Closed MRI and Claustrophobia.........

[Roxie2007]

I had 3 of my 4 MRI's today. I was in the MRI machine for over 2 1/2 hrs and it was nothing short of dreadful!! I never thought I was Claustrophobic....BUT being in that small, confined area really freaked me out! I felt like that guy on the one CSI episode that was put in a coffin! OMG! I'll never do another 'closed' MRI!
My hip was really hurting after laying on that table for such a long length of time. So after the 3rd MRI I told the tech that I was 'done for the day!' Now I have to reschedule for the 4th MRI but you can bet this one will be done with the Open machine!
Has anyone else had this terrible experience?? I hope I don't have nightmares about it!! Roxie:rant:

[vm]

I've only had one MRI and it's been several years. I was a closed MRI and it was pretty creepy. LOL I didn't know you could bring headphones so there I was - alone with my thoughts, which are pretty twisted and scary. ;) Not something I'd like to do again, but I survived. I honestly talked to God A LOT while I was in there.

[Roxie2007]

HI! I wasn't told I could bring music, cause i would have! The times dragged by SO slowly! It was crazy! Roxie

[pingpong]

Many years ago I had to have an MRI of my head, and I started to panic as I was being moved into the machine - I didn't even make it half way in! I had to reschedule and ended up with IV sedation, which knocked me out pretty well. About 3 years ago I had 2 frozen shoulders and needed them scanned. Luckily, I was able to have the open MRI, which is a huge improvement. It's still close in there, but you can turn your head and look out through the open side, which helped tremendously. I also could bring CD's that the tech played for me so I could have the music piped into the room during the scan.

[humpieumpumkin]

I sustained a severe concussion playing lacross when I was 15. My pupils were all crazy one huge one tiny. Well any ways I had the mri, but didn't care because I was in lala land. The noise scared me the most it was a terrible pounding noise. Well anyways, thank god they only stuck my head in it, I would have had an anxiety attack other wise! You were a champion, being in there 2 1/2 hours!!!!

Erika:angel:

[ICNDonna]

If you tell them you're claustrophobic when you schedule the MRI, they will medicate you so it will be easier. They gave my husband earphones and a choice of music when he had his --- I thought they did that everywhere. I've never had one, but if I ever do I will ask to be medicated. Husband Terry had one without meds and he said he won't do that again.

Donna

[Roxie2007]

HI Donna, I would have thought the place I had the MRI's....(a very upscale 'imaging center') would have mentioned sedation or anti anxiety meds and music. I was very disheartened by the whole experience. I've never had one before........but now I know what to ask for next time! Roxie

[leeshel]

I am clausterphobic also so I will have to have an open one if I have to have one on anything other than my knee. I just had my knee in it and my head was out and I was still having heart palpitations. I KNOW I can not do one with my whole body in it. I bought a tanning bed package about 20 yrs ago and could NOT do it. I had to give my pkg away to my friend. I would never tan now but I could not close myself up in that thing cause I felt like I was in a coffin!!
thanks
leeshel

[Roxie2007]

leeshel, I know what you mean! About half way through yesterday I had a panicky feeling. I closed my eyes and kept thinking about my granddaughter and wondering what she was doing that minute.....made up a grocery list in my head.....anything to keep my mind off the fact I was completely closed in that very loud machine! Roxie

[ICNDonna]

I can't believe nobody asked if you are claustrophobic! I suggest you write a letter to the center and suggest it, especially after your awful experience.

Donna

[Roxie2007]

HI Donna,
Well what they "Imaging Center" said when they made the appt for me was " you want the closed MRI?" and not realizing how dreadful that was.......I said "yes" that's fine. Now I know better! Roxie

[SrMaggie]

I was getting an MRI or something that was going around my whole body for my heart, I think. Anyway, it started moving up and as it got to my chin, I remember putting my hands up to stop it before it got to my face. It didn't need to go any further, but I felt a little foolish after that. I am claustrophobic to a point - not phobic phobic - but I don't like most closed in places.

[leeshel]

I did the same thing as it started going farther up and up and I almost had my hands up when it stopped over my neck!ha She gave me a panick button and I could feel my heart racing big time!
thanks
leeshel

[Trishann]

Roxie, I had an open MRI and about freak out. I knew about the music which did help some but after 15 minutes I started to climb out of the thing because they ask me if I could wait only couple of minutes, but I just couldn't do it.

If I need other MRI, I am going to ask about the sedative that Donna mention. They also said nothing about having something that will calm you down. I don't know only if some places will do this for you and some don't. If you see that this MRI is beginning to be to much, I would definitely ask about it.

Hope all goes well, Trishann

[leeshel]

Hi All,
I am glad that they have the panic button for those that may not realize they are claustropobic and then all the sudden ..........................BAM......they are in there and freaking!!!! The sedative is a great idea also!!!
leeshel

[Kara29]

Roxie,

I have to get put to sleep for my MRI's. They do a light sedation and also general anesthesia. It's the only way I can get through them. They do have that option available. I've done one that way and am going to do another one in March that way.

Best Wishes!

