Getting MRI and claustrophobic. Docs want to sedate me...

[[ke...]]

With benzos. Bad idea? Or is one time okay?

[[Th...]]

I won't take benzo if being in your position.

[[je...]]

Can you do an "open MRI"?  If not, you must remain very still for the test in that tube.  My husband was an MRI assistant tech and told me that sedation is routine for those with a "tight spaces" issue.  Talk to your doctor.  I'm sure he/she is there to help you if you must have this test.

[[fr...]]

  I am also claustrophobic. This is what helped me.  I got a cheap blindfold at CVS, like an eyepatch only for both eyes.  I put it on outside the room, never looked at the machine or inside of room.  I had the tech lead me in by the hand and I laid down and it really made it bearable.  You might try this instead of sedation.  Good luck.  It worked for me and I never thought it would make a difference but it really did.  I was hardly nervous. 

[[Ma...]]

  I am also claustrophobic. This is what helped me.  I got a cheap blindfold at CVS, like an eyepatch only for both eyes.  I put it on outside the room, never looked at the machine or inside of room.  I had the tech lead me in by the hand and I laid down and it really made it bearable.  You might try this instead of sedation.  Good luck.  It worked for me and I never thought it would make a difference but it really did.  I was hardly nervous.

 

Thats exactly how I did it. I would NEVER take a benzo again, not for one time. Never.

If you don't take a look at the walls around you in the machine, you cannot get claustrophobic. I don't know if that is possible in your country, here in mine there is the possibility to even listen to your own music.

Another tip: Take your own ear plugs with you UNDER the hearing protection they will give you anyway, so you will hear less of the noise the machine is doing.

And: Buy yourself a gift after!! 

[[Kl...]]

I had to do this recently and it wasn't that bad. I just closed my eyes and focused on meditation like breathing. At one point I got a little uncomfortable and asked them to let me out briefly, I got up walked around for a few mins then went back in and finished it. They did have music for me to listen to which helped a little.

[[bo...]]

Me too . Scares the daylights out of me..

I did a lot of research into it, spoke to doctors and chemists.

All of them said a one off dose would not effect my taper. ( I was due to have an MRI in my last month of tapering) as it turned outI didn't need the MRI. But there will be a next time one day I'm sure.

At the risk of being shot down in flames , I would consider a one off dose .. probably a mg..

I know me , I know my claustiphobia levels  and none of the above techniques would work for me.

I am not saying do it, I'm saying talk to people you trust , health professionals, and then make the best decision for you ...good luck BB

[[76...]]

I did the open MRI

[[ja...]]

as someone who used a little Ativan a few times for dental work, since jumping( feb 2014), I would advise against this. maybe ask for a Benadryl pill or just use headphones. the machine isn't that claustrobic, it just makes a lot of weird noises(clacks and cranks). if u can distract with music, you should be totally fine.

[[ro...]]

I had an MRI in April, found a place that had a short bore MRI, the tube is short, wide, and open at both ends...was perfectly fine in it, not close to the face at all and could see out both endd during the whole thing...I hate feeling closed in and was so pleased. Hope it goes well for you.

[[bo...]]

I believe those short bore ones are the best.. they are wider.. where I live there is only one hospital and one MRI machine in the area.. unfortunately it is the narrow long bore one! I hope the O P has the option of finding a short bore one. I think that would be the best option .