I am claustrophobic and due angiogram and probably TAVI. Many talk about "sedation". Does that just relieve pain or will it also, hopefully, totally relax me and help me with my claustrophobia? I am worried about it.
Will they put pillows under my head?
Appreciate any advice. Thanks
My sympathies re the claustrophobia bit! I'm inclined to suffer this as well. I can assure you that sedation will help greatly to relax you.
You do need to be kept flat for your procedures but I've always found that they will allow you to have a bit of an elevation so don't overworry! They are used to this.
I had a procedures 2 days ago to close a hole in my heart . This was done under local anaesthesia with sedation and it did keep me totally relaxed and able to keep still for almost 2 hours !
Try not to worry. I'm sure you will be fine and the opererators will be experienced in dealing with this situation.
Thank you so much for your reassurance. It's greatly appreciated. I know I'm probably overthinking it but I just can't help it. Going into the unknown.
Hello 
It will make you feel like you have had a few drinks quite a nice feeling you are still aware of things but makes you feel relaxed so if you are feeling anxious I would go for it
Remember you will be in safe hands , let them know how you feel they will look after you
Let us know how you get on x
I know how you feel. Sedation does work for pain, sometimes it has a very sleepy effect, depending on which type. I should tell your doctor what you have to go through and that you are scared, a perfectly normal reaction for some people. He may prescribe Diazapam, and you won’t care about anything. Good luck.
Thank you for that. I reckon diazapam might do the trick.
I had sedation for my angiogram. I think I went into the deepest sleep as I don’t remember a thing and was very confused when they woke me afterwards back on the ward as I didn’t realise they had done it!! Bit gutted as I wanted to see the images. But I was definitely comfortable, laying on a narrow platform with a pillow before the sedation!
I don’t remember any reason to be claustrophobic, but perhaps I never realised there was a tunnel like an MRI??
Claustrophobia can be quite overwhelming but I found that hospital staff are very understanding.
Before every procedure and test (I had a TAVI in May) I informed staff of the problem and that I'd be having my eyes closed throughout. It's the same situation for me at the dentist, doctor, hairdresser and so on. I even find it difficult being hugged for more than a few seconds.
During the TAVI procedure there's quite a lot of talking amongst the staff which I tried not to listen to. I also have Tinnitus so told them that if I had to do anything someone would have to be close to my ear before I'd know I was being spoken to.
There is a little discomfort, particularly when they increase your heart rate significantly, but I wouldn't say I felt any "pain" as such. There were complications in my case which meant the procedure took a little longer than was expected but I wasn't "aware" of that at the time.
Recovery was quicker than I expected and I was home the following day. I've felt fine ever since.
Thank you
I’ve had an angio with sedation , and also a knee replacement with epidermal and sedation, both times I just fell to sleep and couldn’t remember a thing. With the latter they asked if I wanted a light or heavy sedation, I said a double g&t worth, a heavy one., had a really good snooze and just woke up as I was wheeled out of the room. Unlike a GA sedation has no side effects.. an angio is done in a big open space not in a tunnel like an mri so you should be fine
Yes forgot to mention, you don't go into a tunnel. The machinery moves around you, v high tech, but not scary.
Thank you. I hope I get a similar sedation!!
If you don't feel comfortable enough to continue at any time then don't suffer in silence - tell them. This won't be anything new to them and they'll help you. Perhaps by giving you more med's. Be aware though that if they give you sedation then they won't let you leave afterwards without someone with you or until they're sure you're safe to get home by yourself. I hope it goes well.
Thank you for that
I suffer from claustrophobia too.
When I had my angiogram I laid on my left side on a bed.
I don't like lying flat either - it makes me panic sometimes! So they gave me a pillow.
The whole thing was just a little uncomfortable, that's all. Not painful, not claustrophobic.
I suggest you call the department before you have the procedure so they can reassure you.
Thank you. Wise advice indeed
Yes I freak out in confined spaces and during medical procedures, also have high pain sensitivity, I think it's my adhd.
I had angiogram and was sedated intravenously via the canula so i was pretty much relaxed throughout, felt no pain or panic. You have to ask for this though. I'd say it was much less stressful than a dental filling. At one point my BP dropped and I felt faint. The nursing team knew this remotely via their monitoring system and immediately gave me a shot of something remotely to bring me out of the faint, very impressive.
The pain relief was separate to the sedation. I also had a pillow, all very comfortable. Honestly there's nothing to worry about. It was a really easy experience. I wouldn't worry about having it done again. Good luck!
Thank you so much for that reassurance
During mine I got a cramp in my leg (nothing to do with the procedure just me holding myself too tense!) Anyway I told them and they paused everything so I could have a little wriggle around. This really helped my brain cope with making me feel less trapped . It is interesting to watch the screen too.
For an angiogram you are not at all enclosed. You lie on a rather uncomfortable metal table with pillows under your head, hips or knees; wherever you need them. Sedation doesn't send you to sleep, it just makes you not care less about what they are doing. You can still see everything and talk to the nurses. It's not like an MRI scan where you are in a tube. It's completely open. YOu may be allowed to watch on the monitor screens. I wanted to but they wouldn't let me. I was a bit annoyed because the nurses kept talking to me and i Just wanted to go to sleep. I have severe spinal problems so lying on my back is agony but they piled pillows under my knees to make me more comfortable. Afterwards I was taken to a recovery ward to come round properly and was given tea and toast. YOu have a pressure bandage on your wrist until any possible bleeding stops from where they insert the canula. I'd had a heart attack so I was first down at9am. Not allowed to drive because of he sedation but husband collected me and I was home with two stents fitted feeling fine and having lunch by 1pm. I didn't feel a thing during the procedure. I had to go back for another one a month later and strangely I was petrified but the nurses were great.
Thank you
I'm going to be very honest and tell you that it depends on the hospital how good tour experience is and how well you are looked after. I really hope that you get a lively team who are kind wnd empathic, and who take the time to listen to your fears and anxieties. Pillows should always be available and used in a way that makes patients feel more comfortable. The sedation is at their discretion, but it does no harm to ask for it. My body seems to reject it, which I was told is quite common. I hope everything goes well for you.
Thank you. Where did you have yours done ?
Hi,I believe we are not allowed to mention hospitals? I'm not sure why? If I say it's a very old hospital on the outskirts of Edinburgh I'm sure you will be able to work it out!!
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