|
|
Post by peanutterbutter on Jul 27, 2014 6:07:04 GMT
I have to go for two MRI's this week, and we did schedule for the open MRI (I get increasingly claustrophobic as I get older!). I did a short (closed) MRI (MRCP actually) a few years ago - that was only 25 minutes and that was about all I could tolerate. Any tips on getting through the MRI and laying still? It's for neck and back injuries - has to be two because of the length of time - each one is going to be up to an hour and half? How "open" is an open MRI?
UPDATE: So I went for the first MRI today. The appt. was made through third party (it's a workman's comp case) while I was on hold and he went back and forth btwn. me and the imaging center. We specifically discussed open MRI, and he told me today's MRI was the thoracic, and it would take about an hour and half in the open MRI. I get there, say something about the open MRI and was told by the person registering me that she specifically discussed with the other person that thoracic images are very poor in the open MRI, and that it would be about 2 hours, so I was scheduled for a regular MRI. I was totally blindsided and not prepared for that and did have a mini-meltdown. I agreed to try it as I was not going to be willing to come back again for that one, and I made it through - it was about 40 minutes, and I cried the whole time (not a good reaction, I just couldn't stop). I am really upset with the person at the comp. place - but I have refrained from calling b/c I want to be rational when I do. I have two MRI's tomorrow, but they will be in the open one, but they will take about an hour apiece. They offered the regular MRI saying it would take about an hour total, but I just truly can't do it. I did the mask and the music, but I was hyper aware of the tunnel, and so tense for the whole test, that I'm really hurting now. |
|
|
|
Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jul 27, 2014 8:29:59 GMT
The open-ness varies so you might want to call ahead and ask some questions. The "open" MRI I had was basically just a slightly larger version of a regular MRI. After the fact I found out a local hospital has a true open machine where it is more of a flat bed then a tube.
I've had to have a couple to check my brain and for that they strap you into a contraption that comes over your face so your head doesn't move. That really bothered me and I had a hard time with it. The way I got through it was putting a cloth over my eyes so I never saw the piece that held my head.. made me feel less "trapped". I also need to zone out a bit, think of a happy place, etc, and not talk to the technician.
Good luck to you. You'll do much better if you don't get yourself worked up about it beforehand. I know that's not easy though. I hope it all goes well. It is an important test and it's worth it in the end.
|
|
|
|
Post by Patter on Jul 27, 2014 11:36:10 GMT
Praying it goes well for you. One of my dd's has had many "regular" MRIs. One of my other daughters will have an open MRI tomorrow. If I find out more after her MRI tomorrow, I will come back and post for ya.  |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:23:23 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 13:17:54 GMT
I had a regular MRI about 1.5 years ago and found out I was quite claustrophobic. It was seriously the longest 20-30 minutes of my life. I decided I would request Valium next time.
I had to get another MRI recently and was thrilled to hear they offered an open MRI option. I couldn't take Valium because I didn't have anyone available to drive me home. Mine was a flatbed type of MRI and honestly, it wasn't a lot better for me. To get through it, I had to keep my eyes closed for most of it. Occasionally, I would peek out to remind myself that I wasn't in the closed MRI (which gave me a "buried alive" sensation). I also tried to think happy thoughts and distract my mind. It went faster than the first one (or so it seemed). I have back issues, so the technician, gave me a foam thingy for under my knees.
Good luck!!
|
|
emptyskullz
Full Member
Posts: 124
Jun 26, 2014 18:09:38 GMT
|
Post by emptyskullz on Jul 27, 2014 14:04:16 GMT
I had to have an MRI back in March. I got in the machine and totally freaked out. Something to do with the cage closing over my face, I just couldn't handle. I cried like a baby in front of strangers. Thankfully they were kind and caring. Then the lady was like we will get you an open MRI.
I went in and they sat me upright, put the cage over my face. I leaned my forehead onto it. I didn't feel trapped, the nurse told me if I freak out all I had to do was slide down and I would be out. It was much better than the first. I would do an open one any day, but the closed ones. I would need drugs to calm down with. I will try and find my MRI disc and see if I can get a picture posted of the machine.
I hope all goes well with yours!
Cynthia
|
|
|
|
Post by Suziee2 on Jul 27, 2014 14:24:37 GMT
My vote would be for Ativan. It will just make you feel calm and relaxed depending on dosage. Start with low dose and will be able to take another if necessary. Unlike valium, you will not have that "hangover" feeling. My Dr. gave me an Rx of only 10 pills (generic) and will also give them to me when I fly in case I need them.
