Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 4, 2020 1:15:00 GMT
It took a lot of Ativan but I made it through with no fear and even caught myself snoring a couple times. Lol. Thanks for all your good thoughts...I think it felt hard to have this unexpected big hurdle already when I know there are so many more coming. So thanks for encouraging me, Peas.
(OP) I need to have an MRI of my breast (cancer) so my surgeon can decide whether to do surgery first or chemo first. I've never had one, I'm very claustrophobic. I thought this one could be okay because I have to be on my front rather than my back, and I thought I could do that.
Well, I lasted about 20 seconds in that thing before I had to hit the panic button. My head was in this plastic donut facing down, I had to be motionless, and then something came down and pinned my hips and I started hyperventilating.
So now my surgeon is supposed to call in some oral sedative for me, I have no idea what, and they'll try it again Wed morning. I can't imagine any level of consciousness short of a coma that will enable me to do this. The diagnostic place does not do sedation, so I have to rely on whatever pills I get.
I'm panicking. This is the first step to starting my treatment, which has taken forever to get started, which is also making me anxious. And I can't do it. Now that I know what it's like, I'm even more terrified to have it done. It has to get done Wed. I'm literally sick about it all. So if you have any positive stories of taking a pill and breezing through an MRI, I need to hear them!
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snyder
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Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Feb 4, 2020 1:19:25 GMT
Is there any way you could have it done in an open MRI. I drove 50 miles from home to hat it done. It was not totally open, but definitely gave me more room to breath. Sorry you are going through this.
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ashley
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Posts: 3,400
Jun 17, 2016 12:36:53 GMT
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Post by ashley on Feb 4, 2020 1:20:39 GMT
You can do it! Can you focus on some math or recite poetry in your head to distract? Remind yourself over and over that it won’t last long and nothing bad will happen?
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 4, 2020 1:24:43 GMT
You can do it! Can you focus on some math or recite poetry in your head to distract? Remind yourself over and over that it won’t last long and nothing bad will happen? I don't know 30 minutes' worth of math OR poetry, lol. This is an adrenaline lizard brain panic, I'm afraid!
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Post by wordfish on Feb 4, 2020 1:25:46 GMT
I had a shoulder MRI a couple months ago and that's when I learned I need to keep my eyes closed the entire time. I have a tremendous imagination and that's what I used to get through it. I also don't think I am particularly claustrophobic--but there were still some moments. The "keeping still" thing started to freak me out.
My husband *is* very claustrophobic and he has to have an open MRI. If that's not an option for you, I hope the meds work, Mystie. They really can make a huge difference.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Feb 4, 2020 1:26:07 GMT
Is there any way you could have it done in an open MRI. I drove 50 miles from home to hat it done. It was not totally open, but definitely gave me more room to breath. Sorry you are going through this. I may have to ask about that. I see my oncologist for the first time tomorrow, maybe he will have some thoughts.
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
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Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Feb 4, 2020 1:26:34 GMT
I had an MRI a few years ago. I had to keep my eyes closed the whole time and imagine I was somewhere else. They had headphones so I could listen to music, and that helped a lot.
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
Jun 17, 2016 12:36:53 GMT
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Post by ashley on Feb 4, 2020 1:28:09 GMT
You can do it! Can you focus on some math or recite poetry in your head to distract? Remind yourself over and over that it won’t last long and nothing bad will happen? I don't know 30 minutes' worth of math OR poetry, lol. This is an adrenaline lizard brain panic, I'm afraid! You can add 2+2 over and over, or say the same nursery rhyme. Just keep at it.
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Post by kernriver on Feb 4, 2020 1:31:58 GMT
In the future, if you have any kind of panic-inducing procedure, demand medication. Maybe find out how long the mri will last. That helps me to think, ‘it’s only going to last xx minutes...I can do that’. I feel for ya.
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Post by idahopea on Feb 4, 2020 1:40:24 GMT
I always pretend I'm at the ocean and they are doing some construction in the background (due to the noise). I ask to have the cold air blowing near my head even if it feels a bit cold. I also ask them not to talk to me between tests because that only adds to the time in the tunnel and I think it seems longer if they say the next test takes 5 minutes than if they just run all the tests one after the other. I hope you are able to get through it! I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday. Remember you need to have a driver to take you home if you take the sedating medication.
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Post by peano on Feb 4, 2020 1:40:49 GMT
First, Mystie, I didn’t realize you were fighting cancer and I’m sorry to hear it. I guess I missed that discussion here.
I have had numerous MRIs over the past few years, and I’m facing another one soon for a whole new issue. I have claustrophobia, but for some reason, I don’t mind them, because unlike an elevator, I’m the only person in there. Like someone else said, I always keep my eyes closed. I’ve been offered headphones with music of my choice, but strangely, I find the sounds created by the MRI sort of musical in a rhythmic way. I’ve also done the thing where I visualize going to a beautiful place like a beach.
