Brain MRI

Thank you for your replies. I’ve had a few phone conversations with MRI department. I’m generally a calm person don’t suffer with anxiety. However this caused me anxiety. I feel I need to go down the diazepam route as recommended by a lot of you , no amount of attempting to relax, switched my mind from causing me to panic. Thank you.

Ask the mri department about the scan and if they use any distractions to help relax you. I had several brain and spine scans over last year and they let me choose the music to go through the headphones. I had Cat Stevens playing for an hour plus I had a video screen to watch which showed underwater sealife. The staff were lovely and very accommodating to try to ensure I was as comfortable as possible.
Perhaps your hospital has something similar ?

My Dh has had a brain scan and although he’s a very pragmatic, calm man, he came out saying ‘that was a nightmare’. Never again!
My Dd has had 2 brain scans and said ‘it was fine’ and just dozed off.
I would have to have sedation as I am claustrophobic and fidgety . Hope I never have to have one. 🙏.

I think you need the Valium.

I’m sure that the clinical staff are very used to people who are anxious and would be happy to give you sedation. This would calm you down and you’d find the whole experience would be over before you know it. Just tell them how you feel.

Dotty Clenching fists may not be helpful as it tenses the whole body.

I just close my eyes and clench my fists very tightly. I found it very scary every time but I persevered.

One of my children had one when they were 9. I was allowed to sit at the end and stroke her feet so she didn't feel alone. She dealt with it really well. At the end they said she was the best patient of the day, she was the last appointment of the day, and they took her into where they sit and showed her the film of her brain. She was very interested. She had a teacher who had a habit of saying, "have you got a brain in there" (not very nice) but DD was so excited waiting for the next time she said it, she'd rehearsed her answer "yes and I've seen it."

Could someone go with you? Not sure if you'd like your feet stroked.

I haven't had an MRI, but for the dentist (and recently for eye injections) I use my antenatal relaxation exercises. Basically, you take one limb at a time and relax it (starting with the fingers of one hand, then the arm while keeping the hand muscles relaxed) then you move on to repeat on the other arm (without tensing up the first one!) then each foot and leg. Once all limbs are heavy and relaxed you relax your shoulders and other body muscles and your head and neck, and check that nothing has become unrelaxed while your attention was on sonewhere else. Meanwhile you are breathing regularly in and out, as others have described.

While you are concentrating on all this, the thing that you were so uptight about is probably over and done with - and was more likely to be painfree if the muscles in your body are not tensed against it.

If you are claustrophobic then any amount of advice to "just relax" doesn't cut it unfortunately.

Ask your GP for Diazepam.

Taking a couple doesn’t make you drowsy.

I think Valium is the same as diazepam

I use diazepam, as a relaxant. I can’t open my mouth very wide so use it when I visit the dentist or if my jaw locks.
It’s not easy to get though but am sure your gp Woukd prescribe you just a couple.
I usually take two 5 mg but have taken 4, which my gp said I was ok. You are always able to walk talk hear, etc etc but it does what it says on the tin, it relaxes.
My dh was given one begire his cataract surgery at the hospital.

I had one, it was ok but the music was so loud.

It will be easier this time as you know what to expect, yes it is noisy but you know it does not hurt, keep your eyes closed and breath deeply, concentrate on something such as the weeks meal planning or your times tables.

If you dont have it whatever is ailing you it could get worse or delay any necessary treatment.

Nell82 good idea re keeping my mind of it. That’s what I have trouble with my wind wanders into all sorts of scenarios then the panic sets it. Thank you

During a 45 minute scan I closed my eyes and played games involving the alphabet e.g. thinking of the names of girls and boys (Alice and Andrew, Belinda and Brian), towns, plants etc. Combined with breathing exercises it acted as a distraction and helped the time pass.

My GP gave me a script for Valium, so I took 5 MGhalf a hour before . I also took a sleep mask, and wore it so I wouldn't see the machine. I had no problems at all.

Thank you for the replies it’s comforting to hear other people’s experiences of them. I’m usually not bothered by these sort of things, I’m normally just a get on with it sort of person. However I didn’t even know I was claustrophobic until I had this done. They explained the loud clonking noise is when the machine is taking the actual photos, I’m ok with the noise. I had head phones on with music and the radiographer spoke to me every 5 minutes through the head phones but I seemed to let my thoughts get the better of me and just couldn’t pull them back and the panic set in. I’m thinking maybe get diazepam on hand and if nearer the time I feel it’s getting out of control I can take one. Do they just make you drowsy, I’m not a pill taker if I can help it and can’t stomach codeine as they make me feel like a zombie so am just interested to know the effects of diazepam.

I have had a couple of these scans over the last twelve months.The first time like you just as I thought I couldn’t stand anymore it was over.
The second time I had ear plugs and also closed my eyes before I went into the scanner.I concentrated on my breathing the whole time which I found relaxed me as much as you can be relaxed in the scanner.

I've had 4 or 5, having had a stroke and then a tumour being found.

Yes, having the mesh thing over the face is horrible, but at 2 of the MRIs, there was music playing through the headphones (the hospital had set that up) and I also kept thinking of various holidays, family occasions and even people I'd worked with. Anything to distract me.

I hate having mri scans they are so noisy the only way I can get through them is by closing my eyes

If it’s that bad then diazepam will help relax you. If you can, speak to your doctor.

It’s important you get this done so practice breathing in for 5 out for 7 count it all and it will be over sooner than you think.

Juicylucy I have had many brain MRIs but they are not so frightening as in 1988 when I had my first one . The machine took up a whole room and the cage over my head only had only little slits to see out of it was pitch black. . I was in 45 mins . After that I hated confided spaces. But over the years they got better.

I still hate MRIs but have had them on my brain ,spine and my heart. I only have one pillow under my head if they offer one and always have a wedge under my knees to protect my back. I have the ear plugs that go in your ears . I concentrate on a spot on the ceiling of the tunnel and stay still and do my post natal breathing exercises . When the bed moves I concentrate on another spot . The longest I have been in the tunnel was just over 90 mins.

Machines are lit and not as noisy as they used to . But they are a brilliant at diagnosising the smallest thing now .

If you want I think you can have mild sedation but I haven't bothered . I just want to get them over with. I have a rare hereditary neurological condition and my limbs stiffen so I need help getting off the bed and help to walk at first.

I always wear my slippers when I have a MRI as it's cold in the room and keeps my feet warm .

If you need to press the button do so and come out for a few minutes before going back it. But if you can try not to panic and if you can stay still it will be over . I know it feels like forever. But they want to compare the other scan with the new one .

Hope all goes well for you.

I have had two fairly recently, and it did not bother me. Since I did not want to hear music, I decided to close my eyes and have a nap.

The clunks were explained, and I was told at the time, but they did not bother me. Maybe you should plan your next holiday or your next shopping list. the time will soon go.

My advice is to practise breathing calmly as you tell yourself that every breathe is taking you nearer to when it will be all over. I also told myself that I could stay in the machine because I had a panic button in my hand....meaning I was not trapped and could come out whenever I wanted to.
I hope this helps.
Good Luck x