COMMENTS
I am VERY claustrophobic and had an MRI scan and as well as asking for a mild sedative, I also asked to go in feet first which the staff agreed to and which helped me immensely to get through the test. Hope this helps some people. Also my scanner had the facility to listen to a CD whilst undergoing the test and this also helped to 'distract' me.
I had several mri's in the past, no problem. Went today for a ct scan with contrast. Once they put all the big pads on, strapped me in, arms and ankles, and finally put ear phones on, I completely paniced, felt like i was restricted, could not breathe, loss of auditory senses due to headphones. I had to tell them to stop, unstrap me, let me sit up. I was shaking, so had to cancel the test. Doctor gave me rx for xanax, to take before I try the test again. If that does not work, have to try a place that will give iv sedation during the test.
I could not believe how scared I got once they strapped me in and put on earphones. I must have latent claustrophobia LOL
I'm not sure Nelson has MRI and CT correct. The only reasons for strapping a patient on a ct table are altered mental status, sedation, pediatrics and unrully patients. I have never heard of all that strapping, padding and earphone business for CT. We do use pads, straps, earphones for MRI to help the patient stay in position for long scans based on the part being scanned. The earphones are usually attached to a cd player or stereo to offer something to listen to other then the noise of the machine.
I actually had an MRA...it was a short tube as shown above. Believe me they did strap my wrists, they did put big heavy pads on my chest, and abdomen and legs and strapped them down as well. Tightly.
I came back in two days, had a young lady do the mra with no trouble, she did NOT strap my wrists, but let me keep my arms free, extended over my head, she did put the same pads on my chest, abdomen and legs, but did NOT strap them down at all, and finally she did NOT put headphones one me, instead she gave me small earplugs.
So the mra went fantastic this time and I go back next week for one more MRA of my heart.
Have a cardiac stress test scheduled - MPI SPECT (ADENOSINE). Although I've had too many MRI's and CT & PET Scans, I'm so stressed (no pun intended) about this upcoming one. It seems the more I have, the more nervous, stressed and claustrophobic I become. Never even realized I was claustrophobic until my first MRI. Can't take any sedatives for this. I'm sick about it! Thanks for your time.
i have a small stapler in my inner ear which helps me control my appetite(it like acupuncture)
do i have to remove it to get a ct scan for the brain
Hi Nancy,
When you say inner ear do mean surgically implanted? Or is this something you can remove on your own? If it is made out of metal and easily removable it would be better to take it out. Metal causes "artifacts" which can blur the CT scan images.
I need to have a CT Scan, but I have walked away from both an MRI and a CT Scan in the past and I know it will happen again. Is it possible to get knocked out for this procedure such as by an IV? I imagine the insurance company will be reluctant to pay for this. What proof do they need that it is necessary? It is probably cheaper for them to pay for the IV rather than pay for a number of walk-aways.
Hi JR,
You can get one while heavily sedated but generally that's reserved for absolute emergencies or medical necessity. Your doctor would be the one to request and arrange this.
FYI if you walk away, your insurance doesn't pay. They only reimburse the facility if the exam is completed.
I just had to do the test this morning... and failed. It´s the second time I have had to make the test to see if my epilepsy has returned or if theres anything else wrong but.... I just freaked out, I took some pills to calm me down, had my mom hold my feet , even called my brother for some encouragement but nothing.
I feel ashamed and disappointed with myself. I don´t know what to do anymore and my head hurts for all the crying.
If a person is smart enough to invent an mri, then why is nobody smart enough to invent one with claustrophobic patients in mind?
HAD MY FIRST "CLOSED" MRI TODAY. DID NOT USE HEADPHONES. JUST EARPLUGS. I AM VERY CLUAGHSTROPHOBIC AND HAVE SEVERE ANXIETY ALSO.
USED THE WASHCLOTH TO COVER MY EYES. BUT BEST IS TO KEEP EYES CLOSED THE ENTIRE TIME. NEVER OPEN THEM. BREATH IN THRU NOSE AND OUT THRU MOUTH AND YOU WILL BE OK.
KINDA A LOAD KNOCKING NOISE, BUT JUST GO ALONG WITH IT. I HAD MY ARMS AT MY SIDEDS AND KINDA TAPPED MY FINGERS TO THE KNOCKING NOISE LIKE A WEIRD SONG LOL.
JUST BREATH. DONT PANICK. OVER VERY SOON. ABOUT 3 - 4 MINUTE TESTS IN THE CLOSED MRI. OPEN MRI WAS 5 - 10 MINUTE TESTS FOR SAME THING.
"Do you have any tips for patients who are claustrophobic? " Great tips everyone - really put my mind at ease.
Thank you though Rowena, I may ask to go feet first as it is my lumbar and thoracic spine being imaged and I am now freaking out more than I was before!
I am claustraphobic... Have a Ct scan tomorrow... life is about faceing our fears and beating them. I am going and I will close my eyes and count backwards from whatever amount of time they say it will take. For example. If it is 5 minutes start counting from 300 backwards... think only of the numbers. I did it before and it got me through it. We must overcdome ajust and adapt.
I never have had an enclosed MRI, always open MRI. Now I am working in the Middle East and the available MRI was enclosed, and I got sedated. For the next MRI, I went to an open MRI location; however during a second MRI at the “open” location, I panicked and could not do it; I returned a couple of days after, and panicked again. Since, I am very apprehensive of getting under the open MRI, and when think of being trapped under it, I panic, get tense, and feel like screaming. I cannot control it.
I failed two MRI scans due to claustropobia; the second one was with sedatives, but was more extreme even with my spouse present. My situation is further intensified by my phobia of loud sounds and pressure on on earlobes.
Would appreciate suggestions to conquer the sound and pressure.
I am EXTREMELY claustrophobic. I have a PET scan sheduled and I tried a dry run-thru today...I lasted less than 10 seconds and had to get out...! I need to be sedated but my doctor only give me Xanax...nothin'...any ideas..?
I am terrified but haven't been able to walk properly for 14 months finally seen a spinal surgeon. An MRI was suggested and even though I managed twice before I am utterly terrified this time so have refused, the surgoen understands so has suggested a myleoghram CT scan but i now realise i cannot put my arms above my head due to frozen shoulders to enable me to go through, It is my lumbar spine so presume that the cT scanner only come to waist level and no further? I really need an open scanner I believe are i nthe South of England but do not know if I could afford this due to being a pensioner. Can anyone help me in what to do PLEASE.....
I had a ct today and couldn't go through with it. I panicked! The tech was great! She told me she would not go through with the scan until I was ok. She was so nice and calm but still I couldn't go thru with it. I was so embarrassed and kept apologizing. I'm not sure what I'm going to do because I need to have this scan done. I didn't know your insurance won't pay if you walk away. I guess I will find out soon if I will be held liable for walking away. I hope that having a sedative will help me. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow to see what she suggests.
i am extremely claustraphobic,and have had 2 catscans and 3 MRI ,s...all in america with very comfortable total sedation,,,,,i knew nothing at all untill i came round,,,i have to have a catscan here in london and cant get anyone to take claustraphobia seriously,,and a mild sedative was suggested,,,,which i know isnt sufficient...as its an emergency test for lung cancer and a month has gone by whilst they wont sedate me ,what are the legal options on the national health..can anyone help me with advice thankyou
I have to get a CT scan in a couple days and i am extremly claustrophobic and i have had an mri and they couldnt diagnose it. They think i fractured a vertabrae. How long is the scanner tunnel? and is it worse than an MRI? and do they realy strap you down? Answer please?