Years ago for my first MRI they had to stop it, call my Dr. to get an Rx for me. Also had a DDS suggest it for a procedure I was having.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by tania7424 on Jul 27, 2014 15:16:52 GMT
I take Ativan beforehand as well. The claustrophobic feel of the tube, plus the fact that I'm being checked to make sure lesions on my liver are not mets, and I'm a mess. Once they tried to send me in head first and they were doing images of my abdomen. NO. Feet first, thank you very much. Also, for staying still, they've always had a woman's voice come over the headphones telling me to hold my breath, and then to breathe. I also turn my eyes out the top to try and see the ceiling. I have them done about twice a year.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluepoprocks on Jul 27, 2014 15:33:56 GMT
I have had several MRIs in the regular machine for my knee so my head was still out. I'm a large person and I keep requesting the open MRI but they just gave me a larger MRI machine which was not helpful I still felt claustrophobic. When I had an MRI of my head done my doctor gave me Ativan which helped a lot. I'm going to request Ativan for all future MRIs.
|
|
jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,591 
|
Post by jayfab on Jul 27, 2014 15:39:36 GMT
I've had 2 in my life. The first was on my head with the cage. It was horrible and I would never ever use the cloth over my face trick. Not being able to take if off would put me over the edge. The second was in an open machine for my shoulder and was no problem at all. I was able to look out the side of my eyes and see the wall between the machine slit. Easy peasy.
|
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Jul 27, 2014 15:42:36 GMT
I believe mine was a closed aka "regular" MRI machine. I had an MRI of neck and head "soft tissues" done. I called the Radiology Dept of the Clinic doing the MRI a couple of days before to ask what I could expect. I was told that the test would be up to an hour long and that I had to lie perfectly still, as well as that most people need Valium to do the test. I have allergies that cause me to cough a lot due to tickle in my throat, and I couldn't imagine NOT COUGHING for anywhere near an hour.
I opted NOT to take any valium and see what it was like. The test was a breeze! What I discovered when I got there was that I had to lie still for 2-4 minutes at a time, which was very doable! Looking back on my convo with the radiology tech, I think she was very irresponsible and painted a much bleaker picture of what I would experience than was true. I know we are all individuals and perhaps I'm less phased by this testing than most, but I suspect this will be far better than you think it will be! Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Jul 27, 2014 17:17:13 GMT
I had to be awake for my head MRI, then had another for Landmark Mapping due to a mass in my inner ear next to my Sphenoid Sinus. I had Ativan and could not have done the MRI without it. The only thing that kept me going was that I knew I'd have to do it again if the MRI was blurry.
The more cooperative you are, the quicker it will go. But don't be afraid to tell them what you need. And you can ask for a break. I had one for my back a few years ago and they put a pillow under my knees and made sure I was comfortable before we started. I think I did nap for that one.
|
|
|
|
Post by peanutterbutter on Jul 28, 2014 3:34:06 GMT
Thanks ladies - I was trying to figure out how "open" is open - looks like there can be differences so I will just wait and see. Getting something to relax me isn't an option - I have to drive myself to and from.
|
|
|
|
Post by theboydbunch on Jul 28, 2014 4:24:20 GMT
I've never had an open MRI, but have had other scans which are similar. I have found that taking a Xanax or something similar, prescribed by my doctor, always helps me, because I get a full body scan. I also try to listen to music while in there. Best of luck to you. |
|
|
|
Post by tania7424 on Jul 28, 2014 4:31:17 GMT
I've never had an open MRI, but have had other scans which are similar. I have found that taking a Xanax or something similar, prescribed by my doctor, always helps me, because I get a full body scan. I also try to listen to music while in there. Best of luck to you. My hospital gives you earphones with an easy listening station on. It's also how I hear the recorded lady telling me to "hold your breath" "and breathe out" because the thing is so loud. |
|
chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,873
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
|
Post by chendra on Jul 28, 2014 4:34:44 GMT
I have no idea what about the open MRI I had was considered "open". I am very claustrophobic and started hyperventilating before they even slid me in. I had to make a new appointment at which they gave me Versed. It made all the difference, though I was apparently hallucinating and told my husband and the tech all about a cake baking contest George W. Bush had entered with his secret recipe |
|
|
|
Post by Patter on Jul 28, 2014 21:01:36 GMT
Okay, here is what the machine looked like for my dd's open MRI today. She has also done a closed MRI and doesn't mind either. Hope this helps.  |
|
|
|
Post by peanutterbutter on Jul 29, 2014 1:11:00 GMT
Thanks Patter! Hope all is well with your daughter.
|
|
chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,873
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
|
Post by chendra on Jul 29, 2014 6:38:21 GMT
Any tips on getting through the MRI and laying still? It's for neck and back injuries - has to be two because of the length of time - each one is going to be up to an hour and half? How "open" is an open MRI?
