New member: Hello!

[manekineko]

New to this group, not new to MS. Having my kind-of-yearly MRI tomorrow and nervous as usual. What are some things you do to stay calm before, during, and after your scans?

[Kit10]

Hello and welcome.

I don't get nervous about MRI scans, it's a nasty noise and a hard bed to lie on, but it doesn't hurt. I do find it very boring. During the scan I just kind of zone out - try to anyway - not easy with a noise like a washing machine spin cycle going on.

Depending on the hospital they may play music or radio during the scan through headphones. One hospital invited me to take a CD. It's so noisy you don't hear much but it helps pass the time.

I don't get claustrophobic, but it's not nice staring at a surface just above your face. I find it easier to cope with being in a tunnel if I keep my eyes closed.

I find it difficult to read in waiting rooms because I'm too jumpy to concentrate, but I find a puzzle book does work for me (and don't forget a pen).

Chocolate to eat afterwards - well,chocolate always helps! I'd suggest some little treat to reward yourself when it's all over.

I hope it goes OK for you.

[manekineko in reply to Kit10]

I appreciate your advice! 😀

[Xvettech]

my dr helps with that anxiety. I also enjoy it as my “quiet” time. I don’t have to hear anyone 😂

[manekineko in reply to Xvettech]

Hehe, that is one way to look at it! 👍

[Fancy59 CommunityAmbassador]

Mainkineko, welcome to our family here at the MSAA chat room. We are so glad you have found us. You have found a group of the kindness, most compassionate and carrying people you will ever meet. Come to us with any issues and we'll be happy to share our common experiences with you. I can't wait to get to know you better. I am certain there is much we can learn from each other. Until then take care and remember together we are stronger. Fancy59.

[manekineko in reply to Fancy59]

Thank you for your kind words. 🥰 I agree that together we are stronger. On that note, I'm looking forward to my first MS walk this weekend 💪🧡

[NorasMom]

They've never bothered me, and I usually fall asleep in them, but I do try to start off just daydreaming about my Happy Place. It's all the fuss and bother leading up to get into it that irritates me, so I just bite my tongue and smile.

[manekineko in reply to NorasMom]

I practically have to beg my neuro to get MRIs ordered; it's just the healthcare system that I'm in/can afford ... I admire your grit for biting your tongue and smiling through it all. 🧡

[NorasMom in reply to manekineko]

I've been very lucky. I complain a lot, but I've had the same insurance since 1984, and while they can be a PIA they've never really let me down. They'll argue medications, but they've never hesitated to approve MRI's. Good luck!

[Cwright170994]

Good morning 😊 when I go for my MRI's, I like to put music on just before, just so I could get a song playing in my head! When I had my 1st MRI, Katy Perry's Dark Horse was in the charts, and my mum came in the room with me (I was 19). She had the headphones on as well, and the last song that played was Dark Horse. It was also the first song on the car radio, and then on the music channel when we got home! So, it sits there as a reminder! If I don't have that playing in my head, I'll pretend I'm listening to a Skrillex song 🤣 If I can't get that, I'll just run through a guided meditation, again in my head, or things I need to do when I'm out. Kinda helped when planning my own wedding and I was just going down a list of things I've already done, and would need to do when I'm out 🤣 I'm not scared or nervous about having an MRI. I close my eyes, put my hands on my lap/stomach, relax and sometimes follow where the device that makes the sound is as it goes around.

[Robsmom]

Hi and welcome. I've never had a problem with MRI's either, I usually fall asleep. Or, have trouble keeping my feet still because I always request 70's music. 😄 If you need help with MRI's, MSAA will pay for a brain one. (not spine) for people uninsured or under insured. Also, some people get mildly sedated when getting MRI's. Hope this helps.

[Elizt3]

welcome to the group! I ask for music that I often can barely hear (haha); I focus on listening to the music and it sometimes puts me into a trance and actually go to sleep a little bit. They also put a mirror on top of the cage that’s over my head. The mirror lets me look out the tube towards the window where the technicians are working. I focus on that perspective and not the inside of the tube that’s so close to my face. Good luck!

