How do YOU survive your MRI
 

I am due for my MRI on Thursday. I am kind of freaking out. I HATE being caged, and I hate being trapped in that machine. What happens if there is a fire? I know they wont leave me, but somehow I just freak out to think I cannot take care of myself should I need to. Being trapped is awful for me.

so, I have some xanax. The MS center WILL give me IV sedation if I need it. I want to be awake for my MD visit afterwards. My last MRI with sedation left me so zonked I couldnt stay for my follow up appointment. it was awful!

so, what do YOU do? sing a song? pray? meditate? pretend you are holding a child that needs it done, and you have to stay to help the child? zonk on drugs, or do you just freak out the whole time?

IM FREAKING OUT! :eek: :o

I think you need to do whats right for you......

In tough situations I try to shut my brain down...I try not to think just do......So the MRI is a necessary evil....So I just get mind mind focused and do it...

The machine is not bad....Its the thinking that its bad...Thats counter productive.....

Good luck I pray you can find a way to accomplish your MRI and you appointment....

I understand your feelings exactly. I had no idea that I was claustrophobic until I had my first brain MRI. I wanted to sit up so badly and the more that I knew I couldn't, the more I wanted to. My heart rate was over 150. Total panic attack.

My neuro gave me ativan to have at home. I can take the whole dose or just half before any scheduled MRI. I takes away my anxiety but I don't feel drowsy from it, especially if I take the half dose.

I have had so many MRI's that I find I no longer need to take the ativan as long as I never open my eyes. One tech told me that trick and it works great. The second I lie down on the table, I keep my eyes closed. I even keep them closed when they pull me out to give me contrast. Just never, ever open them even if you really feel the urge to peek.

The same tech told me to position my arms on top of my body chest so that I can't feel the sides of the tunnel. This is another great suggestion. I then start to think of a nice trip I have been on and then I am just fine. I always bring a friend with me in the MRI room and she sits and keeps her hand on my ankle. It is very comforting.

I don't know if any of these tips will help but I am sure others will have some good ideas too. Wishing you an easy MRI.

My MRI center will let me bring my own music CD to listen to while "shooting the tube". Helps to have music I know rather than a radio station.

I request a cloth to cover my eyes. As long as they are closed, I don't freak as much. The times that they've had to stop the scans because of panic was the times my eyes accidentally opened while I was in there.

I breathe deep and pray. I know that everything's going to be ok from the number of times I've been in there. Still, an irrational fear is just that - Irrational. I just do what I can.

I cannot stand the thought of having a cloth over my eyes. I think it would make me more claustrophobic.:eek: I close and open my eyes and never have had a problem. During my last MRI they had a mirror positioned so I could see them in the control booth and that helped me. They do not provide music as an option:(

After my first one, I have taken a low dose of clonozepam and have been okay. I actually go through a standard lecture that I give in my American Government classes, "How a Biil Becomes a Law?" I know that takes about 40 minutes without questions and I have given it so many times that I have it memorized. I am such a geek!!! Then if I need to do so, I start saying the rosary in my head.

I go to the movies. I make a CD of the audio from my favorite scenes. Or, just a collection of music that reminds me of certain times in life. My mind just goes for a stroll to another place and before I know it, they're telling me it's time to go home. I always make a night appointment and go in my jammies, it's easier for me to relax that way.

It's funny, I was never claustrophobic until after my first MRI. Now, I have to dope myself up on Xanax before I can even get in one.

(The last MRI I had, I took two Xanax and was babbling something in the waiting room about bunnies smoking cigarettes and putting kittens into larger skins to get them to grow. How embarrassing!)

Good luck with your MRI.

Hugs,

Lisa

I just close my eyes and actually could almost go to sleep if it were not for the tech constantly asking me "you OK in there?".

I was in the waiting room with a lady who said that she looks forward to her MRI because it's the only place she can be totally alone with no chance of anyone interrupting her nap! She just tells the tech not to talk to her - she'll ring the panic button if she needs help! I think I'll do that next time.

I don't know why the banging and rapping don't bother me. I guess after a few minutes I just get used to it.

Plus, I love the wedge pillow they put under my knees. I've got to get one of those things for here at home.

