Scared

Hope4569

was recently diagnosed with stage 3 BC. Have a MRI in the morning, never had one before and was told I could never have one because I'm allergic all Fish. I have phobias of many things and I deal with anxiety. How did u all get through this? Should I be worried she asked for a mri or is it normal?

plumster1

Hi Hope-
Yes, I believe it's very common to have a breast MRI after diagnosis. I had one with my stage 1 diagnosis. This process does produce a lot of anxiety. I am a year out - but i even started to get scanxiety for my routine mammogram which is tomorrow morning. The anxiety does seem to get way better, at least for me, once I had all the dx pieces in place and a treatment plan was formed. With that said, many will have their doctor prescribe an anti anxiety med like Xanax or sleeping pill like ambian if everything becomes too much. You will get through this. Just try to focus on one step at a time!

Hugs!

Hope4569

plumster1, thank you for your response it is helpful and nice to know even feeling anxiety is normal. Also makes me feel better that is a routine and that they are not hiding something. Good luck with you mammogram today sending prayers

Hope4569

so update, I have to go back to get MRI. I did fine all the way up till I was almost put in the machine, not really sure how close to the machine I was but I have a horrific panic attack to the point I don't even remember all that happened. So disappointed in my self.

hummingbirdlover

Hope, don't be so hard on yourself. I found the MRI to be very stressful. Did they give you some anti anxiety meds before you went in? That did help me. Also I had headphones on and listened to music which helped relax me. One of my friends was practically unconscious when she had hers because she was so claustrophobic. Hopefully they can help you through this

MFalabella

I am allergic to all shellfish and have had tons of MRI;s. They are to be expected. I hope it went well for you.

xoxoMichelle

Anonymous

Oh my gosh, we were all nervous and scared, I think, after a confirmed dx! I immediately asked for, and got, an RX for Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, from my surgeon (who shared the pathology with me 2 days after my the excisional biopsy-lumpectomy). He didn't hesitate and even said "it's a wonderful drug to help with this", and was very understanding.

I used it for the first few weeks as needed (not very often, actually); it helped just knowing I had it available if things got too horrible. Knowing that I had it to use when I needed seemed to alleviate my fears a lot, meaning I didn't have to actually take one or half of one.

So that might be something you can ask for till you adjust to this new normal. And you will adjust, and the overwhelming anxiety/fear will lessen. I promise.

Hugs

ClaireinAZ

nayda985

hi hope

you can do it! don't know if you've done it again yet...but I know how scary this procedure can be..i just did my mri, last Friday.

I too was diagnosed with stage 3 bc this month...what got me through this was my children and my husband...having to lay still and listen to the loud noise through this procedure can create anxiety...I kept my eyes closed through the whole procedure...when the loud noise came on..i turned it into a song inside my head...I envisioned my babies faces through the whole procedure...my advice would be close your eyes and picture your love ones and like another person posted listen to music..good luck hope!

Moderators

Welcome nayda985. We agree with what the amazing members have already said. Breathe calmly, and let music take you away! Visualization of loved ones can indeed be really calming. We're thinking of you tomorrow!