Brain MRI

I haven't had an MRI, but for the dentist (and recently for eye injections) I use my antenatal relaxation exercises. Basically, you take one limb at a time and relax it (starting with the fingers of one hand, then the arm while keeping the hand muscles relaxed) then you move on to repeat on the other arm (without tensing up the first one!) then each foot and leg. Once all limbs are heavy and relaxed you relax your shoulders and other body muscles and your head and neck, and check that nothing has become unrelaxed while your attention was on sonewhere else. Meanwhile you are breathing regularly in and out, as others have described.

While you are concentrating on all this, the thing that you were so uptight about is probably over and done with - and was more likely to be painfree if the muscles in your body are not tensed against it.

One of my children had one when they were 9. I was allowed to sit at the end and stroke her feet so she didn't feel alone. She dealt with it really well. At the end they said she was the best patient of the day, she was the last appointment of the day, and they took her into where they sit and showed her the film of her brain. She was very interested. She had a teacher who had a habit of saying, "have you got a brain in there" (not very nice) but DD was so excited waiting for the next time she said it, she'd rehearsed her answer "yes and I've seen it."

Could someone go with you? Not sure if you'd like your feet stroked.

I just close my eyes and clench my fists very tightly. I found it very scary every time but I persevered.

Dotty Clenching fists may not be helpful as it tenses the whole body.

I’m sure that the clinical staff are very used to people who are anxious and would be happy to give you sedation. This would calm you down and you’d find the whole experience would be over before you know it. Just tell them how you feel.

My Dh has had a brain scan and although he’s a very pragmatic, calm man, he came out saying ‘that was a nightmare’. Never again!
My Dd has had 2 brain scans and said ‘it was fine’ and just dozed off.
I would have to have sedation as I am claustrophobic and fidgety . Hope I never have to have one. 🙏.

I think you need the Valium.

Ask the mri department about the scan and if they use any distractions to help relax you. I had several brain and spine scans over last year and they let me choose the music to go through the headphones. I had Cat Stevens playing for an hour plus I had a video screen to watch which showed underwater sealife. The staff were lovely and very accommodating to try to ensure I was as comfortable as possible.
Perhaps your hospital has something similar ?

Thank you for your replies. I’ve had a few phone conversations with MRI department. I’m generally a calm person don’t suffer with anxiety. However this caused me anxiety. I feel I need to go down the diazepam route as recommended by a lot of you , no amount of attempting to relax, switched my mind from causing me to panic. Thank you.