Sanity tips for an MRI?

OK, so assume you're so claustrophobic you start hyperventilating if there are too many people in the elevator, or if the sleeves on your shirt are too tight. Seriously. If it were any worse, I'd have to live in an open field. I can't sleep if my blankets are tucked under the mattress.

Geez. I blew out my knee last week Monday at work, and today was my follow-up appointment. Turns out "marginally better" isn't good enough, so I'm just waiting for them to call and tell me when I'm going for an MRI. I'm already breathing funny just thinking about it.... Tips? Tricks? I was seriously thinking about taking THREE Darvocet before I go (he handed me another bottle today, I can ration them).

 

You could ask them to shunt you in leg first so your head doesn't go in,I don't a think MRI's are that bad miles quicker than CAT scan or Xray I was only in there for a about 5 mins compared to maybe 20-30 for CAT and X-ray.

Just remember when you get in there it starts buzzing pretty loud and that's normal.

 

Ask for valium or xanax. I am claustrophobic so bad I won't even ride in the back seat of a car if it's a two door (I'd have no escape path.) Elevator, hahaha. Anyway I have had a few MRIs done and if you tell them your situation they will give you something to "make it better." I guess it's fairly common for people to get happy pills for this.

 

So far, my vote lies with "happy pills"! LOL I didn't even know it was an option, but that works for me! I've had a CAT scan, and that wasn't too bad because it was just the ring that passed over me, and as long as I kept my eyes closed I didn't panic too badly. But they said the magic words "you'll be in a steel tube" and I started to panic. :cry :-o

I think they said headphones with music or earplugs are required, but they provide them because of the whole magnetic-metal thing. At least now I know what questions to ask when they call me. Thanks! I'm feeling a bit better about it.

 

the open MRI keeps your head out of it. And there really not that contained. I had about a foot to each side of me, and a couple feet above me. and the room is HUGE! i felt pretty small inside that damn thing. so much room around me.

 

My chest just clenched at that. TOO CLOSE!

 

You probably won't like our MRI's then,we only have cheap small MRI's due to our state run national health system.

Here's a picture of a patient being scanned in the UK.

http://skeptisys.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/ww-augustus.jpg

 

Just put some pads over your eyes and pretend you're going to sleep.

 

:-d:-d:-d

 

It doesn't last long either, seconds not minutes.

 

Forgot to mention, anti anxiety medication, I had Ativan, I'm an anxious person so have some on hand usually. Said before I would rather be dependent on it then have an anxiety attack. Maybe your doctor can write you a script for a few to get you through it.

 

ROFL nice one rikky

 

Isn't Darvocet a pain pill, and didn't they stop making them?

 

darv's are weak anyway

 

OK...talked to them. My appointment is Monday at 7pm. It will take approximately 45 minutes once I'm in the machine. They provide ear plugs, or headphones with either local radio stations or I can bring CDs. I will be going in feet-first, and he said at my height I probably won't even have anything over my face, but that I should keep my eyes closed anyway (duh...I plan to bring a blindfold in case I'm tempted to look). We do have the open MRI machines here, and he said about 98% of people don't have a problem with them. In case I am in the 2% (in case...right...) there is a panic button, which will immediately remove me from the machine and we will discuss how to proceed from there, be it drugs or something else.

Darvocet is a pain pill...I take them for the existing pain in my knee, but I don't always need one. They don't actually make it hurt, they just make me not care that it hurts. I figured if I took several at once, I wouldn't care that I was in a small steel tube for an hour. LOL

@ Rikky - that's kinda what I had pictured! roflmao

 

Don't worry. You'll make out OK.

 

Perhaps knowing you can end it at any time will get you through, take it a min at a time, yes you'll do fine.

 

I was in several and there were some that made a whirly sound and then a click, a whirly sound and a click through out the whole thing. I was just about to push the panic button when the tech hollered over the speaker that I had 1 minute left. The clicking sound was getting on my nerves so bad I wanted to scream . The fact that I have a small case of claustrophobia didn't help. I know some what of the fear when it comes to going for those things.rrrrrrr(as shivers run over her body) I'm sure you'll do fine Sgt_Tibbs.
Ear phones with your favorite music and maybe some lavender lotion to relax.

 

If taking any valium/antianxiety pills, be sure that you don't drive after having taken them.

My daughter who was scheduled for an MRI had to be rescheduled. She discovered in the machine that she was claustrophobic and screamed like crazy to get out of there.

Next one with valium, she was allright, She was so OK that she was jumping for joy around like a little kid and laughing her head off. Then she wanted to drive in that condition, I said.... no way and drove her home where she slept if off for the rest of the day and night. She would have driven like a drunk.

Good luck for Monday.

 

I'm not currently driving anyway (still can't afford to replace my car, plus the Darvocet makes me stupid), but that's good advice. I can't decide if my mother or my guy is going to take me, but either way I won't be driving.

 

All this has been focused on the examination itself, let me also say I hope your outcome turns out good as well.

 

Open MRI is the way to go

 

roflmao It never occurred to me to be concerned about the why! Thank you!

 

Well, I survived. Sure wish my DOCTOR had told me he was the only one who could give me happy pills!!!!! :boxing :boxing :guns :*** :*** Went in with nothing, not even an extra Darvocet. Freaked out completely. Had to deal with it...took a blindfold and jacking the volume up on the music so high my ears are still ringing. At any rate, they're supposed to have someone read it overnight and get the results to my doctor in time for my 9:15am appointment.

 

Glad you made it! Hope the results are good!! :cool

 

Well it's over, now you know you can hang in there, sorry you freaked though. Hoping your results are good.

 

I have a torn meniscus and a sprained ligament. On to the orthopedic specialist! rolleyes

Oh yeah, and workers' comp. is debating if it was really work-related or not. If they determine it wasn't, then they'll pay $0 medical and $0 wages. I am currently without insurance and unable to work. Happy holidays.

 

Harsh dude,where's FredG to defend the medical system over there...

 

That's typical, bad enough being injured but then having to fight whats due, awful. :boxing

 

Rikky, Workman's Comp is run by the US government. All I will say about that in this forum.

Sgt. Tibbs, hope they decide to pay for it. Get well soon, and try to have a happy Thanksgiving.