Open MRI Scanners

[legoman58]

I have serious claustrophobia. And I mean serious, ie, I turn into the incredible Hulk from the anxiety and can't complete one. Has anyone had an Open MRI scan and if so canould you share your experience please.

[Happyrosie]

if you don’t get any responses here try putting the search terms claustrophobia” and “scanner”, separately, into the search box top and search in “all communities”. You might get something helpful.

[OSIA]

Hi yes I had an Open MRI scan for similar reasons to yourself ( severe claustrophobia). I couldn't get one through NHS so had to go private but it was worth it. The whole experience with open MRI was very good.In my case I was stood up for the scan and I could see the radiologist at all times. There was no feeling of being closed in and there was even a tv screen to watch if needed. I felt calm and totally in control of the process, which only took about 20 minutes. I'd really recommend this if like me you suffer from severe claustrophobia.

[legoman58 in reply to OSIA]

TY OSIA. Where did you go ? What Company ? Roughly how much ?

[OSIA in reply to legoman58]

I'm not sure but I went to Manchester for the scan so if you Google ' Manchester Open MRI' I'm certain you'll find it. My scan wasn't heart-related though so don't want to build hopes up. Just wanted to highlight how good the process was for me. Hope you get aorted

[legoman58 in reply to OSIA]

OSiA. Thx. Most of them won't do heart scans. There are only a few that do I believe. Thx anyway.

[Identiy]

Hi,

Get a good eye shield that are used for helping sleeping . I use it and when you can't see the scanner, no anxiety occurs.

[legoman58 in reply to Identiy]

Hi Identiy. Thx. Tried that. I am a big guy. Problem is I feel the tunnel on my shoulders so move now and then and feel the tunnel on my face. It's like being in a grave for me. Then that's it. I lose it.

[Skiffrower]

My brother is also claustrophobic. He ( just) managed to last an MRI but as he said he got so anxious he wasn't sure whether the results were going to be affected. He has had an open MRI in the past and found that if his head is out he could cope. Also some machines have much higher head room than others. It's probably worth raising this with the doctor referring you to see if they can get you into a different less enclosing machine.

[legoman58 in reply to Skiffrower]

TY

[Qualipop]

Ex potholer, never claustrophobic. I now have spinal problems so have been sent for about 8 MRIs. No trouble at all with the first 3 or 4 but I had to be pulled out of the next one. The nurses ignored me pushing the buzzer thinking I'd laid on it. By the time they got me out I was a wreck. I do understand that coffin feeling. Tried another and again had to be pulled out because I felt as if my whole body was burning. It started at my feet and worked its way up. For he next I was in hospital and explained about the burning feeling so they gave me heavy sedation and put a fan blowing on my feet but i still had the burning sensation although the sedation stopped me from panicking. I do wonder if the burning feeling is a reaction to so much magnetism or if it's nerve pain. I now refuse them and they have to make do with CT scans. I've had so many CTs and x rays it's a wonder I don't glow green. Have you ever tried sedation? The mobile scanners seem to have much more headroom than the one at our hospital.

[legoman58 in reply to Qualipop]

Oh Qualipop I feel for you. And yes you are right the mobile scanners are bigger. The ones they have in hospitals are the old ones. If you saw me you would think I was Rugby player, coz I was and have the ears, lol, so to see me turn into the Incedible Hulk is frightening for most normal people, but I bitterly lose it through fear and end up a jibbering wreck crying from fear, guilt and shame. So I hear you. The open ones are not great for cardio results I believe. But in the USA they are readily available.

[Qualipop in reply to legoman58]

I've heard that there are very few open ones in this country. The only way they'd get me into a scanner now would be under general anaesthetic. I simply can't lie on my back at all never mind the panic. Sedation does help but it needs to be strong; they don't seem to realise just how bad some people feel. I'll never forget how bad I was ringing that buzzer and being ignored. It made me 100 times worse. I need a heart check but i'm praying a scan will be enough.