MRIs and Claustrophobia
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MRIs and Claustrophobia
Sory to bother the the Ladies and Gents with a non aviation related problem, but I am desperate.
Mrs Synth has been ill for seven years and in a great deal of pain. At last she has seen a Consultant who has some hope of a viable diagnosis. It involves her having an MRI.
Unfortunately she is chronically claustrophobic and when we tried to get her into the scaner she could not handle it.
I know from our two wheeled days that she was very uncomfortable in a crash helmet and am trying to get her to wear it to de-sensitise her.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
TIA
Synth
Mrs Synth has been ill for seven years and in a great deal of pain. At last she has seen a Consultant who has some hope of a viable diagnosis. It involves her having an MRI.
Unfortunately she is chronically claustrophobic and when we tried to get her into the scaner she could not handle it.
I know from our two wheeled days that she was very uncomfortable in a crash helmet and am trying to get her to wear it to de-sensitise her.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
TIA
Synth
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I'm no expert, but I think things have moved on considerably in the last 10 years.
"Going into the tunnel" isn't always required, 'specially if the quacks are concentrating on a specific part of the anatomy. Patients are also given a "panic button" - activation of which results in instant removal from the contraption.
Speak to the radiology dept about your concerns.
"Going into the tunnel" isn't always required, 'specially if the quacks are concentrating on a specific part of the anatomy. Patients are also given a "panic button" - activation of which results in instant removal from the contraption.
Speak to the radiology dept about your concerns.
Psychophysiological entity
I think many people have to be tranquilized, so your wife is not alone.
Tell her to visualize the tube as just that, it's not sealed at the ends. If all else fails she can wiggle out.
We have a close friend in the UK that wouldn't face the narrow stone staircase to the top of the church. She is profoundly claustrophobic.
It was a long climb, with shoulders brushing the sides. The Rivetess talked her through every step and when she came out onto the roof the rewards were huge...a fabulous view. Then there was the return, but she made it just fine.
I don't know if someone can remain in the room and hold her hand. That would help.
Tell her to visualize the tube as just that, it's not sealed at the ends. If all else fails she can wiggle out.
We have a close friend in the UK that wouldn't face the narrow stone staircase to the top of the church. She is profoundly claustrophobic.
It was a long climb, with shoulders brushing the sides. The Rivetess talked her through every step and when she came out onto the roof the rewards were huge...a fabulous view. Then there was the return, but she made it just fine.
I don't know if someone can remain in the room and hold her hand. That would help.
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My mother suffers from the same. The 1st attempt was a non starter.
We were successful the 2nd time though with the help of a prescribed tranquilliser and as mentioned above I was allowed to remain in the room to hold her hand. You can also get some of her fav/suitable music played through the headphones to help distract her from the noise of the magnet.
Good luck.
We were successful the 2nd time though with the help of a prescribed tranquilliser and as mentioned above I was allowed to remain in the room to hold her hand. You can also get some of her fav/suitable music played through the headphones to help distract her from the noise of the magnet.
Good luck.
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I don't wish to divert away fom the main topic, but Mrs DC9 went for an MRI on Wednesday AFTER being told 20 minutes earlier, that she has cancer. She is also in fear of enclosed spaces but she said it was fine, they gave her a choice of music to listen, and the staff were fantastic.
The problem though as far as we are concerned is the MRI results. She has cancer of the vulvar which is apparently very rare. I know nothing about cancer of the vulvar but if this is rare, does it mean her chances of beating it are maybe higher? We have to get the results this coming Wednesday. I'm dreading it........
Does anyone know anything about this type of cancer?
Mrs DC9 is 34, too young to be going through this....
Thank you
The problem though as far as we are concerned is the MRI results. She has cancer of the vulvar which is apparently very rare. I know nothing about cancer of the vulvar but if this is rare, does it mean her chances of beating it are maybe higher? We have to get the results this coming Wednesday. I'm dreading it........
Does anyone know anything about this type of cancer?
Mrs DC9 is 34, too young to be going through this....
Thank you
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Hi Dc-9, it must be a distressing time for you and the Mrs.
Vulval cancer is rare, I had a quick search and about 1000 women per year are affected in the UK.
The purpose of the CT scan is to see is to reveal the extenct of the cancer.
On a positive note, the prognosis is good when caught early enough, and your wife has youth on her side, which will help with subseqent treatment.
