Do you have a coping mechanism to get through an MRI?

1/2 mg of Ativan prior to breast MRI. Had first one without but they saw something and I needed a second one, but so anxious, nurse suggested I ask for medication. I now request medication for each yearly Breast MRI and can tolerate it. You do have to have someone drive you because of medication.

Does anyone have success with Ativan to overcome claustrophobia? I had to stop a breast mri midway due to a panic attack. My doctor has suggested Ativan but I don’t have any experience with this type of drug and don’t want a repeat on the failed mri. Thanks

Also dosage? I see anything from .5 to 5 mg which scares me that there isn’t a good estimate of what will work!

Hi Maryjanesar,
you don't need to figure out the dose yourself. Talk to your doctor, and my advice is to see if you can get two doses. Take one when you are not getting the MRI to see how it affects you--probably at bedtime, as I wouldn't try to get through the day on an unfamiliar anti-anxiety medication. Take it in a peaceful setting and see if you can tolerate it. Then you'll be familiar with the effects and won't have additional worry. If this isn't an option--maybe the doctor prefers not to--take it before the MRI and bring a friend or family member for support and driving. I had valium once in an MRI--actually for vertigo--but it was the pleasantest MRI ever! Good luck with working this out. I know from experience how uncomfortable panic attacks in a medical setting can be.

I go into mri and close my eyes and listen to classical music. Be sure to have a hydration IV to flush the gadalinium(sp?) Dye through you.

*after mri have hydration IV wah thec dye out of your system.

I just had my breast MRI a week ago and because I’m claustrophobic, they prescribed one Xanax to take 45 minutes beforehand. I’d never taken one before and honestly I did not feel any different but my mind just wandered off during the MRI and I wasn’t bothered by it at all …except the hard plastic divider between your breasts which was uncomfortable for me. I would do the Xanax again for sure.

I have never been offered a hydration IV, just told to drink plenty of water. Did not know there was such a thing. Few years ago took part in study to find out how long dye stayed in system. They did blood test at regular intervals the weeks following MRI. Because it was research, never was told results.
Laurie

I like the idea of a Valium, didn’t know I needed extra hydration, which illustrates the importance of talking to each other here. My MRI technique is to silently or softly chant, “Oh, Lord, remember me when I come into your kingdom.” I use this through other difficult things too and it soothes me. Good luck.

The facility you had your breast mri in should have a set up on the mri unit that accommodates breasts so it is not uncomfortable. Ask them next time if the mri unit accommodates breast mri.

The dye stays in your body and some goes in your brain. You need to read what you sign to give them permission to do mri with gadolinium. There is no other dye to use at this time my radiologist said. But the dye lights up the ILC so I have no choice. I am having the hydrating infusion everything I have a breast mri. I do not know if it works 100% but it helps in washing the gadioleum dye from my system.