MRI for the Claustrophobic - Page 2

Honeykiss1974 · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 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 · #4 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 · #5 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.

Honeykiss1974 · #6 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.

DubaiSis · #7 02-26-2012, 02:08 PM

Good. I'm glad!

BlueOwl · #8 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 · #9 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 · #10 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

PM_Mama00 · #11 02-29-2012, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

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

Yay!! Was it open or open bore? Isn't it SUCH a relief knowing it's over?

Honeykiss1974 · #12 03-02-2012, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Yay!! Was it open or open bore? Isn't it SUCH a relief knowing it's over?

It was an open mri. I seriously think I couldn't tolerate open bore either. lol I"m just happy its over and done.

Afterwards the tech and I were chatting and she told me that if I ever needed an MRI above the chest, you have to go in head first so she recommended sedation if that ever happened.

lol I agree!

AGDee · #13 03-09-2012, 08:00 PM

Have you had any gastrointestinal tests? High SED, anemia, low protein were what my results looked like when I was having my first Crohn's issues.

PM_Mama00 · #14 03-09-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

Have you had any gastrointestinal tests? High SED, anemia, low protein were what my results looked like when I was having my first Crohn's issues.

My friend mentioned that and I have two cousins who have it, one has a cholostomy. The only thing is that he felt a mass on my stomach near my ovaries but now thinks it may have be in the muscle or above it. We got to that point because I was having severe pain in my leg/hip that was making me limp really bad. Like sciatic but in the front. We're both dumbfounded.

TriDeltaSallie · #15 03-09-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

My friend mentioned that and I have two cousins who have it, one has a cholostomy. The only thing is that he felt a mass on my stomach near my ovaries but now thinks it may have be in the muscle or above it. We got to that point because I was having severe pain in my leg/hip that was making me limp really bad. Like sciatic but in the front. We're both dumbfounded.

Have you considered seeing a physical therapist who specializes in Trigger Points? You might consider researching these:

The MacKenzie Method

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook