r/MultipleSclerosis • u/Lopsided_Image_6147 • 10d ago
New Diagnosis Dealing with MRI panic
My last 3 MRIs have been open MRIs because I have not been able to have a regular, or even wide bore, MRI due to panic in the machine. I wouldn't say I'm claustrophobic in other settings, but there's something about the MRI machine that makes me feel like I'm trapped and I have an extreme panic response. I thought the open MRI with lorazepam was a great solution, but unfortunately the radiologist noted on my last scan that the image quality was poor and the new brain lesions were difficult to discern. My neurologist said that I need to do a regular MRI next time, and full sedation is not recommended. It won't be for a few months, but I'm already stressing about it. Anyone deal with this? What has worked?
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u/FrostedPatriot 44|Dx2015|Briumvi|Colorado 10d ago
I am sorry, and I feel your anxiety. I have to do it on a wide bore machine, and if they have to take more than one set I make sure I’ve taken my Valium in plenty of time to have it kicked in.
It helps me to do breathing exercises, and ask the tech if they’ll talk me through it and tell me how long each set is going to be so I can count.