4 Ways To Fight Claustrophobia When You Are Getting An MRI
If you have hurt yourself, your doctor may have scheduled an MRI for you. However, if you are claustrophobic, getting an MRI can be a nightmare. It's generally an enclosed space where you have to lay still and listen to a machine make lots of noises. You may try to avoid the MRI, no matter what. However, if you are claustrophobic and do have to have an MRI, there are things that you can do to make it easier on yourself.
Anti-anxiety Medications
One of the things that you can do is ask your doctor to prescribe some anti-anxiety meds for you. These meds can help you feel more relaxed and help you fight your anxiety. You will need to take them around half an hour before the MRI so that they can take effect. Your doctor may prescribe you more than one. You can take one ahead of time, and then take another right before the procedure so that it lasts for the entire procedure.
Music
Most MRI procedure rooms will allow you to listen to music. Because of the magnetic field from the machine, your music is generally played in the room where the MRI tech is and then piped into the procedure room. That will let you listen to your favorite music, relaxation program, or audio book.
Eye Coverings
Another option is to use something that covers your eyes. Something as simple as a washcloth placed over your eyes can help because you can't see how close the machine is to you.
Open MRI
One very good solution is to ask your doctor to help you find an open MRI machine. An open machine basically has no sides. It has a top with the scanner in it, and the bottom which also has a scanner. The open MRI lets your doctor still get the information that they need without you having to be slid into a narrow tube. With the sides open, you can feel freer because you can feel like you can get out of the machine whenever you need to.
Getting imaging done can help your doctor diagnose what's wrong with you because they get an exact idea of what's going on in your body. Finding the right things to help with your claustrophobia while you are getting your MRI done can make it easier for you to get the procedure done when you need it. Look for a hospital with an open MRI in your area.