MRI reassurance?

[Gyfers]

Hi - I was diagnosed with normal tension glaucoma in my left eye about a month ago, after a routine eye test showed some field of vision loss.

I’ve been referred for a routine MRI, which is tomorrow. I’m grateful to be getting it checked out, but also quite nervous, not least because I’m a bit claustrophobic and have always dreaded the thought of having an MRI. I had a CT scan last year for something else and it was fine, but I think the MRI is more closed in, longer and noisier?

I live on my own so am just going for the scan by myself and feeling a bit sorry for myself this evening! If anybody who’s been through the same has any reassurance, I’ll gladly hear it Thank you.

[Hidden]

Gyfers I had an MRI years ago and I didn't relish the thought of it either, so I'm not surprised you are feeling nervous especially as you are a bit claustrophobic. I think I just tried to imagine myself somewhere else and I survived to tell the tale 🥴. You are definitely allowed to feel sorry for yourself ,you were only diagnosed with Glaucoma a month ago so all of this is still pretty new and it's definitely a steep learning curve.

I just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow and hopefully you will be thinking this time tomorrow night " what was I so nervous about "

Take care

[Gyfers in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Witchie346, really appreciate that 🤗

[Joanbill13]

I have the same problem and my doctor prescribed a sedative and I was fine

[Gyfers in reply to Joanbill13]

Thank you! I actually had some long-forgotten diazepam in a drawer, so I phoned the MRI dept in the morning and they said it was fine to take some (as long as I didn't fall asleep in the scanner!) So thanks for the prompt. I'll put a wee update in a separate comment in the thread, too, on how it all went - it was fine in the end Appreciate your comment.

[valfrance]

hi you can request an open scanner because of your claustrophobia. i have the same problem. check with the hospital. good luck valerie

[Gyfers in reply to valfrance]

Thanks Valerie - it all went well! I'll put a wee comment in the end of the thread with an update for anyone that wants to read Appreciate your comment.

[Joanbill13 in reply to Gyfers]

Pleased it helped. X

[Totthi]

Hi Gyfers, I had one roughly 2 years ago, I can reassure you that there is nothing to worry about, all you have to do is just lay still, try not to move and you will be given something to drown the noise, all the best.

[Gyfers in reply to Totthi]

Thanks, Totthi, appreciate your note. It all went well - I'll put a wee comment in the thread with details but suffice to say, it was much easier than I feared.

[Hidden]

Hi Gyfers, I was diagnosed with NT Glaucoma in March 2021. A MRI scan was arranged for me, too. I am not the bravest, but I can assure you, it's nothing to worry about. I was provided with head phones which played music to drown out the noise. The operator gave a running commentary, telling me the expected duration of each stage. It was soon over . It is just to rule out any other sinister causes of your Normal Tension Glaucoma. Good Luck.

[Gyfers in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! It was actually fine - will put a wee update in a comment at the end of the thread on how it went. Appreciate your support!

[salla22]

I am new to glaucoma.why do they right scans?

[Gyfers in reply to salla22]

Hi salla22 - I think they only do it if you have normal tension glaucoma, because they want to rule out anything else that might be causing the optic nerve damage. If the scan is clear, then they decide it's definitely glaucoma.

[Gyfers]

Thanks to everyone who commented, I really appreciated your support! It was much easier and less scary than I thought. I was lucky enough to be in a super-modern scanner which had a TV screen, and they played me Pocahontas while they scanned me!😂

Definitely wasn't expecting that!

It was amazing, it was all done through mirrors. When I was in the scanner, it looked as if the top of the scanner was a big window with a TV on the ceiling above. I could have watched film of beaches and mountains, but decided to go for Pocahontas instead! When they pulled me out at the end, I realised the TV screen was actually on the wall at the end of the scanner and I'd been looking at it reflected in a mirror above my eyes, but it was very convincing. There was a slight breeze blowing over my arms which made it feel as if I was somewhere airy and spacious, too.

I also took a sedative beforehand, with the approval of the MRI dept, which might have helped a bit 🙃 I'm not sure how much difference it made, but I definitely had a good sleep when I got home!

Thanks to everyone for your support, I really appreciated it ❤️

[jesolo12]

Bit late but may be handy for future use..I ask how long will it be then count the minutes using my fingers...ie 60 seconds each finger.