Anybody else get "freaked" when they roll you into the MRI tube?  Tonight I had them switch me into the "open" MRI machine because I became anxious and flushed and pulse increased when they put me in the closed tube...  I felt like such a winey baby, had to wait an extra 25 minutes to get the open machine but it was much more tolerable knowing that I could scramble out of it in case of emergency....?? like what kind of emergency I have no idea....  anyway, i made it through and will get results in the coming weeks.

Anybody else claustrophobic in those damn machines?  lol....   :(  (and thanks again to all for all the great support at ch.com)

Bluedog

Dear Bluedog:

I can tolerate the MRI's, but they make me a touch claustrophobic.  I now ask the referring doctor for a 5 mg valium and I take it an hour before.  That takes the edge off for me.  

Don't feel bad, a lot of people have that closed in feeling about them.  Personally, the knocking sound is what drives me out of my brain....


Ray

I have an awful fear of being confined in the MRI unit.  The only way I can go in is to close my eyes before they start moving me in and to keep my eyes glued shut for the entire proceedure.  It works.

Well, the sound of the machine tuning is a definite trigger for Gary, so he knows going into it he's going to get an attack within the first minute or two of being tied in there.  In June of last year, he threw up while strapped in and nearly choked to death - so open, closed, it doesn't matter.  They freak him out.  

He won't go to a facility any more that doesn't have a "panic button" he can hang on to available.  When they lock his head down, he's already explained to the tech his fear, so they'll spend a few minutes letting him practice releasing himself so he knows he can get out quick if he needs to.

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Quick note on MRIs.  The quality of the scan is a function of the strength of the magnet used, measured in "tesla".  "Open" MRIs are by definition lower-resolution scans - usually 0.3 tesla.  High resolution MRIs are 1.5 or 3.0 tesla.  There are "open bore" 1.5T machines (where the hole is larger, but the sides are not open), but to truly get a high resolution image, the machine cannot be an "open" MRI.  We could have spared Gary at least one MRI by having had this information, because his new neuro put no stock in the MRI he had with the "open MRI" machine and made him go get one in a higher resolution machine.  If they're just trying to rule out gross tumors or see your sinuses, a 0.3 tesla machine is fine.  But if they're looking for lesions or anything, it really needs to be done in a higher resolution machine, because an "all clear" in a lower-strength magnet machine doesn't mean much.    :(

Laurie

I'm very claustrophic and have a problem with them, but have learned to "drift" off into another world BEFORE they roll me in and stay there (thinking of open spaces and spring breezes) while they do their thing. It's worked for years and I've gotten thru a bunch of them that way.

Valium works also if you're really in a state. I just have a really low tolerance to valium, so I learned the "drift off" technique after my first panic attack.

Hugs BD

I'm not claustrophobic much but the sound ain't all that pleasant.

I have some other issues about them too.

Charlie

I had my second one in Jan of this year, I thought as I   had one before its nothing - but it was on my ankle and they only stuck my leg in.  

I was so unprepared for the feeling of panic that over toook me.  I was rolled in  and then major panic, they rolled me out quick time, I blubbered for 5 mins, got my breathing under control and thought it is only a tube I  can do this.  Second time in the machine I was OK the sound does not bother me, but being trapped did.  I even fell asleep in the end as I was in there 50 Minutes.  

But sure would not want another any time soon

I usually end up falling asleep almost to the thuud thuuud thuuuud drrrrrrrrr.  Not very claustrophobic but I guess the open ones are better because you don't feel like you are about to be shipped off to outer space...weeee!!!!!  :D

Thanks for all the responses....  that was the first I have heard of the open MRI not being as effective as the closed...  maybe next time I'll have to get the script for valium ...  and I find it interesting that the staff at the radiology center did NOT mention anything about the superiority of the closed vs open... hmmmm

Anyway, good to know I'm not the only one that does not feel comfortable in the torpedo tube....  can't explain the fear but you know you have it when you get real hot and have some shortness of breath (all nervous reactions) just knowing that you are confined does something to your head...  what if I can't get out?  lol whatever!

PFDAN to all and hope your holiday season is peaceful!

BLUEDOG

I personally don't mind an MRI.

Your thread reminded me of the KC Chiefs player several years ago that freaked out and caused about $500,000.00 in damage when he decided to bail out.

I didn't mind it at all & actually dozed off for a while, best little power snore Iv'e had in a while.
Barry