@catlover2 as a long-time user of the MRI for other health reasons, I have a few tips that I hope will help.
I never used to look at the MRI. I would ask the radiographer to guide me in backwards. They can also provide a blindfold if you want one. I found this helped.
If you can get into doing some mindfulness breathing, it will help you to calm your breathing. Imagine you’re on a beach having a lovely time listening to the waves. Sounds daft, but hey if it works???
Now this tip I use with all my managers and it is the work of Amy Cuddy (TED Talk). Putting your arms above your head, or on hips if this is difficult…think Wonder Woman. Adopt this pose for 2 minutes. This actively lowers your cortisol (stress hormone) and increases testosterone (dominance hormone). I coach people to do this for public speaking fear and it DOES work.
The MRI will make noises, but to me it feels like soothing trance music. If anything I have to concentrate on staying still and not dancing.
You can ask the radiographers to play music for you so ask them. You will also have a button you can press to stop the process if you experience overwhelm and they will pull you straight out. Just remember you remain in control at all times.
Hopefully my tips will help you to manage getting in to the machine. Just keep focusing on breathing.
Thank you so much! I will give it a go! The noise was soo loud that the headphones did nothing, literlly sounded like the were doing construction work over my head! I might try ear plugs too xx
Hey, had my ultrasound of my lymph nodes and they said they couldnt see anything of concern so didnt have to do a biopsy, so that was better news for once! How are you doing?x
Hi, is there anyone that can help me with my work situation? I know i am going to be off work for ages as its a long process but does anyone think i might be able to work a little bit through chemo? I work in hr and work from home. I cant concentrate as it is but i cant work out if its better for my boss and the business if i just went off sick now or if i try to carry on for abit? Thank you
@catlover2 I think it would be be entirely possible to carry on working. I know lots of people do. The main hit I found was to my energy levels and disturbed sleep. If your role allows flexibility to log on and off around naps, then brilliant. Working from home means you won’t have the issues around reduced immunity which is great. There may be days where you feel shattered, but then there are large chunks of time where you feel like your old self again and have bags of energy.
If you like your work and it isn’t a huge source of stress for you, then I think that the social contact and ability to distract yourself will only benefit you. Cancer can be very isolating so this will help you feel you involved.
I would just be mindful of chemo brain that can impact on concentration levels, so if detail isn’t your strong point then a bit of double cross checking is wise.
EDIT I just re read your post (note attention to detail on my part). I still stand by what I say above, but it does sound like a good chat with your manager is the first step to ascertain what is best for you primarily, as well as for them. I hope it works out for you. x
Hi, I had mri on breast and I think I closed my eyes. I pretended like I wasn’t there. Difficult, I know! Did they have music playing? Maybe you could ask for some music you like - although Difficult to hear over the noise. Maybe they could talk to you too. Good luck xx
My first oncology meeting was really tough definitely take someone with you if you can. It is good to get some answers though and get the ball rolling. Get all your questions written down and take them with you.
Also make sure you are hydrated. They sprung a bloodtest on me whilst I was there so they could get my baseline blood levels and it took 3 attempts because I was too nervous and didnt drink much in the morning. I had to sit in the waiting room and drink a few pints of water haha
Never a dull moment!
Try to relax and don’t panic! Remember this is being done for your own good. It’s so necessary. Think about nice things and do some counting. Count to 50 and record it on one finger. Another count to 50 and put up two fingers. I’m a lapsed Roman Catholic but do remember the Rosary, so that’s how I did my counting. I hope this helps a little. x
Hi there. So sorry you’re feeling so anxious & scared right now. Something we all feel at some time or another. I’m HER negative & had my chemo first & finished 21st January. Last Tuesday I had my mastectomy with implant reconstruction & relieved to have got those hurdles out of the way. I promise, although it doesn’t feel like it now, you will get through. Feel all the emotions wether good or ‘bad’ & let them out. Aim for a little treat each time you get through each session of chemo when you’re up to it. Take each day as it comes. Have you got an assigned BC nurse? Mines incredible & have phoned her so much to cry, go over things & ask questions but she doesn’t mind as she says that is what shes there for so I urge you to do the same. You’ll be fine in the MRI. Do yiu have something for it now? X
Hello. I’m so sorry you’ve had to join the cancer club — none of us choose to be here — but it’s good that it’s been found and that you’re now getting treatment.
