I was pretty freaked out too and insisted on Open for my first few MRI's. I had a script for Vallium but didn't take it.
Then the NS convinced me that 1) the closed give better images, 2) closed are almost twice as fast and 3) they can't afford to have anyone "stuck" in there. So since then I've done two at the regular MRI.
On the other hand I like open better because they usually give you the films to keep and its a pain getting them from a hospital MRI.
I am a very small person, 120 pounds and 5'3". I have had more than 5 MRI's with no issue until the beginning of this month when I was hospitalized with bi-laterral bursitis and a left rotator cuff tear. I had to go into an MRI machine that was so small it had to be for children. I was so crammed into it my nose touched the top of the machine! Now mind you I have never been claustrophobic before! I am a well versed spelunker (that means I crawl in caves and have since I was 10, I am 34 now and in too much pain but that’s another story) My point is that I am used to getting into tiny spaces and never had a problem before. I freaked out and got out of the machine as quickly as they would let me.
I HAD to have this MRI or I would have had to stay in the hospital for 4 more days so I asked for a valium and put a washcloth over my eyes. That defiantly helped and I managed to survive over an hour and a half that way!
I now understand why everyone feels so panicked in these little MRI's. Next time I am asking for a normal sized MRI because as long as I have a few inches between my body and the machine I am fine....good luck everyone!
Let's face it...the problem is claustrophobia for some people, but I think its mostly that is the most like a casket a person would ever lie in (while alive, that is...LOL) and that can freak alot of people out! The Valium is so helpful, though.
SKZ., Looking around on the post and found the one from you on the MRI. Believe me I hate those things myself... in fact the last two I had (a day apart) I had them dope me well. In the meantime I found out there is a MRI machine that you CAN STAND/OR SIT UP... I KNOW, I HAD ONE... IT WAS HEAVEN..... This is called the Standup Fonar MRI.... You can find out all you need to know and the locations on the net. Just punch in Fonar MRI... We live in SC, and the nearest one to us was in Atlanta , Ga. We made the 3-1/2 hour trip, but it was worth every long mile....lol lol lol Since I was going I told my doctor to give them the order for head to lower lumbar to rule out anything other then my neck. I sat in the machine at 1:00pm, they put a foot stool under my feet. There is a bar that goes across your lap (just to be safe). Then the tech says, "What do you want to watch on TV"??? Big screen TV in front of me. AHHHHH watched HGTV... I had the cervical neck done, middle of back, and lower lumber. When they stopped to reposition me for the next set of x rays, I got up and had a bathroom break, and a soda... Then back to the chair...I finished up at 4:00pm. I would do it all over again, and again. That was the best MRI machine EVER..... I have been telling all the doc's I can (when I see them) hoping they will get this machine in our area.... Keep hoping... Maybe they have this in your neck of the woods, its worth looking into... Hope this helps.... Good luck. Janatee
SKZ., Looking around on the post and found the one from you on the MRI. Believe me I hate those things myself... in fact the last two I had (a day apart) I had them dope me well. In the meantime I found out there is a MRI machine that you CAN STAND/OR SIT UP... I KNOW, I HAD ONE... IT WAS HEAVEN..... This is called the Standup Fonar MRI.... You can find out all you need to know and the locations on the net. Just punch in Fonar MRI... We live in SC, and the nearest one to us was in Atlanta , Ga. We made the 3-1/2 hour trip, but it was worth every long mile....lol lol lol Since I was going I told my doctor to give them the order for head to lower lumbar to rule out anything other then my neck. I sat in the machine at 1:00pm, they put a foot stool under my feet. There is a bar that goes across your lap (just to be safe). Then the tech says, "What do you want to watch on TV"??? Big screen TV in front of me. AHHHHH watched HGTV... I had the cervical neck done, middle of back, and lower lumber. When they stopped to reposition me for the next set of x rays, I got up and had a bathroom break, and a soda... Then back to the chair...I finished up at 4:00pm. I would do it all over again, and again. That was the best MRI machine EVER..... I have been telling all the doc's I can (when I see them) hoping they will get this machine in our area.... Keep hoping... Maybe they have this in your neck of the woods, its worth looking into... Hope this helps.... Good luck. Janatee
I am embarrassed to say that I freaked out in an MRI yesterday. It had to be my fourth of fifth MRI, but I hadn't had one for 2 & 1/2 years. My doctor ordered an MRI during my visit to find why severe neck numbness and pain was back. They had an MRI opening in just a couple hours, so off I went. I was in such a fog trying to figure out what was going on with my neck that I didn't have time to think about how I had dealt with the previous MRIs.
They had changed the equipment. You had these huge 1970's headphones on with a cage over your face. As soon as they put the cage on I knew I was in trouble. It was a really tight fit with the stupid headphones. I then remembered that I had to take at least half a valium to get through the MRIs, prior to this new equipment. I was so embarrased to have them pull me out and wait 15 minutes for the medication to kick in. They almost rescheduled the procedure, since I drove myself. I only took half a valium, so I insisted that I would be okay. They also told me to use the washcloth, which was definitely a good idea. One techinician was really nice about it and said, "Hey this is my daily routine, don't worry about it". The other tech was a new girl who seemed a little ticked off. I hope that she someday has the experience of being in an MRI so she understands the fear.
