So I flunked my test this morning

One of the hospitals here has an "open" MRI machine -- is that a possibility for you?

I have had to have an MRI on my knee & my foot in the past and it was torture. Just my leg went into the tube and I was freaking out having to lay there and be as still as possible for 45 minutes.

If it was my head in the tube I would have failed as bad as you did. I hope they can knock you out for it. With all of our technology today why in the world do we need to insert ourselves in tube for 45 minutes? It's just torture!

I can't imagine laying still for 45 minutes IN A TUBE! I have only experienced an open MRI and I'm sure I would have flunked tube MRI also. Hope they can find an alternative method to assist the docs in your diagnosis/treatment.

I have a friend that just went into remission for throat cancer. For her MRIs, she had to use a face cage. Freaked out on more than one occasion, and getting tranquilizers was still like pulling teeth.

Even for her radiation. 

I think they have to have at least a nurse to give it and a doctor to prescribe it. They're just cheap.

If you can do a CAT scan, the open is really similar in how it works. 

DH's has had many, all without sedation. I could NOT do it. Just the thought of it makes me ill.

I've told my husband several times that we're in real trouble if I ever need an mri. I know I would react just like you. Claustrophobia and back pain. It just won't happen.

You are not alone. I had to have 3 MRI's on my back about 9 months ago. I had had one done before because I was having migraines and I didn't like it but there was a mirror in the tube and I could see out so I was able to talk my way through it. This time, not so much. I started to panic as soon as I went in the tube. And I was saying to myself, it will be ok, there's a mirror up here and I will be able to see out, it will be ok once I get there. There was no mirror!!! I panicked and by the time she got me out (which was less than a minute) I was shaking and in tears. I've never had that much of an issue with closed spaces but now I do!

I had mine rescheduled at the open MRI and I was able to do it. I wasn't completely fine and still felt a little panicky but I could see out the sides and I was able to talk myself through it. As far as the pain from laying in one position for so long, they put my lower legs on a rest and made me comfortable before they started the MRI. I was uncomfortable by the time it was done but not to the point that I was hurting really bad. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this too. I hope you are able to get it worked out.

I've had this done.  It was horrible.  Every time the machine moved, I thought I was going to throw up.   But where would it go my head strapped down and not being able to move?  Into my eyes!  The only thing that kept me going was that a CT has shown a spot in my brain.  I knew something was there, I knew I had to come back again if I didn't complete the scan, and I knew I had to be awake.  

The good news was that the spot was just scar tissue from a sinus infection, not a tumor.  But holy moly, that was a long 50 minutes!

So sorry you had to experience that Hope you can find a solution.

You are absolutely not crazy. When I had my first MRI years ago, I had no idea what to expect. It was way before the days of Dr. Google. I went by myself - no big deal. Until I got in there. It was awful. And I had to lay prone with my head hyperextended and clamped down. I made it through (open wasn't an option back in those days), but I had to sit in the waiting room of the hospital for a good hour before I could drive home.

I've had a couple of others since then of other body parts and although uncomfortable, I haven't had the same experience, but I know for sure that if I have to have one where I go all the way in, I would have to have someone drive me so that I could take xanax or something beforehand.

I was prescribed Valium last year but managed without it. Would a sedative help you ?

I was on my stomach for a breast MRI. The first time I made the mistake of putting my face down because I didn't want my neck to be sore. It was horrible for my breathing because I didn't feel like I was getting fresh air. The second time, I turned my head to the side so I could get fresher air and asked for more blankets on my ribs since the position with the breasts involves something to connect, if I recall correctly, and the gap jabbed my rib.

I'm not sure that I could lie on my back and having it so close to my face. If I was teeny tiny then I might feel like I had more room and be a little better.

Good luck! I'm supposed to get one for my back, but I'm trying a few other things before I put myself through that.