UPDATE: I was totally blindsided and not prepared for that and did have a mini-meltdown. I agreed to try it as I was not going to be willing to come back again for that one, and I made it through - it was about 40 minutes, and I cried the whole time (not a good reaction, I just couldn't stop). Oh no! I'm so sorry this happened to you! Unfortunately, you can't talk yourself out of a phobia. Is there no one who can drive you so that you can take some sort of anti - anxiety medication for the next ones? |
|
|
|
Post by bluepoprocks on Jul 29, 2014 9:29:34 GMT
I'm sorry it was so awful. I cried through one of my MRIs also. I was in there for an hour and a half claustrophobic and in terrible pain but I didn't want to do it over so I just went with it. They lied to me about it being an open MRI so I was upset about that also. I hope your test today goes much better.
|
|
|
|
Post by Patter on Jul 29, 2014 10:52:25 GMT
Thanks Patter! Hope all is well with your daughter. Thank you. We hope to get the results today or tomorrow. And sorry you had a bad experience. Praying the results are good though! |
|
peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 29, 2014 11:19:22 GMT
As several different orthopedists have told me, an open MRI is like taking the images with an old point and shoot. The images are not good. I get clausterphobic as well and to be honest, if I were paying all that money and spending all that time to have it done, I would rather do it in a way that will get the best possible images. I wouldn't want to go back and have to redo the images.
Ask them for a valium and just relax. You can do it. The idea probably scares you more than the actual tube.
|
|
peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 29, 2014 11:21:06 GMT
Taking a very mild sedative shouldn't be a problem for driving.
|
|
|
|
Post by Patter on Jul 29, 2014 14:33:01 GMT
As several different orthopedists have told me, an open MRI is like taking the images with an old point and shoot. The images are not good. I get clausterphobic as well and to be honest, if I were paying all that money and spending all that time to have it done, I would rather do it in a way that will get the best possible images. I wouldn't want to go back and have to redo the images. Oh dear! I have never heard that before, and I pray it's not accurate. We need a very accurate diagnosis on dd and quickly. This would be bad news if the images were not as clear. If I had known that I would not have requested the open MRI for her.  |
|
|
|
Post by lily on Jul 29, 2014 14:45:10 GMT
Unfortunately I have been told by a few different doctors that the Open MRIs scans are not as crisp and clear. So I just sucked it up and did the 'closed' one which isn't really totally closed. It is open at both ends, but is just really narrow. The cloth does not have to go over your FACE..just your eyes. Really helps a LOT when you have the cage thing snapped down over your face for brain scans!
The first one I had I was so freaked out they let my husband stand in the room next to the table!
|
|
|
|
Post by hennybutton on Jul 29, 2014 14:46:56 GMT
Could you take a mild sedative and take a cab to and from the imaging center?
|
|
moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,254
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
|
Post by moodyblue on Jul 29, 2014 15:02:29 GMT
The cloth does not have to go over your FACE..just your eyes. Really helps a LOT when you have the cage thing snapped down over your face for brain scans! The first one I had I was so freaked out they let my husband stand in the room next to the table! I had an MRI on my neck and had to have the cage over my head to prevent movement. I did NOT want the cloth at all; for some of us, just having something, even as light as that, laying on me would have freaked me out. I made it through the MRI by exercising all the willpower I could muster - and keeping my eyes shut. But I could not have handled a cloth over my eyes at all. In fact I was relieved that I had opted for no sheet over my legs, even though it was a little cool in the room. I needed to know that my legs were "free" to move even though I wasn't supposed to move at all. I would prefer to never have to do that again. I've heard the images from an open MRI are not as good, but I don't know if that's really true. In my area we have a place that advertises that they have a bigger MRI machine, and I would absolutely try for that if I ever have to have another. Not feeling squeezed in would help a lot. |
|
