MRI for the Claustrophobic - Page 2

Honeykiss1974 · #16 02-25-2012, 03:39 PM

PM Mama, I TOTALLY relate to you. On Friday, I attempted to get an MRI of my abdomen so I thought going in feet first, that my head would still be out...umm NO. It had to go in the "tunnel" and I freaked out. So much that I had an asthma attack. lol I'm now on the search for an Open MRI too. There was no way I could stay in there for 45 minutes.

If I HAD to go the route of a traditional MRI, I'd have to put out with general anesthesia. Valium or Xanax wouldn't cut it.

TriDeltaSallie · #17 02-25-2012, 04:45 PM

I would also choose Xanax over Valium. I've had both for procedures and the Valium was worthless. OTOH, the smallest dose of Xanax can make me so relaxed I can't move. (Yes, my body is THAT sensitive.)

That said, I'd rather be out. It would be even worse to be so relaxed by the Xanax that you can't communicate clearly that you are panicking.

Those of you who aren't super claustrophobic probably think this is a strange conversation, but I totally get the crying tears of relief comment upon seeing the alternative MRI machine.

But if you can move your head and look out, you will probably be fine with just the Xanax or Valium.

PM_Mama00 · #18 02-25-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

PM Mama, I TOTALLY relate to you. On Friday, I attempted to get an MRI of my abdomen so I thought going in feet first, that my head would still be out...umm NO. It had to go in the "tunnel" and I freaked out. So much that I had an asthma attack. lol I'm now on the search for an Open MRI too. There was no way I could stay in there for 45 minutes.

If I HAD to go the route of a traditional MRI, I'd have to put out with general anesthesia. Valium or Xanax wouldn't cut it.

Look for the Open Bore MRI. That's the one that is 4ft long and a wider hole.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

I would also choose Xanax over Valium. I've had both for procedures and the Valium was worthless. OTOH, the smallest dose of Xanax can make me so relaxed I can't move. (Yes, my body is THAT sensitive.)

That said, I'd rather be out. It would be even worse to be so relaxed by the Xanax that you can't communicate clearly that you are panicking.

Those of you who aren't super claustrophobic probably think this is a strange conversation, but I totally get the crying tears of relief comment upon seeing the alternative MRI machine.

But if you can move your head and look out, you will probably be fine with just the Xanax or Valium.

Ok now I'm freaked out about being so relaxed I can't communicate! My prescription is only .25mg.

TriDeltaSallie · #19 02-25-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Ok now I'm freaked out about being so relaxed I can't communicate! My prescription is only .25mg.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you freak out. That is the same prescription I had and I only needed half a pill. Have you ever taken Xanax? Do you have a history of being sensitive to meds? If you are concerned, take a Xanax as a trial run a few days before to see how your body responds.

PM_Mama00 · #20 02-26-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you freak out. That is the same prescription I had and I only needed half a pill. Have you ever taken Xanax? Do you have a history of being sensitive to meds? If you are concerned, take a Xanax as a trial run a few days before to see how your body responds.

Yeah my doctor prescribed them for me when I had a minor bout with insomnia. Sometimes it kicks in right away, but sometimes it takes a while.

AOII Angel · #21 02-26-2012, 10:04 AM

The bigger problem with these sedatives is NOT that you won't be able to move, but that you become disinhibited and can't stop moving. These drugs are like alcohol and make patient's behave like they are drunk. When they take to much thinking that it will make it better for them, the procedure is worthless. Take just enough to be comfortable with out being a squirmy mess that can't take orders. Also, stop thinking about it too much...the more you obsess and work it up in your mind, the worse it will be. Trust that the Xanax will work. Keep telling yourself that it will work and that the open bore MRI won't bother you. Remember that you can get out of the bore at anytime during the procedure that you want. At no time are you trapped or stuck. You can turn your head and look out. Take a slow deep breath and realize that you are SAFE. The key is the controlled breathing. Good luck, PM Mama.

PM_Mama00 · #22 02-26-2012, 01:13 PM

Sooooo it was a breeze! I took the Xanax but I think all it did was make me sleepy. It didn't relieve any anxiety. However, I was in far enough that my head was in but I had it tilted so I could see out. The noise wasn't as loud as I thought but maybe it was the headphones. The worst part was my lower back hurting from laying on a flat board for so long.... which didn't even seem like the 30min I was quoted. Not bad! Thanks for all the help!

DubaiSis · #23 02-26-2012, 02:08 PM

Good. I'm glad!

Honeykiss1974 · #24 02-26-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Look for the Open Bore MRI. That's the one that is 4ft long and a wider hole.

Thanks for the tip. Glad to hear it went well for you.

TriDeltaSallie · #25 02-26-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Sooooo it was a breeze! I took the Xanax but I think all it did was make me sleepy. It didn't relieve any anxiety. However, I was in far enough that my head was in but I had it tilted so I could see out. The noise wasn't as loud as I thought but maybe it was the headphones. The worst part was my lower back hurting from laying on a flat board for so long.... which didn't even seem like the 30min I was quoted. Not bad! Thanks for all the help!

So glad it worked out well!

