[livingwith]

I have had several MRIs in past 2 years and always fear them greatly due to my extreme claustrophobia (even when I had a foot MRI I freaked!) If you have an stnading MRI facility in your area, it is worth it. I had abdominal MRI and although it still was stressful, I found it to be better. During brain MRI I definitely had to be given medication and even then had to have a friend come in, hold my hand and talk me through it. So for those of you like me, the best way to make it through is medic...Read the full article

[violinmemories]

I too have severe MRI claustrophobia...I've been getting MRI's since I was 3 due to my dwarfism and the spine issues. It's only been in the past 7 years that I've actually have had problems with getting MRI's (I've had probably over 1000 done).

Not only do I need to be sedated with medication prior to going into the MRI room itself, but another thing that seems to do the trick for me is being blind folded too! They place a folded cloth over my eyes to help, a sleeping mask also does the trick for me (usually).

But I also make a point to take pain medication right before and that also helps with having to lay on a hard surface and not move.

Talk about your senses being taken away, my eyes are covered, I have to take my hearing aids out (so now I am deaf) and my hands have little strength to squeeze the stress ball!! I make a point to tell them that and they usually make sure to keep the mic on so they can hear me when I need them.

So also try covering your eyes too that helps me as well!

Meredith

[RadTrader]

I would try to relax a little more. An MRI does not cause any radiation such as wiht X-Ray, or CT. A Stand-Up MRI may make a bit of a difference to you, because you will be able to sit/stand normally without having your vision blocked, this of course depends on the prescription you doctor ordered.

[violinmemories]

I recently had to get another MRI done...but this time it was an open MRI...this arrangement worked much better than the standard one. I still took medication (Ativan) as well as wore a eye mask to block the light and such.

Meredith