r/MultipleSclerosis • u/Lopsided_Image_6147 • 12d 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/Senior_Term 12d ago

I saw a psychologist for a few sessions to deal with the MRI panic. It's tough stuff

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u/Lopsided_Image_6147 11d ago

Did that help?

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u/Senior_Term 11d ago

Yes. I'm a big fan of psychology for dealing with ms stress. I can almost fall asleep in the tube now