I have to have an MRI of my lower back Can someone tell me what it's like? I've never had anything like that before. And I'm super claustrophobic

[lynn P.]

I haven't had one - but I was with someone when they had it. It's a peice of cake really. You're not totally encased - the actual circle tube you go through in only about a foot wide. Perhaps you can ask for something to relax you before you go in and you can also do some slow deep breathing exercises. When they actually take the pictures you will need to hold your breath for a second.

When the person I was with was done, her shoes were moving on the floor LOL. The magnets in the MRI machine were reacting with the nails in her shoes. Best of luck, don't worry and I hope the results will be good.

[kris9999]

I had an MRI on my back about 4 years ago. It's not that bad. I mean it is because you can't move and in you're in a small space but normally the technicians will play music and talk to you to try and keep you calm. They also gave me dye in an IV, of course my luck I got a newbie and she injected it in the wrong spot so 1/2 through the IV they had to take me out reinject me than put me back in. I was terrified, even people who aren't clausterphobic panic, it will be ok though but I suggest bringing someone for support when you go in. My panic got so bad I could barely drive and I was seeing things everywhere (schizo or DID not sure which caused that) so bring someone with you in case you can't drive as well... Good luck!!!

[ECHOES]

I have had a few MRI's, several of my abdomen and one of my back.
The technician will talk to you and that helps; it also helps to know that the technician can hear you from in there. They will tell you to breathe, to hold it, and when it's okay to exhale sometimes.
They'll also ask how you are doing and tell you about how far along the imaging procedure is. They know it can be a difficult thing to do. I always ask how long it will take when I get into the room. I think they ask if you are cluastrophobic, and if not I hope you'll let them know.

The machine moves and makes all these hilarious banging noises. That was distracting and amusing to me. Here was this big, expensive, sophisticated machine making the big banging noises that sounded anything but sophisticated. Too funny.

There are open MRI's and you might want to see if you have one near you.

The small space was trying. I found one spot to fix my eyes. Dissociation can be a helpful tool at times like this. I imagined I was lying on the beach, relaxed and thinking or daydreaming. I used my breathing techniques and several times I felt like I was at my limit right at the same time it was finished. You will likely need to have your arms over your head and they make sure you are comfortable before you begin.

I also used my breathing techniques/relaxation exercises before the procedure and envisioned myself having the procedure and finishing and being done with it.

Oh wow. I hope I can deal with this I may try to put it off.

[lynn P.]

Please don't put off the appointment. Like I said you're not completely confined and fears always make things worse than they are. The only way to get over your fears is to confront them. Close your eyes and imagine you're some place you love and it will be over within munites. You obviously need this test so don't cancel please.

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by treehouse

Oh wow. I hope I can deal with this I may try to put it off.

((((((treehouse)))))))))

I've had MRIs, CAT scans, x-rays and ultrasounds... all sorts of wonderous expensive equipment.

Do NOT put off the appointment. Yeah, it's not exactly the most pleasant experience, but it's not fully enclosed, so you're not trapped inside of it. Talk to your doctor, see if you're allowed to listen to music while having it done, or see if you can take any anxiety medication or something to calm yourself down. Practice breathing. Otherwise, sometimes people are allowed to sleep through it (I don't know how they do it, I found it loud. They gave my headphones to block out some of the sounds, and so I could hear what the people in the "control centre" were saying to me).

It is over fairly quickly. I actually find the CAT scans the worst myself. The ultrasounds are too cold and invasive (icky gel!) and I can't complain too much about the x-rays.

It's normal to be a bit anxious. But please don't put it off, because the anticipatory anxiety is a lot worse than the anxiety during the procedure.

[billieJ]

Dear Treehouse, ~ Well, close your eyes, pretend to be elsewhere and let clautrophobia go for just a few minutes. You are placed on a narrow table, with [usually padded] supports around your body to keep you from falling off. I think you are usually given an IV for contrast dye to be injected. I think you are asked to keep your arms over your head, but not sure. You and your table are then slid into a tunnel or large tube which may make loud whirring noises for awhile and then say,"let out your breath and hold . . . . . . breathe,"etc. When the dye is injected in your IV, you will experience only a warm feeling sort of down the center of your body. It's no big deal. It does take several minutes. KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED from the minute you lie down on the table if you are claustrophobic [at least I think this would be a good idea - I doubt if you would want to experience yourself going into a very large tube]. You must try hard not to move during the procedure. You CAN talk, if you can do so without gesturing! The only painful part, for most people, is the insertion of the IV needle, and this doesn't take long. It's really, really no big deal, if you'll just pretend that you're just on a table, not in a tube. Your experience may be somewhat different, but it should be essentially the same and very harmless. Think of funny things. Hoping to Help ~ billieJ

[sunrise]

I've had them done twice, and they were not as bad as I expected. I can be claustrophobic. For one of them, they asked me if I wanted a cloth over my eyes and I said yes. That way I couldn't see that I was in such a small space in the tube. If you can't see you are in a small space, then it bothers you less. You can just imagine you are lying on a bed. I could never hold my breath as long as they expected me to, but they didn't complain. I just did the best I could with the breathing.

[_embrace]

I had an MRI last year, and while I was nervous about it beforehand, it wasn't NEARLY as bad as I thought it would be. I was in the tube for 45 minutes altogether (which is pretty long, I think, but I'm not sure...I've heard other tests are about 20 minutes?) but I didn't feel as "trapped" as I thought I would. The space was small, but if I looked, I could see outside of the tube (and even when I had to lie still and *not* look, knowing that if I wanted to, I could get out really helped.)

