Claustrophobia and MRI scan

I had 5 brain MRIs last year, and one on my shoulder - that one lasted 90 minutes. The first was awful, but the others weren't so bad - the hospital gave me headphones, played the radio through them, and the scanner had a drop-down mirror (similar to the one in a car), so that I could see the Radiographers behind, in their office.

I am like Chestnut, closing my eyes and going off somewhere else. I do listen to the noises and rhythms of the machine, count them and guess when they will change. So far I have never felt claustrophobic, but do sympathise with those who do.

I went for one point my knee feeling blasé and never expecting it to take so long or be duchess a strange experience.The worst thing was they told me to stay absolutely still as even wiggling my toes could mean it wouldn't be as accurate. As soon as they said that and it started I became very uptight and my foot itched and I was desperate to move it.I kept my eyes closed throughout and concentrated on my breathing. I can't say it's something I'd want to repeat in a hurry!

I am claustrophobic... increasingly so as time passes.
I discussed this with my gp when I was told she wanted to book an mri for me and she gave me a prescription for tamazopan... to be taken in the hour before the mri.
The staff were lovely and could see I was shaking, everything was explained to me and the operator counted breaths with me until I was quite calm.
Wasnt easy but I got through it.. with a few tears of relief at the end!
Please tell the gp and the staff at your appointment... it makes their job easier if it is easier for you!

Some good suggestions here betty. Perhaps practice relaxation strategies in advance. I’d also urge you to make contact with the department pre MRI and ask for their help. Some services have an MRI with a larger ‘tube’ intended for children that can be used for anxious adults. Remember you did it once and you’ll definitely be able to do it again.

In the US, sedation can be requested

I too felt overwhelmed by claustrophobia when having the first MRI breast scan as I had to lie face down. Ended up having to press the panic button, felt so silly. They were very good though and calmed me down. The next time I was told to close my eyes before I entered it and keep them closed. They also kept talking to me. Funnily enough I found reciting all the nursery rhymes I sang with my granddaughters kept my mind off the process.

I just close my eyes and do not open them for anything! Then you can imagine anything you like, open fields, blue sky, trees. I try drifting off somewhere like that but the thumping noise tends to stop that. So then I go with the thumping noise and think of it as a rhythm which I follow as it changes. The key is not to open your eyes.

When I had my first MRI scan I thought nothing of it and that I’d be ok as I’m not claustrophobic , but how wrong I were , it were just awful . Then when I had to go for another MRI scan I were petrified . I told them how I were feeling and they understood completely , so they kept “ in touch “ with me every step of the way by talking to me , explaining what they were doing , what the next step would be ect ect , also keeping me informed with the time and how much longer it going to be . . That helped me so much as I felt much more relaxed knowing someone were ‘ near ‘ , but even so, I hope I never have to have one again !

Here’s some useful guidance from the NHS.
www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/claustrophobia/
It’s suggested you contact them before your scan, and that a mild sedative is helpful.

I have had a fair number of MRIs. I count to 100 and backwards in foreign languages.
It takes a lot of concentration!

I expected to feel claustrophobic when I had an MRI scan earlier this year. I do not like crowded places and crowds pressing.in on me, but to my surprise, I was entirely comfortable with it.

I think, like*Philippa111*, the varying sounds, plus the instructions I was been given during the scan, dispelled the claustrophobic feeling.

Yes, its a horrible experience. I couldn't cope with their choice of music at all. I explained that I was claustrophobic and they put me in the other way round as they were focusing on my hips. I had a tiny bit of ceiling I could see. I focused on my breath as I do in my meditation and got through the 30 minutes. Also I actually liked all the different sounds the machine made.. It broke up the time somehow!

DD had one in the hospitals new machine many years ago and some joker had set it up with Beethoven's V funeral derge on the play-list.
They stopped the scan because she was so scared. Then it was agreed I could hold her hand - her hand above her head. Well, that worked for her, but as I hadn't been expected to be involved, and had an underwired bra on, the buzz went straight through me! Not that bad, but uncomfortable. 😂
After that , her strategy was to run through her favourite film in her head (Mary Poppins)
Keep telling yourself it'll be over soon & it's not painful. Good luck & best wishes.

Betty I didn't realise I was claustrophobic until I had my first MRI in 1988. It was massive but a small tunnel and pitch black. My head had a cage over it as they wanted to focus on my brain. The only way I got through it was a radiologist put his hand on my shoulder from the far end.

I have had several since but thankfully the outside of the machines are small but still scare me. The worse was years ago in a mobile unit the far end was blocked off as it was against the wall of the trailer.

I got through that but concentrating on my breathing . The exercises you do for giving birth. Plus there was a bit of paint missing on the inside so concentrated on that as well. Was in the machine 45 mins.

November 2021 had to have one on heart . Mobile unit but glad to say both ends open. There was a grey strip down the ceiling of the tunnel I concentrated on that plus I had instructions to follow holding my breath then breathing normally. I was in the machine for over 90 mins. But knew I had to be still and do what they asked or I would have been in longer.

If I have to have another I will have it as it's for my own good but it scares me. So by staying still and controlling my breathing I get through it.

A friend shuts her eyes but when I tried that scared me more.

I know this isn't any help . But I think of this way it's the best way to get diagnosed so being scared for a while is worth it.

I kept my eyes shut when I went for the second one and like you I counted.