MRI of the brain.

[Barbarajeand]

Neurologist ordered MRI and I am terrified. I have claustrophobia. The doctor said they can sedate me. I am so scared! Has anyone had this...my question is do they put your whole body in for an MRI? .

Thanks so much

[PMRpro]

Depends which bit of you - for a head scan it is usually only your head and shoulders. I've had a couple, don't remember much about them because of the problem they were done for (a condition called transient global amnesia where you don't remember anything for a few hours)! But I have had an MRI (noisy) a couple of times too. You are a bit more enclosed in them but I just kept my eyes closed the entire time - then you can't see.

This explains what is done - and the machine shown is just a donut shape - you aren't completely enclosed, you can see out:

patient.info/health/ct-scan

Don't worry about it - and tell the staff. They are used to people being upset.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Ah bless you it’s going to be fine. I too am very claustrophobic but I have had it done and I kept my eyes shut the whole time. I had headphones and you can hear the voice of the Drs which was helpful. Try and meditate if you can. I did it all. It’s great they can sedate you and rest assured that they can get you out very quickly. Keep saying to yourself before you go. “I am ok and I am fine” over and over it’s what helped me the brain will act upon whatever you think so keep saying I am fine I am well over and over. I tried saying I am so sleepy it’s very relaxing in here. It was the only thing that helped me. Good luck lass. Elena 😀

[dawnisup in reply to Hidden]

That's good advice. I do something similar. It's called a patience count. In your head, say a word like magnolia, orange blossom, blue sky, green water, dark forest, porcelain - all images that are soothing and beautiful. You will know what works for you. Say them slowly whilst breathing deeply and conjure up the image of the word, focus only on the image for a little while then say the next word; try and think of some in advance of colours, places, smells that you love. Also, very important, you are NOT in the MRI while you are doing this. You are lying in your happy place, calmly with eyes closed. That noise is nothing to do with you, nothing, nothing, nothing. Ah a lily how perfect......

Good luck and gentle hug. x

[Hidden in reply to dawnisup]

Sounds great. Thanks dawn.

[honeybug]

Hi Barbarajeand😊🌸🌿

I’m so sorry that you’re scared of the MRI. I’m in the USA..,I think that all MRIs are done the same everywhere.

I have had too many to count since my twenties. There is an open MRI machine over here that is not as closed in. They put you on the table and just before you slide into it they put your neck and head into an opened cage to prevent movement so the pictures will be clear. I always use disposable foam earplugs because it makes a lot of loud noises as it works. Then you are covered with a sheet and slid inside the unit to about the top of your thighs. You are given a buzzer button to alert them of a problem because you have to remain still during the scan.

The test can vary in time depending on what you’re being tested for. The technician talks to you and gives you final instructions. Then the scan begins. After each picture is taken to complete the sections of your brain the table will move outward, this repeats until each section is done and the whole scan is completed.

I had to have my last one done under sedation due to a rare condition that causes me to overheat. When it’s done this way you are prepped as if you are having surgery. You go off all Rxs that may cause complications...if your meds are for Sogrens Syndrome that makes you miserable as you are off Rxs several days before the scan. Once your IV line is inserted they get you on the table and start your sedation. When you are knocked out they do the scan..,slide you back out...give you a reversal Rx to wake you up. Once you have recovered from the sedation you are helped off the table sent back to the dressing room to redress and on your way home.

If this explanation still leave you scared they can give you a relaxing Rx to take before getting to the hospital.

I hope this had helped you dear. Take care and best wishes.

😊🌸🌿🦋 🤗💕😘

[Fezzywig in reply to honeybug]

Honey bug, please pardon me for interrupting your conversation with a different subject, but I could not help but notice that you made mention of the fact that you had a “rare condition that causes me to overheat”. It just so happens that I have been struggling with this issue for what seems like 100 years, and in spite of going through all sorts of testing, I have never been able to get any answers. I have basically given up on solving this puzzle, partly because of my age, 70, but unfortunately the condition continues to worsen. So, just seeing your mention of the same or similar problem that may actually have been diagnosed, gives me some hope.

If you don’t mind sharing, could you tell me what your experience has been with this problem and how it was finally diagnosed.. ?

Thanks so much for any light you can shed on this dilemma for me.

btw, I am also from the states. Texas to be exact.

[honeybug in reply to Fezzywig]

Nice to meet you Fezzywig

😊🌸🌿

I’m in Michigan near the University of Michigan. I’ve had problems with my forum functions lately I’ve been losing my replies before I finish them. I have EDS ?RA Carpal Tunnel bilateral so it is hard to do them at all let alone have them vanish and do over 😡😡😡!!!

About my overheating...it took me 64 years to find out through double DNA testing that I am one of only three diagnosed with Inherited Erythromelalgia.

