Waiting for scan results. Is this part of scanxiety?

@azkidney57. Not in any way an area I'm knowledgeable about, but it seems to me that your terrible discomfort with the MRI would qualify you to receive meds given to those who are claustrophobic. Worth discussing with your doctor.

@trishanna @azkidney57 I have yearly MRIs and initially was offered an anti-anxiety med if I needed it (lorazepam). I do not. My MRIs generally take just under an hour. The only part that bothers me is that I have to have my arms up next to my head and by the end of the MRI they are aching. I don't really feel claustrophobic because I just close my eyes.
I am hard of hearing and have to take my hearing aids out during the MRI because it could affect them. That's actually an advantage because although I cannot hear the instructions clearly I know them well enough to know what is being said. Maybe you could wear a non-deafening earplug so that things will not be as loud.
I have been very surprised myself that I have been able to lay so still for such a long amount of time!
JK

Scanxiety seems to be part of the process. Happens to me too. The docs usually have the images and text intreprations within 2 - 3 hours on their laptops if it was done in large hospital. I personally prefer my doc to tell me when he has time to explain. If I don't get a call quick, news is usually good. I use patient portals at our hospital so get the reports on my laptop after several days. Then I can start researching all that technical jargon and translate to layman English. Then I can formulate additional questions to hopefully relieve some of the anxiety. As to MRI sometimes they let me listen to music and their breathing instructions override the music. My MRI's usually only lasted about 20 minutes. Hope you get good news.
Harold

@azkidney57 Hi, again! Just responded to you in another discussion! I, also hate MRIs, but I try to think of them positively—they can show good outcomes. I have a “meditation” thing I say to myself during the test. Valium also helps. My mother, who had her first MRI at age 95, says the sounds make her think of a teenager in the next car playing his music too loud! One person has suggested asking the technicians to put on loud music. Becky

Good morning @azkidney57, I have had my share of MRIs. Here is what helped me, at least until the first head/ brain one.
1. I schedule them as early as possible to avoid “awfulizing” all day. (I like that word, @gingerw ).
2. I accept my friend’s offer to go with me. She is a nurse and so she is able to sit in the room with me.
3. And this one is very helpful......I ask that the technician NOT touch my head or body with any part of the equipment or accessories. I keep my eyes closed. This enables me to not feel the restraining environment and jump right into claustrophobic panic. Instead I envision a favorite beach or mountain. And I will be super honest and admit that imagining great sex can cut the time and put a damper on a frightening emotional response. Give it a try and then let me know how it works so that others can benefit. May you be safe and protected. Chris

@azkidney57 , I have had several MRI's and every time I go for mine they will have ear phones with music playing loud (not to the point of hurting my ears)
and they would ask what kind of music I wanted to listen to. However, I understand not all machines are equipped with it, so I would recommend what @becsbuddy said. My mother was claustrophobic and they advised her to take a Valium which did help her. Try to think nothing but happy thoughts.

Chris, thank you for your recommendations. I will try to schedule my next scan early. Taking a friend was something I never thought of before. I like your idea about thinking about sex, made me laugh! Thanks

I may just ask for something to calm my nerves next scan. I didn’t even think about it as an option. This was my first MRI ever. I have heard about how some patients hate them and now I know why. Thank you!

What are ways to deal with MRI’s? I just had my first scanning, MRI of abdomen and pelvis with and without contrast. The experience was one I don’t care to repeat. Yet my future holds more scans, more CT’s, MRI’s. The CT scan was fast. The MRI was like a torture. I wonder what other experiences await me as my cancer journey unfolds. What fresh hell awaits? I will try meditation. I welcome any thoughts, advise etc.

@azkidney My mother had her share of scans, also. She had had mini-strokes. Two things didn't help: she had some mental health issues and in her last 10 yrs developed Alzheimer's with dementia. The only way they could keep her calm enough was for my dad to be in the room, rubbing her feet. I recall as a young child she taught me to rub her feet with a simple lotion and it always really relaxed her. Perhaps if they would allow, you could pipe in an audio book to get lost in?
Ginger