Anyone else scared of the MRI machine - how do you cope if..

[Mondschein]

...you're claustrophobic?

I have 14 days to come up with a plan to overcome my anxiety.

[anonymous-user]

I’ve had 2 in the last 12 months. The first one was a struggle, didn’t know what to expect, didn’t get a comfy position when I first got in.

Second one I took my time, got a comfy position, worked on regulating my breathing, they had music piped in to the headphones and I worked on just relaxing with the music.

I hope it goes well for you.

[smiffy180]

I wouldn't say I'm claustrophobic but I don't like tight spaces.
Due to my size it was quite a tight fit!
Had to have pads to stop me touching the sides which get quite hot.

To be honest though it's quite relaxing when you're in there. You also get a buzzer if you need out for any reason.
Might be worth staying up late and taking a nap in there, I nearly did

[NDA]

You could, I guess, ask to be sedated slightly?

I've had a few MRI's due to a dodgy heart - unfortunately I've needed to be awake as they needed me to hold by breath every minute or so, therefore I couldn't doze off.

Eyes closed and some music?

[Dogwatch]

Couldn't believe how noisy the damn things are! Creaks and groans and grumbles, astonishing for a machine with, I think, no moving parts.

I suffer from mild claustrophobia even to watching cavers on TV wriggling through tiny holes, though I used to be fine with a ton+ of motor car sitting on jacks above me! Totally illogical but I had no problems being put in the scanner tunnel.

Would a sleep mask or a mild sedative help?

[Mondschein]

I have been given 2 x 5mg of Diazepam (aka Valium) to take 30 minutes before going in but my fear of being 'buried alive' is at defcon 5 and its still nearly a week out.

They've also said I can go into the 'big bore' MRI (219cm circumference) but I google image-searched that and it still looks smaller than a coffin.

[anonymous-user]

Pretty much every one I’ve had I’ve fallen asleep during. Love ‘em. Nothing quite like a weekday afternoon kip.

Does claustrophobia come on if you keep your eyes shut? And don’t touch your surroundings?

[Rushjob]

Another option is the "hamburger scanner" which has open sides, I had a scan in one of those at Heartlands Hospital in Brum. They sent me there as I couldn't fully expand my chest in the one they tried to push me into in an artic trailer at Peterborough!

[Mondschein]

I'm afraid it does. It's the knowledge of where I am that is brings on the panic/terror, eyes open or shut.

Ordinarily I'd bail out but my consultant says he really needs the info this will supply.

[NDA]

The trouble with being scared of stuff (spiders etc) is that no amount of rational thinking can really cure you of the fear.

But I would say that nothing bad can actually happen - nobody ever gets stuck, you're with trained clinicians who can whip you out quickly if needs be. It's a white tube that never goes wrong in any way shape or form - 100% safe.

You're being scanned because you need to be scanned - so you have to go through it. But honestly, it's not bad - a bit boring to be honest. Try, if you can, not to let the fear get hold of you.

Can you identify what it is you're actually frightened of? Would it help to talk about that? If it's being stuck in there, I can absolutely guarantee you won't be - I'll bet my house on it for you (10 acres, swimming pool, barns - even comes with cars).

[TTmonkey]

Try this. It really works with anxiety.

http://www.tappingsolutionfoundation.org/howdoesit...

Seriously. Sounds like quackery. But it works.

[Europa1]

I've had 3 in the last 12 months and managed to doze off for at least part of the time, which surprised me because, as a previous poster noted, they are bloody noisy!

[RobM77]

Europa1 said:

I've had 3 in the last 12 months and managed to doze off for at least part of the time, which surprised me because, as a previous poster noted, they are bloody noisy!

I fell asleep in one once too I'm so glad I don't get claustrophobic though, as yes, that would be an issue. I'm very familiar with phobia therapy, but I'm not sure how this would relate to the MRI and it takes years to get rid of a proper phobia and several hours each week dedicated to it - I'm not sure that's practical just for one MRI.

[Mondschein]

TTmonkey said:

Try this. It really works with anxiety.

http://www.tappingsolutionfoundation.org/howdoesit...

Seriously. Sounds like quackery. But it works.

I'll give that a go but as you rightly point out it does sound a bit left-field.

[55palfers]

Had a couple. No problems.

Don't forget that the room is full of medical professionals if anything goes wrong!

[RobM77]

NDA said:

The trouble with being scared of stuff (spiders etc) is that no amount of rational thinking can really cure you of the fear.

One of my pet hates is people who say stuff like "the spider is more scared of you" or "it's harmless" etc. Danger actually has very little to do with a phobia - someone with a phobia of spiders is just as scared of harmless spiders as they are deadly ones. As I said above though, removing a true phobia (as I did once) can take years of regular and very hard work and I'm not sure it's practical for a one-off MRI. Would something like Valium work perhaps?

[Saleen836]

Take a CD of your own music that you know wil relax you, as a few others have said it is noisy but when I had mine (90mins) i fell asleep made sure I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before so it was easier

[omniflow]

There's a company called "Wide Open MRI", who have scanners that aren't tubes. That's what you need.

[kurt535]

They definitely offer sedation if requested in advance. Your issue is not uncommon. I 'discovered', to my complete surprise, my claustrophobia the first time I got put in the tube. Mine was thanks to a shout to a sinking ship that that nearly had me when I discovered the bow was breaking below decks and there was only one way out. The memories came out of nowhere and I really had no control over my emotion to get out of the scan. The nurses calmed me down and explained the tube fear was not uncommon and that sedation can be prescribed in advance, i think, via your GP. I got over my problem, sort of, but would really urge you to get the support you need as MRI's are really vital for your future wellbeing.
Fingers crossed for you.

[TTmonkey]

Mondschein said:

TTmonkey said:

Try this. It really works with anxiety.

http://www.tappingsolutionfoundation.org/howdoesit...

Seriously. Sounds like quackery. But it works.

I'll give that a go but as you rightly point out it does sound a bit left-field.

It's odd. Hard to believe but yes I found it works. If you do the tapping, and also say to yourself repeatedly something along the lines of 'I am not worried or afraid of xxxxxxx' then you almost self hypnotise. I've done it with spiders and it helps me considerably. It doesn't cure your fear but makes you tolerate it much more comfortably. Works for flying too.


There are many things in life we don't understand, don't totally dismiss it just because it sounds whacky. It helps if you believe that it will work.