The machine was loud, but the techs gave me earplugs and headphones with the radio on, so it wasn't headache-inducing or ear-splitting.

[ECHOES]

Tree--you can do it I hope I didn't say too much. I always feel better if I feel like I know what to expect. My experience may not be yours and the MRI is really really needed for back issues.

Sometimes when faced with something I'm anxious about I envision myself an hour after; I think about what I will be doing then. For some reason it often involves chocoate...

Sunny, I like the idea of a cloth over the eyes. That sounds very calming and soothing!

(((((((((((((everyone))))))))))))))

I really appreciate your responses. It isn't too much information at all - I really want to know what to expect.

I think having a cloth over my eyes that I can't remove (because I assume I wont be allowed to move my arms) would freak me out. I have so many weird triggers.

I talked to H and he is going to come with me. I think having someone there who can "rescue" me (irrational, I know, but it makes me feel better) will make it less scary.

tree, i had a brain mri and they said you can take an anti-anxiety pill about a half-hour beforehand. but you have to bring your own meds! i thought they were going to give me something but they didn't do that. i'm not claustrophobic but lying so still was hard. i had to have a second one done months later because i moved a tad. oops! the insurance company probably loved me for that. of course you have to have someone drive you home if you take meds but since hubby will be with you you've got that covered. it would be good to look into whether or not you can get it done where it's an open mri. most these days are not totally enclosed i think. mine wasn't. it wasn't bad. don't put it off!

[(JD)]

((((Tree))) If you are claustrophobic and it is a closed MRI machine, call your doctor and ask if you can have an OPEN MRI instead. That will still give you trouble, but it will be doable with help.

Sorry to sound gloom and doom about this, but there's no sense in you going in and not being able to do it, with all that pressure from the tech and all. Tell your doctor about your claustrophobia. If doctor blows it off, then call the tech and talk honestly with him/her. The tech can suggest to the doctor about calming meds.

If you can put the MRI off and work with a therapist about calming and visualization that can help you too, even with the open MRI. With an open MRI sometimes a worker will sit and hold your hand etc, and talk to you...and keep you from realizing where you are at. Keep your eyes closed before you are moved into the machine. Tell them to take you out as soon as you begin to feel overwhelmed... it may take them a minute or two to get to where they can.

Some machines (like for children) have mirrors so you can watch a video and not feel like you're in one.

This is important. I understand the fear of being closed in, and you surely will in a closed MRI. I developed such a fear after being trapped under that shelter that caused my disability. With virtual reality and other therapy I have had two successful MRIs (one closed, one open) with some issues, but did them since.



PM me if you want to talk further, ok?

[wanttoheal]

I definitely think having your husband there will help. When I've had them, I had a friend go with me. I squeezed their hand the whole time (and dragged them half in with me, lol, because it went in further than they could hardly reach. The lady positioned friend so their hand could be with mine and be out of the way. I think friend was very uncomfortable and stretched out (so warn husband, lol), but thankfully willing to do that for me.

I could not put a washcloth over my face either. Too many triggers. What I did was focus on the lightness outside the tunnel and kept my eyes focused no matter what (I think I dissociated through it though because it went a lot faster than they said it would). And held on tight to friend's hand. Friend also talked to me during it and while it sounded like it was from inside a tunnel (lol, I guess it was); it helped hearing their voice.

I don't remember a lot about the procedure but I do remember some part inside singing children's songs.

I know it's scary but I hope you will go ahead and get it done treehouse. Your brain will get you through it.

I called for my MRI appointment today, and since I am claustrophobic, they are scheduling me for an Open MRI. yay!

[Inny2009]

good luck with your MRI!!! Just breathe deeply and think of happy thoughts...and since its open it should be no sweat...i had a bone scan that was kinda closed but they had pictures of palm trees on the ceilings and stuff to make it seem like you were laying underneath them..i concentrated on that and pretended that i was in hawaii hehe...

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by treehouse

I called for my MRI appointment today, and since I am claustrophobic, they are scheduling me for an Open MRI. yay!

Great news, treehouse

The nurses can give you a medicine (30 min before procedure) to relax if your doctor writes the prescription. I have had way too many MRI's to count, but I have learned not to go in for the test too tired or in pain. While the test goes for 30 minutes or so, you do need to stay in the very same position throughout the imaging. Some places have earphones with music to listen to while they get images. That was the best! That really relaxed me. Call and ask if your place does have that option, or if you can bring your music.


Shez

[ECHOES]

That is great news! Whew! You must be feeling much better about getting the MRI. I am so glad you can do this to find the answers and relief you want!

Just wanted to share that I had my MRI yesterday

It was an "open" machine but still pretty scary - the top of the machine was RIGHT in front of my face and I wasn't allowed to move and I was alone in the room. I took 1 1/2 klonopin before I went and that helped. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see the machine in front of my face and kind of drifted away. But I think I kept falling asleep! I was either falling asleep or drifting in and out (I do that). The tech said it was 45 minutes but it only felt like a few minutes. He said that I was fidgety so he had to redo some pics- which is weird because I was being SO careful to lay still.

Well, anyway, it's over and I survived!!!!!! Thank you for your support here