[Dejibo]

its that time of year again. MRI time! now, I know all they want me to do is lay down. not dig ditches in the freezing cold with no clothes on (actually I would find that easier) or carry heavy loads from floor to floor. They just want me to lay down! Be that as it may, I am TERRIFIED! I am also very drug resistant and the last 3 times they tried to knock me down it was a real rodeo. They used enough meds to "knock down a small village" and I was wide awake, and still terrified. I cried, I sobbed, and inbetween they would say ok, catch your breath, and hold still for 2 mins. Then between sets would just allow me to cry. it was awful!

I have found that esp when I am IN flare my anxiety goes wild! I begged the MD to skip my MRI or allow me to go to an open MRI, but since I have a brain tumor as well, he wants me in the 3 telsa machine even if it means heavy sedation. The nursing staff at the big girl hospital said "if you need another MRI have them call anesthesia" so...I told the MD about it. He looked it up, considered the records and said "ok." I said "ok what? can I skip it?!" and he said "oh no, you ARE going to have an MRI, but I will provide the anesthesologist for you." DARNIT!!!

Does anyone else have this level of panic IN or around a flare? My date is the 30th of this month. Im like a child who is over tired in the grocery store. I DONT WANNA!

[SallyC]

Valium usually does the trick for me, but I understand your fear..

[EddieF]

Dej you and my mother are funny. Affraid to lay in a million dollar machine lol. And 3 tesla to boot! Wake up girl!
I'm so glad i'll never understand people affraid of tight areas so if you must, get a shot Fentanyl. It's a short half life morphine or what Sally said or both

[Kitty]

Well, Dej, I'm like Eddie. It doesn't bother me and if it weren't for the banging and clanging I'd fall asleep. If possible I'd take something that made me very sleepy or let them knock you out for the procedure. I know they do for children....why can't they just do the same thing for you?

[TheSleeper]

Load all torpedo tubes! LOL, never had a problem and I am 6' 2" and about 230 pounds. The last one I had they did a brain, c & t spine all in one session, and it took a long time.

[Friend2U]

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

[Dejibo]

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.

[nemsmom]

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.

[wkikta]

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.

[Dejibo]

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.