Hey guys,

Haven't been very well for a few weeks and my GP wants me to go for one
of these soon and I'm dreading it :(

Has anybody had one? They look really claustraphobic .. Panicking
at the mere thought of it ...

Got myself a bit freaked out at the start cos I have to go a neurological surgical
consult on Thursday as well, just wondered if it's really as bad as I'm
starting to think ....

Sharon
X

I've had one and I'll be honest they are a bit claustrophobic if your head and body have to go in :-(

The worst part is that you have to lay perfectly still for about half an hour but I was like 'I've got an itch here, and there, and there.....'

And it's pretty noisy so you have wear headphone thingys.

Just close your eyes and try and go to sleep....

I had one in January and I was absolutely dreading it.  I needn't have worried.  The guys who were doing it couldn't have been nicer.  They play music through the headphones so you don't notice the noise too much and they also ask if you're ok and need to move a muscle or two between each 4 or 6 minute burst.  The only thing I found was that I got quite cold.  There really is nothing to worry about :)

Debs

I had one a few years ago. Yes it is a bit cosy in there, but no pain! I found it a bit warm in the scanner & they blow cool air through. I didn't have earphones, but they talked to me via speakers & they were very nice people. I just thought of lovely things, warm beachy holidays etc!  If you do feel a bit panicky just let them know, don't suffer in silence! At one point I must of felt a bit worried because they stopped the scan &  a nurse came & held my hand!
Nothing to worry about at all. :-)

I have had a few MRI scans, they are a little claustrophobic,  i  hate being enclosed!! but it isn't that bad, the music is a distraction and helps you relax.
It will be over before you know it, they also give you a buzzer.

Best of luck
Hayley

All I can say is close your eyes!!! And they are very load

Daughter Sophie had to have an MRI scan three years ago before her operation for scoliosis, she was only  14 and coped okay ...you may have to wait for several weeks for the results though

Hi Sharon,
I've now had three MRI, in three different hospitals two very recently, and am having another one in four months.
One gave me headphones with very loud Robbie Williams playing which cut out the noise!! and another two gave me ear plugs. Each hospital is different. They arn't as bad as you think. Use a knee pad if one is offered, it helps laying still for so long and is more comfortable.

My advise - This is what I did. I close my eyes before I go in, then imagine I am back on holiday with my family
or I go for a long walk with my dogs.
Honestly it's not that bad, just noisey.
Good Luck. :-)
Chris

Thanks guys :)

You've made me a little more relaxed about it :)
I think it's just the dread of the unknown isn't it?

Robbie Williams playing loudly through headphones .... Mmm Dunno ;)

Now One Republic loudly through headphones .. that I could cope with :)

Sharon
X

Some will let you take your own CD!
I didn't appreciate Robbie :-(

Yeah I know what you mean ... He's quite easy on the eye though :)

When I had mine I was told to bring in a couple of DVDs of my own choosing!

I don't think it helped watching poor Susan on Neighbours
have one a couple of weeks ago ....

Yes I am a fully, fledged Saddo I'm afraid ;)
X

i had my last one a couple of months ago
its mad that some hospitals send the scan results abroad to be typed up! thats why it takes so long to come back!
i had the scans on my ankles so it wasnt chlostraphobic for me and i could take my own cds

I don't know how claustrophic youare.  If you are extremely claustrophobic you can have it under sedation but you'd be waiting longer to have it done and you would have to ask whoever referred you to see if it could be done this way.

Of our patients in the 13 years I've worked in the department I've only known of 3 who haven't been able to go through with it.

Thanks for that, I'm sure I'll be fine.

It's not really that I'm claustraphobic, the problem was the whole thing, you know.
Just trying not to stress out too much about it, what will be will be I suppose ..
I just want to get whatever it is sorted, and start getting my life back besides anything
else ... I miss walking my dogs :)

Hopefully, it's just something relatively simple like a trapped/damaged nerve causing
me all the problems, and not something more sinister, but thanks you've all been great.

Sharon
X

I hope all goes well for you Sharon - I have my first MRI scan on Tuesday and being claustrophobic, Im not looking forward to it. Ive been told I can take a cd with me and play it thru headphones and I will also be given a panic button! The neurologist has already told me that the result for MS will come back as positive so its just a matter of seeing how the scan comes  back and what more it tells him. Great. I'll just get them to turn the cd up and try to go to sleep!! LOL

Oh good luck sharon my daughter has had 2 a year since she was about 2yrs old (shes now nearly 9) as someone said laying perfectly still is the hard part!! its utterly boring last year my daughter then aged 8 said "if they play me the simpsons again i'm refusing to do it" lol she wore odd glasses that reflected from a tv screen..

I have had a number of MRI scans. I do suffer from caustiphobia and each time NEVER get any easier. How I deal withit is think of the worst thing you have ever had to have done to you, then it doesnt seem to bad, it doesnt hurt, it will probably be the quietest half hour you will spend. A very limited number of hospitals in the UK now do open MRI scans ask your hospital if they do or perhaps a hospital near you do them. Results? well the longer you wait the better the result. I got a phone call the day after I had mine. NOT the result I wanted. good luck.

Thanks, I seen the consultant on Thursday and she's put
me on a short notice list to have the scan, prob get a call
in the morning and have to go in the afternoon ...
Must admit I am a little more settled with it, she thinks it's
one of my bigger discs in my neck that's slipped and is trapping
my nerve pathway which controls my left hand side. The scan
will rule out a tumour or anything sinister and also let her see extent of damage :(
It may require surgery which obviously they're not keen on as it's so close
to my spinal cord .. and I'm not either :)
I know in all probability it's probably not going to be anything bad although I'd
talked myself into it, but until they've had a look at the scan and say it's
definately not .. then I'll relax :)
But thanks so much for all your advice re cd's and what have you, I'll
keep you all updated,

Had one done two years ago, and they arent bad.  I am somewhat clostrophobic, but not real bad.  I just closed my eyes, and started thinking about nice things. 

Then all of a sudden, I was being woken up.  Yup, I fell asleep.  Helped though, that I had been worrying about it the night before, and didnt get to much sleep.  Was so tired.

Anyways, good luck!!!!!  Try not to worry to much about it.  (I know easier said than done)

Hope all's OK.  After having severe pain and loss of some use in my right arm and hand 4 years ago I know what you are going through.  Took 6 months of physio and never really found out what triggered it, although I don't think the heavy bag full of bottles dropped on my head by an air stewardess helped!!  Still don't have proper feeling in my thumb but I can lie down now etc. and sleep which I was unable to do for nearly 4 months.

Just wanted to wish you well kiddo :)   I've had a few of these and first time round I was petrified as I'm no use in confined spaces at all but it was more bearable than I expected and I just forced myself to focus on the benefits of getting a proper and full diagnosis  :)

Good luck, Teri x

Thanks guys .. I really appreciate your support :)