How to Reduce MRI Anxiety, Claustrophobia and Sedation - with a tap of a finger
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2019
- Hear from Jessica, a Sentient MRI Suite tech, and Cheryle, a Sentient MRI Suite patient, on how the Sentient MRI Suite has helped reduce MRI anxiety, claustrophobia and delivered a better patient MRI experience.
- วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
I'm a retired CT/Radiology Tech. I never experienced claustrophobia until I had to have a MRI on my neck. I didn't have an issue with the gantry but the head coil sent me over the edge. Extensive sinus drainage exacerbated the problem and I felt like I was drowning. After the first series, I was done and ended up having a CT instead. But my claustrophobia has continued to this day and was really difficult during the 'masking up' days of C19. It's getting better but if I have to have an MRI in the future, there will be sedation for sure.
I never knew the extent of my claustrophobia until I had to get a mri. I thought I was fine but my heart started to race fast, felt like I couldn’t get air in my lungs, I began to cry, and begged to be let out. I was having a panic attack and had to reschedule. I went back and was so fearful. They tried putting on music and a movie to keep me calm… but the enclosed space and loud noise still triggered my anxiety. I finally had to do the one that allows you to sit up . Whewww I never told anyone this ..
I had the same issue today. I was good and all and thought I was able to got through with it until the white cage was placed over my head and the machine was so small. Had a face mask on too. As soon as I was head In I had a panic attack 😰😰
Your not alone, I just recently went through the same as you.
@@lynettegoodman1713 I’m glad I wasn’t the only one 🥺 I’m still shaken from the experience. How are you holding up?
@@Jessina_S , I had my appointment on Friday morning and I have to reschedule but it was a very tough experience, it felt like your in a box, you can't move , it's hard to breathe. And the doctors told me my mri would 20 to 25 minutes and that's too long. And today I'm just disappointed still. I hope things get better for you.
@@lynettegoodman1713 same mine was on Friday too. I haven’t rescheduled it yet. Will chat to my doctor for other options like open MRI scan or knock me out 😅 but yea I can’t relieve that moment again. I felt exactly how you felt. I wouldn’t breathe and not to mention we have to wear a face mask too 😷 I’ll let you know how I go
Excuse me if you are going through the comments read this :
I have PTSD because of anaphylactic shock and I am not friendly towards any medical procedure, diagnostic or pharmacological.
However I am struggling with a major health problem that required a MRI amongst other stuff and I kept procrastinating on from month to month because of my fear, anxiety, denial etc
Videos like how it works, people telling it's horrifying etc didn't help at all.
Long story short, I had my first one today.
I literally felt so STUPID after it was done 😂😂😂
It was comfortable, relaxing, absolutely not painful, the machine had a hole and plenty of light inside.
As for the loud sound, just mentally add a bit to it and imagine to be at a weird rave party because it's kinda techno and kinda ship horn when approaching the port 😅
The patient technician after dealing with my previous 45 breakdowns was so gentle talking to me and giving instructions.
As soon as I calmed down my body for the sake of stay still as required, I realized that as a woman I went through way more painful and shitty machines like tanning beds, cellulite ultrasound whatever machines, laser hair removal and so so on.
I rate the MRI experience 10/10 and felt dumb for risking my health just to avoid a bed with a roof that goes VRRR for 20 minutes.
If I did it you can do it as well ❤💪
Tip : there are many models of MRI machines, only the very old ones are completely closed. Be open about your concerns to your doctor and ask where position will they put you, sometimes they can let your head outside. Also you can ask to see or lay in the machine like a fake exam just to get familiar with the machine. There are many ways to overcome fear. I promise you it's not that bad and I hope this message reaches someone scared ad like I was ❤
Thank you ❤❤❤
Blindfold! Blindfold! Blindfold!
I just had my first MRI. 30-45 minutes. I thought I was going to be fine. Never has an issue with claustrophobia, but I’ve never been forced into a small space before either. As soon as the tech started to slide me into the machine I opened my eyes and saw how close I was to the machine walls and started to get anxious. Luckily the tech needed to make an adjustment, change pillows, and he slid me back out. I started to take deep breaths to calm myself down. The tech noticed that I wasn’t looking too good. I agreed and told him I’d need to keep my eyes closed during the entire process, so he offered me a blindfold. It made a huge difference for me.
