Anxiety?: Just had the head MRI without... - Anxiety Support

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Anxiety?

AlexLu profile image
25 Replies

Just had the head MRI without contrast and been in that hellish tube for 20 mins but flt every single vibration etc and 2 hours later I feel like the middle of my head is about to split in two.

Is it my anxiety kicking in as to my knowledge MRIs are safe and no adverse events have ever been reported?

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AlexLu profile image
AlexLu
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25 Replies
uniquediamond profile image
uniquediamond

That's what happened to me when I had a CT scan.. I know those are bad to have, but yea it is your anxiety I believe

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to uniquediamond

I had a CT scan for the head 1 month ago myself but didn't feel bad at the time, or was it maybe perhaps due to my anxiety not being triggered yet on that day or maybe my head was hurting anyway due to the actual head trauma which was few hours fresh at the time.

Thing is I could feel the vibrations during the MRI, was counting to 60 for each and every minute

uniquediamond profile image
uniquediamond in reply to AlexLu

Oh my goodness! So what happened if you don't mind me asking? The reason they did a head CT on me was because I was experiencing numbness on my left arm and under my cheek as well.

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to uniquediamond

a bus wing mirror hit me in the face resulting in fractured frontal bone and sinus- all minimally displaced which were treated conservatively meaning no surgical intervention required.

no brain damage was revealed on the CT and had 3 eye tests since- all came fine.

I still get headaches though hence decided to do an MRI just to put my mind at rest- should the results be positive.

I already started to panick thinking what if they will find something bad etc...like a brain tumor or bleeding.

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to AlexLu

feels like my whole life is depending on this MRI scan...

uniquediamond profile image
uniquediamond

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry!! :( that's what I was worried about that I had something in my head as well so to put my mind at ease a doctor ordered a CT scan and that was normal and I don't even know how many times I've had blood work done whew! It's crazy I thought having those would at least make it to where I can rest my worry head and it did for alil and then I started worrying about it all over again

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to uniquediamond

been told MRIs are reliable...

uniquediamond profile image
uniquediamond in reply to AlexLu

I think for the most part so are CT scan.. If I'm not feeling better by the 25 which is my other doctors appt I'll ask if I can get one. Hey thanks for talking with me! It's amazing how much that does help

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to uniquediamond

Are you based in the UK? I had to go for a private MRI as the gp and the docs from the hospital who treated me refused to give me a referral..

uniquediamond profile image
uniquediamond in reply to AlexLu

No I'm in Washington and I have an amazing doctor that actually listens to my problems and tries his hardest to ease my mind, so I'll talk to him about an MRI if I'm not feeling better.. He ordered some blood work to rule out diabetes and if that comes back normal then I'll ask him about a MRI to make sure all is good and the CT scan didn't miss anything

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Hi AlexLu, well I'm so glad your MRI is over with, now you wait for the results in anticipation which is normal. Give yourself credit for going through the test as uncomfortable as it was. I've had several in my life and have always used it as a safe place that I could escape from my worries. Nobody could bother me for those 20-60 minutes. I always had the headphones they offered and listened to relaxation (yes even in the MRI) I wish you good results and hope that it lessens your worry and concerns. You did good :)

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to Agora1

Thanks Agora, hoping that all the doctors are right and there's nothing wrong with the brain "otherwise it would have shown by now". But then how come I still experience burning and bit of skull pain every so often and the mild wooziness I get especially in the morning. Prior to the accident used to be more of a night owl but for the past 1 month or so always went to bed before midnight and woke up 7-8 am in the morning and sometimes I'd start yawning around 1-2 pm. This has rarely happened before...

I never in my life been in so much stress though.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Hi AlexLu, now that you have gotten a clean bill of health regarding your brain, it's going to take believing in the doctors and start ignoring your anxiety. Talk to yourself about the negative thoughts but let the positive rational thoughts come through to explain away your symptoms. Being human, we go through different patterns of sleep. Stress plays a big part because it takes a lot of energy to be anxious all the time, making you more tired. Try not to worry and start moving forward. You have a lot of catching up to do. :)

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to Agora1

It's also mild headaches and skull pain I still feel 1 month after the accident.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to AlexLu

AlexLu, I'm sure your doctor is aware of what you are experiencing. That was quite an accident that you had and it's got to be expected to take time to heal from any bruising.

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to Agora1

I am hoping too, am currently halfway through week 5 of my recovery as the doc advised the bones will heal in 6-8 weeks time so I shall give it another 2-3 weeks to see if the pain subsides...if the MRI comes out ok but I still get these I'll start panicking all over again.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to AlexLu

It sounds about right 6-8 weeks to heal. I hope you start feeling better as each day passes.

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to Agora1

thank you so much for the encouragement, I sure hope so too!

MyNameIsMia profile image
MyNameIsMia in reply to AlexLu

Hi AlexLu, How much did you have to pay for private MRI? I am in UK too and planning to use private.

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to MyNameIsMia

I paid 615 quid for a non contrast MRI.

MyNameIsMia profile image
MyNameIsMia in reply to AlexLu

Thanks.

Celtic27 profile image
Celtic27

Hi alexlu i can sympathize with you about mris i had 2 mris done when i had a brain heamorrage i was supposed to get a third but kept having panic attacks previous to that i had two ct scans ! The mris were the worst thing ive had done i found when i got up i was all over the place if someone afraid of confined spaces its not the best thing to get done ! I hope alls well with you alex take care david

AlexLu profile image
AlexLu in reply to Celtic27

Hi, it's not the claustrophobia that freaked me out but the actual buzz and the vibration, luckily it didn't take long (15-20 mins overall) and the neuro radiologist decided to do it without contrast.

Jenlouh profile image
Jenlouh

I had an MRI on my head to check my ears on the 15/8 and since then have had migraines and a painful stiff neck. I have spinal issues anyway but this has made me ten times worse. It has scared the hell out of me. I'm going to speak to the Drs tomorrow to hopefully get some help.

Those MRI scanners are horrible. I hope you feel a bit better now

🌞

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to Jenlouh

Hi Jenlouh, I don't mind having an MRI (have had several) but because of severe disc problems in my neck, that table isn't the most comfortable. I always make sure my neck is supporting by a rolled towel as well as a pillows under the backs of my knees. I use deep breathing during the repetitive banging sounds. Even with doing all this, I still have terrible neck pain and tension headaches after an MRI. It's not due to the test but to our fear and tightening our muscles. I wish you well at your doctor appointment. I hope you get some answers. x

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