I am claustrophobic too and when they tried to do a regular MRI on me I freaked out before they had even begun and said, get me out, get me out and they did. Then they scheduled me for an open MRI and I was scared I wouldn't do it better but they said bring along a music CD and they played it while they were doing the MRI. I also took a lock of Dusty's tail to hold onto to keep me calm.