For some reason there was also a fan blowing on my head which made me cold and dizzy. I ended up getting the cold sweats, so I just concentrated on the music and my breathing and I stopped feeling dizzy and stopped sweating.
I actually almost feel asleep after the tech turned the fan down. My hands got extremely numb from having to stay still.
I think for me it was more a fear of not being in control of myself than a fear of enclosed tight spaces.
Same experience here. And I have anxiety + rosacea.
I had an MRI done for my knee years ago and I got through it ok, so I thought this time i would’ve as well. I did my best to try and not psych myself into being a nervous wreck. As I was prepped I did some deep breathing, then they left me alone for a bit, then they came to get me, we walked through a series of doors and walk ways, then I saw the big monstrosity lol. I was asked to lie down then they put the eye patch over my eyes, then I could feel myself being pushed into the machine. Then they put the head set on my ears. My arms were over my head so I thought that would make me feel that at least I could move my fingers if I got nervous. But what did it for me was that the eye patch felt like it was in a strange position, so I thought I’d try to re position it, then I realized where I was, and I freaked out, and asked to be taken out. I think in total I was in there for less then a minute. I re scheduled so next time I will do the sedation option, just to give myself the chance to just relax and not think of the horror of being in the mouth of the beast for 45 minutes. Wish me luck!
This was a very helpful video and all the comments. I have never suffered from panics attacks but today was the day! I felt like I was suffocating in the MRI machine. Whew scary situation.
Me too. First time ever of knowing I was afraid of anything.
💖💖🌺 The first time I had an MRI for
💥Migraines, I felt like I was in Casket ⚰️ and had to get out in less than a minute. The lady pushed a button and got me out right away. I wanted to scream, but used the panic button. I went home in tears 😭. I had to return a week later, because my
💥Migraines became Unbearable. My Dr. had to ✨Sedate me. When ever MRI comes up, I just want to 😭 Cry.
I haven't got the date yet but I'm having a panic attack thinking about it.i take xanax be for I go.
istg the same happened to me idk when i go back but it scares me thinking about it and the hospital i go to doesn't put music or anything and its terrifying ☹️
Doesn’t the sedative make it worse because you have less control? I refuse to take sedatives because it makes me even more anxious. Dont’t know why…
I have done it twice and it is very claustrophobic. But I managed to do it and every thing with the scans, was ok.
I have a hard time with MRI's too. I have the same feeling I had when my older brother use to hold me down on the bed. The last tech told me that 50% of people are claustrophobic because of bad childhood experiences like mine. The secret is if they tech encourages you every once in a while and tells you how much longer you have. After I had my MRI, I found out that I have a bone disease in my pelvis. Went in for something else, so an MRI can be very helpful.
I think they will have to knock me out.
I agree! When I was little I used to play hide and seek with my older cousin. I would hide in the closet. He would hold his weight against the door so I couldn’t get out. I screamed and cried and he didn’t care. I believe that’s why I have severe claustrophobia today.
Ok watched tons of these videos. Was scared out of my mind. I’m claustrophobic and hate loud noises.
Had mine yesterday and it was a piece of cake! I took a Zanax an hour before. Laid on the table and the tech put earplugs in my ears. I had read where someone suggested putting a washcloth over my eyes so I asked for one. Honestly I didn’t even feel the table move into the scanner. I did hear the noises as I was expecting but they weren’t at all scary. I actually was amused by the rhythm lol. Next thing I know I’m out of the scanner and asked the tech if I had actually gone in! My advice relax, cover your eyes, use the earplugs ,expect the sounds. I know I could do it now without the Zanax. It really was not bad at all!! Hope this helps!!
You were doped on Xanax. You're explaining what a drug induced state felt like. Not what an mri felt like. Most people do not have that experience because they don't pop pills beforehand. But thanks for the Xanax recommendation. Good thinking.
@@alouise3557 lmao this
After panicking and having to cancel an MRI I’ve opted to go with sedation (diazepam). Just reading through and relating to the comments here is causing my heart to pound. Also recently learned that when the MRI is interrupted insurance is still charged so they end up paying twice for essentially one MRI. No pressure there! I know there are open core MRIs but I don’t believe they’re as accurate. So sedation is the way to go for me.
