Freaked out in the MRI!
 

Today I went for an MRI. Of course I had to drive myself so I couldn't get a mild sedative for my clausterphobia. I've had MRI's before without one and everything was fine. The MRI was a 3Tesla (3T) so I don't know if that was the difference or what.

They put me in this horrible head thingy (no clue what to call it!) and I was complete trapped. It was different than the ones I have had in the past. I was cold so they gave me a blanket. As soon as they put me into the MRI I started to freak out. I got super hot, my heart was racing, I couldn't breath and felt like I was going to get sick. :eek: So I squeeze the panic button and they ask what is wrong and I tell them I am hot and feel sick and GET ME OUT OF HERE. So they did and took everything off of me so I could calm down.

Then they tried it again only this time they put on the head thingy that I've had before - way less confining, no blanket and sent me back in. I told myself if I freaked out again I would simply reschedule for when I could have someone drive me so I could take a sedative.

Luckily this time I was okay at first. When I started to panic a little way into it I reminded myself if I stopped now I'd have to do it all over again from the beginning next time. That helped calm me down. I don't know what happened at the beginning - I've never experienced something like that before. I made sure to thank the tech for her patience and understanding.

Now I have to wait for the results and hope all is good. My neuro wants to be sure my fatigue isn't an MS flare and is just regular fatigue (well as regular as MS fatigue can be!). He mentioned that I may have to change my med but I hope not. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Oh my!

I'm glad you were able to calm yourself down. Don't want to have to begin at Square #1 again.

I hope the pics show that everything is stable. :hug:

I did that once...Yikes, it's scary. I think mine was a panic attack. From then on, I took two valium..LOL

Your response is about the same as mine. I have to take Valium or a Xanax before getting in an MRI or I would pressing the panic button soon after entering the thing.

Claustrophobia is a real deal and calming oneself down is very difficult. I have no idea how I stayed in the womb for 9 months.

gmi

I hate that contraption they put around your head. When I had mine they also put little pads on either side of the helmet (inside) to cushion it and also so it wouldn't move. It was very confining but I just closed my eyes and kept telling myself that every minute in the machine made me closer to getting out. :rolleyes: If it hadn't been so loud I'd have probably fallen asleep.

I'm glad you made it through the ordeal. Thank goodness we don't have to have those things very often!

I know you guys would understand! :) I also knew your understanding would make me feel better about the whole thing. OMG I have never felt that way before and I hope to never again. I told DH from now on he's taking off from work and driving me so I can take some calming pills!!

I close my eyes as soon as my head hits the pad and don't open them again until they wheel me out of the MRI machine...I don't want to see anything that will make me freak...
glad you got through it in one piece!

:hug: Sounds like my experience, so I totally understand! :hug: You regrouped and made it through :highfive:.

I take in an eye mask like you go to sleep with. I make sure i NEVER see that horrid head cage. They make sure I am comfy and relaxed before popping that thing in place.

I am so glad its all over for you. I would NOT be able to do it without drugs. :eek:

Never thought of an eye mask - nice suggestion!!

The idea of an eye mask freaks me out! I ask for them to put a mirror up so I can see the control room. I also hate that head contraption. During the last two MRI's I have lost all feeling in my hands. I usually do not experience numbness in my hands. That really scared me the first time it happened. I have done the last two without any meds as I also drove myself.

barb02 - the first head thing had NO mirror, I think that was some of the problem. The other head thing that gave me more room and was less confining did have a mirror luckily. After I read your post I realized that!!

I am so with you on this one. You are definitely not alone in this. Many people have trouble with MRI's, especially with the cage on around the head. The great news is . . .you did it and didn't have to go back another day!:hug:

They had to pull me out more than once.:o They finally put a Xanax under my tongue and I was fine within 10 minutes. I now make sure I have a driver before I go and take Lorazepam. Although, one time I was so nervous I took 3 Lorazepams, fell asleep in the tube and thanks to MS started jerking in my sleep. That was the last time I will ever do that as they told me they thought they were going to have to do it all over on another day. :eek:Phew! Glad they got the shots they needed.

You know, that's never happened to me (not YET) but when I'm in that thing, I know I'm only about 3 seconds away from a panic attack if - for some reason - my mind decided to 'go there'. It's a totally unnatural experience. It's completely possible it was a one time thing for you.
:grouphug:

I am so sorry you had all that trouble. You were wise to dig deep down and find some strength to finish it. My secret is to go prepared to be warm. I take along sweat pants or athletic pants I would wear to the gym. I also wear socks and ask for a blanket. I have always taken along my own CD discs but the last time I went said that CD players are a thing of the past!

After reading all of your stories about the experiences in the MRI, now I know why, when I walk the through the 'check-points' of getting ready for a scan...

the clerks, the nurses, the techs... at each point I get the questions:

have you had an MRI before
are you okay in small spaces
are you okay with the loud noises

and a few other questions I don't recall...

I'm okay with the MRI.

I match the varying beats and tones of the scans to songs/bands that I can think of at that moment.

I do wish that the "open" MRIs were more accurate for the MSers needs.
That would make life much easier!

Niko:cool:

I truly understand. I once had an "open" mri for a lumbar mri. Open my
you know what. I started freaking out. I was trying to raise my head, it
was terrible. Now I do closed mris and I am way out of it from all the
drugs but it is so worth it. I just have to plan ahead. Sorry you had
to go thru this, it stinks.:hug: