Has anyone had an MRI/MRA with intravenous sedation? Are you out completely knocked out? Also, does an MRI require that you be able to respond to oral cues of some sort?
I am extremely claustrophobic. After being unable to get myself in an MRI machine even with an oral sedative (a noisy, living coffin, in my opinion), an interventional neuroradiologist told me that I could have the test with IV sedation.
I feel uncomfortable that I need such “drastic” measures just to take an MRI/MRA, but after being told that the test would be at least an hour, I think that anything that will enable me to get the test is probably okay.
I recently had an MRI/MRA but no sedation. I was completely awake although I did doze off a few times, they provided a playlist of music of my choice (Today’s R&B). I agree it is like a living coffin. They pushed me in and I immediately got emotional and asked to be pulled out. I thought about the fact they were confirming my unruptured Annie (4mm) and if I didn’t survive this is what it would be like entombed. The panic lasted about 30 seconds and I said “ok, let’s do this”. It was a realization for me that I am going to embrace this and work with my medical team and not let Annie get the best of me. My scan in the chamber was 1.5 hours and I prayed and the music allowed me to relax. I was glad it was over so I could eat because I was on NPO (nothing by mouth). I have my consult next week with the Neurosurgeon. I am confident everything will work out. Just breath and relax. They placed wedgie pillows under my legs to allow me to relax in a more natural position and gave me a squeeze ball to be used for “emergencies only”. Make sure to use the bathroom beforehand. Allow them to play music you enjoy. You will be fine!
Personally, if it were me…I’d get the sedation if the closeness gets to you. The only side-affects are severe drowsiness for 6-8 hours, afterwards.
It’s extremely difficult because of my lower back to stay “stock-still”, like they need you to be. I managed, but I can tell you, had they offered me sedation…I would’ve JUMPED on it!
Here in Ontario, Canada, ear plugs are provided. I have found that having my eyes covered helps too. That way I can open my eyes and not see how I am “entombed” so to speak. This helps me a lot and I am having an MRI/MRA every three months now to determine when I’ll be having more coils in my annie.
My scan in the chamber was 1.5 hours and I prayed and the music allowed me to relax. I was glad it was over so I could eat because I was on NPO (nothing by mouth).
I have my consult next week with the Neurosurgeon. I am confident everything will work out. Just breath and relax. They placed wedgie pillows under my legs to allow me to relax in a more natural position and gave me a squeeze ball to be used for “emergencies only”. Make sure to use the bathroom beforehand. Allow them to play music you enjoy. You will be fine!