You'll probably have a thousand questions to ask on Wednesday, these people are good at translating the medical babblygook to something meaningful. They should have a base in the hospital.
Cancer Care and Support Charity - Macmillan Cancer Support
Keep us updated, I know that some experts in the field browse these pages often.
Vulval cancer is rare, I had a quick search and about 1000 women per year are affected in the UK.
The purpose of the CT scan is to see is to reveal the extenct of the cancer.
On a positive note, the prognosis is good when caught early enough, and your wife has youth on her side, which will help with subseqent treatment.
You'll probably have a thousand questions to ask on Wednesday, these people are good at translating the medical babblygook to something meaningful. They should have a base in the hospital.
Cancer Care and Support Charity - Macmillan Cancer Support
Keep us updated, I know that some experts in the field browse these pages often.
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Hi DC-9,
Your wife is the same age as me so I can understand what a worry it must be for you both, but hopefully it has been spotted early so they will be able to treat it.
Best wishes,
PC
Your wife is the same age as me so I can understand what a worry it must be for you both, but hopefully it has been spotted early so they will be able to treat it.
Best wishes,
PC
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With regards to MRI's ... they are grim. I had one done in November and they do make you feel claustrophobic and the bangs, clicks and knocks that the scanner make can be pretty unpleasant.
I remember seeing my neurologist after having it done and he asked me about it and I told him that it made me feel claustrophobic. To this he replied, "They're a good place to go for a sleep". I said "Sorry?" ... "I don't know what you mean?". To which he replied, "They're a good place to go to hide from children". Hmmm.
RANDOM or what?!
I should have had alarm bells ringing then really!
I remember seeing my neurologist after having it done and he asked me about it and I told him that it made me feel claustrophobic. To this he replied, "They're a good place to go for a sleep". I said "Sorry?" ... "I don't know what you mean?". To which he replied, "They're a good place to go to hide from children". Hmmm.
RANDOM or what?!
I should have had alarm bells ringing then really!
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I underwent a MRI scan last August - it lasted 40 minutes and as I was unable to focus on the inside of the machine, due to it's proximity, I closed my eyes and promptly fell asleep. The operator woke me up twice to ask if I was alright. Perhaps that was why your consultant said it was a good place to go for a kip!
Although I wouldn't say it was a pleasant experience (I do not suffer from claustrophobia), perhaps the apprehension is worse than the event.
Best wishes to "Mrs. Synthetic".
Although I wouldn't say it was a pleasant experience (I do not suffer from claustrophobia), perhaps the apprehension is worse than the event.
Best wishes to "Mrs. Synthetic".
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Very best wishes to Mrs DC9.
Part of the problem is that I have no problems with anything like this and part of me wants to say "get a grip". I apreciate how damageing that would be.
Part of the problem is that I have no problems with anything like this and part of me wants to say "get a grip". I apreciate how damageing that would be.
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Thanks for everyone's kind words. My fear is that Mrs DC9 kept this from me for months and only now has it come to light. We get the MRI results on Wednesday !!
Synthetic - I'm not sure what your reply is all about and I'm glad the part of you that wanted to say "get a grip" actually didn't !!!!!
Synthetic - I'm not sure what your reply is all about and I'm glad the part of you that wanted to say "get a grip" actually didn't !!!!!
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Synth,
Just returned from an MRI two hours ago.
This is the second MRI I have had done.
The first one was a bit of a claustrophobic experience but this one was a breeze.
When I spoke to the radiologist she told me that the newer machines were being made with a much wider tube than the older models.
Perhaps you could ask if there is one of the newer machines your wife could use.
DC9-32,
If it is any comfort to you, the fact that the cancer is rare does not necessarily mean it is more difficult to treat. It simply means there are less cases per year.
I was diagnosed with a cancer so rare that my consultant had never dealt with a case so I was transferred to a specialist unit. Luckily it responded well to the treatment and I'm in full remission at the moment.
Nonetheless my thoughts are with both of you and your wives.
LM
Just returned from an MRI two hours ago.
This is the second MRI I have had done.
The first one was a bit of a claustrophobic experience but this one was a breeze.
When I spoke to the radiologist she told me that the newer machines were being made with a much wider tube than the older models.
Perhaps you could ask if there is one of the newer machines your wife could use.
