Breast MRI claustraphobic!

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breastquest
breastquest Member Posts: 52
edited December 2015 in Just Diagnosed

I have to have an MRI in a few weeks, and I'm freaking out. I've had MRIs before for back/neck issues and I literally hated that closed in feeling and almost had to come out before it was over. Typically, they prescribe a benzo (valium, Xanax, etc...) but I can't take them. Does anyone have any ideas for what to use so I don't freak out with palpitations and crazy anxiety???? Thx.


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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2015

    Oh, man. I sympathize with you. I have claustrophobia too, and it really made it hard to do the MRI. I don't really have any tips for you. I just had to gut it out. I bet my heart rate was over 200. If I ever have another one, they're gonna have to give me drugs.

    Best of luck to you.

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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited December 2015

    I think some of the newer machines are a little roomier than others. Please call the center and explain your situation to see if they have a suitable pharmaceutical solution or if not, a roomier tube.

    Unfortunately, the machine used on me was old and narrow. I'm not even claustrophobic, but I tightly shut my eyes and did not open them until outside. Don't look at the machine beforehand either. Like what you can't see isn't there. Focus on listening to the clanking and occasional bird-like sounds.

    Good luck!

    BarredOwl


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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited December 2015

    A lot of places will give you headphones so you can listen to music, that helps. I'd call the location and talk to them, they might have alternatives for you.

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  • scrunchthecat
    scrunchthecat Member Posts: 269
    edited December 2015

    The breast MRI is not as scary as other MRIs. First, you lay on your stomach (they put your boobs into a plastic contraption), instead of your back, and your head is near the opening. I used valium, which was effective, but surely there is a non-benzo happy pill out there? I also listened to the YouTube classic: Sounds of the MRI to desensitize myself before the test, which helped a lot. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Aj2QspPf7s)

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited December 2015

    I found it pretty easy - one's head is at the opening, then moved back just a bit. You can't really tell it though, as you're face down in the device. It didn't take nearly as long as the allotted time, either - I think it was perhaps 20 minutes for the MRI itself. The rest of the time is the IV, going over the procedure, etc.

    However, DO call and ask - maybe the nurse navigator can help with some advice. Good luck!

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  • Noni
    Noni Member Posts: 327
    edited December 2015

    I've had several MRIs and usually never have a problem. When I went in for a brain scan I completely flipped out. Thankfully they were able to move me to another machine that was a little more open. I was still freaked but asked for the headphones and eye masks and closed my eyes before they slid me in. I didn't open them til it was over.

    It seems odd because it really was just my head and neck that was in the machine but I felt like my whole body was being squeezed to pieces. Not a feeling I wish to repeat. I wish you luck on your scan, both enduring the experience and getting great results.

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2015

    (ok, I'm back to finish this post and see that there have been a lot of posts in the meantime...it's obvious I agree with lots of them. But I'll leave this anyway. ;-) )

    I'd use a blindfold mask (aka, a "sleep mask") and headphones. Call and ask if you can talk with a tech or nurse ahead of time. Tell them you're scheduled to have a breast MRI, are claustrophobic, won't be able to use the benzos, and want to do some pre-procedure prep. Can they tell you if they offer headphones with music? If so, can you specify or supply music? If they don't, can you provide your own? Can they describe what your position will be for the breast MRI? (As I recall, mine was facedown, with arms extended overhead.) Ask them how long you can expect the MRI to last.

    Then do some practicing with mask, headphones & position. Practice calm regular breathing. Use the music (whatever it is) to find a calm regular breathing pattern. Use the practice time as "me" time to relax and let your mind float with a focus only on your breathing. Keep your eyes closed, relax. And work up to a longer time than you'll have in the MRI.

    Then when you have the MRI, treat it as just the latest "practice" session.

    HTH,

    LisaAlissa

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  • Wren44
    Wren44 Member Posts: 8,585
    edited December 2015

    I was lying on my stomach for the MRI and it didn't trigger my claustrophobia. It didn't look very long, so I don't think my whole body was inside. I'm not sure I could do one on my back and definitely not with my eyes open. If you're on your stomach, pretend it's a massage table with a hole for your face. You're just waiting for the masseuse to begin.

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  • Konakona
    Konakona Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2015

    The mri they used on me was not a tiny to, my head was almost to the other side, actually it was not scary at all, I took a xanax anyways

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  • breastquest
    breastquest Member Posts: 52
    edited December 2015

    thx for your replies!!

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  • windingshores
    windingshores Member Posts: 704
    edited December 2015

    I always have them put me in then take me out then put me in again. This seems to give my brain the message that I can get out.

    The claustrophobia is a trick of the brain, since it sees the ceiling and interprets it in a way that has you trapped in a tiny space with no room to breathe. But that is not the actual situation. So don't believe your brain. It is just having an instinctive response. Many machines are open at the back- unless backed up against a wall. You are in a tube, not a cave.

    That said, I never ever ever open my eyes because my brain will panic even if I don't :)

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited December 2015

    Breastquest there are other meds that are anti anxiety besides the benzos. Ask your doc. Also see if you can use headphones. Im claustrophobic but did much better with the breast MRI because I was on my stomach and my face was exposed. Good luck...

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