Just returned from the alfred in melbourne and am really freaked out
Went in for a head MRI but couldn't do it
Have procedure re-scheduled for this Thursday morning along with an angiogram! but will be given sedation meds to get me through.
I don't know if I'm going to be able to do it.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and how did you manage to see it through.
I can't believe that this is my reality
Any advice would be appreciated.
Anna
Hay Anna, Meditation, do you know how to meditate because if you can do this the night before and then again in the morning before leaving for the hospital it will help you. You could even meditate well you are having you MRI, just relax and go with it. I am a very claustrophobic person so also had a bit of trouble getting though this and this is how I coped. You can also take you own CD at most hospitals and they will put what ever music you want on and they will give you ear phones which also helps with the noise level.
But you really need to start the night before at least so you are preparing your mind and body to cope with this.
For the angio you should get some sort of sedation.
You can and will be able to do this, you know it is for your own good, start telling yourself this repeatedly until Thursday and then keep going well you are having it done. Your mind is a very powerful tool, use it to your advantage.
I will be thinking of you, best of luck and keep us informed
Stay strong and take care
DM
Anna the medication they give you should help. Remember to keep your eyes closed and don't open them at all, no matter how tempted you might be. Good luck!
Hello Anna... The sedation that they give you does help! I know that this is easier said than done but rather questioning whether you can do this...try to change your thoughts to knowing that you CAN do this :-))) Keep telling yourself this and you'll be amazed at how this works!!!
During my MRIs/MRAs and Angio tests ... I kept telling myself "You can do this Michele" and I would keep my focus on something beautiful that I love (the beach and sunsets). And Trish is so right, As much as I was tempted, I didn't once open my eyes no matter how badly I wanted to. YOU will get thru this Anna and will keep you in my prayers - best of luck to you on Thursday!
Its all about positive thinking, and each and everyone of us know how hard it can be at times like this. Remember we are all here for support, we have all been through this and are survivors just like you are. Stay cool, carm and trust in yourself that you can get through this all. x
My experience was a little different, but as long as you get in there, they will sedate you fairly quickly. If you can't get through the prep part of it...ask to be sedated almost immediately. Be very upfront about your anxiety, and they will help you, that's why you're paying them for it!!!!
Don't forget that, you're going to these doctors and they are there for you. Not vice versa.
Hi Anna,
Each of us have different ways to cope with the anxiety which you're feeling right now. I chose to have my favorite music playing while undergoing my MRI and it helped me relax throughout the procedure.
Relax and think of the things that make you happy!
Take care!
Michael
I had them place a cloth over my eyes on the advice if a friend. I had a couple of moments of panic but was very proud of myself afterwards.
First say I WILL DO THIS…positive thnking…look each and every one on thi ite can relate, the fear, it always the fear of the unknown but we ARE HERE for you… I am ure each of u thought ths could not happen to me…but it did. YOU will ahve that mri and they will give you meds to make you leepy…cloe your eyes before you go in and go later in the day so you are tired and me, I just pray…if you dn’t want to pray, ask if you can bring in a cd otherwise just breathe and liste to your own breathing to go to sleep. You can and will do thi…I will pray for you…xoxoxo mare
WOW!!!!!
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. You are all so amazingly responsive and I feel so very supported. Thank you for your helpful advice, understanding and kind wishes. I'm going to do my best to get through both procedures tomorrow and will think of my AVM friends and their helpful tips while I'm doing it. Life is sometimes wierd and unexpected and the PollyAnna me who likes to see the glass half full can appreciate that this challenge has come into my life for a reason and somehow I will get through and along the way I will get to know some wonderful people like you guys. Hope you all have a fab rest of your day. And I will let you know how I go. Big hug to each and everyone of you. Anna xx
Hi anna. Im new 2 the group. I have recently gone through the angiogram and made it through. U will 2! IT seems like the surgeons understand that we are going in to these procedures with lots of anxiety and unease. They want and need u to be relaxed as possible so they can get good images. They will help with the anxiety with sedatives and make u feel comfortable. They want a suscessful outcome just like you. Be as stong as possible and you will make it through the angiogram just like all of us on the site:)
Hello Anna, we know how you feel!! What wonderful words to hear when you are anxious.....the sedation is great, made me sleepy so I kept my eyes closed and dreamt of the beach. You WILL be able to do this. I look forward to reading your reports of your MRI and angiogram!!
