i like the "thing" they put under my knees. helps with back pain.
they don't bother me either. i try to do visualizations in my head. like i'm in a forest hearing birds sing.

and, i keep my eyes closed. it helps with the visualizations.
if they don't have music take your own.

i also wear little warm fuzzies on my feet. my feet stay warm. i'm not comfortable wearing my shoes.

good luck.

Because I'm a mystery Sally! Clear MRI's but the sx keep on coming.
Also in the public system here in Aus they're FREE! I've had to wait up to 8 weeks but there's no cost. Private costs $300 but you can get in within a week. My first one, the neuro claimed as 'urgent' so it was both free and the next day!!
And this neuro is an MS specialist who works at the hospital so she orders them like antibiotics I think?!

Thanks for your tips everyone - yes, I need a 'heavy' music CD.
I remember after my first one, the next day I was at the deli at the supermarket. The alarm went off for the hot chickens to be taken out of the oven. I had this horrible memory of the MRI sounds the day before that sounded so similar! I avoided the deli for a few days after that!

A MOVIE??!!!!! WOW! and I thought a CD was pretty cool!!
Yes, I learnt the 2nd time to keep my eyes closed. I'm now re-thinking the eye mask - If I don't wear one at least I can open my eyes for a second and see if I want to.

I just sit there and imagine songs that go along with the beat of the machine. If you just zone out, it will end. Just think of it as a restful (but loud) time. Nobody to bother you for anything except maybe telling you to hold still.

I have probably had a dozen or more MRI's and I have found the best way is to ask for a blanket, close my eyes and meditate. I just focus on my breath going in and then going out. If I get an itch (which I always seems to happen - on my face when I am wearing the cage on my head, or on my body somewhere I can't move to scratch) I try and focus really hard on an area that doesn't itch - like my big toe.

I end up being in a state of deep relaxation when I come out - in spite ofthe noise.

I hope that this helps

Lyn

I wear the earplugs, say yes to the blanket, and keep my eyes closed as soon as I lie down.
I meditate also...count my breaths in groups of 10 (I always forget what number I'm at so I have to start over, which distracts me from the tube).
I also ask the tech NOT to tell me how many minutes each batch will take...it stresses me out. I get through it with no narcotics, and am relieved when I feel the gurney sliding out of the tube.
Good luck!

This! I always ask for a warm blanket !

Personaly I like music. As loud as pounding in the machine is I'm not hearing a lot of it. But I like my soothing Dino, my favorite is 'Peace in the midst of the storm'. I wear my own sweat pants and ask for a blanket. They usually have a blanket warmer nearby. But the most important thing for me is the foam knee gatch. My back could never get by without it. And when they take me out to inject the contrast I made sure I moved some of my joints around. I'm heavy enough I have to make sure I move my arms around a little in the machine. Good luck, it's an experience but from what I have seen of MRI techs, they are very compassionate

I had many MRIs with no problem. Then WAM!! -my MS hit me with HIGH ANXIETY attacks!

Things got worse. I made it through one MRI -then WAM full panic attacks!!

I could barely get a haircut - because I would pull away every time the barber came near my head.

The final problem CAME when I could not complete the BRAIN MRI.

THEY BILLED ME FOR ABOUT $900 - THE MED INSURANCE FOLKS WOULD NOT PAY!!!

Went to another MRI place and the gave me some VALIUM. No problem.

For MY panic problems XANAX or PAXIL would NOT work for the MRIs.

Here is what worked. Taken from the label...

"TAKE ONE TABLET BY MOUTH 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO MRI AND THEN TAKE ONE TAB 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO MRI

DIAZEPAM 5MG -VALIUM 5MG"

I needed someone to drive me and help me move around.

jackD