They may also exhibit intense fears of suffocation. With that in mind, it's also somewhat common for people to experience claustrophobia episodes during an MRI scan. MRIs are often necessary exams for taking care of your health.
When not properly accommodated during an MRI, claustrophobic patients may experience panic attacks, which can bring on increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chills, sweating, and other distressing symptoms.
If you are having an MRI scan that does not require you to follow commands, you may be allowed to fall asleep. You should clarify this with your radiologist before the procedure begins.
Reactions can include anything from mild anxiety to all out panic attacks and hyperventilating. More to the point, researchers in one study found that as many as 13% of all patients who received an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), reported feelings of panic and or anxiety during their MRI.
Many patients find that an oral benzodiazepine, such as Xanax, Ativan, or Valium, taken prior to the exam sufficiently relieves their anxiety and allows them to complete an MRI with relative ease.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a painless procedure that lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and the number of images being taken.
Counting numbers or listening to music: Counting slowly or listening to a soothing melody can help distract you and make the time pass quickly while you are in the scanner. Talk to the Technician: In most instances, you can speak to the technician throughout most of the procedure.
There's a panic button.
The MRI folks often give you a button you can punch if you start to lose it. Says Rawson: "For some patients, having that degree of control makes the exam much less intimidating."
For patients who may experience claustrophobia during an MRI scan and require prophylaxis, the University of Wisconsin Department of Radiology suggests the use of Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta), a short-to-intermediate duration benzodiazepine.
An Open Upright MRI scanner is an alternative for patients who are claustrophobic, cannot lie down due to pain, or whose size prevents them from being evaluated in a traditional MRI scanner. During the scan you can stand or sit, with an unobstructed view forward — you can even watch TV during most exams.
Many MRI procedures don't require your head to go inside the machine at all, but if you need a head or upper spine MRI, you'll appreciate the fact our machine provides a full 12 inches of clearance between your face and the wall – relieving stress for our patients with claustrophobia.
The use of immobilization masks ensures that the MRI and CT exams are performed in the same treatment position (TP).
Can a subject wear deodorant for an MRI scan? It is recommended to refrain from wearing any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or lotions on your underarms and chest area prior to the procedure. This is to prevent the possibility of localized burns because these items may have metal in them.
You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!
You will be asked to remove any clothing containing metal and all jewelry. You will be provided metal free clothing to change into such as gown, shorts or pants. Lockers are available to safely store all personal items such as wallet, purse, keys, phone and other electronic devices.
Exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are the two main treatments for claustrophobia. In this type of psychotherapy, you are gradually exposed to your feared situation. With gradual, repeated exposure, the goal is that you will feel comfortable in your specific feared situation.
Some patients occasionally experience a tingling sensation or feel hot from being in the MRI scanner. These effects only last a short while and should ease as soon as the scan is over. You're given a squeeze alarm which can alert the Radiographers if you have any concerns during your scan.
You will be given earplugs to wear, but you will still be able to hear and talk with MRI staff through a microphone. Please notify the technologist if you have any problems during the MRI. A coil might be placed around the part of your body being scanned such as your head, knee or abdomen.
Another concern for people undergoing MRI testing is claustrophobia, or the fear associated with being in a small or enclosed space. If you experience claustrophobia or anxiety-induced panic attacks from being in tight spaces, you are not alone. An estimated 7–10% of the population lives with this condition.
Your comfort and safety is our priority
We will make sure you are as comfortable as possible for your exam. In most situations, we may provide you with a leg cushion that provides back support, a warm blanket, and even prism glasses that will allow you to see the room outside the bore of the magnet (toward your feet).
As a result of the foreign body's ease of movement in the strong magnetic field at this period, your vision is seriously threatened. Because of this, radiologists advise keeping your eyes closed throughout an MRI to protect them.