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Original poster

MRI Scan and sedation

31 replies

marymoocow · 04/06/2008 09:34

I had an attempted MRI scan about a month ago, but unfortunatly had a major panic attack and had to be pulled out.
Have received another appointment to go on Friday, and i'm really worried. Off to see the doctor in a bit to discuss sedation, but i'm a bit sceptical that it will work.
I need 100% guarantee that it will work, otherwise i really don't think that i can go through with it.

So the long, and short of it is, has anyone had one under sedation, and did it fully work?

Thanks (from a very panicky MN)

OP posts:

ninedragons · 04/06/2008 10:22

My DD had one a fortnight ago. She's four months old, so a little wriggler. In the west apparently they do them under a general for babies that young, but here in China they gave her a suppository that knocked her out stone cold for half an hour, and when she woke up she was completely normal. No grogginess or anything.

Maybe they could give you a pill instead of sticking it up your bum, but from my DD's limited experience I would say you will be well and truly out for the count.

figroll · 04/06/2008 10:28

I had an MRI scan last year and had a bit of a panic, although may be not as much as you! My advice would be to shut your eyes and try to do muscular relaxation - it definitely worked for me as I started to fall asleep despite the noise. Try to think about it logically - that it will only be for a brief period of time and then imagine yourself walking back to the car. That is what I tried to do.

It is quite amazing how you can start to listen to the noise and it becomes almost hypnotic, lulling you (or me!) off to sleep.

I didn't want sedation because of the length of time I would have ended up at the hospital.

I hope this helps you, although I understand the panic you felt - MRIs are not pleasant experiences.

Original poster

marymoocow · 04/06/2008 11:27

Thanks for the replies.
Have been to see the doctor and he has given me some diazapam tablets to take. Was secretly hoping he would tell me i didn't have to go (although I knew that wasn't an option really).
I don't think I'll have to stay at the hospital any longer than normal to be honest, just got to make sure that someone takes me and brings me back.

Anyone any experience of these tablets on a short term basis? Doctor said they would just make me feel spaced out. Personally I would have prefered knocked out .

I know i'm being irrational, the thing itself doesn't scare me, or even the results to that matter, its just being shut in a tiny tunnel with a plastic shopping basket on my head.

I lasted about 30 seconds last time .

OP posts:

ninedragons · 04/06/2008 11:36

I had some Valium (diazepam) a few years ago when I put my back out. It's LOVELY! I can completely see why people end up addicted to it. It feels like being swaddled in a cashmere blanket and rocked to sleep by your mother.

Good luck, you'll be fine with your yummy stoned pills.

Original poster

marymoocow · 04/06/2008 11:42

Thanks for that. I've been told to take one tablet about an hour before i go in for the scan, and another about half an hour before, if it doesn't seem like its working. Do they really work that quickly?

And how soon does it wear off. I know, I should have asked the doctor all of this while I was there, but I never seem to think of things until I'm out of the situation.

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ThingOne · 04/06/2008 12:36

I was given temazepam by the radiologist when I freaked out last time. I have my next one tomorrow and GP has given me diazepam. She said I had to try one out to see whether I needed one or two.

I don't think it is irrational at all to be unnerved by being enclosed in a narrow tube. It is certainly not a normal thing. I feel no shame whatsoever about needing sedation for this procedure. For me it is very frightening and I'm never going to do it again without sedation.

You don't have to stay any longer if you have sedation but you do need somebody to drive you home.

Original poster

marymoocow · 04/06/2008 12:47

Thanks ThingOne. It makes me feel easier knowing i'm not the only one that has reacted in this way. Hope it all goes well for tomorrow. So have you tried them out to see how many you need? I just can't believe that they will work, or that anyone is going to ever convince me again to casually lay down on that bed

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ninedragons · 05/06/2008 01:30

Don't worry, my mum works with MRIs and claustrophobia is very, very common.

Let us know how you went.

Original poster

marymoocow · 05/06/2008 15:02

Well, i'm off for it tomorrow, and whenever i think about it i can feel the panic welling up inside me even now.
Not sure I will get much sleep tonight. Atleast it is first thing tomorrow, so I won't have to wait too long.

Will let you know how I coped (or not as the fear is at the moment)

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ThingOne · 05/06/2008 17:52

I'm back now.

I had one an hour before hand and the second twenty minutes before and it was fine. I was much more relaxed than before.

Good luck.

Original poster

marymoocow · 05/06/2008 19:32

Thanks for letting me know. Glad it went ok. Hope mine is as successful tomorrow.
Will let you know

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HLL · 05/06/2008 21:49

hello there MMC, I follwed your threads ages ago when you were first having your symptoms as they were exactly the same as mine..and I went down the same path as you - referred to a consultant who decided nothing was wrong and I had an MRI just in case. I had that about 3 weeks ago and I was totally and utterly bricking it..but once I got over the first minute, kept my eyes shut, kept thinking about the beach and zoned out (even with all the clanking of the machinery), it wasn't as bad as I thought and they do keep talking to you throughout, esp if you are scared. It isn't one big scan either..I had a brain MRI and I think there were 3, maybe 4 scans, each lasting between 2 and four minutes or so and it is easier to break it down into bite-sized pieces.
I have also had diazepam in the past and I think it will do the trick, to chill you out enough so that you can bite the bullet and get through the process. Hang on in there and good luck for tomorrow.

