MRI scan

[gp200ts1]

Has anyone had an mri scan and suffered a panic attack? Got half way through and had to abort the scan due to panicking. Has anyone else experienced this?

[DonnaD]

My husband has this problem the first time. He went back with Valium and that helped. The next time he went to a special open MRI and didn't need anything. This was private though and there aren't that many of them.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by gp200ts1

Has anyone had an mri scan and suffered a panic attack? Got half way through and had to abort the scan due to panicking. Has anyone else experienced this?

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I had an MRI about 5 years ago and whilst I didn't panic I politely asked to be taken out, explaining I was unaware I couldn't be in the machine as the top appeared only a couple of inches away from my face I was acutely embarrassed but they were very understanding and explained as it was a lower back issue I could go in feet first, I had no issue thereafter as my head remained outside the MRI.

[0420wilmut]

I kept my eyes tightly closed and drifted off into a daydream. I knew if I thought about it or opened my eyes, I’d panic and flip out. Been through the scanner twice now.

[Sweets]

I found it terrifying. I had to keep my eyes tightly closed and almost meditate to get through it.
Sorry that’s not helpful at all.

[Tillyjcm]

I had a chat with staff before my scan and they were really helpful. They gave me headphones to wear and were chatting to me throughout. I closed my eyes before going into the scanner and kept them closed until they told me I was out.

[SussexFamily]

It is and can be to some people a claustrophobic experience. I felt as if I was inside a washing machine. Thankfully the hospital provided headphones and Radio 2 drowned out the cacophony around me.
I do sympathise with OP... it’s certainty not everyone’s cup of tea.

[Edie ray]

My sister has to have a MRI on her head every year, the doctors prescribe her Valium or some sort of tablet to calm her down

Even though she dreads it, it is now manageable

[jo williams]

Yes I asked them to stop after 20 minutes couldn’t take anymore and refused to go back in, luckily they had what they needed. I would ask for sedation if had to have another.

[Bridget]

I had my first one about three weeks ago and hated it, however I didn't press the button but I thought my heart was going to burst it was beating so blinking hard and fast. I trying to tell myself to calm the flip down but I couldn't! Well it took a good 15 minutes before I relaxed (a little) I was getting a pelvic exam and thought I would be okay as I didn't think I would have to go right into the machine but then the radiographer said we are doing abdomen and chest too and my heart sank so I had to go right in. Thankfully feet first and not head. Thank goodness they give you earphones because those noises are horrendous!

I heard if you have bad claustrophobia or panic attack they can do a CT scan which is a lot better. That's the one that looks like a giant Polo mint