I had a breast MRI with contrast back in November, and like you I was absolutely terrified. The MRI is the one where you lie face down, with your face resting in a sort of cushioned sling, and your breasts go through openings in the machine. I’m very claustrophobic and really struggle with MRIs, so they let me go in feet first, which meant the back of my head was nearer the opening at the front. Definitely ask if you can do this — it helped me so much.
I had a drip in my arm for the contrast (which I’m sure you’ll have too). They gave me headphones and I listened to Oasis for about 30 minutes. Honestly, it went much quicker than I expected. Once it’s done, you’ll feel such a sense of relief.
Try not to worry — I know that’s easier said than done — and please do ask about going in feet first if you think it would help you. It really made a difference for me.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on. We’re all rooting for you
Dear catlover2 - this reminded me of when my mum had to have an MRI and she was absolutely terrified. She actually had breast cancer for five years and didn’t tell anyone. The first we knew was when the calcium level in her blood was so high she started hallucinating. there was a cocktail party going on in her bedroom! and the bed was upside down on the ceiling.
So she wasn’t in her right mind when it came to the MRI. She grew up during the war and was trained to be brave! So I used that to help her with the MRI. I held her hand when they were laying her in it, and I told her to remember she is English, and be brave. I think that encouraged her to find enough courage. She gritted her teeth and got on with it. Bless her.
I have been lucky - I didn’t get an MRI, so I haven’t had to deal with that yet.
For daily anxiety, you can try Kalm pills, from Boots the chemist. They are Valerian. They take about half an hour to work and last about 4 hours. I start with 2, and if that’s not enough I take 4! You only take them when you need them.
Good luck Girl. You can do it! You need something to trigger your inner courage.
Apart from breast cancer now, I had a blood clot at the base of my brain type stroke and nearly died some years ago. My first MRI, whilst not expecting a problem, completely freaked me out and I realised I was utterly claustrophobic. DO NOT WORRY DEAR FRIEND and I’ll tell you why.
The staff know you are nervous and stressed and will explain the MRI scanner to you. They will give you a button to press if panic sets in so they can get you out soonest. The worst thing is the noise but they will play music through the headphones you are given. Be assured, the MRI Scanners are a lot brighter and wider than they used to be. I make tunes from the strange and weird noises or go through the letters of the alphabet naming animals/childrens’ names etc - anything to distract you. BUT MOST OF ALL, I GET JUST 1 DIAZEPAM FROM THE DOCTOR TO TAKE ONE HOUR BEFORE MY SCAN, AND IT REALLY TAKES AWAY ANY STRESS AND WORRY - I PROMISE. I have brain scans every couple of years and breast scans as and when, and that one diazepam has taken away the fear.
I wish you well for your treatments. My love and thoughts are with you.
Gillian xx
Thank you all for your help and advice. I did the mri! Now i have my oncology appt today, which i am petrified for and know that my chemo will be starting so soon!
Dear catlover 2. You did it! Well done. We often look at worse case scenario and what actually happens is not half as bad. Please remember this when you start your chemo. It has its challenges but it does have an end date and then you can get on with your life and live it to the full.
Be courageous, be kind to yourself, and try not to be afraid.
I thought you meant Dr Cuddy in House which we keep watching in our house! They are always giving people MRIs and the patients always seem to have blood gushing out of their mouths, ears and other orifices.
I have had a MRI and the one thing I didn’t like was feeling my tooth fillings were tingling while it was going on. I seem to be having more pain in them although to counteract that I am using sensodyne toothpaste.
It doesn’t seem to make a difference but only time will tell.
@Seagulls I didn’t notice the fillings rattling but to be fair I don’t have many. My wedding ring fizzed though. I’l never forget I had to have a brain scan for my first MRI. The Neurologist said he could fit me in within a couple of hours (in the good old days when I was private through work). He said to go to the pub down the road and have a couple of glasses of wine. I bet that wouldn’t happen these days
