MRI prep-- anxiety kicking in-any suggestions???

Anonymous

MRI prep-- anxiety kicking in-any suggestions???

momand2kids

I am 9 years out today!!! Totally healthy--- but I have an MRI every other year---and it is coming up on 11/10--- Rationally I know it is unlikely that anything is wrong-- but that does not alleviate the oncoming anxiety.... any tips?????

thanks!

Meow13

I don't know of anything that helps. I feel that dread everytime I go in. But the relief at hearing those words, everything good keeps me going till the next time. Last year I had a concern on my MRI, one that could not be explained. I had to have a biopsy, that wonderful phone call the biopsy is only fat necrosis. I hate that panic/anxiety that comes with hearing news that is not good.

Meow13

congratulations on 9 years!

vlnrph

Keep in mind that MRI is sensitive but not specific meaning that it sees lots of things but many of them may be nothing to worry about! I put several favorite but low cost activities on my calendar in order to distract myself.

Every other year is probably a good schedule, especially if you commit to doing 3D mammograms annually which seem to be better at detecting abnormalities than digital imaging. I don't like the idea of infusing a heavy metal like gadolinium into my system more often than that.

Scanxiety is well known by most of us so you are not alone...

JoniB

I get an MRI yearly and I really don't think about it until a week before. I guess because I schedule them so far in advance it's too early to worry. However, the last few years I've asked my doctor for Xanax. Now I always take it before the MRI.

momand2kids

thanks all-- it is in 3 days-- and I am ok... I think!!!! I always have to tell myself that it is highly unlikely that anything grew in there over the past 2 years-- and yes, I do an annual mammogram at Dana Farber, but since my ILC never showed up on a mammogram, I don't have lots of faith in that technology!. I do these MRI's for me, since the mammo (6 months before dx) failed to find my lump--now I know that the mammogram technology is not sensitive to everything, so that is why that happened. I used to do MRI's annually and that really got to be too much...... sigh. There is no perfect follow up...... thanks for your support! 9:30 on Friday. then usually a few days for results.

Meow13

Good thoughts.

momand2kids

got the all clear--had the MRI at 9:30 and they called me at 5pm with results.... it was a great day!thanks for all the good thoughts.

Meow13

Nothing is better than hearing good MRI results!