DC9-32,
If it is any comfort to you, the fact that the cancer is rare does not necessarily mean it is more difficult to treat. It simply means there are less cases per year.
I was diagnosed with a cancer so rare that my consultant had never dealt with a case so I was transferred to a specialist unit. Luckily it responded well to the treatment and I'm in full remission at the moment.
Nonetheless my thoughts are with both of you and your wives.
LM
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DC9 - Sorry - I can see exactly what you are saying.
I had meant to pass my best wishes on to Mrs DC9 and yourself, and then explain that since I have no problem with confined spaces my urge is to tell Mrs Synth to get a grip.
Would you excuse me while I wonder off and extract my foot from my mouth.
I had meant to pass my best wishes on to Mrs DC9 and yourself, and then explain that since I have no problem with confined spaces my urge is to tell Mrs Synth to get a grip.
Would you excuse me while I wonder off and extract my foot from my mouth.
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We got the scan results on Wednesday as planned. The consultant was brilliant. So re-assuring and actually quite positive. The scan showed the cancer has spread slightly and that there were also signs on her cervix which showed up from the smear test. (read and compare below).
He asked if we could stay for a couple of hours and if so, he would remove the infected area around the cervix after his morning surgery- to which Mrs DC9 obviously agreed to. We get the results of that next week.
Overall, the consultant was very upbeat on the basis of what he has seen so far; Mrs DC9's age; the fact it has been spotted early on etc. She goes into hospital on 3rd April to have an operation to remove the cancer around the vulvar, plus a safety margin area, maybe some radiography too.
She's not out of the woods yet, far from it, but after the visit on Wednesday we all feel more positive - not least of all Mrs DC9. The initial visit last week was just total doom and gloom. The consultant that day sat us down, she said quite openly and frankly "you have cancer - the smear test we did was fine though". She then handed Me a leaflet and her assistant led us out of the room. From there on it was more doom and gloom. The consultant was even dressed in black. I appreciate she was just doing her job, but I have to question the way she told us and the things she told us. How does that help patients !!
During the last week after that initial visit where we got the news, the most awful thoughts have been inside our heads. Mrs DC9 has not sobbed so much in the 4 years I've known here. On the back end of that visit, she had effectively written off her life and became destined with death. I've never seen someone so scared in all my life.
One week on, when we actually got the results of the MRI scan, a different consultant - who I might add has a brilliant reputation from the research I've done - has told Mrs DC9 that she has a rare type of skin cancer in an odd area. With the correct treatment, he has every faith that a normal life or as normal as can be expected, can be had. His assistant even said that Mrs DC9 is not dying from this cancer and what she has is treatable.
Strange how one consultant can write off a person based on what effectively is very little information, i.e. results of a biopsy, and yet the next consultant painted a very very different picture.
I just wanted to share this with you. I apologise if my comments have veered off the main topic in question, i.e. MRI and claustrophobia but there is a connection.
Thank you to everyone who has passed on their best wishes to Mrs DC9.
He asked if we could stay for a couple of hours and if so, he would remove the infected area around the cervix after his morning surgery- to which Mrs DC9 obviously agreed to. We get the results of that next week.
Overall, the consultant was very upbeat on the basis of what he has seen so far; Mrs DC9's age; the fact it has been spotted early on etc. She goes into hospital on 3rd April to have an operation to remove the cancer around the vulvar, plus a safety margin area, maybe some radiography too.
She's not out of the woods yet, far from it, but after the visit on Wednesday we all feel more positive - not least of all Mrs DC9. The initial visit last week was just total doom and gloom. The consultant that day sat us down, she said quite openly and frankly "you have cancer - the smear test we did was fine though". She then handed Me a leaflet and her assistant led us out of the room. From there on it was more doom and gloom. The consultant was even dressed in black. I appreciate she was just doing her job, but I have to question the way she told us and the things she told us. How does that help patients !!
During the last week after that initial visit where we got the news, the most awful thoughts have been inside our heads. Mrs DC9 has not sobbed so much in the 4 years I've known here. On the back end of that visit, she had effectively written off her life and became destined with death. I've never seen someone so scared in all my life.
One week on, when we actually got the results of the MRI scan, a different consultant - who I might add has a brilliant reputation from the research I've done - has told Mrs DC9 that she has a rare type of skin cancer in an odd area. With the correct treatment, he has every faith that a normal life or as normal as can be expected, can be had. His assistant even said that Mrs DC9 is not dying from this cancer and what she has is treatable.
