MRI Panic Attacks! Can anyone help?

[Guest guest]

Hey there,

The short of it is I have a paralyzing fear of going into the MRI machine and

even knowing I would be getting " sedation " , I still could not bring myself to

go this past Wednesday for a MUCH needed scan! I just cancelled until a later

date. Can any of you help me with this? PLEASE!

The whole story: as many of you know, Lynzi was diagnosed suddenly with ACM/

SM in Nov.96 and had surgery at that time. In 97 I was told they thought I

had a stroke. I was in the hospital for 12 days, had the MRI with NO sedation

and NO panick attack. I dealt with it just fine, brain and spine scan. That's

when they found my ACM. My stroke like symptoms left and I was able to return

to a " normal " life (if there is such a thing).

Now I've started re-developing symptoms, asked the neurosurgeon (via e-mail)

what he thought and I was told to come for a CINE MRI as soon as possible. He

wants to check for progression of the herniation (I don't know what it was in

mm's on the last MRI) and possible development of Syringomyelia. I don't know

if there are any " open " MRI's around here. This will be the tunnel one.

I got up Wednesday morning, knowing they would be giving me sedation, but

lying there in bed at home I started having a major panic attack just

thinking of having to be put in that tunnel all alone. I suddenly felt as

though I couldn't breathe. I had to get up and walk around the house to try

to calm down. But no matter, I ended up calling to cancel. I just couldn't

handle it no matter how badly I KNOW it's got to be done. It's not a rational

fear! I'm having headaches that are definitely Chiari related (when I tilt my

head back, when I lie in an awkward position in the night, even if I raise my

voice, sitting at the computer, or just having a stressed day being out of

the house, like the school open house yesterday).

I think if I went and started having the panick attack there, I would just

crawl out the other end of that thing, no matter how much of an idiot it made

me look. (Can't you just imagine that? - ha). That's how bad the attacks are.

I know there's no potential danger in the scan, there's no logical

explanation for my fear, I've done it before with no problem. I'm not sure

what happened to cause me to feel this way. I sure wish I could just jump

right in and have it done because it's got to be done. This seems to be the

only fear in life I can't concur!

Does anyone have any ideas on how to concur this thing. I know nearly

everyone on this list must have had one (two or more) MRI's at one time or

another. Is there a particular sedative they used that helped you, a certain

time that's best to take it? Any other suggestions you can possibly think of

short of coming with me and holding my foot while I lie there? <LOL> My

problem is from the time I awaken the morning of, I just can't make myself

get in the car to get myself there! I do need to reschedule it soon.

Now that you all think I'm a total spazz case, send me any suggestions you

might have. I think of all these little kids who jump on in there so many

times with no problem. Too bad I can't take Lynzi in there with me (ha).

That's be a little cramped.

Frances in NC

www.ncvaughans.homestead.com/chiari.html