Has this happened to anyone else?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Had to have an MRI today (re dizziness) and couldn't do it! The minute I got in the tube I had a panic attack of sorts-rapid breathing, couldn't focus my eyes, etc. It was horrid. The techs were great and said I could do an open one next Monday..I guess I just feel so stupid because here I am in the medical field and I freaked out--I was so embarassed. Guess I now know what my patients have been through when I have scheduled them for the same test...

:uhoh21:

Anyone have an opne MRI and was it any better?

Specializes in LDRP.

Thanks guys...

It was nice to hear I am not alone--although I am sorry other people have gone through this too--it IS nerve racking for some of us...UGH!

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

OMG- YES!!! I had a car accident 2 years ago and had to have an MRI. I never thought I was claustrophobic- got in the tube and freaked out before the tech ever got out of the room. They had to sedate me to finish the exam. Now I know I have to have an open MRI as well.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I've had ~ 3 or 4, I think. One for my repro system, othre 2 for back. They took the pad off, put a pillow under my knees, and my arms over my head--very uncomfortable! Also--I couldn't go to the bathroom during the dang test.

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I also remember my nose being 1/2 " from the tube. The first one was the worst. The others, I just closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing--tried for stage I sleep.

I've never been offered an open one.

My son has had several CAT scans and MRIs over the years to check his shunt function. He has NO problems w/it. "Oh. Is that the donut thing? OK"

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My first one I had on my shoulder. I went in headfirst but I had headphones to listen to the radio through. Kept my eyes closed, no prob.

Second one was much more recent, on my hip. Different MRI trailer, no headphones, went in feet first but I freaked out. I couldn't take anything because I was working. I ended up going an hour away with an open MRI.....MUCH better!

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I had a thyroid MRI a few years ago w/o sedation or anything but I was in an 'open' one, which meant that I was only in from the top of my head to about halfway down my torso. I had my hand out and held my husband's hand the whole time. Didn't help much lol.

I'd brought a CD of what I thought was relaxing music but it was new-agey stuff and i ended up feeling like i was in a coffin at my own funeral. I had to ask them to change out the cd for a classic rock station. Opened my eyes once and couldn't stand that feeling.

Plus being thyroid I was told not to swallow so I laid there trying not to choke on my own spit and trying not to imagine who was at my funeral lol.

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Can't do without Valium. Thank God for that!

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I'm very clasutraphobic so I'm pretty sure I would freak out in a MRI. I have a hard time dealing with a CT scan. If my face gets to close to the opening, I start to panic.

I need all the drugs they got if I have to have a MRI.

Erin

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Specializes in LTC and Retirement Home.

I had 2 MRI's because of optic neuritis... checking for signs of MS. I was freaked out enough because of that.... when they put the little cage over my sandbagged-in-place head, and then stuffed me into that tube... well, I barely made it through the 30 minute MRI.

I used 1.5 mg of Ativan for the 60 minute MRI a week later! Slept through the whole thing. It was great. ;)

And no MS plaques noted, my brain is normal, thank you very much.

:-)

Karen

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I had one a couple of yrs. ago and learned that I really could talk myself down. I focused on all the usual....the beach, the mountains, the sky, the you name it. I got through it without calling out, yet it was the most terrifying experience I've had. Even though I made it through I don't think I'd be likely to consent ever again!

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A few years ago I had an MRI on the left shoulder. I knew I was slightly claustrophobic but I didn't think it would be that bad. Once in the tube my head was in a space that was larger than the rest and had a TV screen so I could watch and control the TV with a remote in my rt hand. Going in was freaky at first but once I got settled in and started channel surfing I was OK. I was happy to be out of it though. I've often wondered, I'm not a large (as in fat) person, what do they do with really big folks? I only saw one size MRI machine, not like there's small, medium, & large. I wear a size 44 coat and I was rubbing the inside of the tube.

I just had an open MRI yesterday on the neck. Definitely the way to go, but no entertainment.

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