Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help.I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it iscompletely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out.I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to "calm" me that did absolutely nothing,but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully.This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there.They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill.Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD,any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful?Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for.Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help.I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it iscompletely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out.I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to "calm" me that did absolutely nothing,but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully.This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there.They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill.Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD,any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful?Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for.Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help.I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it iscompletely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out.I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to "calm" me that did absolutely nothing,but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully.This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there.They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill.Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD,any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful?Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for.Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Conscious sedation 'should' do the trick-it's what they give people getting endoscopies (where they stick the tube/camera down your throat). They also have open MRI centers where the machine isn't all around you... ____________________________ in *HHH* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Conscious sedation 'should' do the trick-it's what they give people getting endoscopies (where they stick the tube/camera down your throat). They also have open MRI centers where the machine isn't all around you... ____________________________ in *HHH* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Conscious sedation 'should' do the trick-it's what they give people getting endoscopies (where they stick the tube/camera down your throat). They also have open MRI centers where the machine isn't all around you... ____________________________ in *HHH* Jerseyopen proximal rny 9/18/015'9"-31yo297/168I'm not a doc-in real life or otherwise.***HHH=hot, hazy, & humid!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 I know just where you're coming from. I'm the same way. Playing music doesn't really help because you don't hear it, the machine is pretty loud. I only heard the stuff I picked between tests. It took some concentration but I kept my eyes closed tight and concentrated on laying still. Let them know you'd appreciate being checked on a little more than normal. I was lucky because one of the people who did help on my test was a friend of mine's husband. My test took a little longer but I went thru it better. I don't like even stepping into my clothes closet and it's got 2 doors, its' big. Sometimes they'll pull you out of the thing to give you a mental rest. My prayers are with you!! Let us know soons your done. SpiffKen & Jackie Reimer wrote: I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help. I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it is completely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out. I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to "calm" me that did absolutely nothing, but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully. This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there. They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD, any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful? Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for. Jackie Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 I know just where you're coming from. I'm the same way. Playing music doesn't really help because you don't hear it, the machine is pretty loud. I only heard the stuff I picked between tests. It took some concentration but I kept my eyes closed tight and concentrated on laying still. Let them know you'd appreciate being checked on a little more than normal. I was lucky because one of the people who did help on my test was a friend of mine's husband. My test took a little longer but I went thru it better. I don't like even stepping into my clothes closet and it's got 2 doors, its' big. Sometimes they'll pull you out of the thing to give you a mental rest. My prayers are with you!! Let us know soons your done. SpiffKen & Jackie Reimer wrote: I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help. I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it is completely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out. I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to "calm" me that did absolutely nothing, but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully. This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there. They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD, any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful? Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for. Jackie Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 I know just where you're coming from. I'm the same way. Playing music doesn't really help because you don't hear it, the machine is pretty loud. I only heard the stuff I picked between tests. It took some concentration but I kept my eyes closed tight and concentrated on laying still. Let them know you'd appreciate being checked on a little more than normal. I was lucky because one of the people who did help on my test was a friend of mine's husband. My test took a little longer but I went thru it better. I don't like even stepping into my clothes closet and it's got 2 doors, its' big. Sometimes they'll pull you out of the thing to give you a mental rest. My prayers are with you!! Let us know soons your done. SpiffKen & Jackie Reimer wrote: I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help. I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it is completely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out. I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to "calm" me that did absolutely nothing, but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully. This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there. They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD, any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful? Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for. Jackie Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Hi Jackie. I understand your fears and concerns since I am personally totally claustophobic as well. I have not had an MRI yet...but do need to get one soon due to a family tendency to strokes, I have been requested by my brother to get one. Anyway, my 12 year old daughter had 3 MRI’s last year — with and without the conscious sedation. What that is usually, is a barbituate that they give you intraveneously after they give you the “pill” to relax you. My daughter had it both with and without... What helped her was me being there and letting her know, “Ok, 2 more minutes, 1 minute, etc...” They do the films in sets of 3 to 4 minutes usually and with the noise and claustrophobia I would imagine it can seem like forever and my daughter told me of all the things I did, i.e. Hold onto her foot, talk, squeeze her toe, etc. that my letting her know the timeframe helped her the most. So — if you can bring a friend or loved one, I would suggest that... They had a count down display on the front of the MRI machine and I used that to call out the time. Or maybe the tech can talk to you through the tube speaker... Hope this helps. Sue I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help. I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it is completely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out. I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to " calm " me that did absolutely nothing, but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully. This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there. They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD, any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful? Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for. Jackie .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Hi Jackie. I understand your fears and concerns since I am personally totally claustophobic as well. I have not had an MRI yet...but do need to get one soon due to a family tendency to strokes, I have been requested by my brother to get one. Anyway, my 12 year old daughter had 3 MRI’s last year — with and without the conscious sedation. What that is usually, is a barbituate that they give you intraveneously after they give you the “pill” to relax you. My daughter had it both with and without... What helped her was me being there and letting her know, “Ok, 2 more minutes, 1 minute, etc...” They do the films in sets of 3 to 4 minutes usually and with the noise and claustrophobia I would imagine it can seem like forever and my daughter told me of all the things I did, i.e. Hold onto her foot, talk, squeeze her toe, etc. that my letting her know the timeframe helped her the most. So — if you can bring a friend or loved one, I would suggest that... They had a count down display on the front of the MRI machine and I used that to call out the time. Or maybe the tech can talk to you through the tube speaker... Hope this helps. Sue I know this is off topic, but I'm looking for some help. I have to have an MRI next week and I am VERY claustrophobic, it makes no sense, it is completely illogical for me, but as the time closes in on the date I am starting to wig out. I had one of my lower spine last year, they gave me a pill to " calm " me that did absolutely nothing, but she did it where my head stuck out, so i muddled through it, very stressfully. This one is cervical, so my head will have to be in there. They have planned to give me conscious sedation, which I'm not sure what that means, I hope it's not that pill. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have any ideas to help me through this? The lady on the phone said to bring a CD, any ideas on what kind of CD would be helpful? Really, any ideas at all I will be grateful for. Jackie .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 HI Sue,My husband is coming with, so he will be there. I didn't know anyone was allowed in the room with me.I am thinking it's like an xray, is it not? That would be cool. Why can't they just do full body scans like on T.V., while you stand there with your latte? LOLJackieSo — if you can bring a friend or loved one, I would suggest that... They had a count down display on the front of the MRI machine and I used that to call out the time.Or maybe the tech can talk to you through the tube speaker...Hope this helps.Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 You can have one person in the room with you — ask. I like your idea, for sure! Let us know how it goes... The wait and the projection of what will happen is always the worst part Sue HI Sue, My husband is coming with, so he will be there. I didn't know anyone was allowed in the room with me. I am thinking it's like an xray, is it not? That would be cool. Why can't they just do full body scans like on T.V., while you stand there with your latte? LOL Jackie .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 One thing to be prepared for tho is what feels like tapping on your head. There for a bit during one of the sessions, it felt like somebody was tapping their finger on the exact top of my head. Was kinda wierd. I don't know if that was where it was going deepest into my head or towards the top, I can't remember. I made lists of things I needed to do when I got home, stuff I wanted to do with the yard, etc. Tom ( friend's husband ) told the nurse to talk to me often. She talked to me before and after every test. If you tell them, they'll understand. SpiffKen & Jackie Reimer wrote: Spiff, It's a relief just knowing I am not the only person who feels this way. Another nice person here mentioned an open MRI place, that's what i had last year, it is something with it being so close to my face that makes me literally lose my breath, the open ones are still really close to the face. I had asked about head phones for my music, she said no since it is a huge magnet and head phones are metal Jackie I know just where you're coming from. I'm the same way. Playing music doesn't really help because you don't hear it, the machine is pretty loud. I only heard the stuff I picked between tests. It took some concentration but I kept my eyes closed tight and concentrated on laying still. Let them know you'd appreciate being checked on a little more than normal. I was lucky because one of the people who did help on my test was a friend of mine's husband. My test took a little longer but I went thru it better. I don't like even stepping into my clothes closet and it's got 2 doors, its' big. Sometimes they'll pull you out of the thing to give you a mental rest. My prayers are with you!! Let us know soons your done. Spiff . All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 One thing to be prepared for tho is what feels like tapping on your head. There for a bit during one of the sessions, it felt like somebody was tapping their finger on the exact top of my head. Was kinda wierd. I don't know if that was where it was going deepest into my head or towards the top, I can't remember. I made lists of things I needed to do when I got home, stuff I wanted to do with the yard, etc. Tom ( friend's husband ) told the nurse to talk to me often. She talked to me before and after every test. If you tell them, they'll understand. SpiffKen & Jackie Reimer wrote: Spiff, It's a relief just knowing I am not the only person who feels this way. Another nice person here mentioned an open MRI place, that's what i had last year, it is something with it being so close to my face that makes me literally lose my breath, the open ones are still really close to the face. I had asked about head phones for my music, she said no since it is a huge magnet and head phones are metal Jackie I know just where you're coming from. I'm the same way. Playing music doesn't really help because you don't hear it, the machine is pretty loud. I only heard the stuff I picked between tests. It took some concentration but I kept my eyes closed tight and concentrated on laying still. Let them know you'd appreciate being checked on a little more than normal. I was lucky because one of the people who did help on my test was a friend of mine's husband. My test took a little longer but I went thru it better. I don't like even stepping into my clothes closet and it's got 2 doors, its' big. Sometimes they'll pull you out of the thing to give you a mental rest. My prayers are with you!! Let us know soons your done. Spiff . All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 One thing to be prepared for tho is what feels like tapping on your head. There for a bit during one of the sessions, it felt like somebody was tapping their finger on the exact top of my head. Was kinda wierd. I don't know if that was where it was going deepest into my head or towards the top, I can't remember. I made lists of things I needed to do when I got home, stuff I wanted to do with the yard, etc. Tom ( friend's husband ) told the nurse to talk to me often. She talked to me before and after every test. If you tell them, they'll understand. SpiffKen & Jackie Reimer wrote: Spiff, It's a relief just knowing I am not the only person who feels this way. Another nice person here mentioned an open MRI place, that's what i had last year, it is something with it being so close to my face that makes me literally lose my breath, the open ones are still really close to the face. I had asked about head phones for my music, she said no since it is a huge magnet and head phones are metal Jackie I know just where you're coming from. I'm the same way. Playing music doesn't really help because you don't hear it, the machine is pretty loud. I only heard the stuff I picked between tests. It took some concentration but I kept my eyes closed tight and concentrated on laying still. Let them know you'd appreciate being checked on a little more than normal. I was lucky because one of the people who did help on my test was a friend of mine's husband. My test took a little longer but I went thru it better. I don't like even stepping into my clothes closet and it's got 2 doors, its' big. Sometimes they'll pull you out of the thing to give you a mental rest. My prayers are with you!! Let us know soons your done. Spiff . All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Thank you :)JackieYou can have one person in the room with you — ask.I like your idea, for sure!Let us know how it goes... The wait and the projection of what will happen is always the worst partSue . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Great ideas, thank you :)JackieI made lists of things I needed to do when I got home, stuff I wanted to do with the yard, etc. Tom ( friend's husband ) told the nurse to talk to me often. She talked to me before and after every test. If you tell them, they'll understand.Spiff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.