mri and claustrophobia
 

I happened upon some posts when looking up info on my topic. I had a lumbar mri the other night and talked my way through it. I was supposed to habe a thoracic with and without but couldn't continue for it. For the lumbar they strapped a large pad over me. For the thoracic they will be doing the same thing but over my chest which makes me panicky just thijking about it. I have the next mri scheduled but wake at night now having a hard time breathing and have to sit up from dreaming about it. I even have the heart palpatations and difficulty breathing just laying doen thinking about it. I didn't have meds and am going to ask for them but worry they will not work. I tried the first MRI machine and was squished in it and couldn't do it at all so they sent me to another place for the open bore but I am still strapped down in a tube with my head closed in and elbows pinned. Self talk doesn't seem to work for me. Anxious now!!!

yes a little sedative will work . But what I always do is make sure they have a fan running thru the machine ... and ask for a wash cloth to cover your face ... also tell them to tell you how many minutes each session is and when it starts count till its over .. helps it go faster ...:)

Hi Cocoapresh, Welcome.

BT—DT. I agree w/ all razzle's excellent tips, and offer a few more.

A light sedative or tranquilizer should work fine for anxiety; should be taken an hour ahead of going into the machine.

An alternative, if you know how, is meditation. My DW does this; she and the procedure usually finish at the same time.

I always bring a CD album of tunes. They can play it for you through headaphones, close your eyes, and the whole thing goes by much easier/smoother.

They now have seated & standing MRIs that may be less confining/restrictive than the standard "torpedo tube" type.* Ask if either is a possibility for your situation. You may have to reschedule.

Here are a few more tips: making mri easier

Hope this helps,

Doc

*Never have an MRI on a submarine. :D

Nice to meet you!!