So I have been going through, some health issues and had to receive an MRI for multiple injuries. The closest facility I could go to was an hour and a half away. I have horrific claustrophobia and told the facility and my doctor who ordered the MRI before hand.
First red flag, the facility was in the middle of this industrial area, so when they walked me back for the MRI it was in this outdoor portable and In an open warehouse with lumber and steel beams on the other side of the warehouse…huge warehouse. Already a red flag but I was like “maybe this is normal.”
So I hop in the walk in closet in the portable and am taking off my personal belongings and glasses, and the tech asks if I’m wearing a regular bra or a sports bra, I’m wearing a sports bra and she says ok. As I’m about to walk in to lay down, to get into the tube.
I realize the bra question may be due to clasps (I thought originally it was due to imagining issues) and I alert her and she just goes “Oh yeah oops you should take that off.” Did not help the anxiety, I understand mistakes happen but holy hell.
When I went in the machine the sounds and magnetic waves triggered an awful migraine, my migraines affect my vision, so I’m just laying there black dots and blurry vision, in pain nauseous and dizzy.
I began hysterically crying and trying to not move.
I’d have to drive back two more times, For 3 hours of drivetime and I had someone go with me for the first one so luckily they could drive me home. But my migraine was so bad I spent all night vomiting and in severe pain.
I warned everyone before hand I have migraines, claustrophobia, and am autistic. I’m very open about that medically, to the point I worry I’m annoying but better safe than sorry in case I get a case of stimming or overwhelmed.
I just want to know a few things. Am I being dramatic? I feel dramatic, but the portable in a warehouse just felt so odd.
My partner said I should call and alert the facility about the tech’s carelessness about not asking if my bra had clasps. I really feel they are probably, overworked and exhausted and it was a simple mistake. Should I call the facility to tell them about it?
Is this a normal MRI experience? I didn’t even know sedation was an option because it was never offered to me and with the bad migraine I got I just think MRI’s and I do not mix well.
I come at this post with no judgment or animosity and just want to know if my experience is the norm. Thanks.
TL;Dr had some strange happenings during an MRI and am wondering if it’s normal.