So I am very claustrophobic as well. I did my first RMI today the first minute was full of fear, but then I really enjoyed it, I closed my eyes not to see the small place I am inside, and I was listening to the noises and I really didn't want to get out of it lol
I close my eyes did the same but as soon the diy got in my vain my heart started to go so fast so I got and panic attack the first one I had no problem
Dang, this is my problem! First one failed, second one scheduled tomorrow. I can totally relate to the woman in video. I'll bet the hospital doesn't have a screen to watch but will ask.
how did it go? cause i failed my mri today and i feel bad as hell! i also failed mine yesterday! i'm so hopeless!
*If you have watched horror movie where people are tortured with belts around them and you can't move your hand, this is the horror movie. Or if you've got any person from your family that died, this is how they're in their graves. May you rest in peace my dear dad. 😢I had my pelvic MRI today. I just kept my eyes open and they gave me cotton wool to put in my both ears. The sounds were horrific and I thought my heart would come out through my throat. I was soo soo scared and couldn't control my breathing. I was just praying throughout the process. Lord please ease my fear and pain and Let it be the first and last* 😭😭😭
Huh? Encouraging thoughts on how to keep calm?
Hope where I'm getting mine done, they treat me well and comfortable when it's time for my appointment next week. I'm watching this crying cause I'm so uncomfortable and freaked out.
I never had a panic attack till I got in this machine my heart rate was bad
Ex submariner for 22 yrs …mri and even ct scan is a problem, it’s not quite claustrophobic……more a restraint issue I think.. I have one in November …already worried
I have always wondered why they don't do this. I have never seen an MRI with a screen
I’ll die before ever doing an MRI ever again.
What happened?
@@deirdremorris9234 I’m a big guy. They squeezed me in last time and I was losing my mind.
@@otisbigsby Yikes.
I cant even watch movies where people are caving without panicking. We need that old Star Trek hand held scanner that reads everything!!! (-;
@@deirdremorris9234 u had an mri?
@@wtiy No. Not yet....
I have done it three times but fourth time I got so scared, anxious, started crying that I cancelled it.
Need to go again
ASK YOUR FAMILY DR. FOR SOME ATIVAN, THIS HELPS WITH THE ANXIETY. YOU DISOLVE IT UNDER YOUR TONGUE ABOUT 1 HOUR PRIOR. YES THE MACHINE IS LOUD, BUT YOU WILL GET THRU IT.
Yup nope never been claustrophobic but that thing made me freak out
Great idea!
I’m Claustrophobic, ask my doctor for medicine he said I don’t need it , so I went for my MRI on October 10,2021.. I cried They lady had to took me out of the MRI.. have to reschedule
Ugh. So sorry to hear this. I have one next week. Don't know if I'll be able to do it.
what happened? i also failed in mine yesterday and rescheduled for today and i cried i it! i don't know what's wrong with me!
@@christee299 hope u beat it
I had to reschedule mine today. I just felt trapped. I was prescribed Xanax. I hope it works next time.
@@queen4u281 i did mine. nothing to be afraid of actually although it failed three times. good luck
My doctor has prescribed a 10mg Valium for me to take when I go for my MRI. I hope it damn near knocks me out. I have Tourette Syndrome and have fears of not being able to control my tics once inside the chamber. And I'm totally claustrophobic.
How did it go
@@AshtonG2022 --
I chickened out. I'm getting therapy for my claustrophobia and hopefully can try again.
Even with the Valium?
Plus a mask on my face really go to me
I had a 1 hour MRI and it was the most psychologically stressful experience I have ever had. I focused on my breathing (deep and slow) and tried to keep my mind focused on something else. That’s exhausting to do for an hour. I’m 6’4 and 300lbs so I was wedged in there tight. My arms and hands went completely numb. It was one of the worst experiences ever. I’ll have to do it several more times over the next 2 years because I had a cancerous tumor removed and they need to monitor my colon closely.
I'm so sorry for your experience. I have the same one, at least it was for a short amount of time . I also focused on my breathing, I have anxiety and rosacea. So when I didn't feel the AC anymore, I started to heat up. I thought of songs( they didn't offer to put my music and I forgot to ask) and movies, suddenly I remembered one movie when Ryan Reynolds is trapped inside a coffin. That's when my anxiety almost cause me an attack...😅 but I came out of it, breathing and replaying some funny tv shows I remember.
The thing stopped suddenly, and I was oK. I walked out of the clinic and that's when I broke down. I almost cry. Luckily it was all over.
