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

[gp200ts1]

the thing is the staff were very unsympathetic and made me feel awful for not continuing.

[Trouble3]

Originally Posted by gp200ts1

the thing is the staff were very unsympathetic and made me feel awful for not continuing.

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Then they are crap at their job. I've had quite a few MRIs and yes I've panicked a few times, always the staff have helped to reassure me and get thru it (obvs some better than others). If I was you I'd tell your consultant how the staff made you feel and that you want it reported; if they aren't told, nothing will change.

Some tips that I've picked up over the years are:
If you're going for a head MRI, they put a "cage" over your head; always ask for the mirror to be attached to the cage... then you can see the MRI technician and it doesn't feel as claustrophobic.
If no cage, take a fabric eye mask and put it on before going into the MRI... so you don't see how close the "roof" of the machine is; tricks your brain, if like me you're claustrophobic.
Always ask for music thru their headphones, loud.

It's gotten worse for me to have MRI's over the years, as I'm going deaf, so can't hear very well once the hearing aids are out... then take my glasses out of the equation as well and I'm snookered. Totally understand that old saying now "let me put my glasses on, so I can hear you".