Anyone have any good tips for staying calm? I'm not insanely claustrophobic but I assume no one likes being in tight quarters. I need to get this scan done because i have a shoulder/back injury but I've been putting it off forever because I dont want to deal with the panicky feeling
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You can get medication for it or get an open mri!
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Can you do an open MRI? There are freestanding facilities that do the open MRI that may not be a part of your outpatient hospital setting. You just want to be sure they're in network with your health plan. If you have a high deductible health plan, the freestanding facilities are also generally cheaper than a hospital outpatient center.
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@gotkimchi: @2PeasinaPod: @2PeasinaPod: Thanks I dont think the place I was referred to has the open MRI option. I'll have to look into it more.
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@Mrsbells: What type of health plan do you have? You don't have to go to the place you were referred to unless you have an HMO.
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@2PeasinaPod: This visit wont be covered by my health plan since it is as a result of an auto accident. So i was told i had to go to the place I was referred to by my specialist
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@Mrsbells: ear plugs/noise cancelling headphones (if they let you take them in) help. I had one to check an inner-ear issue I was having a few years ago, and they had a mirror reflecting so I could kind of look out? It's hard to explain, but there was a series of mirrors that reflected in a way where I could watch the reflection of the passing road. I'm incredibly claustrophobic and that-plus the loud noise-made it not my favorite experience. However, it's an important diagnostic tool. My hats off to those of you who have them frequently!
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@ChiCalGoBee: thanks! thats helpful
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Call the facility/your doctor and see if they have medication they can give you. I work in outpatient imaging and we have Valium that we can give to our mri patients to help calm them. For me, the worst part of being in the machine is going in. Once the table stops moving and I’m inside, I’m fine. I know our MR tech will give her patients a cloth to cover their eyes because it tends to calm people down if they can’t see how closed in they are.
Good luck!
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@Mrsbells: Ah got it...yeah, that won't work then!
Great idea for the ear canceling head phones if you're able to wear them. If you can't wear something that big, earbuds with music will at least help. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Maybe even a sleep mask so you don't realize where you are as you go in.
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@MrsRoo: @2PeasinaPod: thanks yes I will give them a call and ask what options they have. You would think in 2017 that all mri machines would be open and invisible!
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@Mrsbells: I had one last ear - they gave me foam ear plugs and then headphones with music - they also covered my eyes - I fell asleep!
eta: and covered me with a warm blanket
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@Mrsbells: Keep in mind that you can't bring anything magnetic into an MRI. So there may be problems with bringing in certain headphones or a device to play sounds. I'd check with the clinic on whether they have anything they know is non-ferrous for their patients to use.
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@Mamaof2: that actually sounds super relaxing! @kiddosc: yes i just called and they said i cant bring anyone in with me or my own earphones. But they provide music
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DH had one done a month ago and was pretty panicked during it. They had headphones there for him, and after he almost made them stop altogether, they allowed me to come back and hold his hand.
He did 'prepare' by watching some youtube videos on it so he at least knew what to expect.
I think it helped also that the tech would tell him how long each scan was, so this one is 30 seconds, this one is 1-1/2 minutes, etc. so he knew he only had to make it x amount longer. -
I have to get them done regularly for a brain tumor I used to have. So I have to go fully in the chute with my head immobilized FOR AN HOUR. It is the worst thing ever.
My doctor does not do Valium for MRIs so what I've figured out over 5 years is
1. Wear a sleepmask. It is far less claustrophobic to not see anything at all and it's way too hard to force your eyes shut that long.
2. Use earplugs.
3. If possible have someone come and hold your foot for supoort. My husband literally sits there in a chair rubbing my foot or calf so I feel like someone is with me.
4. Take 5 big long slow deep breaths before you begin so that you're calm.
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@josina: oh boy! I am on the fence if watching youtube videos will help or scare me more
@gingerbebe: thanks I will have to go searching for my sleep mask tonight and make sure to keep my eyes covered. -
My mom just had one and had a small amount of valium to relax her!
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I had one for my knee a few years ago. They only pushed me into the machine to about my waist, so my head was out, but they gave me a panic button to hold on to, just in case. I recently had a CT scan done of my sinuses (different place). I was more apprehensive, but it was fairly quick, quicker than the MRI. I had my eyes shut the whole time.
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@Mrsbells: Watch videos of MRIs. The sounds are pretty weird and change a lot. Do you know if they will be putting a coil over you? I would prepare yourself for that because that can make claustrophobia worse. Also, see if you can take your own blanket. It will be cold in there (it has to be for the magnets) and having something from home may make it feel a little less clinical.
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Thanks everyone! I will report back on how it goes
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@Mrsbells: Good luck!
One thing I have asked the tech to do for me before is to lay me down and put me in and then show me how fast they can get me out of there. Sometimes they have a ball you can squeeze if you need to talk, othertimes its an open mic back and forth with them. It helps if I start to panic to know that I can be out and sitting up within matter of seconds.
Also, they will sometimes ask if you want them to talk to you throughout the procedure. Sometimes they will say, Ok this scan will take 1 minute. On to the next scan for 30 seconds, etc etc. Or you can ask them to just not talk so you can zone out. I have essentially been able to zone out/meditate enough that I fall asleep sometimes.
I totally get the caustophobia! The worst one i had was where I had to have my head taped down and my arms strapped by my side.
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@T.H.O.U.: ok thanks! thats useful to know. I'll definitely ask what my options are
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I've had two. I agree with others about closing your eyes/covering your face. The first one they put music on through headphones that they provided - which was okay and maybe helpful (I was only 12 and the music was terrible haha). The second I didn't have anything but it was also much quicker for some reason (newer technology maybe? or the fact I was 33 and could handle it better). Good luck!!
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@psw27: thank you!
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Thanks everyone. I went ahead and got the scan done today. I was terrified but I kept my eyes closed the entire time and endured it! so glad its over!
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