MRI scans

Hi Teresa22 

I’m really sorry to see you feel unable to have an mri scan due to your claustrophobia. 

I’ve had to have many, and always found it extremely difficult for the same reason. It was helpful to me that my whole body didn’t go into the scanner since it was only for the pelvic area and up as far as thorax and abdomen. I did once, many years ago, have to have my whole body in the mri scanner and had a panic attack. I manage to cope now, knowing that my full body isn’t  enclosed. 

I always wore an eye mask, and was reassured that I was holding the alarm button I could press to alert the staff to stop it immediately and take me out if required. 

Last year I needed more mri scans at different times, and the doctor offered me medication beforehand to relax me and help keep me calm. One of the doctors also did some deep breathing exercises with me to help before I went in.

Have the staff offered you any help at all? I found they understood my fear and really tried to make it as easy as possible. Have you been offered any other scanning options like CT etc? Ultimately I knew I needed the scans and was determined to get through, even though I was in tears! I’m sure this will be a problem the staff will see often and talking to them might help give you strategies which will allow you to cope. I wish you luck!

Sarah xx

Hi thanks for the reply. I have had many ct scans and I am fine with them. They also gave me diazepam once to try relax me but soon as I was in I panicked and pressed the button to get me out, i wouldn’t wish this fear on anyone. Thanks again for the reply I appreciate it x

I don’t have this problem but have you discussed having a relaxant drug of some kind, they must come across this issue many times. 

Hi they did give me diazepam the last time it was 10 mg and it still didn’t work I felt terrible having to press to get out but my claustrophobia goes back to domestic abuse in the past that I would rather not disclose. Thank you for your reply I appreciate it. x 

Hi Teresa22 

I’m also not so bad with the CT scan and the Pet Scan. MRI scans are part of the reason I developed PTSD after my cancer treatment due to a bad experience I had once in particular so I really can empathise with your feelings, and it’s horrible, isn’t it?

I refused one last year in relation to treatment for something else because of my fear (even though it wasn’t cancer related that time) and was told that was ok, and they relied on my CT scan findings for that particular issue. They were quite insistent, but I stood my ground and refused, which of course we are quite entitled to do.

I’m really sorry you have to deal with this. 

Sarah xx

Thanks Sarah, I’m sorry you have experienced this too. Thank you I now feel better about the CT scans and not being able to go through with the mri xx