My only risk is falling asleep from the rhythm of the machine. If I fall asleep I would probably move.

For whatever reason, I actually find getting an MRI kind of relaxing. I usually fall asleep in the machine.

If you lay there with your eyes closed, you could just as well be lying in a bed, or in an open field somewhere. Of course, the noise is different, but I find the repetitive noises kind of hypnotic. I just have no problem with the entire process...

I pop an Ativan to take the edge off the clanging and banging noises and I find that if I never open my eyes while I am inside the tube I am completely fine.

Try taking some deep belly breaths while inside-- concentrate on slowing your breathing down as much as you can. As you breathe in say to yourself "in goes the positive" and as you breathe out say to yourself "out goes the negative." If your thoughts drift while you do this, don't beat yourself up...just go back to the mantra and focusing on your breath.

Good luck Dejibo! :hug:

I also find it very relaxing. I can't sleep because the noises make music in my head, and I want to remain still. So I find it a quiet relaxing time, eyes open or closed.

Everyone that knows me says I have bionic ears (I always request ear plugs but it does not help) and I was shocked that no one mentioned the God awful sounds that makes me want to scream plus I feel like I am in a coffin being buried alive!! A fate worse then death and unless it is a life or death reason, I had my last one last year!

i don't mind closed spaces so can only imagine how difficult this is for you.
take the ear plugs. i keep my eyes closed. i also ask for support for under my arms and knees. add a blanket for warmth is that helps.

i pretend the chirping are birds in a forest with sun shining thru the trees. and that there's a nice bubbling stream.

sometimes breathing exercises (like having a baby) helps.
there's no getting around it that it's uncomfortable.
take your own medication if it will help you.

i had to get thru my own today and my pain made it very uncomfortable.
there are open mri machines, or partially open machines. you might ask your dr about them.

I feel sorry for you that they bother you. I am glad they don't bother me cuz in the trial I am in I have to have one almost every month! I call it my "nap" time. I put in the ear plugs, ask for a couple of warmed blankets, get comfortable for the hour+ I am in the machine, and off to sleep I go!

Seriously, they don't bother me at all..in fact, I get annoyed that they actually talk to me while I am trying to take my nap. :eek: And then they pull me out and give me the GAD...that wakes me up!! Darn...all that in and out and give me your arm stuff...just get it over with so I can get on with my nap!!! :p

So that's how I get thru my MRIs...what I hate is the 14 or 15 tubes of blood they have to draw each time....trade ya!!

I am amazed it sounds like birds chirping to others when to me it sounds like a jack hammer going off in my ears!!! I too love the under the knee pillow!

I do not have the same reactions to being placed in the MRI machine. The first time I heard the noises, I found some of them bizarre and I had to keep myself from laughing at the banging, burring, kabong-ing. And I also felt so relaxed that I had to try not to sleep and twitch.

All that said, you can play the counting game. The tech will be glad to tell you how long a certain image will take - two minutes, etc. By constantly being in touch with you, it may take off some of your anxiety edge.

The first time, when the tech would say that an image would take two minutes, I would begin to count off the seconds to see how well I could space it, as a game to see if I could correctly be "on time." It was also a way to know when an image would be complete.

The counting also ending up being a relaxation technique. That may have been why I fell asleep.

The most recent time I had an MRI, I was given earphones for music. Loved that. Music and the banging sounds. Quite the combination.

I have done a mixed bag of tricks. First off, you have to be absolutely comfortable. I wear sweat pants so I can keep them on and request a blanket. And I love that wedge pillow thingy for my knees! I take along my favorite CD. For me a relaxation CD works. I have heard that for some they have to have rock or some rockin country music to 'go to that place'. One time I actually fell asleep. One time I imagined myself IN a nintendo game,not doing the game but part of the game. The jack hammer sound of the machine went right along with the game that I was in. Good luck:hug:

I do so wish I could feel like this FG. I never even knew I was claustraphobic until I started having MRIs, and although not badly upset by them I'm sure glad they're over when time's up!

