Advice for a first MRI? - update 2/23 in first post

[Quarter Note]

Update 2/23: Thank you all for your encouragement, everyone!  It went fine.  I asked for the Xanax (though I don't think I will need it again next time), and asked them to put the classical music station through the headphones (hoping with all my heart that the station wasn't in the middle of The Philip Glass Hour or something like that!)  As it was, the MRI machine was so loud that I couldn't hear the music at all.  Next time I won't bother with music but ask for both earplugs and headphones.  The hardest thing was that for the first few minutes I was breathing so deeply (to calm myself) that it was interfering with getting a good image.  It was hard to breath shallowly for that long!

Special thanks to @Alte Veste Academy for the link to the breast MRI video.  It helped a lot!  (And I now know exactly what you were talking about when you mentioned the plastic tray underneath your face.)

And more special thanks to @Katy.  The Xanax made me pretty dizzy, too, but your warning prepared me for it.

Now, on to the breast surgeon for the next step!

-----------------------------

Hello everyone. My first breast MRI is scheduled for early next week, and the nurse wants me to think through if I will need an anti-anxiety medication (Xanax) ahead of time or not. I don't think that I have claustrophobia, but I've never been stuck in an MRI machine before, and am a little scared of having a trapped feeling while inside (particularly since I'll be face down - that seems uncomfortable). I've also never had an anti-anxiety medication before, so I don't have any idea if it will actually help or not.

Would any of you give me your experience?

Many thanks! 

Edited February 23, 2022 by Quarter Note

[Night Elf]

I had an MRI of my leg but I was in the machine completely. They really made an effort to plug my ears because that machine was loud! I worried about feeling claustrophobic because it seems a common issue for MRI's but it really didn't bother me. I just kept my eyes closed and used the time to think about how my life was going. 😋

I can't help with the anti-anxiety question. I am on a regular anxiety med that I am addicted to in a controlled way. Well, my mom took Xanax for the first time in her life as her husband was deteriorating and bedridden in their home. She was just doing so much that she was on edge all the time. It took the edge off and allowed her to slow down. She had no side effects except it calmed her.

[prairiewindmomma]

I've had a lot of MRIs and it's never been a problem for me. They are loud and make a knocking noise (you can see one running on youtube), but I've never needed anything and some of my MRIs have been a couple of hours long.  

[Arcadia]

The person doing the MRI can chat with you and you might also be able to bring your own music selection in for them to play during the MRI. I am used to sleeping on my tummy since young so I actually nap during the MRI. 
Mine is with contrast so the usual needle inserting pain.

[Katy]

Is it a regular MRI or an open MRI? Have you ever had a panic attack or gotten claustrophobic before? Do you have someone else who can drive you?

[Quarter Note]

Thank you all!  I should have added more info:  I know that I can not bring in my own CDs.  I already asked the office staff because I thought that an audiobook or a nice long symphony would make the time fly.  It's also a closed machine.  My husband and kids will come.

Thank you all for the encouragement!

Edited February 18, 2022 by Quarter Note

[KSera]

Face down seems better to me as long as it’s a massage style table set up with a hole for your face. When face up, i’ve had them put a lavender scented eye bag over my eyes, and I found that very helpful. As long as I‘s are closed, being inside part wasn’t really problematic. They give you a button like you have in a hospital bed that you can push with your thumb at any point if you need some thing. I had to do that once for a reason unrelated to claustrophobia and it was fine. They just brought me out. I think it’s helpful just knowing that that’s an option.

[Quarter Note]

2 minutes ago, KSera said:

They give you a button like you have in a hospital bed that you can push with your thumb at any point if you need some thing. I had to do that once for a reason unrelated to claustrophobia and it was fine. They just brought me out. I think it’s helpful just knowing that that’s an option.

Oh, that would make all the difference!  Thank you for letting me know!😀

[Arcadia]

I think most places do not have any CD players. Mine told me to bring my own music selection on MP3 player. Also they can play the radio. So I could ask them to play the 80s channel or classical music channel. 

[Carol in Cal.]

Be aware that if they bring you out you have to start all over from the beginning.  At least that is what they told me.

Something I wish I had known is that you don’t go all the way through the machine and come out the other side.  Rather, you go in, very gradually, and then come back out again the way you went in.  In my case, my head never went into the machine, and since that was what I didn’t think I could stand, it would have been nice to know in advance.  If you feel the same way about it, you might ask them about that.  I did not take any sedative but I almost pulled out in the middle.  Ultimately I was glad that I didn’t, and I will not be concerned at all if I ever need another one.  

[Quarter Note]

2 minutes ago, Arcadia said:

I think most places do not have any CD players. Mine told me to bring my own music selection on MP3 player. Also they can play the radio. So I could ask them to play the 80s channel or classical music channel. 

See, that just shows how out of touch I am.  I still think of CDs as current technology.  I don't even have an MP3 player.  😉  

[plaidpants]

Think about zoning out, however that works for you. It is very loud and annoying. Your head might hurt at the end. No metal!!!

