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.
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.
Ask your doctor for a sedative
Medication is often necessary if you're worried that claustrophobia could induce a panic attack during the MRI. If you know you'll need extra assistance with relaxation during an MRI, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative to put you to sleep for your MRI scan.
Background: Propofol and pentobarbital are commonly used to sedate children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Lying still is critical to ensuring that the MRI pictures taken will be accurate and clear. Before the scan, the anesthesiologist will put you into a very light sedated state to help alleviate any fear or anxiety.
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.
Diazepam 5 mg po, once for MRI study or Lorazepam 1mg po, once for MRI study. B. For use with adult patients who have a need for an oral sedative for a successful MRI.
As benzodiazepines offer both sedative and profound amnesic and anxiolytic effects, these drugs are used for conscious sedation worldwide. Diazepam has been the 'gold standard' of sedation, but the more modern benzodiazepines, particularly midazolam, are now more commonly used.
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.
Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is associated with high levels of anxiety in many patients which may interfere with image quality and increase examination time.
Some techniques that can reduce the anxiety that comes with feelings of claustrophobia include focused breathing and covering your eyes with a towel during the exam. RAYUS also offers headphones for listening to music and, for Open Upright MRI patients, watching TV is an option.
Methohexital is the shortest acting of the barbiturate sedatives, with a rapid onset of action (< 1 min) and a short duration of action (5-10 min).
Midazolam injection is used to produce sleepiness or drowsiness and relieve anxiety before surgery or certain procedures. When midazolam is used before surgery, the patient will not remember some of the details about the procedure.
You will begin to feel drowsy and relaxed very quickly. If your doctor gives you the medicine to swallow, you will feel the effects after about 30 to 60 minutes. Your breathing will slow and your blood pressure may drop a little. Your health care provider will monitor you during the procedure to make sure you are OK.
9 Diazepam is often given to a patient for premedication in MRI.
Of the 54 clinical patients, 31 were given IV diazepam (mean dose, 7.5 mg; range, 2.5-20 mg) with successful scanning in 30 (97%).
The two main medication classes most often prescribed are: Benzodiazepines, such as the antianxiety drugs alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®) and diazepam (Valium®). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil®) or escitalopram (Lexapro®).
Examples of these drugs include: alprazolam (Xanax) chlordiazepoxide (Librium) clonazepam (Klonopin)
Benzodiazepines are the most widely used group of sedative drugs. Due to their safety and improved effectiveness, they have largely replaced barbiturates as drugs of choice in the treatment of anxiety.
Some examples of benzodiazepines include Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Halcion (triazolam), Serax (oxazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is a short-acting benzodiazepine that is 10 times stronger than Valium.
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.
Depending on what needs to be scanned, your test will take between 20 to 90 minutes.
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.
During an MRI, you should use this same method that is used in yoga classes. Take slow, deep breaths to ensure that you are breathing well. If it helps, count to 10 as you breathe in and out, and then gradually slow it down from there. Slow breathing will ensure a calm and relaxed state of mind.