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janeinbama
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Jan 29, 2015 16:24:49 GMT
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Post by janeinbama on Feb 4, 2020 1:42:10 GMT
I "flunked" my first time in MRI for my shoulder. Re-scheduled and I was given a RX for 2 pills to relax me, don't recall what it was, but my DH had to drive me. No problems the second time. I had an MRI on my knee prior and was able to stand that. A friend of mine told me that she just prayed for everyone she knew by name the entire time she was in the machine. I did do that too.
Funny thing though, my DH is a big guy and had to have an MRI on his back and hips. They put wax paper by his shoulders so he could slide in!!! I would not have even laid down in that thing!
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Post by idahopea on Feb 4, 2020 1:45:21 GMT
Edited to add: I've had both and the open MRI was a bigger tunnel. It seemed more spacious to me. It's not as big as a CT scanner, but definitely more open than a regular MRI and the edges of my body didn't get squished in when you go in like they do in a regular one. I hope that makes sense.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Feb 4, 2020 1:51:36 GMT
I feel for you, really, I’ve been there. Definitely ask about an open MRI, but even some of those are not fully open. What helps me is to close my eyes, or put a cloth over my eyes (for my head MRI where they secure your head in place and I couldn’t handle it). I also have to zone out. I tell the technician it’s ok to talk to me but please don’t expect an answer because that will take me out of the zone.
Also remember it isn’t a straight 30 minutes (probably?). Mine have been varied where you’re in for 7 minutes, then 2 minutes, then 5 minutes, for example. It’s best not to get out of the tube during this time and just keep going, but it helps to tell yourself it’s only 7 minutes...you can do 7 minutes, etc.
I like to try square breathing - breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. Or reciting something in my head I know well, like a favorite book or movie.
I know you’re panicking, but look at the tube when you get there. Your legs and feet are out. Your arms are out the other end. It’s a total of 4-5 feet? You’re not going to get stuck. They can get you out in seconds if need be. Nothing is going to happen to you. You really can do this. You will be so proud of yourself when you’ve finished.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Feb 4, 2020 1:53:29 GMT
I've only had a head MRI. I did have to keep my eyes closed because they had a mirror for you to "see" out of the tube, and that just made me super disoriented and dizzy. But I did okay because my legs stayed out of the machine. Does your whole body have to go in, or do they only go to the waist?
Since it's the thing that pinned your hips that caused you to panic, I wonder if it would be helpful to you to have the MRI tech show you all the parts of the MRI machine, including that, and walk you through the steps of the whole thing before you go back in the next time. (Maybe you can go in on a day you're not having the MRI.) Being able to visualize each part of the process might help you... it's how I cope with flying on a plane: the whole flight is three hours, it will take twenty minutes to get to cruising altitude, then thirty minutes to drink orders, thirty minutes to snack, thirty minutes of quiet, thirty minutes for trash, thirty minutes to prep for landing. So maybe you can break up the MRI in your head.
Maybe you need to have someone read you 2peas posts over the speaker...
Lots of positive thoughts for you!
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Post by refugeepea on Feb 4, 2020 1:54:25 GMT
So now my surgeon is supposed to call in some oral sedative for me, I have no idea what, and they'll try it again Wed morning. I can't imagine any level of consciousness short of a coma that will enable me to do this. The diagnostic place does not do sedation, so I have to rely on whatever pills I get. Don't feel bad! I did this when I got epidural steroid injections in my back. I don't mind needles, but I couldn't see when it was about to be put in my back. Knowing something sharp was about to poke me, made me too jumpy. It didn't make me really weird at all and helped me.
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Post by kelbel827 on Feb 4, 2020 1:54:50 GMT
I loved mine. The rhythmic noise knocked me out so fast they couldn’t get me headphones fast enough. I’m really claustrophobic too. It was the best sleep I had in a long time. Maybe focus on the noise instead of the machine.
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Post by malibou on Feb 4, 2020 1:55:07 GMT
I'm sorry you are facing this struggle on top of the reason you are there.
I've had several MRIs and most of mine have had headphones available so you can listen to music. Personally, I always go in with a meal I need to plan. For me nothing distracts me quite like planning a really nice meal, and I don't actually like to cook.
I will send out good vibes for a headspace that will see you thru this.
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Dani-Mani
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Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Feb 4, 2020 2:17:43 GMT
They don’t bother me so I can’t help. I love the whirring. The close space. I’m clearly a freak.
A friend of mine couldn't have an open MRI but did ask for the one they use for obese people even though she’s not obese. She had much more room.
Research them carefully. Yes, some facilities are crazy expensive but they also offer AirPods and Apple Music ana Spotify so...
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Post by jmd74 on Feb 4, 2020 2:59:56 GMT
I have no advice but you are in my thoughts! You CAN do this!
