Diazepam dose for MRI

[Carolx]

Hello all

I have a cardiac MRI appointment tomorrow morning at 9.15am.

As I am claustrophobic my GP has prescribed me some Diazepam.

I’ve had a couple of trial runs as advised.

2mg Saturday......no affect.

4mg today........no affect.

I’ve got to get this right as I need them for the morning and they have GOT to work or I’m afraid I won’t be able to go ahead.

I know we are all different, so I guess any advise is personal to you.

Just wanted to see what you thought.

This will be my 3rd attempt at a MRI, so I’ve got to go through with it.

Carol

[michdev]

Hi Carol. My last MRI was a cardiac one and the nurses, healthcare in charge couldn't have done enough for me. They made me feel relaxed and explained everything. I am not too bad regarding the tunnel part. It was the part of the plate being firmly attached to my chest was my issue but I was reassured it had to be done in order for the scan to take place. Half way through the scan they release a dye in order to speed up your heart rate. At this point I was taken out of the tunnel and someone stayed with me. In all honestly I don't think it took that long and then you have to be returned to the tunnel. I was so glad to hear we are now coming to our final breathing techniques whereby you will be asked to hold your breath for approx a few seconds and then breathe out again. These will be requested of you several times during the scan. I remember my first MRI asking for a mid sedative but it didn't make me feel relaxed at all. Some hospitals allow music to help patients relax more. They put the radio on for me with a talk host. No music for me lol. What gets me through things Carol is the thought thousands have undergone these tests and I am going to be the same. I am not on my own. Also sometimes you can surprise yourself. Sorry for going on but I just wanted to give you an idea of what to expect. Yours may not be exactly the same as mine but good luck and give yourself a wee treat afterwards - you deserve it. Please let me know how you get on. Be strong you have got this xxx

[Carolx in reply to michdev]

Ahh what a lovely reply 😊

Thank you.

I did manage to stay in one for about 10 minutes a few months ago but it was terminated by a doctor as my heart rate was too high due to anxiety.

Good job it was, as when I got home I discovered a nasty burn just below my breast.

Complaint ongoing.

I’m the opposite to you.

The plate on my chest didn’t worry me, it’s the enclosed feeling I can’t bear.

But of course you’re right, I have got to do this for my own good, as I need a diagnosis as to why I’m having so many palpitations.

VT is suspected plus my brother died suddenly 10 months ago from cardiomyopathy, so I need to be tested for that too.

I have arranged for my GP to call me today after surgery regarding the Diazepam dosage.

Hopefully it will work tomorrow before the scan.

Thanks again for your support and advice x

[Palpman]

4mg is high and can make you addicted very quickly.

Diazepam does not make you brave. If you mess your pants in Aldi then diazepam will make you to not be bothered about it.

Rather ask for some of that air that pregnant women use when giving birth. Now that will make you brave for sure. My wife has to have it when having a tooth pulled.

[Carolx in reply to Palpman]

‘4mg is high’.........😳

Oh dear. Well I must be hardcore then Palpman!

Don’t think they’ll give me entinox somehow and I think I’ll be ok re the pants issue.......I prefer Lidl.

Just gonna have to grit my teeth aren’t I and deal with it 😬

[Tinker2015 in reply to Carolx]

I have taken 2mg. Does nothing at all. I have taken 5mg in the past from Doctor but they just want to prescribe lower does now 2mg. Hope it goes ok for you

[JennyRx in reply to Palpman]

4mg diazepam isn’t high. Can go up to 15mg for anxiety and one offs for procedures will not be addictive. 4 - 6 weeks usually leads to addiction. Diazepam has its place for short term use like one off procedures So please don’t scaremonger Also not everyone finds entonox helpful as it can cause vomiting and probably would not be used in these circumstances. I am a pharmacist and a 111 clinician.

[Carolx in reply to JennyRx]

Thank you Jenny.

My GP rang me yesterday and said the same.

