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Open MRI
Apr 12, 2023 16:55:18 GMT
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Post by christine58 on Apr 12, 2023 16:55:18 GMT
So I have to have an MRI on Monday to check the pseudo cysts that are on my pancreas from the pancreatitis that I had so badly a year ago. I have requested an open MRI and I’m just wondering I know it’s not completely open, but has anyone had an experience in an open one compared to the normal one? I literally had a panic attack and the normal one not quite a year ago.
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 12, 2023 17:08:20 GMT
Frankly, MRI's don't bother me, at all. However, I know that many people can't tolerate them. You can talk to your doctor's office about getting a pill to relax you, so that it'll be tolerable. That will mean that you should have someone drive you. I wish you an easy scan w/normal results. Look online and you'll see photos of Open MRI. It isn't enclosed and you should be fine.
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 12, 2023 17:17:02 GMT
The open MRIs that I have had have a table you lay on with a curved thing that rotates around you. Your head is fully exposed instead of being near the opening. The center I went to had a sky to look at. Still need ear plugs and headphones to help with noise.
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Open MRI
Apr 12, 2023 17:19:16 GMT
via mobile
Post by pantsonfire on Apr 12, 2023 17:19:16 GMT
I do know there are various types too.
Some have open sides so while in a tube you aren't fully enclosed. Others rotate. Some stand you up.
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Post by lily on Apr 12, 2023 17:34:28 GMT
I had an open MRI last time for my lower back. They still slid me in but it just had like a top and a bottom, no sides so it didn't feel nearly as tight. Plus being heavyset, the regular MRI tube squeezes my arms very uncomfortably -- the open MRI did not do that at all! I still did have part of the top over my face, but I did not feel as claustrophobic. the one I was in did not rotate like someone else mentioned. Good lUck!
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Post by christine58 on Apr 12, 2023 17:37:39 GMT
Thanks all scrapmaven I’ve had them in the past and it didn’t bother me but the one I had last May truly truly caused a panic attack. I do have an anti-anxiety med I could take but as long as it’s open regardless of whether it’s the size etc.. I’m sure I’ll be OK. I was just wondering what other peoples experiences were |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,493 
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Apr 12, 2023 17:45:48 GMT
When I had one, it was like the top of the tube was 2 inches from my nose, so when I breathed out, that air bounced right back in my face and it felt like I was suffocating. The next time, I asked for open and in a city of 500,000+ people, they said they didn't have one, but would check surrounding areas. We found one 50 miles from me which wasn't horrible, so I took an appointment with them. To me it was not much different. It was just a bigger tube and my nose was now about 8" from the top of the machine. It was better, but not what I would have considered open, so I was a bit disappointed. Maybe you can call the place and find out exactly what they mean by open.
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Post by jovifan on Apr 12, 2023 18:16:54 GMT
I am claustrophobic as well, so my only MRI was in an open one.
I had a washcloth over my eyes. I also kept my shoes and socks off, as I think feeling air on them helped calm me. Like I didnt feel even more constricted.
I know they can prescribe something for you to take, but you would need a driver.
Good luck!
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Post by Texas Scrap on Apr 12, 2023 20:58:42 GMT
Mine last fall was set up where you sat down upright almost like in a ride and the machine was tall and wide on both sides of me, but open in front of me and below and above me. It still felt a little claustrophobic, but I could breathe in cool air and see out in front of me which really helped with anxiety. I’ve also done the kind that is wider but laying down.
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Post by christine58 on Apr 17, 2023 22:08:56 GMT
I survived. LOL. it was open on both sides and from my waist down approximately. The hardest part was taking a deep breath and holding my breath for what seemed and eternity. It also only took a half an hour. The last time I had an MRI 10 years ago on my knee. It was over an hour.
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Gem Girl
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 29, 2014 19:29:52 GMT
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Post by Gem Girl on Apr 17, 2023 22:58:49 GMT
christine58 Glad it was tolerable, and I hope your results are as good as possible.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Feb 26, 2024 15:04:44 GMT
I survived. LOL. it was open on both sides and from my waist down approximately. The hardest part was taking a deep breath and holding my breath for what seemed and eternity. It also only took a half an hour. The last time I had an MRI 10 years ago on my knee. It was over an hour. I know this is an old thread, but I am scheduled for an MRI on Wed. They keep asking if I am clausterphobic, and I think, no, I don't think so, but I've never had an MRI before. What should I bring with me? I guess it is loud? I know not to wear metal. But should i bring headphones? earplugs? I wonder if I should call and ask if it is an open one or regular one? |
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Post by christine58 on Feb 26, 2024 16:31:21 GMT
I survived. LOL. it was open on both sides and from my waist down approximately. The hardest part was taking a deep breath and holding my breath for what seemed and eternity. It also only took a half an hour. The last time I had an MRI 10 years ago on my knee. It was over an hour. I know this is an old thread, but I am scheduled for an MRI on Wed. They keep asking if I am clausterphobic, and I think, no, I don't think so, but I've never had an MRI before. What should I bring with me? I guess it is loud? I know not to wear metal. But should i bring headphones? earplugs? I wonder if I should call and ask if it is an open one or regular one? it is loud, but they don’t take as long as they used to. So my frame of reference for last year was really off because I hadn’t had one and maybe 10 years. I not to have an open one you have to ask for it. They will give you a button and put it in your hand so that if you start to get claustrophobic or anxious, you can just push it and they’ll stop |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Feb 26, 2024 16:39:40 GMT
I know not to wear metal. But should i bring headphones? earplugs? I wonder if I should call and ask if it is an open one or regular one? They will give you the foam earplugs to use. Your own headphones/earplugs won't be allowed due to the metal in them. At least that's my experience. And yes, they give you the button to press if you get anxious or panic. I lasted about 2 minutes before I put it to use. Turns out I'm very claustrophic and will ask for open mri from now on. |
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