MRI

[Anxious2befree]

Ok so I had my MRI today and while in the machine I had a major anxiety and panic attack. It was the most horrible experience ever as I'm chlostraphobic and I tried to work myself up that id be fine but I didn't realise they put this thing over your face which made it ten times worse for me. I got through it but after I came out the machine I was so faint and felt like I was going to pass out. The guy had to help me back into the change room to get back into my clothes. Has anyone else had a bad experience having an MRI?

[valachia-t]

Yes, I am clostophobic. Someone stayed by by legs the whole time. I was yelling for them to bring me out. When I got finished, I felt faint and off balance.

[Anxious2befree in reply to valachia-t]

Oh dear that's awful. I didn't know you could have someone stand by you

[valachia-t in reply to Anxious2befree]

I didn' either, and he was s worker.

[anxietymadman123]

I'm not claustrophobic or nothing but yes same here it just puts me out my comfort zone its like anything that will actually help diagnose what I have makes my anxiety worse IG u get me going hosipitial etc but yes the way the machine spins and makes u anxious cuz u can't just get up and go kind of like on a aeroplane where u can't get off kinda that feeling its weird but in a short answer yes deffo have been in the same boat as you

[Anxious2befree in reply to anxietymadman123]

Thank you for responding. It's definitely an experience I never want again.

[star68]

Hi, the think that terrifies me the most is the fact that while I am lying there they can see what is going on in my body in my body, what they are going to diagnose, that is what makes me panicky. If they ask me had to do an MRI scan and hypothetically not for diagnosis but to have the experience, it wouldn't bother me doing it. It's the fear that with an MRI they can diagnose disease so I became claustrophobic, panicky and anxious all at once.

[Anxious2befree in reply to star68]

I would rather find out what's wrong if anything and deal with it than to be in the machine and have a panic attack which is what happened to me.

[b1b1b1]

Many people have a difficult experience. The best thing is to take a tranquilizer first. Glad it's over. Some people are so frightened that the test has to be stopped, so you actually did very well.

[Anxious2befree in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you I am proud of myself for sticking with it as I want an outcome. I need to know if anything is wrong or it's just anxiety.

[HearYou]

I might have, but MRI tech gave me headphones with my choice of music (Ray Charles) and a visor; I just closed my eyes and had no problems. Have a least a dozen in about 12 years. Some MRI departments suggest you contact your MD for a low dose xanax to take before the procedure, and now there are stand up MRI machines, but there is a debate if they are as good as the one where you lie down. Really sorry you had that experience and hope if you ever need one again you can talk with your doctor about ways to prepare you for it so you are not so anxious. If you were in such a terrible way, surprised the tech didn't talk to you while you were inside it and stop the exam and bring you out. You and he should have been able to communicate with each other. Again, sorry you experienced this, and people do sometimes have a claustrophobic reaction to MRI: just regret that your doctor didn't prepare you and the tech didn't offer you ways to deal with it. I do need to have something, even if it's just a wash cloth, over my eyes.

[Anxious2befree in reply to HearYou]

Thank you. I didn't know you could talk to the technician but I wasn't offered anything by my doctor.

[HearYou in reply to Anxious2befree]

Absolutely...run of the mill approach where I live in the states...wonder if your MRI doesn't have the mike and speaker built in; I have always had that in Southen US. Hummm, wonder why the MRI tech didn't go over that with you if it was available.

[hippieebbbz09]

Yes. I HATE going through that. I always try to request the open one if possible . But if I have to , I try to relax and think of something peaceful or fun to distract me from the noise ,& everything

[Anxious2befree in reply to hippieebbbz09]

Hi I have never heard of an open one?

[hippieebbbz09 in reply to Anxious2befree]

Yeah it’s a larger spaced out ring . So, you’re not as closed in. It’s been helpful when I broke my arm ..I was already anxious over that so I got an open mri and that was a calm experience rather than closed mri

[hippieebbbz09 in reply to Anxious2befree]

You’re still laying down though, of course

[Anxious2befree in reply to hippieebbbz09]

Sounds better to me as its to overwhelming in such a tight space especially being chlostraphobic

[hippieebbbz09 in reply to Anxious2befree]

Yep. I cried so much having closed mri’s ...had to take Valium beforehand.