MRI scans and claustrophobia

Jazzy1 said:
I'm also claustrophobic so my doctor orders an open MRI instead of the tradition closed MRI. I no longer dread having a MRI.
Click to expand...
I have managed to find a local hospital that has a scanner which is 'more open' than the old ones, so not quite so bad. But I still struggle with it, and I find that music just makes the noise worse. Quite honestly I dread the things.
 
Wombat said:
I don't mind confined spaces so I was always quite comfortable in an MRI, if it wasn't for the infernal racket I could have quite happily dozed off in there.
Click to expand...
It was the noise. Because if it were just the tight confines, you could close your eyes and forget where you were. But that infernal noise made the time pass very slowly and you started to wonder how long you could keep your composure. I think my MRI scan, which proved to be completely unnecessary, was about 20 minutes or more.
 
Some doctors will prescribe an anti-anxiety medication under these conditions. If you have to have an MRI, you might ask the physician about that.

My health care provider recently suggested an MRI, after an X-ray had been done. The MRI was to get more detail. When I asked if that additional detail would change the treatment, the answer was no. No matter what it revealed, treatment would remain the same.

I refused the MRI.
 
That Lady in PA said:
The head phones soften the banging enough that I go to sleep.

i am not claustrophobic, and closing your eyes before you go in is a good thing!
Click to expand...
I've had sevral MRI's.. I'm not claustrophobic...however I do panic a little bit internally if I open my eyes and see the roof or the scanner just inches from my face...so I keep my eyes closed.

Here they used to tell us to bring our own favourite music with us, and they would play it through the headphones to keep us relaxed, but they stopped doin that...
 
GoodEnuff said:
Some doctors will prescribe an anti-anxiety medication under these conditions. If you have to have an MRI, you might ask the physician about that.

My health care provider recently suggested an MRI, after an X-ray had been done. The MRI was to get more detail. When I asked if that additional detail would change the treatment, the answer was no. No matter what it revealed, treatment would remain the same.

I refused the MRI.
Click to expand...
I think that is an interesting point actually. So many tests and scans etc. are done, but the treatment is no different or even none at all, which we may already have been aware of. Perhaps they just enjoy torturing us?
 
hollydolly said:
I've had sevral MRI's.. I'm not claustrophobic...however I do panic a little bit internally if I open my eyes and see the roof or the scanner just inches from my face...so I keep my eyes closed.

Here they used to tell us to bring our own favourite music with us, and they would play it through the headphones to keep us relaxed, but they stopped doin that...
Click to expand...
The nurse just tells me to close my eyes, but it doesn't work for me - I know it's still there. But some have a mirror so seeing out is possible, but I completely lose track of time. Wish they had a visible clock.
 
My husband has claustrophobia if in the old MRIs. The new open ones, he does good.

I never had problems with the old ones. I use to have 2 hour MRIs with only one break. They would have given me more, but I didn't need it. I envisioned I was an astronaut on a mission to save the species. I put myself in a trance and enjoyed the ride. I was more concerned about the "aliens" probing me in personal places, when I exited the spaceship. :LOL:
 
I've had about 12 MRIs and CAT scans. I don't have problems with claustrophobia because I KNOW I can get out if I need to. Just knowing that makes it OK.

What I DO have problems with is the "Breath...hold...and release" routine. It's not that I can't hold my breath, it's just that it bothers me to do so.

I suggested a couple of times that there be an audible "count down" on the breath-holding so that you'd be able to sense the "end" coming. Just knowing the duration would help me.

I've never actually had to break the breath hold, luckily, but it's felt close on occasion.
 
Deya said:
My husband has claustrophobia if in the old MRIs. The new open ones, he does good.

I never had problems with the old ones. I use to have 2 hour MRIs with only one break. They would have given me more, but I didn't need it. I envisioned I was an astronaut on a mission to save the species. I put myself in a trance and enjoyed the ride. I was more concerned about the "aliens" probing me in personal places, when I exited the spaceship. :LOL:
Click to expand...
Wow, I'm impressed. Sometimes 10 minutes feels like an hour to me. It's all in the mind isn't it.
 
Oldeagle66 said:
I was claustrophobic during my cancer radiation treatment. They put a plastic mesh mask over the face and chest and clamp it down. They had to cut a few extra holes around my eyes because I freaked out. That's the only time I had any problems
Click to expand...
I'm not surprised. I have a small acoustic neuroma and have heard about that as a treatment. I'm just hoping I never need to have that done!
 
I had my first MRI this year and luckily the facility had the 'open' type, but even so it felt like being in a trap. My strategy was trying to think of as many words starting with A as I could, then as many starting with B etc. I forget which letter I was up to when it was over. Next time (if there is a next time) I'd like anti-anxiety med.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top