Upright MRI cardiac scan?

[Seaguller]

Have been told that I require an MRI scan and ma really anxious about it. Have seen that upright MRI's exist. Anyone else know if this is an option for cardiac scan?

[Ads568]

Hi Seaguller,

I have always been extremely claustrophobic, and when I was told I had to have a cardiac MRI I was terrified; I'd managed to avoid them up to that point. I looked into the flat MRI that I'd heard about, but they told me they weren't able to do cardiac; only joints/limbs. That was in 2019, so things may have changed?

In the end I had hypnotherapy (I'd previously successfully had hypnotherapy to enable me to go in the lift at the hospital, as I was by that point too ill to walk up the stairs anymore). I also contacted the hospital that would be doing the cardiac MRI to discuss my phobia with them. They were amazing - they booked me into the wider scanner which they use for larger people, and were really caring. I also took Diazepam just before going in, which I'd arranged through my GP. I felt I needed to take charge of the situation to make sure I didn't get into a right state on the day! I did cry before I went in the scanner and cried when I came out, but I did it!

Mine was complex and took quite a while, but I did it! My advice would be to close your eyes as soon as you lay on the table, and don't open them till it's all over. I didn't have time to think about the 'happy place' I'd prepared in my mind, I had to follow instructions the whole time: Breathe in, hold your breath, breathe normally. I counted the clunks while I was holding my breath.

Good luck! I hope by being in control of as much of it as possible you'll be fine on the day. Do let them know how you're feeling though. If they don't know, they can't help you.

Best wishes,

[Gladwyn in reply to Ads568]

The very thought just about gives me nightmares. Top marks to you for coping. 🍀🦋💐

[81235]

One lying flat makes a bit of noise can be claustrophobic but does the job has a buzzer to press if you need to get out

[Hidden]

I've never heard of an upright MRI scan..when I.had mine I had to lie very still on my back.

[Hidden]

My understanding is that open scanners aren’t suitable for cardiac scans as they operate on a lower magnetic field strength, meaning they have lower image resolution than a closed scanner, so there are limitations to using them for smaller soft tissue. Even if it was suitable for cardiac use, the biggest issue is availability, as to the best of my understanding, very few (if any) NHS hospitals currently have an upright scanner. You have to either pay for it privately, or apply to your local CCG for them to fund it; if it’s diagnostically appropriate, some trusts will pay for patients to have an open/upright mri on a case by case basis as a result of severe claustrophobia.

I’ve not had a cardiac MRI, but I have had several others over the last decade, and although not the most fun experience in the world, they’re also not that bad unless claustrophobia is a real problem. I’m not claustrophobic, but I still close my eyes and concentrate on just breathing through it. There are also other ways and means of minimising the issue as per the other excellent reply you’ve already had.

[FiftyNotOut]

I’ve not come across upright ones I’m afraid - but even then it would be close to you. I get claustrophobic but cope ok with MRIs. I just close my eyes before going in.

I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you fear - they’re experts at dealing with anxious people. You’ll be able to speak to the person doing it - and you’ll need to do things like hold your breath, so you’ll be kept busy.

I was told that they make MRI machines as small as possible to cut down on radiation, so do keep reminding yourself that it’s all for your own good.

It might be worth contacting the MRI department to explain your worries and see if you can go and see the machine before your appointment. That might help ease your anxiety.

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear SeagullerA good point regarding cardiac scans….your head remains outside the scanner. I am incredibly short sighted so i dont see much anyway, but yes, eyes tightly closed from start to finish. Or you could wear a blindfold. I was offered a blindfold at the NHS hospital. The breathing regime sounds a good idea.

Do tell the medics that you have claustrophobia. And tell them how terrofied you are.

When its all over, remind yourself of how well you have done.

Being scared of medical treatments is horrid.

Colin

[FiftyNotOut in reply to Blackcatsooty]

My head has never been outside the scanner and I’ve had quite a few - I guess the machines must vary!

[Oboebec]

Unsure, but I was really anxious before my last (3rd) one & mentioned to the radiologist that I was a tad claustrophobic… he gave me an eye mask to try, which I didn’t think I’d like. Game changer for me! If they have one handy, I’d accept it!

[Row5]

Hi, I had a MRI heart scan two weeks ago, they used the smaller scanner and my head was just outside the machine. You hear all the scanner noise but it was a very quick scan , maybe 10 mins max. The hardest bit for me was holding my breath. Don’t worry the staff at my hospital were excellent and explained everything to me before going into the scanner and they speak to you during the scan. I think the worse bit for me is the waiting for the results. Good luck, you can do it.

[CakeMaker70]

I am terrified of enclosed spaces and had to have an MRI a couple of years ago. They took the 'pillow' off the scanner for me so that I was able to tilt my head to look back and move my head around a little. I found that I was able to focus on something on the back wall and that helped enormously. Hope it goes well.

[MiriamB]

Hi Seaguller

Completely understand how worried you are about the MRI. I was exactly the same!!

I was told upright is not suitable for the cardiac scan I needed last year.

On the day of my MRI, I was lucky to have the most amazing hospital staff who listened and understood what I was going through.

They gave me something to take before the scan. Hard to say how much it helped but I’m sure it did something.

They suggested that I go into the scanner feet first and lie on my tummy. My daughter was allowed sit at the mouth of the scanner.

I cannot tell you how much this position helped. It meant my field of vision was not inside the scanner and I definitely felt less enclosed. My head was inside the scanner but my arms were extended so I could prop my head up on them and a pillow they gave me.

I had a long scan and I wouldn't say it was exactly comfortable lying on my tummy but I would take that any day over the feeling of claustrophobia. The experience has taken away the anxiety I had over the need for future scans.

Totally agree with others who have said talk to the staff and explain how you are feeling.

Wishing you the best of luck!!!

[Schora1]

Hi, I've had several cardiac MRI's always lay down. I too am claustrophobic so I close my eyes and just focus on the instructions from the radiographer. A friend if mine had sedation so maybe you could ask for that. Discuss this with the team when you go. Please try not to worry. It really isn't as bad as it sounds and it is not dark either.

[Jayhow]

Hi Seaguller,

I have just had a Cardiac Stress MRI this morning and was really nervous about it as been claustrophobic all my life. I spoke to my GP a couple of weeks before the scan and they gave me 5mg tablets of diazepam to take an hour before the scan and it really helped I think.

When I got to the hospital they told me the scan would take between 90 mins and two hours which did not fill me with joy to say the least. The scanner they used was a wide bore scanner so it had quite a bit of headroom above me once I got inside the machine and then I just closed my eyes for the rest of the time. What also helped was the room was air conditioned so it was cool and I could feel the air flow around the room. The 90 mins went surprisingly fast because they keep you very busy breathing in and out and then holding your breath so I didn't really have a lot of time to keep thinking about being inside the machine.

The machine is quite noisy but they give you headphones which help and they talked to me a lot asking me how I was feeling.

The worst bit was the stress test bit where they administered adenosine which makes you feel like you are running up flights of stairs but this only lasted about 5 mins and the drug quickly wore off.

It really wasn't as bad as I was expecting and the staff were really nice and reassured me a lot throughout the process. Also kept reminding myself that the 90 mins of discomfort was worth it if it means I will get a confirmed diagnosis and be able to get the correct medication and treatment to control my symptoms which are occurring daily right now.

Good luck with the scan and try not to get too anxious