The idea of an eye mask freaks me out! I ask for them to put a mirror up so I can see the control room. I also hate that head contraption. During the last two MRI's I have lost all feeling in my hands. I usually do not experience numbness in my hands. That really scared me the first time it happened. I have done the last two without any meds as I also drove myself.

barb02 - the first head thing had NO mirror, I think that was some of the problem. The other head thing that gave me more room and was less confining did have a mirror luckily. After I read your post I realized that!!

I am so with you on this one. You are definitely not alone in this. Many people have trouble with MRI's, especially with the cage on around the head. The great news is . . .you did it and didn't have to go back another day!:hug:

They had to pull me out more than once.:o They finally put a Xanax under my tongue and I was fine within 10 minutes. I now make sure I have a driver before I go and take Lorazepam. Although, one time I was so nervous I took 3 Lorazepams, fell asleep in the tube and thanks to MS started jerking in my sleep. That was the last time I will ever do that as they told me they thought they were going to have to do it all over on another day. :eek:Phew! Glad they got the shots they needed.

You know, that's never happened to me (not YET) but when I'm in that thing, I know I'm only about 3 seconds away from a panic attack if - for some reason - my mind decided to 'go there'. It's a totally unnatural experience. It's completely possible it was a one time thing for you.
:grouphug:

I am so sorry you had all that trouble. You were wise to dig deep down and find some strength to finish it. My secret is to go prepared to be warm. I take along sweat pants or athletic pants I would wear to the gym. I also wear socks and ask for a blanket. I have always taken along my own CD discs but the last time I went said that CD players are a thing of the past!

After reading all of your stories about the experiences in the MRI, now I know why, when I walk the through the 'check-points' of getting ready for a scan...

the clerks, the nurses, the techs... at each point I get the questions:

have you had an MRI before
are you okay in small spaces
are you okay with the loud noises

and a few other questions I don't recall...

I'm okay with the MRI.

I match the varying beats and tones of the scans to songs/bands that I can think of at that moment.

I do wish that the "open" MRIs were more accurate for the MSers needs.
That would make life much easier!

Niko:cool:

I truly understand. I once had an "open" mri for a lumbar mri. Open my
you know what. I started freaking out. I was trying to raise my head, it
was terrible. Now I do closed mris and I am way out of it from all the
drugs but it is so worth it. I just have to plan ahead. Sorry you had
to go thru this, it stinks.:hug: