Mri Of Brain

[Bbbananas]

Morning folks.
I am having an MRI brain today at Addenbrookes. I have had an mri spine which i wasn't nervous about but felt very claustrophobic and panicky once in - i hadn't realised just how confined you were.
Consequently i'm nervous today as to how i will handle it - apparently my head will be clamped and a mask / cage over my face.

3 questions - has anyone else had one (at Addenbrookes or elsewhere), how can i stop myself panicking without the aid of Diazepam, and also - i presently have an awful cough / cold - what happens if i sneeze or cough, as ideally one has to lie very still?

Thanks x

[237SJ]

I haven`t had an MRI of the brain but I have had one on the neck and that was the same - my head was clamped. I had something over my face as well but I can`t remember what it was exactly. It`s probably the same as what you`re having. I can understand the feeling of panic but I shut my eyes and tried to forget it. Don`t know what else to suggest. I wouldn`t worry too much about coughing or sneezing. There`s not much they can do about it if you do. Can they play music through the headphones? I think some places do that. Good luck.

[flump1]

Hi, can't help, never had one, just want to wish you well. Missed you lovely lady x

[Old_Geezer]

I think I tend to mix up one type of scan with another, but I've been in the tube with all the noise having a brain scan. They tell me they found nothing, which sort of figures.

I think different folk tend to get nervous at different levels about different things. I just told myself it won't take long, closed my eyes much of the time. (Would you be allowed an MP£ playeer or would that interfere ?) I can only guess but suspect any sudden movements, whilst not ideal, are likely to only cause small blurs or whatever, but do ask at the hospital.

[Old_Geezer]

MP3
as typed :-(

[Bbbananas]

Thanks.
The one I had on my spine was in one of those mobile scanner vans. I think the
Addenbrookes one will be more sophisticated. It's not so much the noise as the feeling of confinement.
I shall just lie down, close my eyes and think of England..

[237SJ]

Just had a thought. Could you get some cotton eyeshades (the type you get on an aircraft) and drop some scented oil on them such as lavender? That might have a calming effect.

[Peter Pedant]

You will be OK BB
the staff will be used to people being anxious - you are not the only one
and will have various tricks u their sleeve

Addenbrookes being a rich place may even have a state of the art quick quick quick scanner or open doughnut...

itll be OK

[Bbbananas]

Good idea 237 x
I can cope with doughnuts PP. :-)

[janbee]

Hi bbb, I had this done a few years ago at Hurstwood Park in Sussex. It wasn't enjoyable but I kept my eyes closed the entire time so it wasn't so bad. The radiographer would say things like "this'll take about 2 minutes/3 minutes/1 minute etc for all the stages of the procedure. So, I kept my eyes closed and counted out the seconds for each stage of it. It was over MUCH quicker than I'd been told so it .was ok in the end. Like you, I hate being "enclosed" and not in control. It'll be ok. Good luck. Let us know how it goes eh? xx

[237SJ]

BTW (you probably had this last time anyway) they put headphones on you and they talk to you through them so you don`t feel completely disconnected from the world. I actually found the experience quite relaxing once I`d learned to completely switch off (or maybe I`m just nuts)

[anneasquith]

with experienced and sympathetic staff I'm sure you will be fine.. good luck .

[jno]

why did I read the headline as life of Brian... anyway, yes to what others have said, they're well used to claustrophobes, they'll probably be able to talk to you to reassure you; shut your eyes if you can.

[Bbbananas]

It was a doddle.
Didn't cough, didn't sneeze, didn't panic... :-)

[Zacs-Master]

Hi salla. Nice to see you around. Hope you're ok. X

[Psybbo]

Salla, good to see you, I hope the results are fine xx

[Zacs-Master]

Ahhhh. Salla and Sybs on the same thread. It's like the good old days. Sigh.

[Peter Pedant]

Good well done

often the anticipation is the worst thing

[anneasquith]

well done :)

[Bbbananas]

They used an angled mirror so I could see outside "the coffin" & didn't feel so isolated and confined. It made all the difference. Far better than the fully enclosed spine MRI.

Just the results to come now...

[Psybbo]

Zacs, bring them back, Salla I hope you get good news x