I get all the other symptoms and triggers for the disease except I also have sodium trigger. Can’t live without food or sodium so I can’t avoid the flares daily since 2012.

Nice to meet you dear.

I happened to be seeing a Neurologist /diagnosed by her with neuropathy and I explained how I had been suffering with this since childhood...turn red hands feet knees (all over now with decades of progression at 67) and overheat swell and pain with billions of red hot pins and needles jabbing in my head difficulty breathing when head is involved. She referred me to U of Michigan Neurologist Dr Eva Feldman who finally diagnosed me. My 🙏s finally answered. I’m sorry you have been overheating too.

When I explained that I felt there was a hormonal component to this she agreed and ordered Paxil tabs to control the head flares especially. It does work. I’m not taking it for depression but I figure it should keep me from getting that too. Plus plus 😊

What have you been going through with yours?

😊🌸🌿🦋

[Fezzywig in reply to honeybug]

Greetings Honeybug.

I just completed about half of my response to you and somehow it disappeared on me. My gawd, I hate that. I guess my fingers are secretly touching buttons. At any rate, I do have quite a bit to share with you but I’m afraid I will need to temporarily regroup, and regain my composure. This means breakfast.

I am anxious to share, so will get back to this shortly as I am hopeful that you do seem to hold some pretty interesting information.

Thanks and please forgive my fumbling.

[honeybug in reply to Fezzywig]

Until then... 😊🌸🌿🦋

[Hidden]

Just had my third one an hour ago! I am claustrophobic too and have tinnitus with overhearing so have been dreading it for a while - especially I also have to get my neck done always so it takes longer to get brain and neck done.

But it was absolutely fine!!

I did get given ear plugs as I have tinnitus and did have a panic attack at first because I had to remove my glasses so everything a blur and she put Fleetwood Mac on for me - but it was way too loud!

So I just squeezed the panic button and she popped me out straight away. I said no music thanks - adjusted the ear plugs and scratched an itch on my head and went back in and closed my eyes. It only took 30 minutes this time - 3 of head then 3 of neck she explained. It helps to know you can look in mirror all the time and see the radiographer and also speak to them and press panic button and they get you straight out.

I didn’t go all the way in at all - about a third of the way perhaps. Maybe they would put all of you in for feet?! It was still very noisy but not unbearable even for me. Honestly I just wanted to snooze once the music was off - I was comfortable and relaxed - knowing it’s harmless and that I would soon be out having a hospital coffee in the car park!

Anyway I just want to reassure you that it was absolutely fine and I’m now home relaxing. Hope this helps. Xx

[whisperit]

PMRpro and honeybug have given you the best info. Some other bits to be aware of

- check whether you will be given ear defenders/headphones because of the incredibly loud clanks and bleeps the thing makes. This is just the sound the machine makes when it is working normally; the only thing that you actually see is that your perspective changes a bit as you are slowly slid in and out of the "doughnut" .

- the operators won't be in the room with you while the scan is going on, but they can speak to you through the headphones or an intercom thing You might be able to ask them to chat away during the scanning if that helps. In any case, they can always hear you and you will probably be given a "panic button" to press in case you want to stop it at any time. Like PMRpro says, lots of people get a bit panicky, so they won't be cross!

- it might help if you ask how long it will take? I've had some MRIs that have been done in just a few minutes, and others that have taken half an hour or more. I found it helpful to know roughly how much time I have to look forward to. For the longer scans, I close my eyes and imagining walking round a favourite building like a tour guide, explaining points of interest to an imaginary audience. But then, I am a bit strange like that. It might be worth brushing up on any relaxation technique you use for your claustrophobia beforehand?

Hope it goes well. Nothing bad is going to happen! x

[LupusKaren]

Oh Barbara how I sympathise, I like you, am unbearably claustrophobic. I have had to endure 3 MRI's this year. Sedation can help, but it does not help me, because of the piffling amount they give you, and my adrenalin wipes out any benefit anyway, anything stronger needs a doctor present so I am told. I am usually allowed to have my husband in the room, minus anything metal, and he scratches my toes whilst in it, in my head, he can yank me out, nuts I know. For these 3 though, no husband, work prevented his coming with me.

I never used to be fearful, but during a private MRI I had done, the operator ignored my calls to get me out, so I literally turned over and crawled out the the other end, they were aghast, no one had ever done that to them before. That was the catalyst for my fear.

However, that said, the staff at my NHS hospital, have been amazing, and two of the scans this time were for abdo/pelvis, and they put me in feet first, so my head was out the machine, what a difference that made, helped also by an eye mask, I was seriously blissed out.

The other other one was for head and neck, 45 minutes, in short bursts, I knew this would be a challenge, we had two false starts, and one of the staff said, try this, the machine sort of taps, she suggested I tap my fingers to the beats, genius, it is a distraction, and actually I felt the fear fade, and became quite sleepy.

