I am getting an MRI this teus. How bad is it? I am not normally clostraphobic but I am wondering how small the area is that you have to lay in? And how bad is the loud noises?
The first time I had an MRI I took a relaxant. NOw I can do it by just envisioning pleasant things like gardens and the ocean. Ask if you can se the machine before you go and see how you feel about it. If you are a small person, it is not so bad, overweight it is a tight fit. Some medical centers have newer models that are open. Please ask before you go.
They are required to give you ear plugs for the noise, but I did it once without and it wasn;t so bad. I actually use the noise to beat out a song to it. The hardest thing for me was back pain when I was done. They put a pillow under your knees to help, but I'm 56, so what more can I ask for.
Basically it is painless...I even fell asleep a couple of times. Ann
has anyone had an MRI or CT to make sure there wasn't anything serious going on other than anxiety? i want to get one just to clear my head. i'm really paranoid something else is wrong. i know it's probably the anxiety but i've been having headaches and dizziness even if i'm not anxious or panicking.
Posts: 61 | Location: Pomona, CA, USA | Registered: August 31, 2006
I have had an MRI lots of times for a tumor. It is painless and a little nerve racking. The sounds are weird and loud and the space feels small. Just let them know you don't like to feel confined. My guy always talks to me through the speaker and gives me input on how much longer every few minutes. Helps to not feel so trapped. Just knowing that they will pull you if you feel paniced will help to ease it. It's not all that bad and they put a mirror at your feet so you can see out. I always focus on that. You'll be fine. Take care and try to not worry too much about it. It goes by quick.
I've had several MRIs and really they are OK. If it wasn't for the banging noise the machine makes i could have esily fallen asleep. One time I think I did dose off. You'll be just fine.
i had one done a few years ago. i was really nervous before i went. it was kind of a weird experience, but nothing to worry about. the time went by really fast, i was out before i knew it this was my experience, my whole body went into the machine, sounds scary, but it wasn't too bad. i had to lay perfectly still while the images were being taken. when the images were being taken there was a knocking sound, then it sounded like machine guns. but it wasn't scary. it's not really that loud. i got to hold onto a buzzer. so if i needed to get out or talk to someone i could just push the button.
A little late on this one...but I totally hate MRI's...to date I have had 22 of them...they never get any easier....and now with having panic attacks and anxiety...they just got even trickier....speaking of which,I'm about due for my 6 month MRI soon yuck..! I suffer from Multiple Sclerosis...so MRI's are a mainstream of my life now..
Posts: 6 | Location: Ft.Myers,FL | Registered: June 12, 2007
Stress Center Community 
this was my experience, my whole body went into the machine, sounds scary, but it wasn't too bad. i had to lay perfectly still while the images were being taken. when the images were being taken there was a knocking sound, then it sounded like machine guns. but it wasn't scary. it's not really that loud. i got to hold onto a buzzer. so if i needed to get out or talk to someone i could just push the button.