[ahrogers]

I also tend to fall asleep during my MRIs. I don't have them yearly anymore, just every 2-3 years. I haven't had any new lesions since starting Ocrevus in 2016. Maybe you can have them less often if they have been stable and no signs of relapse.

[cindyrn68]

Love your screen name - I collect maneki nekos. Welcome!

[falalalala in reply to cindyrn68]

[falalalala]

This might help you.

It has worked for me in far more stressful situations

thejoywithin.org/breath-exe...

[sashaming1]

Welcome. I see a MRI as a chance to relax. You'll want to use the ear plugs that they will give you.

[SandraKOE]

I’m afraid to fall asleep during my MRI. When falling asleep my muscles start jumping. My husband says it gets worse when I’m sleeping. I think it would mess up the whole thing.

I pray. I do pray daily. But sometimes it can be shorter. During my MRI’s there’s no one else to talk to except for my God. I get to pray for other people more. Things and people that may slip my mind at other times. The knocking of the machine doesn’t really bother me, the OCD part of me starts counting each one.

[irhunter]

Welcome. I’m a ‘newbie’ also. I’m probably not the best to ask on the MRI. It’s a challenge for me to stay awake! I play mental games, making my brain categorize the different sounds/vibrations. So, there are the EDM, electronic dance music mode, the M2 50 cal firing mode, the sleeping between the two main engines on the 82’ Pt Doran CG boat (I was too tall for the 5’6” racks!) mode, the John Deere Baler mode, etc etc. in a nutshell, I enjoy the experience and get the most out of it I can!

[manekineko in reply to irhunter]

I'm in a German techno club 😂

[hopeandgrace]

Hi! When I am in there, I have earplugs in, eyes closed, and I pray or sing songs in my head.

I also ask the tech ahead of time to let me know the progress of things and that helps- they will use the mic and say “this one is 4 minutes” or “this next one is 90 seconds” etc

[RoyceNewton]

Valium valium valium and pee first,

[Hidden]

I tried to just focus on the noise from MRI and try to isolate rithyms ( I was a musician pre MS)

[Mollyabigail]

Welcome, manekineko! I know I am too late with my reply by now. Let us know how it went. Personally, I like to pray for the people in 3rd world countries who do not have access to medical care like we do. I tend to take stuff for granted, so I TRY to remember how blessed I am! And on your way home, stop and get something yummy to eat. Someone said chocolate. That works! Another idea is ice cream. You deserve it! God bless!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Welcome to the forum, manekineko . I hope that your scan went well. I usually fall asleep during my scans. I am usually provided with a warmed blanket, and headphones so I can listen to music while in the machine. It goes by so quickly. You can probably find more tips on how to remain calm at mymsaa.org I look forward to hearing on how your scan went. In the meantime, Keep Smiling!

[stepsforNeeC]

Welcome Manekineko,. Everyone has their own thing. I listen to calming music 🎵 before I go in and (pray 🙏) the hospital or Imaging Center provides music during your scan. That has worked. Always discuss with your doctor for more options. Will be praying for you. Blessings. NeeC

[Tkotrl]

I always worry about my spasms. I make sure I am super comfortable with a good support under my knees and usually a warm blanket. I like music also.

[jimeka]

Someone once gave me some good advice.Always make sure you go to to toilet first.

Close your eyes and don’t open them until it’s finished.

Go through the alphabet and pray for all your family and friends.

I once was in for nearly 2 hours and I still didn’t get to the end of the alphabet.

Hope it went well. Blessings Jimeka 😊

[Mollyabigail in reply to jimeka]

Ooh, I like the alphabet idea. Thank you, jimeka!

[Tazmanian]

Welcome to the group

[BlanketTime1]

first of all, welcome!🤗 as for mri's, i have severe claustrophobia and uncontrollable movements when unconscious, so it's general anaesthesia. i highly recommend it!😆