I never have felt sleepy during the session, and music and ear plugs have never made any difference for me either. I must have concentrated on every rat-atat-tat, because I found myself counting each one of them and working out how many there were until the next phase of the films as each cycle went through.

This last time I was offered some Valium, and I accepted. Very first time ever I'd taken a sedative and the whole thing went like a dream. I wish I'd accepted sooner because this was my easiest MRI yet.

I know how I'll be doing my next one as well.

I go to the Beach
 

During my MRI's I visualize lying on a beautiful beach with a nice cool breeze blowing over me and that wonderful wedgie pillow under my knees!

I also count the clicks/bangs and have actually fallen asleep doing this!!

My last MRI of C-spine, not brain was at the local AF base and it was the MRI from hell! I will NEVER have one done there again. The machine locked up during the scan and the tech was on the phone with India or China, fiji or Katmandu or some other god forsaken place trying to get help......all while I was lying on the hard uncomfortable table.
My only saving grace is that it was without contrast.
I went into the trailer at 8am and emerged at 11:45 am. Never again!

Luckily I have not had any anxiety problems, as long as I have a cool breeze blowing on my face I seem to be OK and like others, once I lie down, the eyes close and do no open, until the entire thing is over.

take the meds and sleep this way you will stay still and not mess up the pics, your doc can give you results that quick?? you can always ask for a copy of the report, I am also pretty sure they are just gonna give you enough meds for the duration of the mri, you just might be about as sharp as a spoon the first few minutes afterwards, good luck on thurs

i let them sedate me ;) however it backfired on me the last time because i acually fell asleep and there were not able to get an accurate reading. was a long ride for me though (250 miles) so it didnt take much to knock me out.

i would take what they offer myself to ensure your not too groggy to talk to your neuro afterwards.

Like everything else . . . avoidance. :D

I've only ever done one, and was fine once I got past that blowing air when you first go in. I had to take Ativan to get past it though. :p

Cherie

Yep....don't have 'em, unless it's absolutely necessary. :D

Other than that, Valium works, somewhat, but take someone with you to drive.:cool:

My MRIs usually take 45mins-1 hour. Brain and neck. With and without contrast.

I match the beats of the machine with a sound from a band. The tunes vary. Some Pink Floyd, Megadeth, AC/DC, Metallica ...

But, you could match the sounds to other sounds out there...

I just have to be careful not to tap my toes or fingers to the beat. That would just make the scan even longer in the tube :)

Take a deep breath, in and out.

Close your eyes and enjoy the ride. Doesn't last long. You'll be fine.

Niko:cool:

Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions.

I will have an IV placed, because I am a horrid stick, and they cannot get a site once I am in the chilly room. It must be placed before hand, so they wont pull me out for the gad. I have a miracle man who works there on standby. Anytime I go there and need any IV/blood work, he will come.

I have drugs. Xanax, and so forth. I WANT to be half awake for my appointment an hour after the scan. They are going to show me the films, and show me my glioma, and ms lesions. They are going to tell me IF the copaxone is working for me or not. Many questions I want answers to.

IF I get so panicked that I cant take it, a nurse is on standby with a syringe full of drugs. She is happy to zonk me if need be. The MD said he would rather sedate me, and place me in a CLOSED machine, than have me up and in an open one. Since I have the glioma, I MUST do more frequent scans for now. I dont plan on doing this every six months. I will be mental.

I have a pair of black out goggles. They are soft, foam, and will make it completely BLACK! no light at all gets in. I can and will rip that machine apart if I open my eyes and see just how trapped I am.

I have paid a prior visit to the center, while NOT scheduled for any tests, so that I could actually SEE, touch, and examine that machine. its not the scary monster I once thought it to be, but I am still not happy about laying in it.

I have a prior back injury, and muscle spasms that make it hard to lay still for that long. The xanax will help.

it does help me to hear the tech tell me ...1 min test....3 min test...or We are half way done! great job. I need the cheerleader. I LOVE the leg block they place under your knees. I must get me one of them.

My MS center has satillite radio, and you get to chose your music preference. Swing, rock, jazz or country...they wont let you bring in your own music, or I would hear a book on tape. I love being told a story.

