Mir Scan

[fruitsalad]

I have to have one, and I am a bit claustrophobic, what is it like to have one of these scans.

[Fitzer]

First things first, tell them well in advance about your claustrophobia, you won't be the first such person they've seen and they will have advice for you. Secondly, which part of the body are you having scanned, if it's the lower half then you shouldn't feel any problems. If it's the top half then you will be enclosed and there's no avoiding it, the space is limited and the machine gives of a variety of weird, quite loud noises which can be a little disconcerting. I had a brain scan and it took some 10-15 minutes inside the machine and it is important that you stay still throughout so they might suggest a light sedation. As long as you tell them up front they can be prepared and you won't then feel bad if you can't go through with it and waste an appointment slot. Good luck and I hope all goes well.

[Peter Pedant]

It is OK honest

Try not to buck the appt as others will be cheerful to turn up at really short notice.

For some claustrophobic moments I tried breathing five times a minute ( OK) and counting the breaths....that was for radiotherapy ...

Otherwise subtract 7s from 200 - 193, 186, 179 etc

clearly I hve spent a lot of time in a scanner

[Flonska]

You will find the staff very gentle, caring and helpful. They will reassure you throughout the scan and they are in constant voice contact with you. You can even choose some music to be played through headphones during the process.

Above all, don't worry about being apprehensive and do tell them of your concerns. You should find that it will be a lot less daunting than you imagine.

[naomi24]

No pain involved at all. The scanner does bang and clank a bit, but at our hospital they play music for you to disguise that - and you have a button so that you can call them so you're not isolated. Tell them you're claustrophobic. It won't be the first time they've heard it. Just relax, close your eyes, think lovely thoughts, and console yourself with the thought that the longer you're in there the sooner it will be finished. It will be done before you know it. Good luck.

[Buenchico]

2 videos from the Oxford Academic Health Service Network:

[Buenchico]

and . . .

[ubasses]

The staff explained everything to me very clearly. As soon as they got me on the machine I closed my eyes, told myself I was just laying on my bed and there was a pneumatic drill outside. They placed something over my head to hold it perfectly still, then slid me into the scanner. Once in 'the machine' was telling me everything it was doing and how long each part of the scan would take.
I get claustrophobic in small spaces, but my tactic worked perfectly.

[sunny-dave]

It's fine - no discomfort, just some interesting clanking noises (think German Techno Music inside your head).

I declined the 'music' headphones once they told me the ghastly MoR muzak that was playing, and just had some noise cancelling ones.

As PP has said, it helps to have something to think about to pass the time - I went back through all the bikes and cars I'd ever owned & remembered a happy time on/in each one :)

[naomi24]

//I declined the 'music' headphones once they told me the ghastly MoR muzak that was playing//

I was invited to bring music of my choice.

[Bazile]

You'll be fine
Just close your eyes and think about Soviet space stations

[fruitsalad]

Thank you all, its my spine they are taking the pics of

[baza]

Like you I did not look forward to it , explained my fear , and 2 happy pills later I was relaxed and in the machine. As someone said it's nothing to fear .

[megfitz]

Have a mind distracting plan, I thought about all the houses I’d lived in and did a mental tour describing each room and views from each window..nearly fell asleep, my other half named all his classmates and teachers in alphabetical order.!

[Scarlett]

Just remember that if you have to go all the way in, your head is only inches away from daylight. You're practically out the other end already!
Closing your eyes as you go in is a good idea. They give you headphones but if you can't hear any music I like to "imagine" my favourite songs in my head and try to be as relaxed as possible. Also they give you a rubber bulb thing to hold in your hand, so if you get too panicky you can squeeze it and they will stop. Do what you can to relax as much as poss, as obviously the more still you are the better the image that comes out. Deep breathing, happy thoughts- decide in advance what your happy thoughts are going to be about! See it as a lovely rest! The noise that the machine makes I imagine is the beat to the song I'm singing in my head!

[AuntLydia]

Hi I had one booked in a few months ago but had a panic attack as I was going in. The staff are lovely and really used to people being claustrophobic. They tried me legs first as I was having lower spine but I still couldn't go through with it. They used to give you diazepam and I think they still will if you ask your GP but well in advance. I went back to GP and got booked into an open scanner at a private clinic but that was still scary but I am really claustrophobic. Once in I was ok-ish and a nurse held my hand for the first few minutes. It does clank and whiz a bit and you may be in for around 20 mins depending on what they are doing. Best address the claustrophobic issues before you , tell your GP and they may be able to rearrange an open scanner or give you a mild sedative. Good Luck!