Hello my dear GCA friends, thank you so much for all your advice and possitivity!
For the first time I didn't press the panic button and have to have 3 attempts! Following everyone's ideas I created a little recipe. I had had a couple of diazepan last night (need them for flying). Didnt have much affect on calming my head and then someone mentioned amatryptalne... (have those for nerve pain). So i took one an hour before.
I had a CT scan at 10.20 and then went home and did some yoga relaxation! I actually built a cushion wall around my head with something over the top -ie: blocked myself in put an eye mask on and played my soothing 'sea crashing on the shore' sound on loop for 20 mins - the time I would be in the machine. 2 mins in my lovely white cat must have sensed I needed him so he sat on my legs purring as if to say 'we can do this'.
After 20 mins I was half asleep!!! So back to the hospital with my ear plugs into my phone after downloading waves crashing and back I go to X Ray dept - Amatryptalene and diazepan working a treat - but the yoga breathing is too. I got there to be met by Paul a very nice (cute too) MRI scanner nurse and told him how I was doing. His voice was very calming. He said I couldn't have my phone for the waves with me - might interfere with the signal - but if I wanted he could sit in the room with me. I said if he kept talking to me I should be okay and he asked if holding a hand might help! Oh yes!
As it was my head i didnt need to go all the way into the machine which helps to know your knees and feet are out of it. I put my eye mask on - took a few deep yoga breaths and got on with it.
Near the end when they said this is the last one and its 6 mins I felt the panic rising but managed to breath it away - Yeah! First time I've stopped a panic attack going full out!
I got off the bed, nearly hugged Paul but decorum prevailed! I went out and celebrated with a soya latte and buying a new pill holder from Boots!
Everyone, thank you thank you thank you so much!!!! Since getting GCA I have had courage to reach out to people and the support I have had here is amazing. I couldn't have done it without you all!
I conquered a fear today - with a lot of love, a little chemical help and a CanDo attitude from all you.
Life is good! Now wait for the results and all will be well. The only way is up.
Tons of love and sanner hugs!
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Fieldofdreams
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Yes indeedy. I did a short flight last week (Manchester to Glasgow) and managed without a diazepan - first time in 10 yrs. My change of life style since GCA has changed a lot of things! Grabbing life by the throat now - but yoga and breathing is a big help.
I'm impressed. My only and alas! negative experience of yoga was far too advanced and I have shied away ever since. Maybe time to try again. I had fear of public speaking/panic attacks in a job where speaking was required, tried every trick in the book to no avail. I admire you for overcoming your fears.
HI Joaclp, It can really work, but it takes time. I have done yoga on and off for 30 years. You need to start with a good old fashioned Iyengar beginner course. Learn the basic postures and breathing - Iyengar said its meditation in action . I cant meditate - my brain wont slow down - but moving and breathing wakes up the body, grounds you for speaking from the diaphragm not high in the chest (leading to panic) and the relaxation at the end allows all the body and mind to slow. Only since being diagnosed, when I couldn't even put my head down let alone do a downward facing dog did I have time to sit, and breath (in a class where people where doing postures). I suddenly got it! I have been on a few yoga retreats (some better than others, some a bit too much for ladies who lunch... where you don't get the authentic thing). Its definitely worth a go! I actually teach Platform Presentation and incorporate breath work into it.
Avoid Hot Yoga/cold yoga/yoga goat yoga (I kid you not).... Ashtanga series (for now), dynamic yoga, flow yoga (usually fast) Go for Hatha, Restorative and Iyengar as first choice if you can find it. Never go to a class where they don't show you the posture first and teach you the breathing with it.
Good luck. Yoga is like fine wine. The more you do/drink the more you realise you like it!
I filled in a comment form a I left and gave it to the lady on reception The NHS gets such a battering and they only hear from people who complain. A thank you takes only a second doesn't it - a grumble is a waste of a smile upside down.
All the way through this GCA journey Manchester Royal Infirmary has been INCREDIBLE. I have been so so lucky.
Well done. You certainly 'nailed your courage to the sticking place'
Kate x
OHHHH WOW! Good for you!!!! That is BRILLIANT!!!! I am so happy for you! I have two MRI's schedule for this Saturday; head and neck/spine. Not looking forward to it but think I'll be okay with it. Loved hearing how you conquered it!!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!
I am so sorry to hear about the cancer, that is bloody bad luck when you have GCA to cope with too and so low on steroids now and a 'fatty liver'... you are very entitled to moan and on this forum you will get loads of support from everyone and lots of great advice. I dont know what I would have done without it. I was diagnosed on Aug 13 but I have a problem with right lateral gaze (ie: i go dizzy and fall over) which they dont think is related to the GCA so thats what the MRI scan and CT 'orbits' are for. I'd say its the booze but I dont drink! Some days its very hard to stay positive because we all have to live in our own reality don't we. Moan away we all have our coping mechanisms on days when you just wish you had stayed under the duvet. All we are expected to do is just take a day at a time. A friend used to say when he kissed his kids goodnight - thank you for today, another good day tomorrow. He said it sent his children to be knowing that what ever had happened tomorrow was another good day. Nice saying i thought. Knowing one or two other peoples predicaments on the forum makes me feel very blessed.
Be kind to yourself Robert and let us all know how you are getting on. We will be there for you.
I am glad that it is over for you , but curious what was that you were afraid from? MRI puts me to sleep with repetitive tapping noise and I have to fight not to fall asleep , move and screw up the scan.
You are lucky not to suffer with claustrophobia! If I have to have another MRI scan, I'll try to concentrate on the "repetitive tapping noise" rather than my internal panic!
I am claustraphobic and as I have got older this has become worse. But with happy pills and support from here I did it this time. I used to live in London and use tubes - but now thats a no no. Not sure any amount of happy pills could get me back on there.
I figured that out too late after I noticed your previous post. Narrow space in some MRI can be intimidating, especially if your hands/elbows are pushed in by the side walls. But you did it and that is important.
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MRI scanner nurse and told him how I was doing. His voice was very calming. He said I couldn't have my phone for the waves with me - might interfere with the signal - but if I wanted he could sit in the room with me. I said if he kept talking to me I should be okay and he asked if holding a hand might help! Oh yes! 
Actemra; The elephant in the room. Is it working or not working for you?
Thank You Is All I Can Say
Newly diagnosed with PMR and thank you for all the info here
New to PMR and this forum. Thanks to you all for all you are sharing.