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chendra
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Posts: 2,860
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Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Feb 4, 2020 3:14:31 GMT
I also failed my first MRI. Hyperventilation, panic and tears! I even had an "open" MRI, which was not nearly open enough for this claustrophobic person. It was like a sandwich and I was the filling. Something about not having room to sit up just unnerves me.
The second attempt was completely different. They gave me Versed (midazolam) and I just.did.not.care that my head was clamped in a cage and I was a sandwich filling. I was able to reach my hand out the side so my husband could hold it. Both he and the tech talked to me in between takes and I was calmly uttering pure nonsense, apparently. Something about George Bush Sr. entering a cake decorating contest. I was pretty sedated the rest of the day, but I think I could have even done a regular MRI with that drug on board.
All that to say, they know about people like us. Trust that the medication will work. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I wish you the best!
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Post by annie on Feb 4, 2020 3:16:41 GMT
Lots of Xanax is the only way I get through. Hugs!!!
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Post by roberta on Feb 4, 2020 3:21:47 GMT
Medication and headphones. Is someone driving you? I am sorry you have to go through this. Sorry I don’t have better ideas for you.
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Post by elaine on Feb 4, 2020 3:23:07 GMT
(((Hugs)))
Hopefully the sedation medicine will do the trick!
Unfortunately, cancer treatment involves a lot of scheduling procedures and waiting. It is so hard because once you find out you have cancer in your body, you just want it out of there as soon as possible, but there are all these appointments you have to schedule and do first.
Don’t tough it out and ask for sedation meds for any procedure you think might bother you. I took some sedation meds for when they put my chemo port in, even though they were optional. It is okay to use meds to make the whole process easier - you have a long haul ahead of you and it is okay to take what you need to get through it.
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Post by norcalscrapper on Feb 4, 2020 3:42:00 GMT
I hate to tell you, but breast MRI cannot be done in an open MRI . They will probably give you a couple valium to help you get through the scan. Another additional idea would be to see if you have a close friend that can stand in the room with you and hold your hand. Sometimes just knowing someone is there can help a lot. Just make sure they have no contraindications that would prevent them from having an MRI themselves such as a pacemaker etc, since they will be standing so close to the magnet. You got this!!!! Attachments:
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Post by ameslou on Feb 4, 2020 3:44:01 GMT
This is not an MRI experience, but maybe it will be helpful. When I was in labor with my first child, my epidural “worked” by paralyzing me from the waist down except for the actual labor pains, which I felt in excruciating detail. It was like being an animal trapped in one of those toothy traps. Painful and terrifying all at the same time. The only way I endured was because my mom was there, coaching my breathing through each contraction. I was aware of the pain and her voice and that was it. So - can you have something to concentrate on other than your surroundings?
Since then, when I am faced with something that scares me or that I don’t think I can overcome, I think back to that awful experience and remind myself that I was brave then and I can be brave now. Do you have a past experience you can draw on?
I pray for a successful MRI experience, excellent medical care and remission from this cancer.
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Post by volunteergirl on Feb 4, 2020 3:44:46 GMT
Valium and the DH holding my ankle for the first one. Xanax and my DH holding my knee for the second one.
I am very claustrophobic and I didn’t even care what they did. I even slept!
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Post by tracyarts on Feb 4, 2020 3:47:28 GMT
I have to have head MRIs fairly regularly and I think of the noise as some kind of intense techno-industrial music and focus on the rhythm and pattern within it. It helps me not freak out and have a panic attack. First, Mystie, I didn’t realize you were fighting cancer and I’m sorry to hear it. I guess I missed that discussion here. I have had numerous MRIs over the past few years, and I’m facing another one soon for a whole new issue. I have claustrophobia, but for some reason, I don’t mind them, because unlike an elevator, I’m the only person in there. Like someone else said, I always keep my eyes closed. I’ve been offered headphones with music of my choice, but strangely, I find the sounds created by the MRI sort of musical in a rhythmic way. I’ve also done the thing where I visualize going to a beautiful place like a beach.
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Post by PNWMom on Feb 4, 2020 4:14:04 GMT
Oh, gosh--I've talked about my breast MRI so many times! It was soooo comfortable! If you like getting massages, this felt similar to me, as far as the set up. They had me lie down on a specially padded table that was super comfy with boob cutouts so they weren't all smooshed. It was honestly so comfy and relaxing, I'd be happy to do it again. Maybe have your mindset be that you are lying down for a relaxing massage and keep that in your head? I could have napped in there, it was literally that comfortable.
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Post by peano on Feb 4, 2020 4:19:23 GMT
I have to have head MRIs fairly regularly and I think of the noise as some kind of intense techno-industrial music and focus on the rhythm and pattern within it. It helps me not freak out and have a panic attack. Exactly! I just couldn't come up with the words for "intense techno-industrial music", LOL. Thanks!
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