Anxiety over an MRI

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deljo

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I have a ruptured disc, maybe L4, L5. I've had two fluorscope injections into my spine. First one worked second did not. That was followed by 2 caudal blocks. No pain relief, in fact I really felt sick afterwarRAB. The pain is in my lower back and down into my R. knee, down the shin bone, into the muscle along the bone and tingling in my foot and ankle. I had an MRI in 2004 and the spine specialist wants another. I've been putting it off and now the pain is making me do the MRI. The last one was an open MRI, but this Dr. wants the closed one. I should back up and explain the first MRI I ever had was for migraine and was a closed machine. I really had an axiety attack. This spine expert is one of the best in our city and I know he's right, but I guess my question is how do any of you feel about closed vs. open MRI's? Any real difference? Would appreciate your input.
 
I have had both types, but never experienced any anxiety. Let your Dr know or call the MRI place that your scheduled at let them know you concern and they can get you a Xanax or something to ease you mind. you will need someone to drive you home to get it, usually. Try to close your eyes and visualize your somewhere paeceful, or recite in your mind a favorite poem, verse, ABC's whatever it takes to distract you. I know it sound silly, but it really can help. take care.
Lisa:angel:
 
Many places will let you use an Ipod or they will give you headphones and ask what kind of music you like, or you can bring your own CD. I guess this only helps distract you if you like some sort of music. :D

Practice deep breathing. Keep your eyes shut, and pretty soon you may even drift off to sleep, if you've asked for something to take ahead of time.

Do you know what it is that causes your anxiety? Depending on the issue, you could ask to have a friend go with you and stay in the room with you. In some cases, this might help ease your anxiety.


I personally don't find the open MRI all that much more spacious than the closed one.
 
Make sure that they are aware of your anxiety and maybe they would give you something such as valium to help you thru the procedure. If not be sure to take any meRAB you have for your back prior to the procedure.
 
Well I can surely understand. I aam claustaphobic (sp?) and MRI's are extrememly difficult for me. However, one of my Drs. told me that the pictures on a closed MRI, pick up more detail than the open ones. So, Up until my last MRI, I was able to make it through, using the closed machine, using various tactics. I always take valium (or what ever it is that the Dr. px.) and I end up taking the maximum amount. I take my own eye cover with me, that has a strap on it. My hospital will offer you a towel to put over your eyes, but it's white and it falls off your face easily, so I take my own dark tightly fit eye mask. I take a CD, which helps a lot, I tell the tech. that I am claustaphobic, but that I am going to give this a try. However, I NEED to know how long it would take, for him to get me out if I needed him too. I always take the "panic" button, that they have and keep my hanRAB around it and on my stomach. It also takes me several tries of having the tech. put me in just a bit and bringing me out. Then I go in a little bit further etc. There was a time, that once I got in, I had a panic attack, so much so that I could not catch my breath, which led me to not be able to speak or yell for help. All I could think to do was to start kicking to try and get the techs. attn. (This all happened when I used their towel over my eyes and it fell off. I just slightly opened my eyes and that was the end of that. Hence, taking my own eye mask:)).

Now, the last time I went to the same hospital, they had just installed all new machines. They were a lot more narrow than the old ones and I tried over and over again, but I just could not do it. I ended up having to use the open one, which of course is so much easier. I had absolutly no problems with that machine, but I still believe that the closed ones do give better details. So, I thought that if I ever had to do that again, I would find a different location that has the closed machines that are wide enough for me to lay in without touching the sides.

(I guess I am lucky, in a sense, now that I have a stimulator in, I can't have any more MRI's:D).

Lorie:angel:
 
Thanks for your replies. I think I am going to go for the open MRI. I've read that some of the newer open ones are as good as the closed. I just can't stand the thought of being put into a tube. I'll post as to how it went.
 
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