She advised me to take 6mg and if that didn’t work then try 8mg.

I did think as I was only using it on this occasion I’d be ok.

I certainly won’t be making a habit of using it.

As it worked out today I wasn’t able to use it for the mri. The doctor wouldn’t allow it.

I managed without.

Entinox would definitely not be an option whilst having a mri I knew that.

Thank you for your comments.

[JennyRx in reply to Carolx]

You’re welcome. I just didn’t want you to feel that you were taking a really high and/or dangerous and addictive dose. But as you found the consultant didn’t want you to have it anyway. And you did it!

I had to have a different sort MRI a few years ago and I get claustrophobic. I just imagined a favourite walk in my head as I knew if I pressed the buzzer to get me out I’d still have to go back in again! So best to get it done.

Well done

[Hidden]

The maximum dose for use in anxiety is considerably higher than what you’re taking, but you need to get a medical opinion on how much is appropriate for you and your medical history as it depresses the central nervous system. From personal experience of diazepam, I didn’t really notice any baseline effect on how I felt at dosages higher than 4mg, but it did make me less reactive to stressful stimulae.

[Carolx]

I only bloody did it!!!

And without the Valium!

Doctor said she doesn’t let her patients take it as someone had a bad reaction once.

Had the dye injected too 😩

So I gritted my teeth and got on with it.

It wasn’t too bad.

Cant tell you how relieved I am that it is over with!

Just gotta wait for results now 🙏🏻

Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to reply.

I am very grateful x

[Gladwyn in reply to Carolx]

Well done !!! You must be feeling so proud of yourself. 🤞for good results. 👏👏👏

[Carolx in reply to Gladwyn]

I’m still in shock to be honest I actually managed to do it!

All that worrying and working myself up.

To some people it’s no big deal but we’re all different aren’t we.

The 2 radiographers were amazing.

One said to me she’s seen grown men cry with fear before a mri scan 😂

That did make me laugh!

The other one said she was used for a trial in one and her heart rate went up to 135 bpm as she was so scared!

Thank you for your kind words.

I’ll find out the results on the 6th Nov x

[Gladwyn in reply to Carolx]

I thought you so brave . I would have to be knocked out lol . The very thought has me shuddering so I’m so pleased you found the courage and got it done. Brilliant! 💐

[Carolx in reply to Gladwyn]

😂😂😂

[michdev]

Told you you could do it. Sometimes we surprise ourselves or should I say shock. Let me know how you get on. Sorry about your brother xx

[Carolx in reply to michdev]

Thank you xx

[Lovetheoutdoors]

Just read your posts. Hope your diagnosis came through ok. Our bodies are certainly complicated pieces of equipment!

[Carolx in reply to Lovetheoutdoors]

Good morning Not great I’m afraid 😏

MRI found my heart is working at reduced capacity and there’s signs of a haemangioma (tumour).

Had a google as you do 🥴

Not always a good idea.

Cardiologist said it’s one of two things......coronary artery disease or dilated cardiomyopathy.

Now waiting for a CT scan to confirm what’s actually wrong.

Been very worried and hiding it from my family. I don’t want to worry them.

Especially my Mum and Dad. As we lost my brother just over a year ago from dilated cardiomyopathy (inherited gene). He was 41.

I’ll have to tell them when I know the correct diagnosis, as my kids will need to be tested too.

Thank you so much for asking.

Means a lot x

[Lovetheoutdoors]

Hope you get some sound and good advice. Keep in touch. If you need to sound off please do x

[Carolx in reply to Lovetheoutdoors]

Bless you. Thank you x

[Darkshades]

You could ask them to put your head in a shield that has an adjustable mirror on it - it adjusts so that you can look into it and see outside and to those that are in the office taking the scan - it makes the World of difference 👍

[Carolx in reply to Darkshades]

Hi That post is a few months old now.

I actually managed to do the MRI back in November.

Thank you so much though for your reply.

Great advice to anyone else who is worried.