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

Posted by Rubyslippers @triciaot, Dec 20, 2023

Would you share how you cope during an MRI? There are some people who get concerned about the claustrophobia and loud noises. It might be helpful for them to hear your ideas.
While I was waiting for a breast MRI I started talking with another woman who had to come back for an MRI re-do. She had not been able to make it through her first MRI and was really concerned she couldn’t do it the second time. My heart really went out to her. I wish that I could have sat through the MRI with her to help calm her.
I told her for my first MRI I counted backwards from 100. I think I got down to the 30s. I also sang to myself 99 bottles of beer on the wall 🙂

I had a brain MRI this summer. I counted the songs they played through the speaker. I figured most songs are about 2-3 minutes so to get through a 20 min scan, it would take about 7 songs. I knew I could lay there for 7 songs, and I did.
What has worked for you?

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kstar077 | @kstar077 | Mar 2 7:54am

Has anyone else had the hydrating infusion when having the breast mri with dye?

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kstar077 | @kstar077 | Mar 2 8:00am
In reply to @roch "I have never been offered a hydration IV, just told to drink plenty of water. Did..." + (show)
@roch

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

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You should inquire about the research result. I would want to know. You have the right to know their findings which would be helpful for others and yourself You need to know if the hydration infusion clears most of the dye out of you after mri with dye for ILC breast.

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myoga | @myoga | Mar 2 4:16pm

I don't have IV hydration with MRI. The first time they didn't even tell me to drink water. I'll ask them next time and make I drink water before and plenty after. Thanks for the information.

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anjir | @anjir | Mar 2 8:19pm
In reply to @maryjanesar "Does anyone have success with Ativan to overcome claustrophobia? I had to stop a breast mri..." + (show)
@maryjanesar

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!

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i used square breathing. Visualize a square, Inbreath for four counts, hold for four, out breathfor four and the hold for four.

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2 replies
anjir | @anjir | Mar 2 9:52pm
In reply to @anjir "i used square breathing. Visualize a square, Inbreath for four counts, hold for four, out breathfor..." + (show)
@anjir

i used square breathing. Visualize a square, Inbreath for four counts, hold for four, out breathfor four and the hold for four.

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Keep visualizing the square and counting in your mind. It gives the mind something to do, so anytime your mind strays into fear or whatever, go back to this.

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Nemo1 | @nemo1 | Mar 3 8:23am
In reply to @anjir "i used square breathing. Visualize a square, Inbreath for four counts, hold for four, out breathfor..." + (show)
@anjir

i used square breathing. Visualize a square, Inbreath for four counts, hold for four, out breathfor four and the hold for four.

Jump to this post

That works.

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doxielover1 | @doxielover1 | Mar 3 9:24am

Just did it last week! Very easy…they make you comfortable. Just make sure that your nose is not covered! I sang Taylor Swift songs in my head…and I’m NOT a Swiftie! Over in no time!

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kensiejames | @kensiejames | Mar 4 7:19pm

Prayer! I use that time to pray.

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karpow67 | @karpow67 | Mar 4 7:50pm

When I had my breast MRI I layed on my stomach and they put my feet in first. I had a mirror that showed to the outside of the tube so when I opened my eyes I saw the room. That part was great. What wasn't great was laying on the plastic piece across my diaphram. I could not even take in a full breath for 45 minutes.....I used a technique of remembering gymnastic routines that I had done as a child. If you have a work out routine, or anything that is routine, just repeat that over and over in your brain.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Mar 5 10:06am

I can’t even tell you how many MRIs I’ve had in my lifetime including a few months ago and have never been offered an IV flush. I was just advised to drink lots of water. Hmmm.

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