MRI fear...

[Phaedra]

Hi everyone,

This may sound feeble compared to what others have been through, but I'm dreading this MRI on Monday. It's a month since I was diagnosed with invasive Her2+, and will be another 2 weeks til the op, it would have been sooner but Easter hols have delayed everything.

I'm scared I'm going to have a last minute claustrophobic panic attack!

My Gp kindly gave me some Valium 2 mg tabs which I have not tried yet.

Should I take one before the scan, just in case?

Also I've convinced myself they're going to find something worse on the scan than what showed on the biopsy! And why are they doing it anyway, do they suspect something or does everyone need an MRI?

Might take a Valium this weekend!

happy days x

[Hidden]

Hi Phaedra

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis & that you have to have an MRI Scan

I had one several years ago for my neck & shoulders, I too was overwhelmed at the prospect but I was given diazepam (Valium) which I took before I went in the Scanner, once I was on the bed & settled I closed my eyes BEFORE I went in & kept them closed throughout.

They give you a buzzer & keep talking to you, it's noisy but the diazepam helped & l kept my eyes closed.

As you say it might be worth trying one over the weekend to see how you are after it, is someone driving you to the Scan as the diazepam may affect your ability to drive.

Good Luck 🍀 Hope it all goes well x

Mrs N x

[Debster2016]

Hi there Phaedra gosh what a pickle you are in.

I've had ooh 4 MRI's. One knee, 2 on my neck which included my head, face etc. and one upper torso for bc. It's really is very noisy! There's no getting away from it! I've taken a calm cd (Chris Isaaks) in with me that they play at full volume which doesn't drown out the clicks and buzzing but it did help me relax a bit, I swear I even dropped off last time!

I had 2 female attendants help me get on the bed. I had a front opening gown on. As I lay down on my front each lady held the gown out of the way of the bed, but in such a way that I was not exposed. The bed itself had that paper towel stuff around the places where you drop your boobs in as well as the face (just like if you were having a massage at a beauty salon) which I found helped disguise the function of the bed a bit! All of which calmed me.

I also took an eye mask with me and yes still closed my eyes throughout the whole experience 😎😄.

It is key to relax as much as you can as moving during the scan could have an impact. So taking a Valium might be a good idea if hypnotherapy or meditation or mindfulness isn't something you've come across before. Maybe a hypnotic cd could be played? I don't have one to recommend, sorry and it will be difficult to hear.

I too had 6 weeks between diagnosis and surgery, with weekly trips to the hospital for various appointments in that time incl MRI.

It's my understanding that the MRI follows the biopsy to assess the extent of the surgery by identifying potential further areas to investigate, as mine did. I then had another appointment for a 2nd biopsy to confirm if that further area was cancer, which it was, so my surgery was a mastectomy. This is not meant to upset you Phaedra, I mean only to share my experience and understanding, it doesn't mean this will happen to you 🙏.

Your questions are very valid and you are entitled to have a member of your medical team explain why you are having an MRI and what will be the outcome of the results of the MRI so do ask them.

Sorry for going on, I have a bad habit of taking advantage of not being interrupted!

Wishing you well Phaedra xx

[Jennymary]

Your question is not feeble, you are correct in posting it to get advice from people who have had a similiar/same experience, on my cancer journey I didn't have a MRI scan so not able to share the experience, but i can send love hugs to help you deal with your scan x

[Nixh]

Hi, no you're not stupid at all, I hated having MRI's too..

I had a breast one every year from 25 - 42. I get claustrophobic and not being small always felt like I was squished in. It's a bit awkward putting your boobs in the clear plastic cups and then getting comfy, they offer a cushion usually for your rib cage area. I had a dye injected each time so had a Venn flon attached which was activated from the observation room. They talk to you often between scans and tell you how long each is going to be. You do get through it I promise, I tried to visualise calm things, beaches, water, would mouth song lyrics and do silly sums. The nurses are usually lovely and understanding as well. My older sister hated it and numerous times they allowed her to come out between scans.

I had 2 areas that were suspicious after my annual mammogram and MRI. One area was picked up on the mammogram (calcifications near the outer edge, grade 1) and one from the MRI (had an MRI guided needle biopsy after to confirm, it was grade 3 invasive).

If I hadn't had both, I may have opted for a lumpectomy only and the grade 3 area would have grown and spread (I had one node involved from the grade 3 area). A mastectomy was recommended which was fine by me as I wanted it all gone.

I've had a preventative right hand mastectomy now so no more MRIs for me.

If you want to private message me with any questions pls do,

Good luck on Monday, I hope you get on OK,💐,

Big hugs,

Nix xx

[Phaedra]

Thank you all so much for replying and sharing your stories. I will definitely be taking that valium! It's not the scan itself, or the noise that bothers me, just the trapped feeling. But i'm sure i'll survive, guess just nervous as things finally happening after a month of waiting, best wishes to you all x

[Linkj]

Hi Phaedra, I had a brain MRI a few years ago (nothing to do with my breast cancer) and I am terribly claustrophobic. I told the radiographer and she was matter of fact and told me to close my eyes as soon as I lay down and not open them until she told me at the end. It worked as I had no concept of how enclosed it was, I thought I would sense it but you don't if you close your eyes before going in. If you don't know any meditation/relaxation try dong your times table, I still struggle with those!! Wishing you the best and keep asking here if you need help as these are a special group of ladies x

[Dolbycat]

I have my second breast scan on Tuesday ( mid chemo cycles between FEC and the T) and have my Lorazepam at the ready to take an hour before my appointment. I had the same scan two months ago and these pills really helped me. I normally suffer terrible claustrophobia, all caused by an old fashioned MRI done over thirty years ago. I have had multiple MRI scans since and dreaded each one but the last one in February passed without problem. Lying face down is better than looking up at the machine, pretend you are at the beauty salon enjoying a massage and block out the noise, time will soon pass. I was glad when they finally gave me the appointment for an MRI, it helped to confirm my diagnosis which would have been missed otherwise as I had mistakenly been given the all clear end of last year. Better to know if there is a problem and to what extent than to be misdiagnosed. Good luck with your appointment and results, hope all goes well. xx

[julesab]

When I have MRI they give you earphones with music but it was not loud enough !! I had trouble with the breathing, so I would advise you to tell them how you feel and take the diazepam to help you relax. I think after diagnosis of breast cancer i had to have MRI to see if I was fit enough for chemo ????? And unfortunately they did find a tumour on my lung. This was another primary cancer, but they removed a lobe and carried on with chemo. I been left with lymphoedema but am ok. This was in 2010, my recent MRI was for my liver as I now have another strange illness. I am still working though and carry on with my journey !! As they say try lie back and think of good things ! But it is enclosed space but is necessary evil to check you out ! Good luck 👍👍👍😷😷

[Aussielouise]

Hi. I too had an breast MRI and I'm a radiographer. The Mri gives a lot of valuable information which is useful to the surgeon. If you're a bit panicky take the Valium. It will certainly help you feel more comfortable. I actually found it quite relaxing. Just think of it as a lie down, a break that no one can complain you're taking ! It takes about half hour of just lying on your tummy. You feel nothing! Some people actually fall asleep. If you're taking the Valium let them know before hand and arrive early so you v=can have a clear head to complete any forms ask questions etc. you need to give the Valium time to work.

Hope you find the experience a lot better than you think x

[Lorraineam]

This may sound silly, but try to visualise yourself lying on a beach. The MRI is light and warm, although it is noisy, even with the earphones and music. You are given a panic button in case you need it, but the scan doesn't take long.