Thank you for telling me of your experience with your neck and the mri. I pray that they will do the same. I've been learning how to meditate with the Calm app. It's difficult to learn to meditate but each day is getting better. I'm hoping that what l am learning to do will keep me calm during the mri. I have bad anxiety and take the xanax when l need it. I don't take everyday as l don't want to get addicted. At 66 it's not what l want lol.

@cookiepic I just got back from my MRI and all went well. I think 1/2 of the solution is having friendly, helpful techs, they make such a huge difference! That got me to thinking—maybe you could make an appointment ahead of time to meet the technicians and discuss your fears. It will make a big difference for them to know of your anxiety and how you can work together. Do you think this might work for you?

I could try and call them. With this covid virus alot of restrictions happening. If l can ask what kind of mri did you have? Was it on your head,?

I had a cervical spine MRI recently. Came time to sign papers…the tech told me he would recommend I not take the contrast dye. He said it was on the order but I probably didn’t really need it. He expressed some concern with the dye, stating it stays in your system and can potentially cause problems. You may want to call and ask if they specifically need the contrast or if it is just standard on all orders.

If the MRI without contrast would show what they need to see, maybe you don’t need it. Sorry to cause any further anxiety, but I opted to not have it and the doctor never mentioned it, the MRI showed what they needed to see.

If you are scheduled for surgery, that is another matter and they may need the extra detail the contrast would provide.

You’ll do fine because you have been preparing! Hang in there…

As for lying there on your back. They put pads all around you and everything is well supported. Bolster under knees, nice big neck shaped soft pads around your neck, pads on your sides, so you feel snug as a bug in a rug!

I called the mri placed this morning and l can't go ahead do to restrictions right now of keeping not there for testing coming in. I also told them l don't feel comfortable getting the contrast as I'm nervous enough and have read about some side effects. One being dizziness which concerns me. When l was going for a neck mri which l couldn't complete it was for purpose of in time if l needed surgery. Yet l didn't need contrast and from what I've read that when contrast could be needed. I also had to go for bloodwork now to check my kidney and liver. MRI place said kidney number was a little low so talk to my pc about it but it's ok to get contrast. That concerned me too.

Thank you. I called mri placed and told them l didn't feel comfortable getting dye. They told me l needed a new referral. I called doctor. She wasn't happen but I'm sure it's because it's extra work for her as she is overwhelmed. I'm thinking of seriously changing doctors. She's very good but lacking office help so she's doing her doctor stuff plus answering phones and doing paper work.

@cookiepic I have the MRI on my head to check the status of lesions on my brain. I felt so comfortable during the exam and then came home and slept for 2 hours. You mentioned Covid—I was able to take the mask off during the scan. Since I was the only person in the room. That helped a lot!
Im going to be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts for Monday!

@cookiepic Try to not worry too much about the MRI. The first time I had one the doctor did give me one valium but since then I have had many more and never needed anything. For me, the most difficult part is staying still, and with my MRI I have to have my arms up next to my head which over time gets uncomfortable.

The techs have been great, trying to make sure that I am comfortable. I suspect that is typical at all MRI centers. I am due for one in a week and a half and my only concern is that I have a residual cough from something I had last week. If I still have the cough I may have to cancel since it would make it impossible for me to stay still for the required amount of time. Since I have been having these the time has shortened with new equipment so it doesn't take as long as it used to, and in fact the last time my arms were fine! As far as feeling claustrophobic, I just close my eyes when I am in the tube.

Good luck, I hope it will go well for you.
JK

Thank you. My mri is on Wednesday the 19th. I hope I'm as calm as you are. I will let you know how l did

Morning, this helps me every time. I have a pituitary tumor and have for 25+ years so every two years a need a brain mri. Before I go into the room I talk to the tech and tell her I suffer tinnitus and anxiety so it makes it easier for me for them to speak to me saying next test joanne 30 seconds, next test joanne 1 minute, throughout the entire 55 minutes. They even say 15 minutes in Joanne, 30 minutes in Joanne. I also close my eyes as soon as I lay on the table to get in the zone. I can’t have music directly in my ear with tinnitus but it’s typically an option.
Works every time. When I’m done I stop at the park and I walk for about 15 minutes. I need the open space and fresh air. Try it, it might be helpful.
Blessings,
Joanne

Thank you for your advise. I to have tinnitis in one ear. I don't think l wasn't anything covering my ears