Kara

[Roxie2007]

HI! My 'new' Rheumatologist who ordered the MRI's didn't mention the option of putting me out or anything else for that matter, nor did the center where I had them.
I had the panic button too and almost pressed it several times! I just wanted to get through the tests......What a horrible experience! Roxie

[SrMaggie]

Kara, did you have your Interstim removed? I thought it was dangerous to get an MRI with the interstim.

[sacausa]

They really should have give you clonazepam, or valium. or zanax to take a few hours before hand. I would even ask for something like that, even if your next MRI is in an open one.... I personally don't think that an open one is big improvement if you're clausterphobic. I remember the first time I had one in an open one, I was shocked that they classified it as "open"!!!!!!

[Kara29]

Yes My Interstim has been removed.

[catlover2]

Open MRI'S are not always an option. If your spinal cord or brain is being imaged, you will not be able to have it done in an open MRI. Some facilities do not have the open MRI's yet. I have never been allowed to being headphones or music to my MRI appointments. Call the center you go to and ask ahead of time. If you want sedation, your doc has to order it. You will need to call your doc and ask him/her to put an order in your chart for the sedation or ask him/her to write an Rx that you can fill at a pharmacy. If you choose to be sedated, you will need someone to drive you home after the scan. If your doc will not allow you to be sedated you might want to consider some of the tricks I use to overcome the claustrophobia. The day before the scan I wear myself out by cleaning up the house or working out in the yard so that I am beyond exhausted. I go to bed late the night before the scan so that I am still sleepy in the morning. When I start the scan, I am tired and ready for a nap so I usually sleep through the scan. Don't forget to ask for earplugs if the tech doesn't offer them to you.

[shell]

I've now had 6 MRIs in the last 3 years due to a spinal tumor. The hospital I had most of them at was great. They needed to do a full skull and spine set, but rather than keep me in the machine that long at once they broke it into two days (I was hospitalized at that point so didn't have to worry about traveling). Sometimes I was offered headphones and sometimes I wasn't, not sure why that was.

Before every MRI they always had a written survey that had to be completed that included questions about claustrophobia. When they call me to schedule my follow-up MRIs now they always ask during the call if I will need meds for anxiety.

As Donna suggested you might want to let the administration know from a patient perspective what would be helpful before appointments.

[Roxie2007]

Thanks ladies, these are great ideas for my next MRI. It's a brain scan so I'll call and see if it's possible to have the open MRI for that......I sure hope so otherwise I'll ask for seducation. I can't handle being inside that machine again. I get panicky now just thinking about it! Roxie

[verdicries]

Roxie...
Both my dad & I are VEEEEEEEERY claustrophobic...so when we go for an MRI we get slightly sedated (benadryl or something). Very helpful. There is (almost) nothing worse than being claustrophobic in that tight space...AUGH!

[SrMaggie]

Years ago, I went for an eye exam. For some reason they put me in a small room while my eyes dilated. As the attendant started to close the door, I asked her to keep it open just a crack. She wasn't for doing it, but I insisted. I was still not feeling really good about it and kept counting the minutes. For those of you who are Catholic - you'll know what I mean when I said to myself that I'd say a decade of the rosary and if they didn't come by that time I was leaving. Besides being closed up - it was dark. I was not happy. I ended up saying two decades, I think. Now it sounds kind of comical, but then my hands were sweating. That's my first sign - sweaty hands.

[Roxie2007]

HI Maggie and Verdicries,
I can totally relate! I'll never do a closed MRI again. My heart was racing and I was sweating at one point....it was awful!! Roxie

[leeshel]

Hi Guys,

If I ever have to have an MRI on anything but my knee, I will prob have to do the open and have the sedation!!ha
thanks
leeshel

[dg2901]

I tried 4 times w/o success to have a MRI done of my head several years ago. I ended up having to do it with IV conscious sedation.

I'm so claustrophobic that I can't even be in a dark room.

D

[leeshel]

How do you sleep DG?? I am not that bad, gosh you do have a rough time of it!! Sorry!
leeshel

[mom_in_ma]

My seven year old just had to have a full spine MRI (he's fine thankfully) and he tried to do it without sedation. The children's hospital said he was on the cusp of being old enough to handle it and, "why don't we try and see."

Well, he was in the machine all of 10 minutes when he burst into absolute tears and fell apart with claustrophobia. Poor kiddo...they had to sedate him as he cried, "I want to go home" over and over.

That was definitely one of those worst mom in the world feelings!

[dg2901]

Leeshel...I sleep with a light on. It drives everyone around me nuts.

:)
D

[Roxie2007]

HI Mom in MA,
Gosh that must have been totally dreaful for your son. As if it's not bad enough being in the hospital! Closed MRI's are just not fun things to have done! Roxie

[leeshel]

I am so sorry your son had to go thru that, but it is NOT your fault. Bless his heart!! Now you know for next time and they should have sedated him right off the bat so it is their fault!!
looshel

[leeshel]

DG,
I do not see how you can sleep with the lights on! You really do have it bad. I am sorry.
leeshel