Cervical MRI

[OldTinHat]

So, I've had lower spine MRIs twice before. One with sedation, one without.

I've just got back from an attempted cervical MRI (yes, on a Sunday!) and I embarrassed myself with a panic attack, yelled at the nurses to get me out when only my shoulders had made it in. My eyes were shut, headphones on, I knew what to expect, but I freaked.

They were lovely, calmed me down, we tried again, but it wasn't going to happen.

Has anyone else had a similar reaction and managed to have a successful scan at a later date?

They've told me to go back to my consultant for sedation and re-book but I'm so scared now. It doesn't help that I'm fat (16 stone) so I'm going to lose as much weight as I can beforehand. I need to anyway tbh.

The nurses said they've seen it all before, but I'd rather hear from 'real' people!

Hi I've had a lot of brain MRI's due to having a brain tumour and surgery. Some people seem to be able to get used to them, but I'm not in that camp! The last but one scan I was suddenly hit by a panic attack and only avoided pressing the button by a hairs breadth - I thought very strongly about waves crashing on a beautiful sandy beach to calm myself down.
For the one I had recently, I made sure I had no caffeine before the scan, tried to divert my thoughts to relaxing holiday memories and took some co-codamol, because it spaces me out somewhat.
I think getting some sedation and trying not to wind yourself up before hand will be the way to go - good luck.

Thank you for replying @Mistymountain. I'm so sorry for the reason for your MRI. Have you got a good prognosis? Are you well looked after?

Thank you for your good advice. I don't drink caffeine anyway (prefer water or squash, I'm very odd for a 52yr old!). I have co-codamol and amitripline so will try those next time alongside sedation if I can get it but I'm almost medication numb.

You've really inspired me that you've managed to keep calm, even at the last minute. That's quite amazing. When that panic sets in...and you rode it out. I couldn't do it.

When I tried to go in the second time, I imagined my eye mask and weighted blanket, snuggling under my duvet at home, but, no.

I've also just now realised that in previous scans, when the headphones went on, there was a radio station and music playing. This time, they were ear defenders which added to the claustrophobia. The nurses were trying to talk to me and I was shouting I couldn't hear what they were saying and to please get me out.

Anyway, thank you. I'll try again and see what happens with sedation, fingers crossed. I'm just so embarrassed.

Wishing you all the best and thank you.

Thanks for asking. I've got an appointment next week to discuss the results, it's a grade 2 so not cancerous, but is growing. I'm expecting to need another operation next year.

I hope your scan goes well and you get good results 💐x

I have one a year usually, head,cervical and whole spine to monitor my Multiple Sclerosis, sedition sounds the better option for you. Good luck.

I had similar to @Mistymountain, in that I narrowly avoided a panic attack and having to be removed from the scanner when I had a shoulder MRI earlier this year. I knew I wouldn't make it back in if I was taken out, so closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing to try to relax. It seemed to work in that I managed to tolerate it.

I've since had a neck MRI scan and coped with that one far better.

I am very claustrophobic and have had 3 neck MRIs due to slipped discs in the neck. I find that putting the eye mask on and the headphones makes me worse and somehow 'triggers' a panic attack. So I now close my eyes well before I go in and keep them closed throughout. It's hard though.

Please don't feel embarrassed for panicking. The radiographers really will have seen it all, and worse, before and they won't have bat an eyelid. Definitely see your consultant to discuss sedation or there maybe other options to get the results they want. Was it an open scanner?

Thank you so much everyone for replying and I'm sending my best wishes to you all, and to @Mistymountain and your operation. I hope you don't need it though.

The machine was open each end, yes, but because it was for my neck, I would have been 'stuck' in the middle iyswim. I had my eyes shut but I felt completely trapped.

I'm still so embarrassed. It's completely irrational, I know. I got through the last one with relaxation techniques but yesterday they packed their bags and legged it!

Diet has started today and I'm waiting to hear from my consultant about sedation.