Strange how one consultant can write off a person based on what effectively is very little information, i.e. results of a biopsy, and yet the next consultant painted a very very different picture.
I just wanted to share this with you. I apologise if my comments have veered off the main topic in question, i.e. MRI and claustrophobia but there is a connection.
Thank you to everyone who has passed on their best wishes to Mrs DC9.
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DC9
I have been reading this thread and am pleased that you have updated us with a happier note.
I read yesterday about a major breakthrough in cancer research which I have pasted here
Your wife (I wish you wouldnt refer to her as Mrs DC9 
is young and who knows a few years down the line maybe cancers will not be as serious as they are today and better treatable.
Anyway very pleased for you that it has been caught early and not as bad as you initially feared.
Pace
I have been reading this thread and am pleased that you have updated us with a happier note.
I read yesterday about a major breakthrough in cancer research which I have pasted here
A major breakthrough in cancer research could lead to the creation of 'one-size-fits-all' drugs capable of tackling almost all forms of the disease.
Scientists have unravelled the secrets of an enzyme called telomerase that makes cancer cells immortal.
This allows them to multiply uncontrollably and cause disease.
The landmark discovery paves the way for the creation of drugs that block the enzyme, stopping tumour growth.
With telomerase at work in almost all human cancers, such a drug or family of drugs could have a major impact in the treatment of the disease which affects almost 300,000 Britons a year and kills someone every four minutes.
Liz Baker, of charity Cancer Research UK, said: 'This is a crucial part of the puzzle in understanding how telomerase works.
Scientists have unravelled the secrets of an enzyme called telomerase that makes cancer cells immortal.
This allows them to multiply uncontrollably and cause disease.
The landmark discovery paves the way for the creation of drugs that block the enzyme, stopping tumour growth.
With telomerase at work in almost all human cancers, such a drug or family of drugs could have a major impact in the treatment of the disease which affects almost 300,000 Britons a year and kills someone every four minutes.
Liz Baker, of charity Cancer Research UK, said: 'This is a crucial part of the puzzle in understanding how telomerase works.
is young and who knows a few years down the line maybe cancers will not be as serious as they are today and better treatable.Anyway very pleased for you that it has been caught early and not as bad as you initially feared.
Pace
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Pace - thank you.
I forgot to mention that the consultant also mentioned that in 20 years or so, most cancers will be treated as chronic conditions, such as arthritis etc. The advances in technology and science has come on leaps and bounds in the last 10 years.
I forgot to mention that the consultant also mentioned that in 20 years or so, most cancers will be treated as chronic conditions, such as arthritis etc. The advances in technology and science has come on leaps and bounds in the last 10 years.
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Hey Mr DC-9, glad things are progressing well.
Communication in cancer care can be a minefield, and it's always useful to have such a vivid account of how things feel for patient and family.
For us, as health care professionals, it's a constantly changing area of study. We may have the technical abilities, but sometimes we forget one of the most important areas in this field- communication.
"Bad news" is just that-Bad news. There is, unfortunately, no way of dressing things up- it'd be an easy cop out for us, but unfair on both patient and family.
I guess, the trick for us, is balancing this with the positives, and without wishing to delving too much into your case, it does feel that there was some lack of "aftercare" in your initial situation.
Best wishes.
Communication in cancer care can be a minefield, and it's always useful to have such a vivid account of how things feel for patient and family.
For us, as health care professionals, it's a constantly changing area of study. We may have the technical abilities, but sometimes we forget one of the most important areas in this field- communication.
"Bad news" is just that-Bad news. There is, unfortunately, no way of dressing things up- it'd be an easy cop out for us, but unfair on both patient and family.
I guess, the trick for us, is balancing this with the positives, and without wishing to delving too much into your case, it does feel that there was some lack of "aftercare" in your initial situation.
Best wishes.
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Great to hear things are looking a bit better DC9.
We may have made a little progress too, and this may be of help to some others in our situation.
Basically, it is Mrs Synth's spine they want to have a look at. Because it's not too deep into her body, there are open mri scanners which can do this. The downside is that most of them are private.
We may have made a little progress too, and this may be of help to some others in our situation.
Basically, it is Mrs Synth's spine they want to have a look at. Because it's not too deep into her body, there are open mri scanners which can do this. The downside is that most of them are private.