Hello all

It's been a while since I frequented this page but I come here today for advice and support.

On Saturday I attended an MRI scan appointment .

I have ankyloysing spondylitis but current pain might be MS apparently.

Upon arrival I was completely fine.

Because my scanner was an older type 70cm wide I struggled to get in on the enclosed full tunnel on the automatic trolley bed. Within seconds of entry I went literally crazy and thought my world was ending. Upon exit I practically fainted , threw up and couldn't, stand for five mins.

My last panic attack was about five years ago but I only associated that and previous experiences with suicidal thoughts.

The scan was aborted and I have another scan at another hospital and wider tunnel 80cm in a month

Since Saturday I have had four episodes of terror. Two at night sleep paralasis and two during the day both associated with clothing. I have rushed to shops to purchase baggy t shirts as I feel like I am suffocating.

I desperately need to know what's going on with my physical body but the thought of a scan is terrifying.. my mum is dying of dementia, me and my wife are currently expecting redundancy at work... it's like these possible endings are freaking me out so much that claustrophobia is a problem I now have and never thought I had previously

Anyone else had this experience

Regards
David

Dear David,
I am sorry that you are experiencing this.
I have not had any experiences with an MRI.
I don't know what that is like.
I can only imagine being in a small enclosed space with very loud banging going on around me.
Sorry that you got sick from it.
I am hoping a larger machine will be better.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi
I am sorry that you are having terror episodes.
Sounds awful!

David,

Really sorry about the sleep paralysis. When I used to get those episodes, I did not know what was happening. Does it help to understand it?

I don't know what experts recommend now, but at the time I learned to sleep on my side. Klonopin was supposed to help and probably did, and I
read years later that trying to move a finger or hand helps the rest of the body get out of it.
This site mentions moving a toe. 9 Ways to Wake Up From Sleep Paralysis | dream studies portal

I often get something called Hypnogogic hallucinations which are related to sleep paralysis -- brain doing weird stuff while we sleep.

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Lots of people find those closed MRI machines terrifying. I am o.k. with them but I had issues with the techs being bosy and acting like it was a big effing deal when I knew it was only a scan.


1. One time, a tech got all over my case, telling me not to move at all while the scan was going on.
This was just for a knee scan but I was afraid that i would fall asleep or twitch or not keep the exact position she needed. It took her forever -- years ago the
machines were less efficient I suppose. She was a witch.

2. Second scan was an open MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI – Doctors Center
The neuro had requested dye. The tech went almost wild when she said my
veins "collapsed" with only some of the dye in my body. That sounded scary. Then she told me I would feel "burning" from the dye.
Afterwards they asked me to wait 20 mins before I drove home incase I had an allergic reaction. Way to upset a patient a few times in one visit!
Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI – Doctors Center


3. I had a small stroke. Thus I was kind of out of it & not anxious.
BUt I had enough wits to "refuse" the dye. They said the test results would not be as readable but that the doc usually could get a good enough picture.
The machine was as tight as a vice but I knew what to expect, the tech talked me through it the whole time, and I was fine with the process.

4. Then an MRI of the knee again -- this time with someone nice. Machine was new/ faster / more efficient.

=-=-

Some people cannot be near those machines at all, choosing no image rather
than be put through the hassle and expense and stress.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I feel for you looking at life altering events.
Do Docs give people valium, xanax, klonopin for the tests?
How about for a few weeks while you recover/ get out of this mode?

Recently Buspar (buspirone hydrochloride) (not a benzo) helped me with anxiety for a few weeks. Maybe you could benefit.

Some people can calm themselves down with deep breathing techniques but
I kind of remember you talking about these -- not sure.
You have to practice them for them to work -- the more often (especially over a period of time), the better the results


4-7-8 Breathing Exercise by GoZen - YouTube

How to Breathe: Breathing and Diaphragm- your body's way! (Franklin Method) - YouTube

People can download apps to their devices that are similar to the Youtubes.

You might not exactly have claustrophobia -- it's totally normal to freak out
inside one of those machines. I would not feel bad.

Are you also feeling kind of "claustrophobic" about your current situations?
----out of options, kind of stuck, overwhelmed?

I send lots of hugs.

