I went in for a brain MRI. I do have claustrophobia, but no big deal. I took 1 MG of Lorazepam an hour before the procedure, and I've had an MRI done before with minimum issue.

With my mask on, I'm on the MRI table feeling fine though a little warm because of the mask. The technician puts a device over my head that I can best describe as the interior of a football helmet. This is not good. He then inserts wedges into the device to prevent me from moving my head. I go from uneasy to panic mode.

I take another MG of Lorazepam, and we wait ten minutes for the second pill to kick in. We try again. Still no go. We wait an additional five minutes, the give the second pill more time to kick in. We try again. The state of panic is only getting worse. There is no way for me to hold still in my condition. The technician tries something different. Though, against protocol, the technician tells to remove my mask. We try it without the mask. By this time, I'm in such a state of panic that my stomach is bothering me. Afraid that I would vomit, the technician cancels the test.

That was an hour and a half ago. After 2 MG of Lorazepam, time, and listening to "Canon in D" on an infinite loop, I'm starting to feel normal.

If my primary care physician believes a brain MRI is imperative, I'll have to do it in a hospital where I will be sedated.

Jeanette Isabelle

Yikes! Very scary! I hope you're feeling better again now.

Have you tried meditation? Before I retired, my department at Univ of Penn Medical Center had a Penn psychiatrist come in and give meditation classes to the employees. It seemed to work.

Can't hurt.

Has meditation specifically worked for claustrophobia?

Jeanette Isabelle

Jeanette has tried many different approaches and consulted many wellness experts, I'm sure. At this point, she needs our empathy and understanding. She doesn't need more suggestions from us, because we just don't know enough about her medical history to make useful recommendations.

+1. I hope Jeanette seeks and receives good advise and counsel

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience, Jeanette. Is there an imaging place that has an "open MRI" available? As someone who has to get his pituitary gland examined every 5 years, I don't think I could do it anymore without an open MRI.
https://mifimaging.com/2018/05/16/5-reasons-you-might-want-to-request-an-open-mri-machine/

Best wishes!
-Blast

You always have friends here Jeanette.
qjs

I needed an MRI of my shoulder less than two years ago, and everything went smoothly after taking 1 MG of Lorazepam.

As I mentioned, I was having a problem before going into the machine. The problem was the combination of the device that reminds me of a football helmet and the wedges that prevent me from moving my head.

Jeanette Isabelle

Something that crossed my mind yesterday as I started this thread is what if I'm in a survival situation where I have to slither through a cave? I hate to even think about it while comfortably sitting at my desk.

Jeanette Isabelle