It's a little like laying in a play place tube. Most are not very big but you can wiggle around some. I've had 8 MRIs of different things.

[Arcadia]

7 minutes ago, Quarter Note said:

See, that just shows how out of touch I am.  I still think of CDs as current technology.  I don't even have an MP3 player.  😉  

I don’t have an MP3 player either. Their staff won’t feel comfortable playing a song list from my cellphone because of liability issues. They have a “jukebox” of songs though at my favorite MRI location so I could request a certain genre. 

[itsheresomewhere]

The place I went to gives you ear protection to reduce the noise and pipes in music.  I let the guy know I might get nervous and he was fantastic. Told me he was going to give me his own personal playlist for nervous patients.  It was a hilarious mix of rap from the 80s to a symphony piece.  Just let them know when you go. 

[Quarter Note]

Just now, itsheresomewhere said:

The place I went to gives you ear protection to reduce the noise and pipes in music.  I let the guy know I might get nervous and he was fantastic. Told me he was going to give me his own personal playlist for nervous patients.  It was a hilarious mix of rap from the 80s to a symphony piece.  Just let them know when you go. 

I want that guy as my tech!

[Katy]

If you don’t have to drive, take the xanax. Just be careful when you stand if you ever get low blood pressure. I nearly passed out getting up from a wheelchair to climb into an MRI. 

[Loowit]

When I had my MRI, they offered me anti-anxiety meds, which I wanted.  But they forgot to give them to me, and once I was in the room I thought to myself "I can do this without" so I didn't bother saying anything.  Then they started to put me in to the machine and I panicked.  They took my right out and got someone to give me the meds.  After that I did fine.  My MRI was for my head.  I tried to keep my eyes closed and everything was fine after the meds.

[Farrar]

For some reason, I have been a number of people's MRI friend/family escort over the last few years. And what I have learned is that it's a little unpredictable who's going to ABSOLUTELY FREAK OUT. Oy do I have a story. Which I definitely cannot share because some people could be incriminated and also everyone would look nuts, including me. So basically, if you think there's even a chance you'll need the xanex, get the xanex.

[gardenmom5]

I've had two - there are a series of scans.   Between scans you can move.  If you move during a scan - it will have to be redone.   It's very loud, and they do offer a selection of music to listen to while in the machine.  You HAVE to wear the headphones to protect your hearing

I've had an MRI of my leg - so my leg was in the machine. 

I recently had an MRI of my head - it was about 20 - 30 minutes.  I opted for no music in the headphones.  Yoga breathing was good.  As I was in there, I did have thoughts that maybe the antianxiety would be good.   They would bring me out - and put foam wedges underneath to change my position and do another scan.

I would think if  you're face down - your face will be in one of those "horseshoe" foam pillow things like they have on massage tables.

[Tiberia]

I’ve had a bunch of breast MRIs. I don’t have claustrophobia, but I’ve learned that the meds do take the edge off, and so I always ask for meds. You may be sleepy for the rest of the day, though. The staff will explain everything to you and will probably be helpful and understanding. I’ve learned that I do better with my arms down at my side rather than over my head, if they give the option. I get shoulder pain if I have to put them over my head for too long. Good luck, and I hope you have a good outcome!

[Condessa]

Ask if they have movie goggles at any location near you.  At the hospital where my son gets his MRIs every three months, he spends his 1.5 hour scans watching a movie with the goggles and headphones.  But the hospital system has only one location in the region with the goggles, so we always book for that location.  It is (understandably) in high-demand, so we have to book far out and sometimes go in on a weekend or later in the night.  But so long as he’s got the movie going, he can manage without anesthesia.

[Ottakee]

1 hour ago, Condessa said:

Ask if they have movie goggles at any location near you.  At the hospital where my son gets his MRIs every three months, he spends his 1.5 hour scans watching a movie with the goggles and headphones.  But the hospital system has only one location in the region with the goggles, so we always book for that location.  It is (understandably) in high-demand, so we have to book far out and sometimes go in on a weekend or later in the night.  But so long as he’s got the movie going, he can manage without anesthesia.

This made me laugh as one of mine has had several MRIs of her brain/spine and once she came out and her complaint was that her movie wasn't done and she wanted to watch the rest of it.....an MRI is one expensive movie theater.

[MercyA]

Take the meds. If someone else is driving and you can afford to be sleepy that day, there's no reason not to make it as easy as possible.

Let us know how it goes!

[Alte Veste Academy]

I am not claustrophobic. I've never had a problem with small spaces or any medical procedure. But a few different things about the upside down breast MRI just about sent me over the edge. I almost hit the escape button a half dozen times, and the only reason I didn't was to save myself from having to go in again. I'm not telling you my story to make you nervous, but to help you avoid my biggest stupid mistake. LOL Because I have dense tissue, I'm supposed to have an MRI every year. I'm due again now and I'm not worried because I know what to expect, and I will definitely have DH drive me and ask for a Xanax. 

I do not sleep on my stomach (that habit was broken in my first pregnancy, lol), so I did find that position uncomfortable and awkward. But two other things made it particularly terrible for me. One is that I run hot all the time, so I should have known better, but because the room was FREEZING, I accepted when they offered me a blanket. Well things warm up quickly, and I ended burning up the whole time I was in the MRI, about half an hour. I ended up sweating so much. The worst thing though—made worse because I was so hot—was that the face donut didn't open up completely to fresh air at the bottom. There was a plastic tray(?) below it, and I was basically rebreathing all my hot air the whole time I was in the machine.

Here is a video of what to expect at a breast MRI. 

Next time I will not use a blanket, and I might even see if they can pipe an oxygen tube into the face opening. Honestly, if they could blow fresh, cool air in there, that would probably be enough. Or who knows, maybe without being on fire, the rebreathing problem isn't so much of a problem. 🤣

Best of luck the day of and best of luck for great results!

[Quarter Note]

2 hours ago, Condessa said:

Ask if they have movie goggles at any location near you.  At the hospital where my son gets his MRIs every three months, he spends his 1.5 hour scans watching a movie with the goggles and headphones.  But the hospital system has only one location in the region with the goggles, so we always book for that location.  It is (understandably) in high-demand, so we have to book far out and sometimes go in on a weekend or later in the night.  But so long as he’s got the movie going, he can manage without anesthesia.

Pretty sure that they don't offer the movie goggles.  Earphones were the only thing that was mentioned, and it would probably be hard to keep goggles from falling off or fitting in the little face opening on the table.  But thank you for the suggestion - I hope that it helps someone else!

I hope that your son's MRIs get better and better every time!

[Quarter Note]

7 minutes ago, Alte Veste Academy said:

I am not claustrophobic. I've never had a problem with small spaces or any medical procedure. But a few different things about the upside down breast MRI just about sent me over the edge. I almost hit the escape button a half dozen times, and the only reason I didn't was to save myself from having to go in again. I'm not telling you my story to make you nervous, but to help you avoid my biggest stupid mistake. LOL Because I have dense tissue, I'm supposed to have an MRI every year. I'm due again now and I'm not worried because I know what to expect, and I will definitely have DH drive me and ask for a Xanax. 

I do not sleep on my stomach (that habit was broken in my first pregnancy, lol), so I did find that position uncomfortable and awkward. But two other things made it particularly terrible for me. One is that I run hot all the time, so I should have known better, but because the room was FREEZING, I accepted when they offered me a blanket. Well things warm up quickly, and I ended burning up the whole time I was in the MRI, about half an hour. I ended up sweating so much. The worst thing though—made worse because I was so hot—was that the face donut didn't open up completely to fresh air at the bottom. There was a plastic tray(?) below it, and I was basically rebreathing all my hot air the whole time I was in the machine.

Here is a video of what to expect at a breast MRI. 

Next time I will not use a blanket, and I might even see if they can pipe an oxygen tube into the face opening. Honestly, if they could blow fresh, cool air in there, that would probably be enough. Or who knows, maybe without being on fire, the rebreathing problem isn't so much of a problem. 🤣

Best of luck the day of and best of luck for great results!

Thank you so much for all this great advice!  I'm sorry that you had to go through such an awful time, though.  I'll definitely think of these things when I go in to see if I can avoid them.

[Quarter Note]

Thank you to all of you!  I'll definitely take the Xanax.  I feel much better about going through with this procedure since you all chimed in with your advice.  The MRI is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.  I'll make sure to update afterwards!

[Starr]

I don't love the closed one but I get them of my head. I keep my eyes closed and then I don't know how close I am to the machine. They ask what kind of music you want to listen to. But what really helps me is when they say, "This will take 35 minutes. It's in 7 segments. I will tell you when one is finished and the next starts." or something like that. It helps me keep track of time and know when I'm half way done, quarter done, finished. I usually get a little valium although I think I could do it without. I get worked up as much from worry as the machine. You will be fine! 

[Mom_to3]

I have had several MRIs (including breast), some without any music offered, and I try to focus on the (super noisy) rhythm of the machine. Great distraction and just so unusual. I don't mind the MRI itself - I am more worried about what it will show lol. Good luck!

[Quarter Note]

Update in the first post!  Thank you, everyone!

[Kassia]

On 2/18/2022 at 10:10 PM, Starr said:

I don't love the closed one but I get them of my head. I keep my eyes closed and then I don't know how close I am to the machine. 

I've had them of my head too and keep my eyes closed.  I do peek once in a while and am surprised at how close everything is - I can definitely understand why people freak out.  I just tried to think of it as naptime and did fine.  

 

2 minutes ago, Quarter Note said:

Update in the first post!  Thank you, everyone!

Glad it's over and that the responses were helpful!  

[KSera]

I’m glad it went decently and I hope the surgery side of things goes really well.