Diazepam for MRI

[Bella29]

My consultant has told me to get diazepam from my gp surgery for MRI. Has anyone else done this? I do get claustrophobic and suffer from anxiety but am wondering if I can cope, cos its so hard to get to see GP!

[Gemma1986]

I haven't had diazepam before, but I was booked in for an MRI and thought I could handle it I am also claustrophobic, I completely freaked out and couldn't have it done as they said my whole body had to go in and the hole was tiny! So if you can maybe get some medication too help xxx

[Bella29 in reply to Gemma1986]

Thanks, ill try phoning gp for prescription. Sounds awful for you x

[Fabbird]

Hi, if you are having an MRI for endo it's only your abdomen that goes in the machine. I didn't find it at all claustrophobic. The only issue was all the jelly...they fill your front and back bottom in order to get good images. Of course it then leaks out for the rest of the day. They couldn't give me a sanitary towel and yet I needed to go to work afterwards. YIKES! My advice is to take your own. Hope it goes OK.

[Bella29 in reply to Fabbird]

Oh thanks for the tip, I wouldn't have thought of that! They told me ill ve able to see out it I look upwards.. I'll be in up to bridge of my nose. Apparently it depends on type of machine and ur height. At least my head won't be in though!

[Kate345]

Taking diazapam before my lap, it works!

[Anabelle101]

I have a huge fear of enclosed spaces and I had an mri a few weeks ago. Luckily my head was out of the mri scanner so I just kept looking upwards and closed my eyes, so it didn't feel like I was enclosed. You have an emergency buzzer just incase.

[Bella29 in reply to Anabelle101]

I think they should give patients special cyber goggles that would allow us to watch tv show or calming music video or something.. seems like it could be an easy solution!

[AmyG33]

Yes I agree with have some sort of glasses I found it very hard to keep my eyes closed which I wanted to because I don't like confined spaces. I did panic and pressed the buzzer after a minute but I did go back in and had d scan but shook from head to toe,I'm due to go in for another one this Thursday and have got my GP to prescribe sanex as I feel it will relax me a bit more. Get the relaxers and you will be fine xx

[Bella29 in reply to AmyG33]

Yes I will, thanks. Im a bit unsure the pills ll help cos I took valium for smear test but still didnt relax and they couldn't do it. Ill have to ask for a stronger dose. Ill take an eye mask too perhaps..

[Bella29]

still worrying!.... My consultant hasn't given me any preparatory advice for MRI and I've read online that sometimes you have to have empty bowels, no food and sometimes a full bladder... has anyone else experienced this??

thank you

[Katy_in_the_house]

Hi! I honestly think you will be fine. I was completely in the tube (head and all) for my pelvic MRI. The worst thing is the noise.....it's really loud and the noises are strange! But the noise kind of helps to clear your mind....like 30 mins where you _literally_ can't hear yourself think (for once!). Also they put a nice blanket over you.

I wasn't allowed to eat for 6 hours beforehand and had to do an enema myself (like a mini colonic irrigation? don't celebrities pay loads for that?!). During the MRI, they put a medication in my vein to 'still' my bowels. It had no bad side effects whatsoever. The only really stupid thing I did was to cycle to my MRI scan after not eating...and then when I got there and they put a needle in my arm I fainted! But it really wasn't dramatic at all. I promise the MRI scan is fine. They are just using fantastic technology to get a really clear picture of your insides. It will be worth it once you have those images.

[Bella29]

I couldn't understand every word my consultant said due to his accent. I was too polite/trying to take it all in, to ask but he did mention lactulose... maybe this was why then!- 😂