On other occasions, I have asked my GP for diazapam which I have taken half an hour before I go in.

In reality though we all handle things differently, you must do what works for you, I wish you all the strength to get this done, good luck.

[Lizard28]

Hi, when I had a full body MRI, I was in for 40 mins, they played relaxing music for me which really helped. I closed my eyes the whole time so that I didn't see what it was like inside it the machine. My only complaint was I was very hot, I had two gowns on to make it more comfortable. You won't be in for very long, I'd just dream of a nice time. I'm having a full ct scan on Thursday, they are not as noisy as the MRI and I will be dreaming of being on the beach, sipping a nice cocktail, all the best, I hope you get on ok x

[Bakbre]

I have had 2 MRI's of my brain/head and they put my entire head, shoulders and body in the scanner both times. I don't like being enclosed but I kept my eyes closed the entire time and it wasn't that bad. I found the worst thing was the noise which was really loud at times. Good luck.

[Buffy14]

I have had several MRI tests of the brain it was only my head and shoulders in the machine . It's nothing to worry about , not painful at all just very loud , they play music and you have a buzzer in your hand that you can press if you want them to stop . As others have said try to just think of something nice and keep your eyes closed it will be over in no time .

[Bake34]

I had mri on brain and only my head went in, but machine was new and there were images on a screen for me to watch, took about 20 mins, good luck

[ozzie7456]

I coudn,t go through with the mri . my claustriphobia and panick attack was too bad , shouted at them to get me out ! I was never offered any type of medication to calm me down , went crazy at my gp and neuroligist for not informing the staff of my condition . total shambles , and a year later i am no further forward . good luck

[katidid]

Have had about 13 MRIs, three of the brain. It's not too bad. In your case, I would take them up on the offer for a sedative if it's makes you really nervous. Personally, I just zone out now. It's more noisy than anything. But, you do have to remain still, otherwise they start over. So, yea, go with the sedative.

[katidid in reply to katidid]

Oh, forgot to mention that you can ask for ear plugs and many places will give you headphones and you can listen to music you like. If you're prone to panic attacks and have a specific technique you use to quash them, practice that before you go in. Always remember there is a button you can press to get out and the technician can talk to you to stay calm. Again, tho, just focus on staying still and try to just zone out. Don't focus on the anxiety.

[englishrose67]

Hi hope you get on OK with scan barbarajeand .They will talk to you all the time checking if you're OK and play music to dull a bit of the music. Ask for sedation. The first time I had it I knew I got anxious in really small enclosed places sometimes but thought I'd be OK...then had a bit of panic attack. they brought me out of scanner till I calmed down then I was fine going back in as I just closed my eyes and thought of grandchildren ,holidays and happy things .I've had MRIs again since and I've been absolutely fine. .As you're claustrophobic I would definitely ask for sedation and explain to them saying you're claustrophobic .I'm sure you'll be fine.hope results are OK afterwards too x

[nwfrugalista]

Barbarajeand—

I’ve also had cervical spine and brain MRIs and wanted to pass along my well wishes to you for yours.

My experiences were not as bad as I made them out to be in my head—hopefully the staff working with you will be as pleasant and patient as I had. I was offered a gown and socks to wear (apparently some athletic clothing/yoga pants have metallic threads which can make you overheat in the tube) and given a private changing room with a bin to lock my personal belongings in (since metal items cannot go into the scanning room). I was also given earplugs and offered calming music headphones. The MRI machines in use at both places I went were ‘open-sided’ and so only the area being scanned was enclosed, so in my case just my head and neck were in the ‘doughnut’. When positioning on the table, I asked for an extra sheet to be folded and placed under my head for comfort. Twenty to thirty minutes is a long time if you’re in an awkward position so be sure to mention it if you need anything (extra blanket for your legs etc.).

Once I was given a panic button (which fortunately I was never in need of), and for the others the tech just spoke with me at several points throughout the scan to check in and make sure I was OK.

Of course the machines are very loud, the earplugs help somewhat but you do still hear the clicks and clanks. My strategy was to close my eyes before the table slid into the tube and leave them shut until the entire test was over. Since I didn’t see the entry into the tube I just imagined myself relaxing on the beach instead, imagining the surf rolling in helped me ignore the noise too. Going to my happy place once almost had me asleep by the time it was over—what a surprise as I had so dreaded it!!

Hope yours goes as easily and that the results bring good news 💜

[Ali_B]

I wore an eye mask during all of mine as I didn't think I could keep my eyes shut for that length of time! I put it on before being placed in the tunnel and with the earplugs/ear defenders, it helped me relax massively.

[Hidden]

I´m from Germany and don't speak english very good. Please forgive me therefore my mistakes.

I had a lot of MRIs and since I had a panik-attack one time, I take Tavor one houre bevor MRI. I don't get Panik with Tavor (Lorazepam).