Claustrophobia with scans

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hello ,is any one having problems with claustrophobia  when they go in scans.

It first started with an MRI scan. I am regularly  having scans ,but the worst one is the PET SCAN. I never suffered with panic attacks before. The last CT scan was a quick 5 minute chest CT and I climbed out of the machine.

I am hoping they will be able to  give me something . I have been worrying  about my 3 monthly PET scan that is due in February . I don't think I can cope with this . I am getting tearful just typing this. God this bloody cancer destroys you in so many ways. Any suggestions as to what I can do.                        Thanks .

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Me me me me!!! Hate the bloody things! I have no veins for a start then the CT scanner, first time was okayish but my heart start to pound when the dye went in and I felt tearful, no idea why as it’s a donut shape, so each one after that I got anxiety knowing what’s gonna happen, I found deep breathing helped me relax more, you know the kind they teach you for during childbirth, that helped me, as for MRI’s hated them with a passion but I took some liquid morphine about 10 mins before and it helped me to relax and I also found out that a hospital near to me (James Cook) not sure where you are is open ended so no anxiety with that and I fell asleep during that one. Tell the staff your fears and they may offer some advice 

    Jo x 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Jo , thanks for quick response.  

    Yes I think I'll call doctors up and get morphine valium anything .It is in my thought too much. 

    Sharon xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    How are you managing pain wise? If you have some oral morphine usually used for breakthrough pain then take it or a mild sedative should help you from your GP but it’s hard enough going through this without the added pressure xx 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    How are you managing pain wise? If you have some oral morphine usually used for breakthrough pain then take it or a mild sedative should help you from your GP but it’s hard enough going through this without the added pressure xx 

  • yes I am. had a couple of CT scans no problem, had an MRI no problems, next MRI had to squeeze the bulb almost straight away and get pulled out before the scan had started. Had to sit up take a deep breath and make sure my big boy pants were correctly positioned. Then a few months later they said they wanted a full spine MRI, 30 to  45 mins in the MRI scanner. I laid on the table and when they put the next brace on I said "no if you put that on I will panic" they took it off but said I had to stay very still. I laid down closed my eyes and focused on a holiday where I was laid on the beach sunbathing and watching the ocean. I concentrated really hard on that and suddenly they said all done and it was over. Hopefully it will work next time to


    Richard

    be safe, be nice, be you 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hello all, it's been a while.

    Sitting in cubicle waiting to go go and have Pet Scan. Have taken 2 diazepam.  Hoping I will be ok.fingers crossed. WearyWearyFrowning2

  • Hello,

    I hope that today went ok for you? Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long for the results.

    xxxxx