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...

I am taking the chicken little way out this time. I normally pep talk myself and try to calm myself and sob my way thru it, but im tired of having a stiff upper lip. I tried very hard to NOT have this MRI, but they insist. I say if there are no changes this time it will be a long long time before they get another. I am not drug seeking, and I am not looking for a day of a legal high, I really dont want to go there, so if they demand I get in the tube, they can just knock me out please.

Dej - I can relate to how you feel. Luckily for me, 0.5 mg of lorazepam works wonders. However, one time I was so nervous I took 2 of them. I started to fall asleep and kept jerking (as I normally do in my sleep). They had a hard time getting the "pictures" and we're going to have me come back another day. They finally got it. Phew!

From now until then, try to self talk you way through the anxiety you are feeling right now. Things like, I've been through this before. People do this everyday. It's only temporary and only a short time out of my day. Things like that. It does help keep it in perspective. Also, come on here and keep posting and talking it through as we are all here to help you through this and will be cheering you on.

Dej - I had to put down my chicken soup to type a lol. Come on now.
Anyway, i'd love to teach you how to make 3d models (like my avatar) from mri, ct, pet whatever.

Do you know if they're doing a "thin slice"? That's needed for smooth 3d models otherwise it'll have steps. Mine's thin slice.

You're funny Dej