Survey: Have you had an MRI scan?

Question

If so, how did you feel once you got in there? Did you become claustrophobic or were you okay with it?

Answer 1

No.

Answer 2

I have had three MRI scans. The first was fun because it was so new and interesting. During the second and third ones, I fell asleep in spite of the noise. I think it was the rhythmic nature of the sounds. I was totally okay with all of them.

Answer 3

Had one hardest part is just laying still

Answer 4

Yup.  I actually had the MRI in an open machine.  It was okay.  A little noisy and a lot of "holding that pose".

Answer 5

i have had many of them. i just close my eyes when the nurse rolls me in.

Answer 6

didn't feel claustrophobic, it is cold.  seemed to take forever, but it wasn't bad.

Answer 7

i've never had one, sorry but good luck!

Answer 8

Yeah. It's no thing... you basically lay in a bed have your head photographed with some cameras in a cylinder

Answer 9

i've had one...it was cold and hard to lay still...very boring...

Answer 10

I had my first one about 2 weeks ago...

and never..never..never

again!!

the doc said it was a little claustrophobic....

but he was WRONG.....

every time now i close my eyes at night i see and feel myself in this tiny confined space strapped in....

it is horrific believe me

I had no idea !!

Answer 11

I was ok as long as my eyes were shut & I wasn't thinking I was in a coffin. They played music so I just listened to the music.

I could have fell asleep if I was the type of person that can sleep just anywhere.

Answer 12

I have had many MRI and MRA scans over the last 5yrs. I am not claustrophobic, but I can fully understand the bad feelings that many people get during these tests. The best way, I feel, to overcome these closed in feelings, is to first, close your eyes and keep them closed. Second, they give you headsets, so just ask the technician to turn up the volume (hard to hear over the loud clanging of the magnets), and listen to music.Keep your attention on listening to the music, and try and block out all other thoughts. If you can do that, then you should be fine for the 30-45min. that you are in the tunnel. I hope that this helps. Dennis K

Answer 13

No, never.

Answer 14

I am very claustrophobic so my doc scheduled me for an "open" MRI rather than put me into that tube. With an open MRI you lay flat on an exam table and the machine hovers over you. Yeah it's open but that thing is over you. I was medicated, even the open MRI freaks me out.

If you think you're gonna freak, tell them you need a BIG DOSE of Valium to calm your nerves. You need to get all this out in the open before you go in. They can charge your insurance for the appointment if you cancel at the last minute.

Answer 15

I had one,I thought id be claustrophobic, but I closed my eyes and imagined some thing nice,and beautiful. The MRI didn't take as long as once thought..focus is the key. Wishing you well.

Answer 16

yes, i remember i actually enjoyed it... i like being in small spaces

Answer 17

no, and i hope not to ever NEED to have one. but i've heard they are not as bad as they say.

Answer 18

I've only had one of my knee so I was only in up to my waist--i'm extremely claustrophobic and was shaking even at the thought of just that lol..

Once we started I was fine though--it helped that they kept talking to me through my headphones.

Answer 19

I was nervous as h**l before going in there! It turned out to be not so bad except that you can't move AT ALL! The guy doing the scan was cute though!! That helped!! lol

Answer 20

Yes and I'm scheduled for another. I am claustrophobic and the Dr. has prescribed some Xanax for me to take 1/2 hour before the MRI. There are two types of machines, closed magnet and open magnet, if you need an MRI and you are even slightly claustrophobic, you want an open magnet machine. I had an aborted try in a closed magnet and it felt like I was being squeezed into a tube. Especially if they want head shots, they put a hard plastic cage over your head and face. I know people who have had MRI's on different body parts and they don't have their head caged and they seem to have better experiences with the machine. Personally, I'd rather have a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Answer 21

I've had several. The only real discomfort for me is that you can't move and it's extremely cold in there.