My very best wishes to you and God Bless.xx
Anna, having an Ango makes everyone nervous, however, what helped to me was that the gentlemen getting me ready made me laugh…don’t remember what they even said, but they made me laugh. Then the med made me very calm and I just closed my eyes and thought about taking the sun on a beach…Next thing I remember was that it was over. Stay strong. We’ll all be thinking about you and wishing you the best!
Hi Anna,
I can't have an mri but have had ct scans on my head and they are scary but if you just close your eyes and try to relax it will be fine. As for the angiogram I've had about 4 of them but it's been 26 years. I've heard that they have come a long way since I've had it done. I was only 19 when this all started. It was very hard to deal with at that age. It will be fine, think positive!
The tech's and Dr. are all so wonderful when doing these procedures that they will help you to cope.
How old are you if you don't mind me asking?
I was in my teens when I had the MRI, angiogram and brain surgery. Mind over matter is what I say. The nurses were lovely and I wasn't knocked out though they probably gave me a mild sedative.
You'll be fine
flower
Anna- I had my AVM operation July 2005. Before the operation I also had an MRI Angiogram. Every year is better and better. The Angiogram really requires sedation. Because my AVM was positioned weirdly they ended up doing a full craniotomy. But the angiogram showed the doctor precisely where the AVM is. Best wishes to you!
Hi Anna, I just think of it as a really noisy didjeridoo. I know that sounds silly, but hey. The medicatiion should help take the edge off you, then just lie back and listen to the didjerido. Silly but it works for me.
Amanda J
Sorry you had a bad experience Anna.
Did you ask them for something to relax you?
Hi Anna,
I am due to have a head and neck MRA and MRI in the coming months and the doctor did ask if I was claustrophobic, is this your problem - claustrophobia?
Do you know of any good relaxation techniques that could help you whilst having it? I do Pilates and have done Yoga and know that the breathing helped me when I was in labour with my son, could this help you whilst you are having the angio?
It sounds like they are able to sedate you, which I didn't know, so it sounds like they are going to do their best to help you out and stay relaxed. The only other advice I can give you is to think to yourself "short-term pain (fear) for long-term gain". The procedure will be over quickly and the results could help you immensely. Be brave and take someone to the hospital with you who you really trust.
Good luck and remember to post how it goes.
Hey Dionne
Thanks for your message and concern.
My issue was claustrophobia as well as anxiety.
It sounds to me like you are well equipped to deal with the procedures, given your exercise regime and in particular breathing skills.
One of the suggestions offered to me was meditation but alas that is not my thing so I was unable to use that to get me through.
The post is now old and I don't know how to remove it from the website. But I am happy and relieved to report that thankfully I got through the procedure just fine but was gratefully aided by medication which was amazing and rendered the entire experience rather pleasant, to the extent that I had no awareness of even entering the MRI tunnel!
I also had Camilla, my guardian angel nurse, with me the entire time looking out for me and making sure I was okay including telling the MRI team that I would need a further 15 minutes to allow meds to kick in before I was ready for them! How good was that?
I was going to post an update on the site but other things have been taking up my time. Might still try and do that as I am due for surgery within the next two weeks!!!! OMG it's now upon me and I'm trying really hard not to think about it which is kind of silly I know!!!!
All the best with your procedures and do let me know how it goes for you.
Cheers for now.
Anna
Dionne G said:
Hi Anna,
I am due to have a head and neck MRA and MRI in the coming months and the doctor did ask if I was claustrophobic, is this your problem - claustrophobia?
Do you know of any good relaxation techniques that could help you whilst having it? I do Pilates and have done Yoga and know that the breathing helped me when I was in labour with my son, could this help you whilst you are having the angio?
It sounds like they are able to sedate you, which I didn't know, so it sounds like they are going to do their best to help you out and stay relaxed. The only other advice I can give you is to think to yourself "short-term pain (fear) for long-term gain". The procedure will be over quickly and the results could help you immensely. Be brave and take someone to the hospital with you who you really trust.
Good luck and remember to post how it goes.