Never again.
@@gabye. Ugh! Just thinking about being a coffin stresses me out, it would’ve sent me over the edge during my MRI. I hope they figure out a new way to get MRI images without having the patient crammed in a tube. Maybe someday.
@@SumTingWong1482 here ,here!
I understand. As a bigger person, the MRI is almost skin-tight. I had to cancel my appointment today. Did a MRI last year but my head was left out of the machine. Today, my whole body was in a machine and forced to lie a certain way with no cont rol I couldn't complete it. I could not get my brain off of being in a tight area with no control. The crazy part, I repaired equipment in tight areas with no problem.
Find an "Upright MRI" near you---you basically go in standing, and cant watch/listen to TV while standing and having it done...careful though, some Surgeons complain they're quality is not as good as a "regular" MRI...
Then it's the tech that sucks. Not the machine. The tech is *everything.*
Just did an mri today. The glasses did not help me
I never had a mri I couldn’t go through with out I started to panic and yelling to get me out .. so I guess I won’t be getting a mri 😊
Use an eye mask and focus on the music. When it's all blocked out you don't freak out
Yeah, me too!
Does your head have to go in if the mri is just fir the knee area
No
I'm a pretty big guy 6ft 280 lbs 53 years old and I've lost my mind going in the MRI I tried to open air 1 this afternoon
Open air? Is that an MRI you sit or stand in?
How did the open air work out for you
NOPE im clausterphobic and to scared .. its for my neck and they put that big white cage over my face with big headphones and i said no im getting out
I just had the SAME EXACT experience today. I freaked out… they pulled me out and I took a break. Went back in the MRI and was fine until they turned on the sound!! Then I had to be pulled Out again omg!! So scary!!! Had to reschedule and I’m dreading the day I have to come back in a week. Pray for me 🙏 also praying for you that we both have the strength to get it done.
UPDATE: my doctor rescheduled me but for an “open MRI”. Thank GOD!!
@@jamespratt7627 how did it go? I hve to see a specialist but my ct scan recommended an MRI and being claustrophobic i am having sleepless nights already. I had to prepare myself for the CT scan as well. MRI is going to be so much harder :-(.
@@mahams8954 L.P.
Same happen me to yesterday ...i had a MRI for my neck i was good untill they put the cage up my face...i said im scared and jump down from the bed
I never had a problem with MRI’s until I got older. Now I am 65 with a lot of painful diseases. After 40 mins and 4 nurses trying to find a vein to put my IV in for the contrast, I was exhausted and hurting before the machine started. While I was in the MRI machine I had to breathe in and hold my breath for 15 seconds a zillion times. Each time I was able to breathe again, I started coughing. My MRI lasted for 1.5 hours. They said I had another 1/2 hour to go but I was shaking from my pain levels and had to get out. How in the world can anyone keep that still for that long when you are in pain? They rescheduled it but I am not doing gong through that again. They will need to knock me out. I don’t think the balloon pictures would have helped me due to the pain levels.
Why can’t they just build a huge machine why does it have to be a tight space
you do not feel a thing i was worried about teeth fillings etc, but o k , i had hearing problems that is why i had to have a scan. i was clear. It is a worrying experience though
look on
😜😜😜try coffin racks in the navy over 12 years😜😜
Are you speaking of your "bunk beds"? Ive been in a docked sub...horrifying!!
CLOSE YOIR EYES DURING THE EXAM. It’s not a brainy
Can't with verigo
I did didn't help
I started my MRI today and left after 30 seconds. It's a poorly designed machine. It's extremely suffocating, has no air flow and with the covid face mask It's a veritable nightmare.
Thanks, but no thanks.
so what did u do? the doctor asked me to take mask off and still bad experience!
@@wtiy
I had CT scan instead
@@makpazon11 does it do the purpose? cause i was told it's not as accurate as the mri is
@@wtiy
Not as accurate I agree.
I would ask them for a tranquilizer if doing MRI.
@@makpazon11 my dad is forcing me into having an mri cause he already been in it 4 times and say there's literally nothing to be afraid of.. and doctors tell him that if my body is shaking i can't have the test.. and now i've two options.. one is to have an open mri which i bet it's the same experience.. and the second is undergo it eith sedative which i don't want to cause i'm afraid of spelling awful things yikes