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

My MRI was for my head. Before starting the MRI, I asked the tech to put me in the tube and then take me right out. This was so that I "could see what I was signing up for." On doing so, I could see that I would still be able to see out of the tube. This helped a little. They also gave me a buzzer to stop the MRI if need be. While in the tube, I remembered that a person with normal brething takes breathes close to 20 a minute. So I counted my breaths. This gave me a focus and also let me know the progress I was making in completing the MRi.

I am an xray tech. I find that going into mri knowing you can see the out and closing my eyes and meditating really helps. I am thin so I have lots of room around me in the tube.

Counting helps! I had a brain MRI and decided before they started I was just going to keep my eyes closed. A head cage is used, maybe you had one? To keep the head from moving at all. I preferred to just not see.
The tech asked what music I wanted to listen to and I said Yo Yo Ma classical cello solo. He’d never heard of that - but found it on YouTube. It is so searingly beautiful it makes me forget everything else. If you get a chance to have whatever music you like - ask for something that you love.

I’m sorry that they haven’t found another method of doing mri’s, however I did some research and I was given some places where I live that have a newer model and the difference is amazing. As a life long sufferer of claustrophobia I went through hell trying to get into a mri and many times I failed miserably, even the technician was irritated with me and that definitely does not help. As a cancer survivor I know that mri’s are commonly used so it just adds to the stress of what you’re going through and compassion isn’t high on the list for those people who suffer from this anxiety. I now will request a location that has the newest model and honestly it was such a big difference, they are open at each end and very wide open with lights inside and even some air blowing through, I hope that you are able to get help with this because the last thing you need is more stress to deal with.

I absolutely hate getting an MRI.. my anxiety goes through the roof just thinking about it.. the last one I had the guy let me lay on my stomach( I can’t stand being flat on my back).. he played music on a rock station for me a little louder than usual.. that helped alot.. I also took a Xanax to help calm me.. they will give you something if you ask for it.

An addition to frouke's advice. The imaging company in our town has one office called Open MRI. I always reserve that one if will work for my prescription.

I need to take 1-2 Ativan for MRIs. You will need to bring them with you and let the doc/techs know so they can tell you when to take them. You will also need a ride (not Uber).

Some places will have a lavender essential oil patch they can place on the gown and an eye pillow - I found keeping my eyes closed/covered helps because then I can't see how close I am to the walls of the tube and can pretend I'm in the open. Also asking if the have a fan in the tube helps too.

I would love some tips and tricks. I was just diagnosed today and know an MRI is in my future. I’ve had two in my lifetime - one mobile that I couldn’t complete and then an open MRI. I understand an open MRI might not be a possibility and I’m freaking out a little.

There are many ideas on the earlier posts. Hopefully you’ll find something that sounds like it would help.

I just googled whether it’s possible to bring a friend into the MRI with you. I was surprised to see that lots of facilities allow it! Maybe that would help? You’d want a friend or family member that is not bothered by the loud noises and could calmly talk with you, if needed.

If you, or anyone here, is in the Austin, TX area I’d be happy to sit through a MRI with you! Everyone could use a little grandmother handholding sometimes!

Bring a Buddy to your MRI

MRI's are interesting. I did not have this site then, but i had a friend. For the breast area, you lay face down. That was very interesting. They offered me a headset and music, but i declined. Because that time i was not in the tube, that was another time, I just listen to the clink clank as the machine worked. I thought of the doctors who wanted such a devise and the engineers and crafters who created the machine. All to get me a circular view of my breast area. Wow. I agree with every comment above. There were many good ideas to make this experience manageable.