In my news feed today I read of a man, who was wearing a big metal necklace and was sucked into an MRI machine in Nassau.. I'm so glad I didn't see anything like this a few years ago, because I had to have an MRI scan. It was horrible I thought I'd have to press the emergency button to say I wasn't ok after just a few minutes.
The clanking noise was very, very loud so listening to music wasn't possible, but what I hated the most was not doing or listening to anything at all. I thought I'd go mad. That might sound extreme but I was struggling not to panic. Being slid into the opening was horrific, I was a bit claustrophobic and I reckon this procedure has made me worse
So I played word games in my mind, nothing very clever, but naming flowers going through the alphabet, then girl names, boy names and then a list adding an item each time, eg start with ..loaf of bread, add butter, add jam etc.. each time starting over with ..loaf of bread. I think I got to 15 items and then forgot some.
When a voice came through the head phones .. 'just 6 more minutes Christine, are you alright?' I nearly said 'No' but I stuck it out and it was only 20 minutes altogether, but felt so much longer. I was wet with perspiration when they got me out and I cried and cried with Dh in the little room afterwards.
Never again, you can't imagine what its like, till you have to have it, I couldn't do it again. Have you had to have one?
Chrisxx
8 comments:
I had one a couple of years ago. It was a bit of a shock at first, with the noise and enclosed space; also having to hold my breath (my lungs are so bad that's quite hard for longer than a few seconds. In the end I closed my mind and just prayed and concentrated on breathing gently and calmly and I found it not to bad. The staff were wonderful.
I can find it can be hard to get the initial panic under control; I've found I need to nip it in the bud before it starts to grow.
I had to have one several years ago and it wasn't fun. They let me have my choice of music, I chose praise and worship and prayed while in there. That helped.
I can't believe that man had the metal necklace on. I was checked before going in.
I had multiple MRI's 20 some years ago when I was crushed in my car. But I just put up with the noise and the resulting headache. I'm glad I don't mind small spaces, not that they are fun. And why would any responsible employee let a person wear metal in a MRI?
I had an MRI of my brain and spine years ago, they put the little cage thing over my face, oh dear. I was offered a choice of music, chose rock...well. Do you remember The Doors? The song "Light My Fire"? (Come on baby light my fire...ugh!) THAT was the song that played...it was awful. I had to close my eyes and pretend it wasn't happening.
They are a noisy machine aren't they!
It is my understanding that for patients in the UK, and no doubt other countries, who do have a serious problem with confined spaces/claustrophobia it is possible to be prescribed some oral medication that could reduce anxiety. Always discuss things with your Doctor/health care team.
All the best Jan
I hope never…but…
Yes I have had a few. The noise was awful and getting the canula in was horrific. Not fun.
I haven't had one but my Mum had to have several and it was only then that we realised that my Dad's complaint about having been 'tortured in a box' when in hospital suffering from Motor Neurone Disease and Dementia was not actually a delusion.
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