Gd morning ladies, Im hoping that one of yous may be able to shed some light on this.........
I've suffered with migraines for the past 6 months. Really bad ones...where I have to blind myself and go into a quiet area or Ill vomit. Last month I went to my doctor and he ordered all types of blood work, thank goodness everything came out normal, however he sent me for an MRI last week and I caught a panic attack as soon as they slid me into the tunnel. I started screaming and kicking like a two year old until they took me out of the room and now Im experiencing all types of claustophobic symptoms. This entire past week has been a nightmare going into the subway especially right before entering a tunnel. For those of you that take the L train into the city......I get anxious right on Bedford Avenue, before the underwater tunnel. Im getting to my meeting late and think Im going nuts.
Anyways, my doctor prescribed Xanax yesterday in order to calm my nervous system down before my second attempt at the MRI tomorrow morning. I was literally crying to my doctor that I think Im going to stop breathing in there and he tried to assure me that Ill be ok with the Xanax. I know this sounds a bit extreme to some ( like my friends) however Im really afraid. Has anyone gone through his????
kellybean
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
it sounds like he absollutely did the right thing...xanax is an anxiety reducing medication. It should do the trick!!
redjasper32
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
Thank you....I really hope it does!
KK Holiday
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
i experienced anxiety when I had an MRI. did you have a closed or an open one? I would talk to your doctor about trying an open MRI...it might be a better option for you.
Thank you so much for the article......my insurance doesnt cover the open one, but at least I now know that its more common.
redjasper32
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
Posted by KK Holiday
i experienced anxiety when I had an MRI. did you have a closed or an open one? I would talk to your doctor about trying an open MRI...it might be a better option for you.
hope everything goes well!!!!!!!
Thank you!
dmcphly
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
i have the same problem with migrains. and i am currently going through the same thing. but the mri i had was an open mri , so it wasn't enclosed. fm me if you want more infomation
Katiesmom
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
My daughter had the same reaction...the tech let me stay in the room with her and I held her hand through the whole test. See if they will let someone go in and talk you through the test. I am extremely claustraphobic so I can really relate. Definitely take the Xanax...it will help alot. Kathy
bluekat16
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
I can't go into a closed MRI...anytime I've had an MRII it's been an open MRI...can you go to a location with an OPEN MRI facility?
Xanax wil def. reduce your anxiety.
wo0shply
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
I had to do a whole bunch of MRI's and I found closing your eyes and meditating kept me calm. I would breathe in and think in and breathe out and think out. I know it sounds cheezy but it worked for me. put me in a trance and it made the time go by faster. Do it in the waiting room and it will calm you down.
Its totally normal to be scared. You're not going nuts!
fdny3113
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
Sorry you had to go through this! its completely normal! I work for a neurologist and there are a lot of people who can not complete this test. if you still are unable to complete the test, have your doctors office explain your situation to your insurance company! it shouldn't be a problem to change the site! good luck!!!!
redjasper32
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
Thank you all for your kind advices! I'm def. doing the Xanax and gonna try meditating.
Thanks a bunch!
angl2001
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
good luck let us know how it goes
wundmoretime
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
I have worked in a radiology reading room for over 7 years and let me tell you, no-it is not uncommon what you are experiencing. Make sure you have a driver though. You can't drive with the medicine. Here is an interesting story that happened at work a month or 2 ago-lady took a xanax and was out of it. She lit up a cigarette in the waiting area and fell asleep, setting herself on fire! She was ok but did get sent to the er. I am surprised that your insurance won't cover an open mri. The trick is not to open your eyes. I have a hard time with the mri also and feel like I am going to have a heart attack cause my heart is racing so fast. Don't look! The medicine will help if you can't appeal to the insurance to get the open covered. good luck, you will be fine.
ldrenckhahn
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Re: NWR MRI tomorrow morning.
Yeah, having an MRI can be uncomfortable. I had one a few weeks ago for migraines myself. What you may also consider is looking for a place that does an open MRI. I know that here in Connecticut there is a hospital that does the open MRI so it's not such a tight squeeze.
