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
12 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.
I'm supposed to have one in the next few months and I am dreading it. I do not like enclosed spaces. Everyone I talk to says that they have had difficulty remaining calm. Many take a prescription to calm them down.
I had a scan for my back injury. To lie still and straight was agony but it needed to be done. “What can’t be cured must be endured.”
I'm not keen on small places so would hate having an MRI. AS for that poor man - it just made me shudder.
I e had a couple of MRI scans and they have never bothered me, in fact i could have dozed off but the first one my husband had a few months ago he had to tell them to stop and put him in feet first instead as he started to panic. Funny how one thing can affect some people and not affect others.
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