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.
Ketamine is used as a sedative for MRI because its analgesic component is not necessary for MRI.
The open, upright MRI machine is much better tolerated by patients who are claustrophobic. The scans can be performed with the patient sitting, lying down, or standing. People can watch television while the scans are performed. The unit is open in the front, back, and top.
Medication
If you need additional support for your anxiety, your referring provider may prescribe a benzodiazepine to take prior to the exam. Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs commonly prescribed to treat anxiety and can typically relax an anxious patient enough to complete an MRI.
A. Diazepam 5 mg po, once for MRI study or Lorazepam 1mg po, once for MRI study.
The procedure typically will last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of scan required by your physician. You just need to be as still as possible during the exam. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the MRI exam. A technologist will be able to see you at all times.
An MRI scan is a painless procedure, so anaesthesia (painkilling medication) isn't usually needed. If you're claustrophobic, you can ask for a sedative to help you relax. You should ask your consultant well in advance of having the scan.
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.
Your doctor can help you relax
My neurologist prescribes me Valium to take 45 minutes before my MRI to help calm my nerves and relax me. The more relaxed you are, the less you move around, which helps speed up the scan. If you move, the technicians won't be able to get a clear image and might have to redo a few images.
When it is possible to give diazepam to patients with claustrophobia at the time of CMR, it is a safe, predictable, and highly effective method of obtaining a successful result.
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®).
The usual dose is: anxiety – 2mg, taken 3 times a day, this can be increased to 5mg to 10mg, taken 3 times a day. sleep problems (related to anxiety) – 5mg to 15mg, taken once a day at bedtime. muscle spasms in adults – 2mg to 15 mg a day.
How long does diazepam take to start working? Diazepam starts to work very quickly in your body, and you should get calming effects within two hours of taking it.
By mouth. 5–10 mg, to be given 1–2 hours before procedure, for debilitated patients, use elderly dose. 2.5–5 mg, to be given 1–2 hours before procedure.
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.
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.
It is much less confining than an MRI. It is also very quiet and comfortable. Most claustrophobic patients have no difficulty with the procedure. However, if you are severely claustrophobic, you might ask your doctor to consider a mild sedative.
CT scanners are different from MRI scanners and use very little x-ray radiation, unlike MRI scanners. CT scanners are open on both sides, and you can completely see around yourself during a scan. Claustrophobic patients might welcome CT scans more because they don't have to be in an enclosed space.
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!
Depending on the focus of the scan, a head or brain MRI generally takes 30 to 60 minutes.