about the noise, just being totally and utterly trapped! It was absolutely bloody awful! I was literally shaking when I got out. I just kept my eyes shut and kept saying to myself, just wait another minute to press the button, just wait another minute and in the end I was out. I then went and treated myself to an enormous glass of wine.
I really feel for you and have no real advice but to say you are not alone, it's such an awful experience! I really hope you manage to do it another time. Did they give you headphones? I've heard that can help listen to a book or something?

FadedRed · 30/09/2021 19:48

I only managed the first 15 minutes or so before having to ring the alarm button to get out, they just put me back in feet first so I could see the ‘outside’, my head was about 12-15 inches inside the tube and I could see the room ceiling and didn’t feel so ‘enclosed’ IYSWIM.

wetrainday · 30/09/2021 19:49

I also kept telling myself I was doing it for my kids to find out what was wrong with me, that helped a bit

wetrainday · 30/09/2021 19:49

@FadedRed, that sounds better, why don't they always do that???

SW1amp · 30/09/2021 19:51

I think they are only available privately, so you would be looking at £300-600 for the scan, and it would depend on the goodwill of your NHS consultant as to whether they would do the review and follow up as an NHS appointment, or if you would have to pay privately for that as well

Hypnosis or Valium before the next appointment would be a cheaper, easier route, surely?

SW1amp · 30/09/2021 19:52

[quote wetrainday]@FadedRed, that sounds better, why don't they always do that??? [/quote]
Because presumably the first 15 mins head first got them the images they needed from that part of the body, so they could finish off the scan feet first to get the rest of them?

strictlymisses · 30/09/2021 20:18

I had an mri scan in the open scanner with the nhs a couple of months ago.
I totally understand where you are coming from, I was terrified. On the morning on the scan I was shaking and being sick but I knew I needed the scan. I explained to the radiographer and all the staff were lovely and explained everything. They let me go in feet first and honestly it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be, and I am the worse person for confined space - on holiday recently I would walk up 24 flights of stairs rather than go in the lift because I'm claustrophobic.
What Kind of MRI scan is it you are having?

strictlymisses · 30/09/2021 20:19

Forgot to say, due to the mri scan I was having (heart) I was allowed to have a sedative

strictlymisses · 30/09/2021 20:20

@wetrainday

I also kept telling myself I was doing it for my kids to find out what was wrong with me, that helped a bit

This helped me too, I kept telling myself if there is something wrong I need to know, for my kids, that helped me

ChipsAndKetchup · 30/09/2021 20:23

I've had a similar experience and had an open MRI as a result. It's still close to your face but it's open at the side like a burger bun instead of a tube.

I just turned my head to the side so I could see out and focused on my breathing.

If you can't do that maybe try an eye mask for the regular MRI and defo be sedated.

Etonmessisyum · 30/09/2021 20:24

Totally sympathise op, I had one recently abs freaked out. The staff were lovely and reassured me and helped me and I managed to go through with it but mine was abdo so I tipped my head back a bit so I could see the room. But if I need another I will ask for sedation. I’m quite claustrophobic and I didn’t think it would be as overwhelming but I think with the headphones on it’s a lot. Ask about an open mri as you can only see what is said. I’m glad I managed to get though it but totally get why people can’t. (I’m a nurse too I’ve been in with kids etc - sedated though) so I’ve seen them and been in the room. When it’s yourself it’s totally different

SuddenArborealStop · 30/09/2021 20:27

I'm severely claustrophobic and always swore an MRI would be worse to me than any disease. I had to have one when I was pregnant so I talked myself into it not being about me but for my baby. A good reason helped but I know I wouldn't have considered my own health a good reason.

How's your memory and sense of time? I know the whole album of Hamilton and generally how long into I am, I "played" it in my head and concentrated on that eyes closed just passing the time.

BasiliskStare · 30/09/2021 20:29

I am claustrophobic and have had 2. one - tipped back so I could see the room. Also if you can take a friend who can read out bits from the newspaper or just chat in between instructions that I found very helpful. I had to have another procedure and the sedative was incredibly helpful - was very anxious before but it went well.

BasiliskStare · 30/09/2021 20:30

Sorry - meant tipped head back . Also I do not have the earphones as that makes me more claustrophobic but someone sitting there within vision I found really really helped.

Floralnomad · 30/09/2021 20:37

Some places do have open scanners , I can’t go in an MRI machine ( combination of claustrophobia and breathing problems with laying flat) and I was booked in to the open scanner in a hospital at a different trust. No idea what it was like because the surgeon decided to do the OP without the MRI being done .

SudokuWillNotSaveYou · 30/09/2021 20:44

[quote wetrainday]@FadedRed, that sounds better, why don't they always do that??? [/quote]
Actually it’s more than just the money. The images aren’t as nearly as good yet. And I mean REALLY not as good.

The magnetic power on an open MRI is only 0.23. On a regular MRI, it’s 1.5 to 3.0. Believe me, with how many people struggle with the claustrophobia MRIs induce, the money would be a small factor because taking up extra time, extra MRI sessions, aborted sessions etc, spends tons of money (not the patient’s fault). But the images are just incomparable yet. And part of it is because the magnet is so weak, it takes longer, so people move more (thousands of micro movements even if they try to stay still), so the images are blurrier so…

I also suffer from claustrophobia and have had to have some really terrible MRIs, so my recommendation is seeing if you can find a “wide bore” MRI. They’re the largest MRI machines so they’ll feel more open, like a CT scan tube. Also oral sedation beforehand; take someone with you, (so your sedation can start to take effect before the MRI) and if it’s a severe situation, tell them the person needs to actually stay in the room with you (it IS possible) so they can talk to you (I've had my husband in the room with me before). They can do it under general sedation (they do with children) but that would be a nightmare.

I’m not sure what they would choose if oral sedation and a wide bore MRI combined failed: a shite pic from an open MRI or all the extra faff of doing it under general sedation. I guess it depends on if this is just confirming a diagnosis or trying to stop something dangerous to your health.

Imohsotired · 30/09/2021 20:45

I had one recently and they give me a mirror so I could see the ceiling - it helped immensely. I also mentioned I get anxious when I’m enclosed and they checked in with me constantly and told me how long each scan was for so I was mentally ready for the longer ones and could count them out.

Chloemol · 30/09/2021 20:47

Yes a family member is the same. For one I was allowed in the room with her when she had a normal one ( after signing my life away) and that helped. But she has had a couple of open ones but had to travel to London

Speak to your GP

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 30/09/2021 20:57

My DF had an open MRI. He was a patient at Salford Royal and they sent him to a private provider in Manchester. It’s definitely possible.

spudjulia · 30/09/2021 21:05

I had a panic attack during an MRI about 2 years ago - never even made it into the tube. I've not been able to go in one since, so hoping there's not something seriously wrong with me.

intothedark · 30/09/2021 21:10

sedation didnt work for me my fear of enclosed spaces apparently over rid the sedation

MrsPnut · 30/09/2021 21:11

I had an MRI at an NHS hospital and had to stop after 15m because I felt so claustrophobic. I then was asked to have one at a private hospital by my oncologist and I was petrified but she gave me a sedative. The MRI scanner there was wider and shorter than the NHS one and it was fine. I’ve since had another 2 scans there with no meds.

Flip

1 2