I do know a little of how you feel. I hope you are able to be sedated. Blessings to you.

I have had the nursing team HAMMER me with massive amounts of meds. versed/demerol valium and tons and tons of other cocktails, but alas releif isnt to be found. I cry! My claustrophobia was never ever this bad till I started Copaxone. It went wild while on that stuff, and it hasnt left me even tho I have stopped taking it. They literally have given me enough drugs to knock down a small village and I am wide awake, wide eyed, and full of fear.

I know they only want me to lay down. Just lay down! Close your eyes and lay down. Trust me I have given myself every pep talk, every cheerleading song, and a good stern talking to. Its like my anxiety takes on a life of its own. It doesnt help that a few times ago the POWER WENT OUT while I was IN the machine.

I cant stop it, and they cant seem to provide enough drugs for me, so this time they have added anesthesia to the mix. I already know this fear is unreasonable, but that hasnt helped make it go away.

I'm sorry sweety. You know it's unreasonable but that doesn't change anything. For whatever reason you have that fear. I am okay with small spaces, my fear is heights. I get one step up on a step ladder and my knees start shaking, I get dizzy, and I get nauseous. It's horrible. I know it is unreasonable, I can't even stand to drive/ride on roads that have almost no shoulder and any kind of drop off next to them.

So just because it's unreasonable doesn't mean it's not real. I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope they can do something to make this one not so miserable for you. Just take a deep breath I'm sure they will find something. They know how bad it was last time I'm sure they will find a way to make you more comfortable. Try not to stress over this from now until then. I know it's easier said then done, but please try.

The 3 Tesla machines here are not big tubes, more like 2-3 foot wide donuts. They are pretty easy. But then, the tubes never bothered me.

They tell me all kinds of things about this machine, and I have been in it several times. You could show me side by side the measurements, but my brain wont let me relax. I become a basket case. Its not a matter of will power or meditation or whatever I simply cannot calm down. I know its irrational and I know I am being a big ol sobbing baby, but im trapped and I feel like I cant breathe and my head is locked into this contraption and im just sobbing like a big ol girl in there. its really sad to see. Maybe its the room the Telsa3 one is in, or maybe its the staff in that room, or maybe its the smell I dont know but something triggers me as soon as I walk in the room. Even if its not my MRI day.

I have made separate field trips to go see it on days when I am not scheduled to be in it, and I have had folks show me how roomy it is, and I have seen videos with 2 people in it (mom and child) and man ontop of woman and I still dont think I can do it. If my MD was demanding I have one, I would skip it all together.

Dej, looking at the tube might have been your whole problem.
I have issues too. Once they lay me down, my eyes stay closed until they tell me to sit up. Not once do I open them. I DO NOT want to see any part of that darn machine.
I do get anxiety issues while in there. I tell them not to tell me how long any or all of it will take; I breathe deeply, esp when I get panicky; I pray to God and ask for peace, and remember some passages from the gospel that seem to help me calm down. But it is always touch and go. And my neuro wants the MRIs from a 3 tesla, since they're more specific...which means no open MRI...
The main reason I can keep from going overboard is that I don't want DH to have to take the day off to drive me. So I stay sane for his sake.
I wonder if putting my arms above my head would make me feel as if I have a bit more room in there?

DO NOT put your arms above your head, unless you are having your tummy scanned. its PAINFUL! after 10 minutes it is not too bad, but after 20 they burn and shake. After 30 its a begging fest for them to let you out. I did it because they were scanning my tummy.

Im happy they have drugs and someone who isnt afraid to push them at me.

I DO understand your fear. Fortunately for myself...they give me TONS of
meds and I get in...like its a big party. I hope everything works out and
you sleep like a baby.

I once had an mri on my foot. They explained over and over I was only
going in to my knees. As soon as the machine started moving and I was
heading for the hole...I flipped! I didnt even have to go in and they had
to sedate me. So I do understand and am wishing you peace filled
days until its over.

Oh lucky me...I get to have an MRI of the thoracic spine...so we'll see how my plan works...
Dej, do whatever you have to do to get through it...you are wonderful...