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

[NonsensicalHair]

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!

I had a massive panic attack the first time I had a MRI, last year I had to have brain & spine ones which involved my head being put in to a cage before going in the scanner, I was terrified but the radiologist told me to slow down my breathing & close my eyes before they moved me in to the scanner, it worked really well & I took two of my stronger painkillers which calmed me down as well. It wouldn't bother me now if I had to have another scan ever again.

I have had 2 MRIs both NHS and the one machine was much wider than the other, I managed both but the tighter one was boiling and the wider one much easier.

@Nat6999

I had a massive panic attack the first time I had a MRI, last year I had to have brain & spine ones which involved my head being put in to a cage before going in the scanner, I was terrified but the radiologist told me to slow down my breathing & close my eyes before they moved me in to the scanner, it worked really well & I took two of my stronger painkillers which calmed me down as well. It wouldn't bother me now if I had to have another scan ever again.

That was when I had my panic attack, when they closed my head into a cage! That was what I couldn't deal with, and I know I never will. I was offered the open mri at Leeds, but I didn't even get in the mri and the head cage thing would still be needed in the open scanner.

Nope.

When l tried to have one, l couldn’t even lie down.

I grabbed my clothes and ran away out of the hospital.

Think they often have open ones in children's hospitals OP, so parent can sit next to child and hold their hand.
I know someone who had brain tumour as teenager and was scanned yearly.
The children's hospital allowed her to continue going there when she was in her 20s as she couldn't cope with the adult mri scanner.
Worth asking about your local children's hospital

I have to have regular MRI s and I hate them! But I found that I can cope with the mobile MRI machines, the ones they have in a trailer as they are bigger and less noisy. I tried an open MRI and it was worse, but I think it’s because I have to have my head scanned, a plate was place inches from my face, it was far noisier- I bolted!

I had to have an MRI on the heart last year and they put me in feet first. We had a "trial run" first without the machine doing any imaging. It worked well after I closed my eyes.
The cardiologist who ordered it said that if I couldn't go into the "normal" one, then there would be a slightly bigger one they could send me to, but that would take a lot of time as there is only one in London at St Bart's (?).

There’s an open MRI in East Croydon.

Whether the NHS will pay for an open MRI or not depends on why you need the scan, and why you can't tolerate the standard scanner, unless there is already an agreement by the CCG or trust.

I had a patient a while back who needed an MRI of his feet, the CCG decided not being able to walk, and him not being able to lie flat wasn't sufficient justification to pay for the upright open MRI.

Sedation plus music via headphones. Shut my eyes and get absorbed by the music. Sedation timed well lets me relax enough to get in the tube, but the music is what helps keep me there.
I Usually can't bear headphones - but as soon as the music starts they are helpful to me. Plus knowing the panic button is there and I always ask the radiographers to talk to me lots throughout the process & they usually oblige

My gp referred me to look at slipped disk. Was fine
I had to have my brain scanned (unrelated) and was told the picture would not be clear. Could not tolerate MRI but ok with cat scan