Has this happened to anyone else?

htrn · Nov 9, 2006

BTDT - was able to get through the MRI, but they had to pull me out of the tube and put a towel o er my face. Doesn't help that I'm so fat that I barely fit in the darned thing.

It happens to lots of people, that's why there is an open MRI and lorazapam.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2006

I always ensure I schedule with an open MRI facility as I am extremely claustrophobic. Also if you check with you MD initially they usually will give you something to take 1/2 hour prior to the scan such as valium.

JenNJFLCA · Nov 9, 2006

I'm OK in the MRI tube as long as there is a towel over my face and music playing. I had another one recently and they were concerned that I had checked off "claustrophobia" on one of the boxes. I was a little nervous when I first kied down on the table, but after a couple of minutes I was fine. An open MRI sounds nice, though! Are they just as reliable? If so, they should make them all that way!

kukukajoo, LPN · Nov 9, 2006

I have had a couple and used birthing techniques to calm me.

My poor brother in law- all 6'4" of his manliness had a BAD panic attack and freaked out and has to be sedated to get into the tube. He is a commercial pilot so this was pretty hard for him and very embarassing but he talks freely of it now.

Works2xs · Nov 9, 2006

First time I had an MRI, it didn't bother me. However, a few years ago I had to have one and I was totally freaked. Had to reschedule and have it done under sedation. Don't know if I was more embarassed about having to be gorked out to have the test or the stuff I said while I was in happy land (which I only know because my wife told me about it sometime afterwards).

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 10, 2006

Had one done under sedation.

JentheRN05, RN · Nov 10, 2006

I have problems with elevators - I can't get in an elevator, let alone a crowded elevator, I'd rather kill myself walking 30 floors if necessary.

I did have an MRI done though without difficulty. I did have just a tad of anxiety. Not sure why.

JentheRN05, RN · Nov 10, 2006

I have problems with elevators - I can't get in an elevator, let alone a crowded elevator, I'd rather kill myself walking 30 floors if necessary.

I did have an MRI done though without difficulty. I did have just a tad of anxiety. Not sure why.

West_Coast_Ken, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2006

An open MRI sounds nice, though! Are they just as reliable?

Nope and that's why there are closed and open MRI's, at least that's what my doc explained to me re my shoulder "iusse" so I said "I can handle the closed MRI, no problem." I wanted the clearest look-see they had goin so that's what I got.

#1 My doc hardly explained what he was getting at when he asked "Do you have problems with claustrophobia?" Not unless you entomb me in a fricking pipe I should have told him.

#2 I should have listened carefully to the MRI Tech when he suggested I not open my eyes. Again poor info. How the hell did I know when I opened my eyes I was going brush the walls of my toomb with my eyelashes? Damn that really freaked me out!

But I just closed my eyes, and kept them closed!, while I focused on relaxing.

The needle guided contrast injected directly into my shoulder joint was much less of an issue for me than that damn closed MRI. :imbar

newLPN04 · Nov 10, 2006

I've had both kinds, the tube thing and the hamburger bun thing..lol...I had to have valium for the closed, and made my husband stay in the room and talk to me the whole time I was in the opened one. Still hate the thought to this day, I'm also very claustrophobic, and not ashamed to tell anyone..

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 10, 2006

i'm claustraphobic, too. my doc explained that he needed the closed mri for my back because it would be a better picture. i was sure i was going to freak out in the danged tube, but fortunately the tech explained exactly what was going to happen and how long it was going to take. i was counting the seconds, but i got through it ok. it was tough, but i did it.