I keep my eyes closed the whole time and do visualization like someone else said. I visualize sunning myself at the beach (to feel warm) and I picture watching hunky construction workers building me a dream beach house (to take care of the sounds that come through the ear plugs). That helps me to forget that my head is locked in that halo thing and I have even drifted off to sleep. This is from someone who is so claustrophobic that I have actually freaked out getting my head through a tight turtleneck.

I also make sure I have enough blankets to keep me warm.

Good luck Dej. I always ask them for the heated blankets (they should have them available!) to get over the cold problem (I hear you!).

They put a facecloth, folded, over my eyes last time.

Best to just close your eyes and drift off in your thoughts.

I am always able to peek past that silly face cloth. The hubby got me some Tranquil eye goggles. WONDERFUL!

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You can put warm packs in for a spa tx or cold packs in for swelling. I love these things! They are NOT seen by the MRI machine, so they have no issue with you wearing them. Best invention EVER! for not peeking.

I am getting ready. I have shaved my lil chicken legs. I have my warm socks. I have my comfy clothes with NO metal, so I dont have to get undressed. I have my list of 100 questions for the appointments after. I have started extra hydration so they have a hope in hades of finding a vein. Now its just a matter of calming my jangled nerves.

I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! where is the ativan? I can do this!

i was going to suggest an ativan too. it's specifically for anxiety. and if it makes you a bit sleepy so much the better. i never open my eyes. that helps.

and ask them if you can lay on the blanket and then they can fold it over your legs. that may make you warmer. even another blanket on top.

warmer clothes should help. maybe they could even start the IV before you start so you'll be warmer. maybe cold veins are harder to stick.

i try really hard to make a visualization when i'm in the tube. like the noises are birds and i'm in a forest with streams running thru it. you get the idea.

your dh's idea is great.

YOU CAN DO THIS. good luck and let us know.

My dd is afraid of CTs and MRIs too. I was allowed to go in while they started her IV and calm her down. We sang a Neil Young song - Hey, Hey - and I told her to keep her eyes closed and visualize people around her that she would not want to be a chicken in front of.

That seemed to do the trick.

That's what I do when I don't want to feel afraid - just act like there's someone around and I have to be tough so I don't embarrass myself.



Good idea having you *tube shootin' suit* ready to go too. I hate having to gown up.

I was thinking, maybe a chorus of *I Shot the Tube* would help...

Insurance covers my first one
I shot the tube and I won, I shot the tube and I won
I can't wait till I get done
But I shot the tube and I won, I shot the tube and I won!

The table's chilly and man! It's loud!
I'd like to jump and run
When it's over I'll go have fun,
Cuz I shot the tube and I won, I shot the tube and I won!

I am a grown, well educated woman. I have survived many horrible things, and have witnessed many more. Why does laying down for an hour bug me? My eyes are closed! Its not like they are cutting on me, or asking me to do quatum physics in my head, just lay there, and be quiet. You would think I would welcome the change. nope, I am stressed, and I am nervous. I HATE being trapped. Every time I go, something else goes wrong.

I did the power outage in the middle of the MRI
I did the stuck table
I did the we cant read these and need to redo them
I did the crazy nurse who I swear took my drugs instead of me
I did the strict nurse who treated me like a child.

I hope this time, its just an MRI! I am off to distract myself. what a child!

Well Dej, for all the problems you've apparently had with MRIs, no wonder you're worried. I think you got all the bad stuff out of the way though!

Dejibo, I just wanted to wish you luck. I hope your MRI goes on without any problems and that your results are negative for growth, and no new lesions.

I do what the others have said. I also ask for a form cushion knee lift, to save my back from too much pressure from laying on that hard surface. Lots of blankets too.

Eyes never open from the time I lay on the table until I am out. I don't even open them for the shot. When they talk to me I don't even hear them. I am not there physically, in my mind.

I wear a sweat shirt with the hand pocket in front. I put my hands in there to keep them warm, also they don't jerk. I use self-hypnosis and fall asleep.

Thanks so much for all the hugs, and the love. it really does help to know I am not alone.

I put on my eye pads BEFORE i allow them to even show me that cage. I ask for a knee lift because I have such a bad back.

I will think of all of your cheerleading and before you know it, I will be crying, and yanked out.

One of my other concerns is that I have had so many side effects from the copaxone, I am thinking they are gonna take me off the stuff. 50% of me welcomes this, and will be thankful to lay it down. 50% of me is terrified, as this is my drug of last resort. I cant do interferons because of my old liver spike when I was on them before. I cant do LDN because of the other meds I take. I WONT do Ty, as it scares the bejeepers out of me, so if I fail off of Copaxone, I am bareback through the world of MS. Many great women before me have done it, and done it well. I am in good company.

So, I am out the door. Just wanted to say thanks for all the love. You guys rock!