Have any of you ever had an MRI? I hadn't, until last night, and I was in it about 20 seconds before I squeezed the panic button and told them this had to stop. I've never been that close to a complete panic breakdown before.
The restraint for my head also restrained my chest, making me feel like I couldn't breathe. The tube is small - inches away from my eyes. And it's LOUD, even with the earplugs.
I have a new definition of hell.
@StrugglingGuitarist @actuallyautistic
No, but why it's not OK is a mystery. I'm making an appointment with my GP today.
@ScottSoCal @actuallyautistic i had one and while it was a challenge from a sensory POV, the hardest thing was lying still. it took all my willpower and attempts to detach myself. it felt like forever.
@ScottSoCal @actuallyautistic I've had a shit ton of MRIs, including some lasting 1.5 hours.
I'm so sorry. I know it must be hell if you are claustrophobic or have serious noise sensitivities. I'm sensitive to noise but I've been able to bear the MRIs I had in the past.
Listen, I'd bring it up with your doctor, staff, whatever. I'm not sure who makes the decision where you are, but you can ask to be given an anti-anxiety medicine or to be put to sleep maybe.
I did get the anti-anxiety medicine sometimes.
My MRIs are now every 6 months for the foreseeable future.
@ScottSoCal @actuallyautistic I have had them before, but only head and neck. Plus, it was the "open MRI" type. I didn't have any panic from it.
@JeremyMallin @ScottSoCal @actuallyautistic I've never had open MRIs but yes, that's an option too.
I was expecting to feel that way about it. In the event I almost instantly disassociated and fell asleep.
And I figured I'd be all right, until they put that shield on my face, and it pressed on my chest. I have an "athletic" build, and my chest/ribcage is significantly larger than is normal for my height/weight/waist. They commented on it, then slid me into the machine, while I felt my chest compressed and I couldn't take a deep breath. It felt like being buried alive. When the noises started, it was way over the line of what I could take.
From what the technician said to me it seems like everyone finds it traumatic - it’s just for some people the response to it is to shut down so they don’t ‘feel’ it the same way. I guess I was just lucky to fall in to that camp.
I hope that the information they get from it makes it worth having gone through it.
My GP told me I really needed the MRI today, so I went back. They gave me Ativan, which didn't do much for me. When I asked the how long we were going to wait for the first shot to kick in, they called the nurse and she gave me a shot of something else - Versed. The combination was stellar. MRI was over before I knew it, chatted with the MRI techs. Now I'm back home, and I'm ready to go to bed.
Ah I’m so glad. So often we’re expected to just endure through traumatic medical procedures and it’s just awful. Glad to hear they helped and it went well.
