What do I do?: Hi all,need a bit of... - British Heart Fou...

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What do I do?

Easyrider1 profile image
10 Replies

Hi all,need a bit of advice please.

Last week I had an MRI Scan with Contrast ,it didn't go well as I had a bad Panic attack as I was so Anxious,it had to be stopped,I was informed next time I will have to be sedated,I can't do it .

Now 2 Years ago I had a Heart Attack and a Stent fitted.

Last year February 2020 I had a Cardiac Arrest and my Heart Stopped for 8 Mins.

I also have COPD and Asthma,so this is why being strapped down in a MRI Machine did me no favours .

There must be another way to check my Heart is working ok,as till this day I feel all sorts going on in my chest.

Thanks for any good advice.

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Easyrider1
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10 Replies
meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

I feel for you, i really do. I had a cardiac mri the day before yesterday. I was in the scanner a long time. They suggested in advance that if i was claustrophobic i should ask my GP for diazepam to take half an hour before the scan.

I managed by closing my eyes before i went in the scanner and didn't open them until i was out again. I agree the equipment they strap to your chest is heavy adding to the experience.

Could they do a cardiac CT instead, i dont think it shows as much info but certainly is a good test, that way at least you aren't in a tunnel. Your head will be out of the donut shaped scanner which feels better. I hope you can find a way forward with your consultant to get the information you and they require. Best wishes.

CRTD profile image
CRTD in reply to meadfoot

I too had a very unexpected panic attack at the start of cardiac MRI ( had had normal MRI several times before with no problem). They said I had a whole body panic experience and they could not put me through that again. They did a CT at a later date but it didn’t give them all the info they wanted. Sorry this doesn’t answer your question but I really understand how you felt and are feeling. I was so embarrassed and constantly apologising for wasting hospital time . They said they can usually predict when someone is anxious but thought I was totally in control and calm till I started to enter the machine. I hope your future treatment can be planned without it

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

When I had my MRI scan with contrast a few months ago. Like Meadfoot I shut my eyes before going in to the machine and didn't open them again until I came out. I knew only too well that if I opened my eyes I would freak out. Did you open your eyes while undergoing the scan?

This way is still one of the best to confirm what's internally wrong with us. I had an MRI without contrast a year or so ago and it showed nothing, with contrast 5 internal things not right.

Have you had an ultrasound of your heart?

Jean

Easyrider1 profile image
Easyrider1 in reply to jeanjeannie50

Seems when someone says don't open your eyes,yep I did.Iv had an Ultra Sound and the Nuclear test machine,that not bad as my head was out .

I'm going to listen to what others have said from this forum,and that alone gives me determination .

Carolx profile image
Carolx

Good morning

I had a cardiac MRI booked last year in June, I cannot tell you how terrified I was.

I was having panic attacks at home thinking about it, I was having night terrors, literally jumping out of bed at night sweating. Honestly I was so so anxious. I’m really claustrophobic.

I managed to get to the appointment (St Thomas London) and I was in a right mess.

I told them how anxious I was and they weren’t very sympathetic I’m afraid.

I was in the scanner literally 7 minutes and a doctor terminated it, as my heart rate was too high.

I couldn't wait to get home!

I swore I’d never do it again.

Then I got another appointment 2 months later for another one 😳

Panic set in again!

Same build up.......nightmares and constant anxiety.

I’m ashamed to say I cancelled it on the day.

I just couldn’t go through with it but I knew I needed it.

After talking to my cardiologist he suggested having a 3rd attempt in a wide bore scanner at Kings College hospital and ask my GP for Diazepam.

I cannot tell you how much difference it made.

It was actually a very calm and straight forward experience.

I had the mri coil on my chest, cannula in my hand, ecg leads attached and the contrast die injected.

I wore an eye mask and it made a huge difference.

Honestly if I can do it anyone can!

I’m so so glad I did, as the results showed quite a few abnormalities which need sorting.

Please just think of it as something that can potentially save your life.

You need this scan! How fortunate are we to even be offered this.

I felt so ashamed that I couldn’t do it the first two times, but my fears were far greater than my need to get it done.

Please ask your cardiologist about the wide bore scanners. They make a hell of a difference.

Let us know how you get on.

Wishing you lots of luck

Carol

Easyrider1 profile image
Easyrider1 in reply to Carolx

Wow,you almost brought tears to my eyes,there is hope from your words ,I gave learnt and I shall try what you have done . Thank you x.

WardijaWardija profile image
WardijaWardija

Hi Easyrider1. Total sympathy with you. If you wish to take a look at my posts, I recall writing on this exact issue very recently. It was quite detailed to re-write again today, but I'm hoping it might be of help to you . . . 🙂

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

I'd had 5 MRIs - not for heart- with no problems.; not claustrophobic - used top go pot holing. Number 6 I felt as if my body was on fire. It worked up from feet to head. I pressed the buzzer to come out and they ignored it claiming they thought I'd laid on the buzzer. Number 7 same burning feeling, had to come out half way. Number 8 got sedation and a fan on my feet but still felt on fire. Last year I was told I needed one to check for bowel cancer. I simply couldn't do it. They did a CT scan instead. Not as good but adequate. Just so you know y are not alone and the open scanners are far better. You may have to travel as there are very few .

richard_jw profile image
richard_jw

I have a cochlear implant and the hospital refused to do an MRI scan. The cardiologist changed the scan to a Nuclear myocardial perfusion scan. He also did an echocardiogram. the scan does not involve you being inside a tube, so is nowhere near so claustrophobic.

The gold standard of diagnosis for arteries is an angiogram, but I don't know exactly what the cardiologist is looking for. An angiogram is similar to the procedure you had when the stent was fitted.

WardijaWardija profile image
WardijaWardija

I just found the post I was referring to earlier. It was between myself and Meadfoot, 21 days ago. 🙂

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