Original poster

marymoocow · 05/06/2008 21:57

Hi HLL, Thanks for the message. I think my biggest mistake last time was that i opened my eyes (too nosey for my own good). Did they take you out between scans then, or do you stay in there the whole of the 20 minutes (which is what they told me it would take last time).
How did you get on. Hope all is well. Will be interesting to find out what is wrong if nothing else. Still getting the pins and needles feelings in my face, and had them back in my fingers today. Thinking it may be linked with stress - can't think what i would be stressed about

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hatwoman · 05/06/2008 22:03

marymoocow - good luck for the scan. I hope this is stating the obvious but you know you can't drive on diazepam don't you? I had it when I was in labour - and it totally knocked me out (in fact I fell asleep on my own in a bath, in hospital - something I've never quite forgiven them for!) it'll certainly do the trick for your scan. I've had 3 MRIs and I just lie there and think of myself on a beach with the sound of the waves. can I ask why you're having it? (don;t answer if you don;t want to) I only ask because it can all be a bit scarey and if I can be of any help I'd love to.

procrastinatingparent · 05/06/2008 22:07

I've taken Diazepam for fear of flying and it was great. It made me feel quite drowsy and mellow.

I was really worried about the claustrophobia with an MRI a few years ago but the woman told me not to open my eyes at all, and to focus on relaxing and breathing, and I was completely fine.

So take the pills, close your eyes, and tell yourself that you can do anything if it's only for 20 minutes. There's lots of lovely fresh air flowing through so breathe that in and think of lovely things.

Good luck.

Original poster

marymoocow · 05/06/2008 22:14

Thanks all.
Having the scan coz i keep getting numb feeling in my face, and pins and needles in my fingers, and aching in my left arm (all of it on the same side). Investigating MS or tumour, but consultant didn't seem particularly worried. However, saw GP this week and he insisted I still went for scan as I still had some of the symptoms, albeit not as bad.
see here for complete story.
Just realised that you did indeed reply on my other thread Hatwoman.

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ThingOne · 05/06/2008 22:17

What are your plans for sleeping tonight, mmc? Are you off for a warm bath now, followed by one valium?

As well as keeping my eyes closed - very important - I kept thinking of a lovely image of one of my boys from our recent holiday.

calm calm calm

Original poster

marymoocow · 05/06/2008 22:22

Not sure at the moment. Think i have been on here for longer than ever before. I know i need to go to bed pretty soon. Waiting for dh to come home. I sent him out as he was annoying being very kind and attentive. I wasn't told to have any valium tonight. Just to have it in the morning.
I've got MIL coming to take dc to school in the morning, as appointment is at 9:25.
Don't worry, eyes will be firmly shut this time, thinking of our holiday last week at Disney - if I can go on some of those rollercoasters, I think I can do anything
Actually I was hoping I wouldn't be able to think about anything really and someone would just tell me that it was all over. Not going to get that then Oh well....

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hatwoman · 05/06/2008 23:23

I thought I recognised the name - good luck for tomorrow. I really hope it goes well. let me know if I can be of any informative/supportive use

procrastinatingparent · 06/06/2008 21:38

How did it go, marymoocow?

Original poster

marymoocow · 08/06/2008 21:20

Hello . Well I survived, though still found it very truamatic.
I took one of the valium an hour before the appointment, nothing happened. Took the second half an hour before, nothing happened. By this time I had arrived at the hospital. Got to the reception and just completely broke down. They were lovely though and told me to sit down and take the last valium. I took it and it slightly took the edge off things, but was still crying throughout.
They did let dh come in with me, so he was hanging onto my leg the whole time.
The actual machine was bigger than the last one though which was in a mobile caravan, and the whole experience was better.
Just waiting for the results now.
Thanks to everyone for your reassurance and support.

OP posts:

ThingOne · 08/06/2008 22:05

Well done mmc. You sound as if you were very brave. It's clearly very frightening for you. Are you going to have to have more? If so, I think it's really worth your while looking into some proper relaxation techniques, such as the PMR mentioned above.

Original poster

marymoocow · 08/06/2008 22:14

Won't know if i need any more until i see the consultant with the results. Not sure what PMR is (which probably explains why i didn't do it )
To be honest I think now that I have finally gone through it, it won't be as bad next time.
I'm a bit as to why the valium didn't really do much though. I did sleep all the way back from the hospital though, but that was about it.

OP posts:

MERLYPUSS · 08/06/2008 22:37

I have severe epilepsy. I use Diazepam (rectal suppository - sorry TMI) when I know I am about to have a seizure. For me it works as a muscle relaxant and it feels like I am really pissed but without the dizziness. You know the heavy, sleepy feeling.
I ave had several MRI's with out the need for drugs but I did need it when I had a bone marrow extraction (along with pain killers). It's great stuff IMO.

hatwoman · 10/06/2008 13:12

MMC - i would doubt you'll need another MRI for some time now. they're expensive things and they don't usually repeat them often. I've had 3 (iirc, possibly 4) in nearly 9 years. unless symptoms change and they really need to have another look they don't do them very often. my friend who had one for similar symptoms to you has never had one since.

good luck for the results. let us know. one peice of advice - when you see the consultant, if you ask nothing else, ask him who to contact if you have questions. it's horrible not knowing, wondering whether you should be "troubling" the consultant, going to your gp (who doesn;t really do details) talking to the consultant's secretary or what.

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