One trick I use, is to pretend that I am doing this for my child/kitty/friend. and that I must hold still, and do this for them. Funny how I can do this for my kitty, but struggle so hard to do it for me. I can do this for my child anytime, anyday, anywhere. I just trick myself into thinking its for him/her.

So, I will leave at the crack of dawn Thursday, and be in the scanner at 10:30am EST. out of the scanner by noon.

Thank for all of the support and great tips. :grouphug:

It is so hard to imagine sleeping through even a minute in that thing much less not having ear drums blown out!! I have to be a freak if I am the only one that it actually hurts my ears...like you see a dog cry when something high pitched is played!!! I am happy for the rest of you but this freak is never having another!!

I sleep thru it. Just doesn't bother me. :cool: Now tell me I'm getting a catheter put in and see me freak out. I hate needles! :eek:

The day is here! I am on my way to the MS center. Had a hard time falling asleep, so took an extra xanax last night. I will take one in an hour, and they will have more for me once I get there.

Thanks for all of the support.

I have my eye goggles, my questions, and my chauffer. I ate breakfast, but dont tell them that. I would surely vomit with no food in my tummy. Since I am taking pills, it wont matter anyway.

I am just gonna have to be a big girl, and get my fanny in the tube.

:grouphug:

Quick prayer already said for you, neighbor. I get short of breath just thinking about a closed MRI. Could only do it if totally unconscious. Even the "open" one has a big THING over your face. I close my eyes, breathe deeply, and pray for everybody I've ever known.

I sleep throught them, they put the Eagle's on for me and I close my eyes and the next thing I know I am done.

I hope it went ok for you.

I usually just relish the 20 minutes laying down without having to work etc. If it wasn't for that darn noise I would nap for sure.

its over! :D

I was more than half way through it, I only took Xanax, no IV drugs, and they had said it was a 10 minute session. it felt like forever, and then...BLACKNESS! I had forgotten my eye goggles, so I had a wash cloth over my eyes. BLACKNESS! I was thinking to myself ...hmm, did the power go out? and before I could finish the sentence in my head, I had TWO people at my ankles. They were petting on my feet, telling me there was a power outage, and that they were pulling me out NOW! hang on, we got you. As they were saying that, the lights came back on. I was soooo impressed with how quickly they got to me. Before my thoughts could register something was wrong, I had help. They normally wont let you sit up, because they recalibrate the machine, and so on. The supervisor was there now saying to let me up! it would be ten minutes before they could reset and recheck the machine. No sense in keeping me strapped to the table. I was allowed up to stretch, twist, and regain some blood flow. Once all was ready, they re offered me drugs, and promised they would zonk me if I wanted/needed it. I declined since it was so close to being over. They did the last ten minute session, pulled me out for Gad, and back in for 2 four minutes sessions.

It appears as though I had 2 enhanced lesions, the glioma looks the same. Will have official report in a few days. For now, I keep shooting copaxone. Decisions will be made after the team reviews the reports.

So, lots of drama, but its all over. thanks for the good thoughts. :grouphug:

ok, it's dinner time for me. I'm allowed to come here... Got an EVA going on right now.

MRI - The noise reminds me of an early Pink Floyd tune - Meddle. Or War's "do the wine drink that girl. de de de de..." I just hum away.

The full boat brain/spine with/without contrast = 3 hrs 15 minutes. I usually fall asleep, which typically adds 30 minutes cuz I move.

Tom

Yeah! Over and done with! So glad the glioma is the same. That is wonderful.
I guess you'll know more about the enhanced lessions soon. It does not sound like you had more lesions, just enhancements and I hope they are just the same old from the last time.

You need to do something to celebrate getting through the last 2 stressful days! I certainly would!! Take care.

i'm glad it went so "well". even with the glitch it sounds like the staff were right on the spot with help.

i agree with something pleasurable as a reward.

Dealing with an MRI
 

I found that making a quick stop at the local cannabis dispensary for one edible really makes the MRI easy to have.

The funniest part was when the tech said to me "...that must be some top shelf s**t."

Dennis

Not that easy if you don't have a local cannabis dispensary though. :Sigh:

It's not legal here yet, but I've got to try that stuff before I croak.:yahoo: