Have you ever had a MRI?

[Maddy McCall]

How did you handle it?

My first MRI was in 2001--I handled it just fine. I had my second MRI this past Monday. It was excruciating...not as in pain, but as in I just freaked out. When the tech pushed me in the tube, I told him to bring me out. I became nauseated, my throat closed, I broke out into a cold sweat, my heart raced, and I started crying. Finally, realizing that the only way my back would get better is if my doctor could see where it's screwed up, I allowed the tech to push me into the tube, but he had to hold onto my ankle (his suggestion--it worked) and the time had to be broken into four or five minute increments.

I've never had any problem, prior to this, with closed spaces. But the very next day after my MRI, I got on an elevator at work, and about ten more people crowded in--and then the eleventh--and I had to bolt.

I just turned 40. I have no history of panic attacks or such. I wish I knew what triggered this.

Have you ever had a bad experience with an MRI or other medical test?

[snowbear]

1. Does your hospital or medical center have an "open MRI"?

For people who can't handle the tube.. they seem to work well.. :)

[Maddy McCall]

3. I don't know. But next time I'll certainly ask.

The clinic where I had the MRI has two--I was scheduled for this tiny one. At the same time I went into the room with the tiny one, a woman who weighed 275 pounds (when we had our interviews, the interviewers interviewed us in the same room, and I overheard her) went into another room. I bet she had an open MRI, and I'm not being snarky, but there's no way she would have fit in the tube I was in.

Next time, I will ask to be taken in to the OPEN MRI. Thanks for the suggestion...and it makes sense, because I had wondered how that huge woman had coped with being shoved like a sausage into that tiny tube. Again, I'm not being snarky, it's just a question of physics that had perplexed me.

[sir_captain]

20. Unfortunately, not nearly as well

If it's important, you're much better off avoiding them. If they worked just as well, we wouldn't have any more regular MRIs.

[AngryAmish]

71. Image quality of open MRIs are awful

[nini]

2. I'd rather have surgery than an MRI

I'm claustrophobic enough to where it freaks me out :cry: I'd rather they just cut me open and look.


Sorry about your back :(

:hug:

on edit: I too will get out of a crowded elevator. I get dirty looks from those in there but I don't care.

[Maddy McCall]

4. Yes, I had minor back surgery last week...a needle procedure...

and the doc knocked me out before the work began. When I woke up, I felt no pain.

But I am still shaky from my MRI experience.

I know what you mean about elevators...I'm also, as of late, germ phobic, and it didn't help things that the guy who walked in last (number 11) sneezed into the elevator TWICE and then did this big throat clearing noise. I was thinking "FLU!!" as I bounded off the elevator with my arm in front of my face.

Am I turning into Monk? :D

:hi: :pals:

[nini]

10. I'm probably going to have some ankle and/or knee surgery again

and I dread the point they say they want to do an MRI. The last one didn't show the cartilage damage my knee had and only after I insisted it was too painful did they go in and find out there was indeed a problem. Anyway, the fact they're not 100% accurate for everything is my excuse for not having them at all :D

I hope all's well with the back now. That's the worst kind of pain :hug:


As far as being like monk.. can't be too careful during flu season!

[Maddy McCall]

14. Ask them if you can just stick your leg in there. :-)

Yeah, back pain sucks, but I'm feeling much better than I did two weeks ago. I like to say that I've found the "rock star" of neurologists--my doctor brought this new needle technique to Mississippi in 2003, and he's been on the news and in newspapers ever since, talking about it.

Sometimes you just know that you're in good hands, and that's how I feel about him. Next time, though, I will tell him that he must prescribe an OPEN MRI. :-)

Maybe you can tell your doc that you just want to stick your ankle in the tube, and see if they can do it that way. If they would roll you into the tube feet first, I don't think it would be as bad as being rolled in head first.

At any rate, it's the scariest damned thing I've ever been through. Never again.

[nini]

23. that's the fun thing.. I wasn't even all the way in that stinking thing

and I still hated it. If I had to have my head done they'll have to knock me out.


Get better!! Glad to hear you found a good doc. That confidence makes a world of difference!

:hug:

[politicat]

19. Have you had some recent stressors in your life?

Because that can cause sudden phobias and anxieties (and I live where I speak - not only as a therapist, but as someone in the middle of major anxiety issues). (You don't have to answer - just think about it.)

You might want to talk to a professional - a doc or a psych.

MRI's are obnoxious, to be sure - the local ones are open MRIs, so I've never dealt with a closed one (and I've had a couple for my awful knees).

[Maddy McCall]

50. Well, yeah, a few.

In December 2002, I had a go-cart wreck that involved me being pinned under water by the cart.

And then, of course, there was Katrina.

But nothing REALLY recent. Except for Katrina. The only two things I can think of are the go-cart wreck and the hurricane.

I will talk to my doctor on Wednesday. Thanks for telling me to bring it up with him. :hi:

[politicat]

66. Oh, Maddy....

Katrina is enough to make Mr. Spock get a little nervous!!!

Take it easy. :hug: offered, as well as tea and sympathy....

[Maddy McCall]

73. Thanks, sweetheart.

I'm fine. I'm sipping on some cocoa right now and am having movie night, too...about to head to the dreaded blockbuster to pick up a few DVDs. :hug:

[bridgit]

5. yup, i had the 'good fortune' of having someone crash into me and...

nearly kill me, i coded for some 3:42, but was 'lucky' enough to have it happen near ucla med center in that i was going to ucla at the time...oh...i'm sorry...you mean was i conscious when i had an MRI; well yes i was but not just then, was with the other 3 i had over the next 3 weeks. needless to say i was fucked up big time. though can be very still when i have to be...

:thumbsup:

[Maddy McCall]

18. Oh, man.

That's terrible, bridgit. How are you now?

[bridgit]

27. well, ended my dancing career, was telling hubby today after...

we both went to the dentist monday last, that the dentist was reefing on my jaw which hurts today in that they had to completely reconstruct my lower face, jaw, teeth, yada-yada way back when, so can't open my mouth as wide as she wanted me to...but she lacked some sort of chair-side manner alright there's no way around that

:rofl:

still, you know, that what does not kill us and all that, thank you so for asking :hug: hope all your future procedures go well, whatever they may be

O8)

[Maddy McCall]

34. Damn, bridgit.

I'm sorry. It's terrible that others' actions can change the trajectory of our lives. :hug:

[bridgit]

41. thanks Maddy, you're very sweet, but like i posted somewhere...

around here recently, "sometimes living at all is the very best revenge" :D

peace & solidarity

b ~

[Maddy McCall]

51. I like that!

:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

6. I have, but it was on my knee

so I didn't have to go all the way in the tube.

Maybe your experience on the elevator was just an "after shock" from the MRI experience, and will fade over time. Goodness, Maddy, that must have been scary for you! :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

21. You know, the elevator didn't bother me when there were two...

and then three, and then five people on it. But students kept just cramming in around me, and I couldn't take it. And then the sneezer got on, with his flu bug in tow. That was enough. :D

I'm hoping the doc will find out everything he needed to know from that one MRI. If I have to do it again, I'll JUST SAY NO. :D

Did you have to have knee surgery?

[SeattleGirl]

I'm not fond of crowded elevators myself

Because I'm a touch claustrophobic. And no,I didn't need surgery. I do have a torn meniscus, but the tear is small, and near my kneecap, which the doc says is the "best" place to have a tear. So I'm good for now! B-)

[Maddy McCall]

52. I had part of my meniscus removed after a go-cart wreck...

I had a go-cart wreck on Dec. 30, 2002. I had to have knee surgery (broken tib/fib) and I was wondering if you had to go through something similar.

Knee surgery sucks. :D

[snowbear]

7. I hope your MRI results show what the problem is...

--When do you get to see the results?

At our local hospitals, if you get an MRI on a Monday... you can go in to the records section a couple of days later and pick up a copy of the Radiologist's report.

Some people want to see it.. some would rather wait and let their doctors tell them what it says.. :shrug:

I'm pretty sure most places are set up the same way, but not all patients know they're allowed to obtain copies themselves? Some places also charge a small fee for the copies and some don't..

Anyway.. if it's still some time away before you see your doc, you should check with the records department and I'll bet anything you contain obtain a copy of the report.

[snowbear]

9. Oh! Scratch that.. I just read your post that you just had surgery

Ouch..

[Maddy McCall]

24. I had very minor back surgery...

but I will probably have to have it twice more...it's a needle procedure, so the doc expects to have to go back in twice more, and he needed the MRIs to show him right where he'll have to put the needle next time.

It's a painless surgery with great benefits. IF anyone has back pain, PM me and I'll be glad to give you the details.

[Maddy McCall]

11. I have my films here.

No report, though. My doctor will read them. He's a great doctor, so I trust his interpretation, although I'd like to read it for myself.

I have the radiological report from my 2001 MRI. I like to keep copies of the stuff, just in case I ever change doctors, which I did, since my 2001 MRI.

I will ask my doc for his interpretation in writing, if he doesn't mind.

[AngryAmish]

72. Orthopedic surgeons do not read the radiological report

It is too often wrong. So they review the films themselves because they are the one cutting you open.

[Maddy McCall]

75. I'm just doing what the MRI tech told me to do.

He processed the films and handed them to me, and told me to take them to my doctor at my next appointment. :shrug:

[AngryAmish]

82. Y'know, my post was pretty snotty

sorry!

I'm not criticizing you at all.

[progmom]

8. My mom had a very similar experience

No prior hint of claustrophobia. She wasn't able to continue with the MRI, and actually needed to be sedated when they rescheduled. I imagine I would be the same way. :scared:

[Maddy McCall]

25. Yes. The tech pulled me out of the tube twice through the MRI...

to let me breathe and to at least give me the option of cancelling it. He was really nice and patient with me, more patient than I would have been with me if I would have been him. :-)

That's me, though--no prior claustrophobic episodes, basically no fear of anything except a deranged ex-husband. :D

I'm wondering if this is a side-effect of going through Katrina... I did feel trapped in my parents' home during the worst of the storm, so I just went to sleep. Anyway....


The next time, I will have to have it somewhere where they will sedate me. I won't ever go through the feeling of absolute helplessness that I felt last Monday. :scared:

[khashka]

12. I've had quite a few

They make me feel extremely claustrophobic. And I'm not usually like that.

But most Drs realize that it's difficult. If you ask, they'll usually give you something to sedate you. And there are new "open" MRIs where you are not enclosed.

Khash.

[Maddy McCall]

28. That's me next time. Sedated or open MRI.

IT was terrifying. :scared:

[khashka]

37. I know

you go in thinking you are so cool and nothing can get to you.... and you come out a scared little kid! The claustrophobia and the noise! It doesn't hurt but it leaves you a nervous wreck.


Hey, wanna talk about spinal taps? I've got some good horror stories :)


Khash.

[Maddy McCall]

54. I had to watch my son have a spinal tap done.

OH. MY. GOD. It was horrific. How could a needle THAT LONG go into the back of such a tiny little fellow?

I passed out when my son had his tonsils removed--his drip came unattached somehow and blood spurted out everywhere.

Oddly enough, though, I'm a first responder, and I see blood on occasion. I guess it's easier to deal with when it's OTHER PEOPLE'S blood. :D

[Midlodemocrat]

13. My experience was the same as yours.

Both with an MRI and a CT scan. I think I must have a touch of claustrophia, but with the MRI, what got me was the feeling that I was in a coffin.

We have open MRI machines here, but for my particular case, the open ended wasn't an option.

If I ever need another one, I will be sedated. No question.

[Maddy McCall]

31. That's EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT!

I even told my brother that night that when I go, just make sure to it that I'm cremated and never placed inside a coffin. I couldn't handle it. But, yeah, that's precisely what I was thinking while I was in the tube.

The only thing that brought me through it was to think of my cat and dog at home, lying on the couch or chasing each other. In my mind, I envisioned my pets playing chase while I was in the tube...I couldn't think of my son or of any human...just the pets.

Crazy, isn't it?

[Midlodemocrat]

47. I envisioned sitting by the sea, because we were leaving

for a vacation two weeks later. I just kept thinking the clanging noise was a fog horn, or a boat rigging, stuff like that.

It was not at all a pleasant experience.

[Maddy McCall]

55. I also counted in rythym with the clangs.

I found that my tech lied to me. "This one will only take two minutes," he said. When I got to 300 clangs, I knew that I had been lied to. :D

[Left Is Write]

15. Yes, I have, but I was pretty out of it.

I don't remember much about it.

[Maddy McCall]

33. Next time, I'll ask for sedation.

Scariest thing in my life. :scared:

[Left Is Write]

36. I was on Percocet for pain...

they didn't sedate me specifically for the MRI.

I'm sorry you had a rough time. :hug:

[seemunkee]

16. I fell asleep during my first one.

my mom would have the doc prescribe a valium for when she needed one.