VandalSquirrel · #26 02-28-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The bigger problem with these sedatives is NOT that you won't be able to move, but that you become disinhibited and can't stop moving. These drugs are like alcohol and make patient's behave like they are drunk. When they take to much thinking that it will make it better for them, the procedure is worthless. Take just enough to be comfortable with out being a squirmy mess that can't take orders. Also, stop thinking about it too much...the more you obsess and work it up in your mind, the worse it will be. Trust that the Xanax will work. Keep telling yourself that it will work and that the open bore MRI won't bother you. Remember that you can get out of the bore at anytime during the procedure that you want. At no time are you trapped or stuck. You can turn your head and look out. Take a slow deep breath and realize that you are SAFE. The key is the controlled breathing. Good luck, PM Mama.

I've had a lot of head imaging done because of my sinuses, and there is absolutely no moving for that procedure. Unfortunately the room the machine is in is pretty small and it may have been my perception, but the wall seemed rather close that it could be just as claustrophobia inducing for some people. Like I said before, I'm fine in small places, and even in the dark, but the noise of that machine, and even getting a cleaning at the dentist, is what makes me uncomfortable. I can feel it in my body and it makes me ill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Sooooo it was a breeze! I took the Xanax but I think all it did was make me sleepy. It didn't relieve any anxiety. However, I was in far enough that my head was in but I had it tilted so I could see out. The noise wasn't as loud as I thought but maybe it was the headphones. The worst part was my lower back hurting from laying on a flat board for so long.... which didn't even seem like the 30min I was quoted. Not bad! Thanks for all the help!

If you ever have to get it done again, ask for a rolled up towel under your back. The way my body is shaped it is hard for me to lie flat on my back with my legs straight, and I use a rolled up towel to take up the space my back and backside create.

Seriously though, isn't this imaging better than the ultrasound where you have to drink a lot of water and then they press on your lower abdomen to get a picture?

AOII Angel · #27 02-29-2012, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I've had a lot of head imaging done because of my sinuses, and there is absolutely no moving for that procedure. Unfortunately the room the machine is in is pretty small and it may have been my perception, but the wall seemed rather close that it could be just as claustrophobia inducing for some people. Like I said before, I'm fine in small places, and even in the dark, but the noise of that machine, and even getting a cleaning at the dentist, is what makes me uncomfortable. I can feel it in my body and it makes me ill.

If you ever have to get it done again, ask for a rolled up towel under your back. The way my body is shaped it is hard for me to lie flat on my back with my legs straight, and I use a rolled up towel to take up the space my back and backside create.

Seriously though, isn't this imaging better than the ultrasound where you have to drink a lot of water and then they press on your lower abdomen to get a picture?

The rooms vary a lot from imaging center to imaging center. The center where I work has quite large rooms for our MRIs. The sound is a big problem for MRI. We do offer ear plugs and headphones which dampen the noise. For the back pain issue, you can actually bend your knees to help decrease pressure on the back, and most centers have special wedges to put under your knees to help.

Yes, MRI is much better than ultrasound for evaluating pelvic disease. Ultrasound is fine if you just want to look at basic issues, but advanced issues are much better evaluated by MRI due to better soft tissue resolution. Ovarian tumors, fibroids, endometriosis, cervical cancer, etc are all better visualized on MRI.

BlueOwl · #28 02-29-2012, 01:53 AM

Ugh, for those of us who are uncomfortable in the MRI tube, there is little that can alleviate our anxiety. I have had three breast MRI's and it is torture for me. First, your breasts are hanging down into coils ( woman is on her stomach), I.V. for contrast (ouchy), and then the NOISE!! I usually ask if we can stop for a few minutes so that I can come out of the tube...naturally, they say no. I can understand why,, but I still ask. I wish that my husband, or a friend could be able to talk me through it on a two way speaker. That would help me. It is such a valuable diagnostic tool. But so very unpleasant for many of us. Just reading the posts here have left me feeling anxious!!

AOII Angel · #29 02-29-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueOwl

Ugh, for those of us who are uncomfortable in the MRI tube, there is little that can alleviate our anxiety. I have had three breast MRI's and it is torture for me. First, your breasts are hanging down into coils ( woman is on her stomach), I.V. for contrast (ouchy), and then the NOISE!! I usually ask if we can stop for a few minutes so that I can come out of the tube...naturally, they say no. I can understand why,, but I still ask. I wish that my husband, or a friend could be able to talk me through it on a two way speaker. That would help me. It is such a valuable diagnostic tool. But so very unpleasant for many of us. Just reading the posts here have left me feeling anxious!!

Breast MRI is especially uncomfortable because you are lying prone (on your stomach). They can't stop the exam because the important part of MRI for the breast is how your breast enhances over time. If you stopped the machine, there would be no information for that period of time and the entire exam would be worthless. The exam itself takes 45 min to an hour on a standard 1.5 Tesla machine. You can be put in feet first so your head is hanging out. The exam is faster on a 3T machine so finding a better machine will make things a little better. Open Bore MRI is NOT an option for Breast MRI, however.

Honeykiss1974 · #30 02-29-2012, 11:38 AM

YAY! I had the open bore MRI and made it through. I will admit that at first, I panicked and started crying (lol) but after I calmed down it was a breeze. I think once I got in and realized that I would still see the room from all sides, I was ok.

Fear - 0
Me - 1