I had a fun filled afternoon today....

[janzman]

...at my local hospital undergoing an MRI scan...jees that machine makes a hel of a noise.I suddenly found I felt quite claustrophobic so I shut my eyes.Its difficult to keep your eyes shut for twenty minutes,maybe they could supply eyeshades for those who might benefit from them.Any other experiences of this machine anyone...:-)

[cazzz1975]

what happens if you have claustrophobia?

[albaqwerty]

It's seriously freaky that gadget.

I was told years ago (before the ipod and so on to think of a song to play in my head. Bohemian Rhapsody doesn't last for an hour!!)

My OH was in for 10 mins a couple of weeks ago. That is one noisy machine :)

[jackthehat]

The first one was unexpected and horrid; I was put into a machine head-first and couldn't decide if it was worse with my eyes open or closed.
The second one was feet-first (lumbar disc investigation) and I could still see the ceiling of the room the machine was in. A far better experience.

[albaqwerty]

cazz I've a nasty feeling that you get sedated :(

[janzman]

Your given a panic button to hold and if needs be by pressing it the scan will stop and theyll get you out.I didnt need to press it but got pretty darn close

[237SJ]

My mother had to have an MRI about 2 1/2 years ago. She suffers from claustrophobia. It took me and the machine operator about 30 minutes to persuade her to go into the thing. Even then she would only go into it for about 10 mins. In the USA they advertise stand up MRI machines that are not so claustrophobic. Needs must I suppose.

[Barmaid]

As I am claustrophobic, one of my fears is an MRI scan. A good friend of mine had to have one last week, I found myself getting breathless just listening to him describing it.

[cazzz1975]

I am like you barmaid, I have a mini freakout just thinking about it

[janzman]

I imagined I was standing atop Snowdon on a crystal clear bright sunny day,just like today,and looking out on hundreds of square miles of beautiful country.
Mind you I can feel the hairs on my neck rise watching the tunnel sequences in 'The Great Escape'

[gingejbee]

I've had two - the first in the cylindrical type, very noisy and very claustrophobic. The second, quite recently, in a newer type - where you are slid in sideways, like meat being slid in between two slices of bread - less noisy, less claustrophobic and your own choice of music to listen to, on a built-in music system.

[karenmac60]

Mine was an MRA (same thing but looks at arteries) and I had to drink a litre of pineapple juice first. Then they injected some stuff into my hand and I was convinced I had wet myself - a distinct possibility after all that juice.

[bodeker]

Have had one , took a couple of Valium as I am claustrophobic ha ! Next time they will have to knock me out !!!