[Maddy McCall]

32. I wish I were you. I couldn't sleep. I had hoped I would.

Back in the 80s and early 90s, I used to get in suntan beds. No problem...but you could open the top without any prob. I knew I was in control. But in an MRI, the tech is in control, and what if he didn't want to pull you out when you told him to? I knew I was at his mercy--thank god he was a great guy.

[trof]

17. I also developed "mildish" claustrophobia late in life.

In my 40s I was going up in the St. Louis arch. The elevator cars are small windowless spheres. As soon as I got in, warning bells went off in my head.
"I don't think I want to do this."
I got out.
Now I even get a little bugged in a middle seat on an airplane.

I had an MRI a couple of years ago, but it was an open one.
No problems.
Had a friend who had to be heavily sedated to do the closed type, before open ones became available.

[Maddy McCall]

35. Ever been to the Eola in Natchez?

Small gold elevators. Three people at most can fit in it. I never had a problem before. Let's just say that I won't be staying at the Eola again.

I think I'm heading your way in February. Merle Haggard is playing at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile on Feb 16th and a friend asked me to go with her. :toast:

[trof]

46. Staying overnight? Maybe we could get together?

[Maddy McCall]

56. I don't think so.

We're going to leave Hattiesburg before she gets off work--maybe about 4 or so. And then we're going to come straight back after the concert. And I haven't firmly committed to going yet. But she's putting that friend-guilt thing on me. :D

There will be another time I will pass your way. I'll give you a heads up. :hi:

[trof]

58. Do it.

[Maddy McCall]

61. I promise. the next time I come through Mobile, I'll give you forewarning

I SO DO WANT TO SEE MERLE. No doubt about it. But money's kinda tight after the holidays, so I'm going to have to find about 50 spare dollars if I go. :D

:pals:

[no name no slogan]

22. Yup. It verified a physical cause for my depression

I never had a problem with mine. Sure, it was claustrophobic and warm, but OTOH it was worth it.

[Maddy McCall]

38. Were you depressed because of physical pain?

I'm so sorry. I can totally relate.

[no name no slogan]

84. No, it's a neuro-physio-chemical thing

I have something called "Empty Cella Syndrome". It's where the pituitary gland is "squished" due to a physical defect. I'm not sure how it was caused, but I think it's related to when a tree fell on my head when I was in a tornado when I was two years old.

Consequently, this has led to a deficiency in certain chemicals-- testosterone in particular-- which can cause a lot of complications in males. I'm on hormone replacement therapy and take four other meds. That and frequent psychotherapy seems to keep the demons at bay most of the time.

I know many people who have gone into deep depressions because of chronic physical pain, though. IMHO that can be even worse than the pain, because it's so hard to properly diagnose. And then you get the "snap out of it, it's all in your head" crowd. Sheesh. As if being in constant pain weren't enough.

:)

[TheProphetess]

26. I had one and it freaked me out more than I expected it to

I had to seriously concentrate on not opening my eyes (seeing the roof of the machine so close to my face was unnerving) and relaxing with deep breaths. I didn't expect it to bother me at all - never have had a problem with close spaces.

By the way, panic attacks can pop up at any age - you certainly don't need a history. You should talk to your doctor. I hope it gets better. :hi:

[Maddy McCall]

40. That's the only thing that kept me from completely losing it...

Closing my eyes, having a wet cloth across my face.

I had not slept the night before, and I'm sure that didn't make it any easier. But for some deluded reason, I figured that if I dind't sleep prior to the MRI, I'd just go to sleep during the MRI. I was wrong. :scared:

[DanCa]

29. Is it an open or closed mri?

Usually I can handle an open mri. The best advice I can give you is too close your eyes and visualize that your somewhere else. Like your in a field or beach. And do lots of slow controlled breathing. That's about the best advice i can give you. Hang in there my best possible white light to you.

[Maddy McCall]

42. Excellent advice.

That's kinda what I did.

Yes, it was a closed MRI. About 18" in diameter. I can't imagine it being able to hold anyone weighing much more than 200 lbs.

Thanks for your good thoughts. :hug:

[DanCa]

45. NP I had several of those.

:hug: let me know how your doing and if I can be of any help let me know.

[Shine]

30. No I haven't, but I can totally relate to your panic.

I freak out in closed spaces. I hope I never have to have one. Isn't it true that you can be given some meds to help mellow you out? Or, at least have something covering your eyes, while you listen to music on headphones, or something? In today's modern age, you'd think they'd have figured that out by now.

I haven't read this thread yet, just responding, spontaneously.

Good luck!! :hi: :hug: Hope your back gets better soon. I send you healing white light......

[Maddy McCall]

44. Thank you.

No, they only offered me dayglo orange industrial earplugs, which I took out. It seemed that the earplugs just made it all the more stiffling.

I hope that I never have to have another one done. Lots of people have suggested the open MRI. That's what I'll have to do next time.

:hug: :hi:

[lakemonster11]

53. They offered me headphones when I had my MRI.

They even let me pick the radio station.

I didn't have to go all the way in because they were just scanning my knee, so I don't know how I would have reacted if my face had been inside the tube, but as it was, I think I fell asleep. It was supposed to take something like 45 minutes and I felt like I had only been in for a few minutes when they pulled me out.

[Maddy McCall]

60. If I could have seen anything open...I think I'd have been OK.

The tube was open at both ends, but it was much longer than I am tall, so no matter where inside the tube I was, my face was inside the tube.

I think maybe headphones would have made it better. Especially if I could have picked the station. :D

[Mz Pip]

39. Valium

They told me to take some before the MRI. The procedure went just fine! :-)

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Maddy McCall]

48. I need a scrip for Valium before I ever have another one.

:thumbsup:

[AngryAmish]

80. Get the valium

They usually keep some in the center. Also please do not get an open MRI. Find a place with the most modern and powerful MRI machine possible. You can ask and shop around if you have a prescription. The image quality is much, much better and the quality of the diagnosis is that much better. A lay person can see the difference.

[Lars39]

85. It really is the only way to go. That or Xanax.

But I think Valium works better to control the heebeejeebees.
I've had to be in the machine before for 3 hours. Not fun.
My first MRI was in an open machine with nothing in my system and nothing over my ears.
I didn't think I was going to make it.
I visualized some of the fluffy kittens from some of the Lounge's kitten thread to get me thru it,
Quinn in particular.:D
Hope you get to feeling better soon. :hug:

[Ramsey]

43. Had one - no big deal

Had an MRI of my jaw to diagnose my TMJ.

If you need future MRIs and are afraid of becoming claustrophobic, have your doctor order the scan with sedation. They will make you sleepy (like when you have a colonoscopy) and you'll wake up after it's done.

[Maddy McCall]

49. I certainly will.

Like I said, my first MRI didn't bother me. Something must have happened between 2001 and now to make me so afraid of being confined. I think it was the loss of control over my own body that really bothered me.

I don't know...I've been trying to figure it out all week. :shrug:

[sir_captain]

68. Sometimes sedation isn't an option, sadly

Most chest scans, for instance, require one to hold one's breath, which is hard to do while sedated.

[LoZoccolo]

57. I told them I was claustrophobic so they gave me Xanax.

This was my second one, and I had no problem with the first. I kinda just wanted to try out some downers, actually. I was OK but I was really tired on the bus and when I went home I hopped into bed like at noon and woke up six hours later.

Panic attacks are like that - you'll get them from similar experiences, and one will trigger others soon. It's basically the development of a phobia. The good news is they are easily treatable, and easier if you start dealing with them soon after you start getting them. Get a good self-help book about them, and it'll probably tell you just to stand them down or try to expose yourself to the object of your phobia intentionally, and you'll get desensitized. In college I had a brief fear of heights that I didn't have before and I just stood it down and it went away.

[Maddy McCall]

63. Thanks for that advice.

I know it's really good advice. I'm going to talk to my dr. about it on Wednesday, and I'll look into some books at the university library.

[Taverner]

59. I did it. No problem for me

I thought it was kinda cool, actually. Thought i was in a cyrogenic freeze machine for hyperspace...

[Maddy McCall]

64. But you're a big, strong guy, and you could have pushed yourself out...

:D

If the place would have caught on fire, I'd have been trapped, because there was no way for me to get myself out of that hole.

Cryogenic freeze machine...LOL. :thumbsup:

[Taverner]

74. Oh if the place was on fire

I'm sure you would have found a way out, put out the fire, called 911 and recucitated the MRI tech.

Maddy's my Hero ;)

[Maddy McCall]

76. LOL.

They wouldn't let me take my radio into the machine. :D

[Deja Q]

62. Back problems make sitting on that thing very difficult. The noise

is fine by me, with the earplugs. White noise. Easy to take a little nap...

Do you have Claustrophobia?

[Maddy McCall]

65. I never thought I did before.

But I am starting to suspect that I do. Since the MRI, I've paid particular attention to not allowing myself to be trapped in a tight space.

[flamingyouth]

67. I've had two in the past four months.

I hate having them, personally, and I'm claustrophobic. I don't like CT scans much either, but at least you're not trapped in that thing like you are in the MRI. :scared:

[Maddy McCall]

77. Because of the wreck?

How are you doing? :hi:

[flamingyouth]

83. Yeah - the first was due to my neck injury

Then she wanted to look at my brain. :eyes:

Doing much better now, thanks. :hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

69. Same thing happened to me...I just closed my eyes

and told myself "I can deal with anything for 30 minutes...I can deal with anything for 30 minutes...I can deal with anything for 30 minutes...I can deal with anything for 30 minutes..." and then it was done...whew! Valium sedation if there's ever a next time!

[Maddy McCall]

78. That's pretty much what I did.

:hi: :loveya:

[Ladyhawk]

70. I've had two...I was fine.

There are MRI machines that are not so confining, made for people with claustrophobia.

[Maddy McCall]

79. Yeah, it seemed like the first one I was in was much larger...

than this one. This one was TINY.

:hi:

[Pacifist Patriot]

81. I had one. I was lucky and it was only the top half of my body.

I was able to move my legs to stave off claustrophobia. If I ever have to have the entire body inserted into that tube they will have to sedate me.

[southlandshari]

86. I have, and I was terrified, but got through it by

singing made up words to the tune of Tone Loc's "Funky Cold Medina" over and over to myself.

:hide:



I know, I know - I'm a total weirdo, but I do have claustrophobia and was really, really afraid of going into the machine, so I told myself I would sing my way through it. I had in mind Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy" (yes I realize some of you will think that's even worse than Tone Loc!), but once I got in and that jackhammer noise started, that drum and guitar lick from the Tone Loc song popped in my head out of nowhere, so I just rapped to myself the rest of the time. Sort of used the noise as a comfort rather than a threat.

:D

[u4ic]

87. I'm going for one in two weeks

I'll try and meditate in there. Don't really want to be drugged. :scared:

[havocmom]

88. Maddy, it has less to do with turning 40 than with accumulated stress

Not just the wreck and Katrina, but the past 5 years of anguish and seeing your worst fears materialized. Stress has a cumulative effect. When we snap ( or start panic attacks) it is usually triggered by some small inconvenience which leaves us doubting our own sanity. The tiny thing was just the last straw before the camel collapsed.

How many people have you heard complaining that they can't remember anything? Can't concentrate? Can't get as much done as they used to? Can't get a good night's sleep? Can't seem to keep from catching every bug going around? Can't get interested in stuff they used to enjoy? Bruising more easily than they used to? Having periods of blurred vision?

All stress reactions. We are a nation of people falling apart because of the stress of seeing America failing. We all feel threatened. Some recognize the root feelings, some just sense something big is wrong and internalize the nebulous feeling of being somehow threatened into some physical manifestation/set of symptoms. For some of us, it is a slow, gentle downward spiral. Some of you tougher types just get hit in the stomach and have your wind knocked out all at once.

When I complain about my failing memory, my daughter points out she is having the same trouble, as are 'all the kids at work.' (Gads, I feel old when she talks about 'the kids at work'.) The whole population is doing poorly. Anyone NOT having problems with stress reactions is either so oblivious that supervision is probably a good idea, or they have no central nervous system.

Don't worry too much unless the panic attacks get worse. Then, go ask for something to address the problem. Panic attacks can and do get to the point you feel like you are dying, which of course, makes you panic more. There are ways of dealing with it. They do help.

Take care of yourself. Glad the back is doing better. I need an MRI but am avoiding because I know damn well I am claustrophobic to a major degree and I know why. Interesting to know there are alternatives to the tube I would not enter even when my life may depend on doing it.

Oh, and PM coming your way
XO
hm

[Beausoir]

89. I punched out. Couldn't take it.

They tried to slide me in twice and I just couldn't hack it. I lasted about 10 seconds each time. Even with valium. My father was the same way.

Really a HORRIBLE experience for those of us who are claustrophobic. I had NO idea it was so awful.

There is actually a class of lingering symptoms for people who have really been freaked out by the experience.

Now, my community has an open MR.

[Orsino]

90. "...When the mutton is nice and lean..."