M

Dear David,

I'm so sorry that you are going through so much, and are having such terrible anxiety-related episodes on top of it all. I think that maybe you were already a powder keg and the anxiety of the test, and the close quarters, just lit the fuse

It sounds like you're having some very scary experiences. The theme of everything seems to be a feeling of confinement. Even the sleep paralysis is a form of confinement. You are under a lot of pressure, so maybe there's some connection there- beyond the MRI tube

I went through a period where I had a lot of severe panic attacks where I feared physical harm. Xanax was really helpful, but I learned to mentally build up armor around myself in different layers to comfort myself...
Perhaps you can try to mentally peel off layers or lift off weights or burdens that you feel are confining you? Just an idea.

As far as the MRI: A larger or open machine is much easier for large people or those who are claustrophobic. Depending on what your doctor ordered, MRIs for MS can be very long, so since you need the test, I suggest asking for a sedative so you can get through it. In the US, most doctors have no problem prescribing a sedative for people with anxiety as long as they arrange for transportation. You could always do it solo if you think you have strong enough meds to get through it tho. It also helps to call the test site ahead of time to let them know you have anxiety issues (so hopefully you are treated better).

I'm so sorry you are looking down the barrel of a possible MS diagnosis
It may help to try to put less emphasis on the test itself. I know that getting a diagnosis can be life changing (because I have MS), but the test won't GIVE YOU MS. You either have it or you don't, and I hope you don't
But even if you do have it, MS is different for everyone, and a diagnosis doesn't mean that you will have a severe form of the disease

It's so hard to deal with the unknown. And unfortunately, panic attacks sometimes happen to people when they're already dealing with the worst. I'm sorry things are so bad for you right now, David. I hope that things start to improve for you soon

Thank you all for your support.

Mari ...the sleep paralysis freaked me out the first time it happened but after I found out what it was I was relieved, I try to shout out so it sort of wakes me up fully, then slowly the oxygen returns to my limbs and I can eventually move.

Up until Saturday I wasn't sure I was claustrophobic, I think because the tube was so close to my face and as you mentioned I was being told not to move, this made me itch all over and little electric shocks everywhere. I just had to get out sort of knowing I could not do what they required.

As for relaxation I deal with EFT and Mindfulness every day in my job and NLP. That is why I feel even more bothered by this experience that I could not practice what I preach.

Maybe I need to tell medical people I literal cannot lie flat, I twitch constantly or itch and cannot sit still for five mins without movement, that's what I think caused me to panic

I think diazepam can be prescribed if I go again by my GP and you take it before the procedure.

OhKay if MS is found at least I'd understand what's going on with my body but I too hope it's not. But in truth I have not been worrying about a diagnosis I just want treatment for my current multiple symptoms that could be just a flare up of my ankylosising spondilitis...... my consultant wants to see why my muscles and tendons are reacting the way they are along with knees hips feet elbows wrists and chronic headaches......

In all you may be right life is a little bit unsteady at the moment it's all about uncertainty but also about possible endings and closures none of them by choice ....so it's a bit like no control

I just asked you all because I was concerned this incident seemed to have sent me a little hypo, when in truth I have possibly been in that semi state for a few weeks and haven't accepted it

Bizi as ever thanks for your kind words, they mean a lot


Thanks to you all

Please keep in touch David.
((((((HUGS)))))
bizi
Who has been hypo for a while now

I really hope things work out. I know when My like daughter-in-law used to have to have MRI's and other testing that was enclosed. She had to have me come with her and talk her through it. It was anxiety but in her case something that had happened in her teens that she had to deal with. So we always told the
places ahead of time, and if they had an problem with me being in the room., we talked to her doctor and got another site.

And a couple times the test had to be stopped, her to relax and started again.
I know one time we never got it finished. I always drove her also.

Donna

I have a very hard time with my anxiety disorders at times. And sometimes I have a hard time recognizing I'm hypo when they're acting up. There's some similarity in symptoms, especially as far as rapid thoughts, and some overlap.

I think that because the incident with the MRI caught you so off guard, you didn't have an opportunity to pause. Now that you have an awareness of what happened, you may have more success with EFT and/or mindfulness the next time you go