Hi everyone. Havent been on here since before Christmas.Have been to see the oncologist and am having radiotheraphy and Tamoxofen. All good results - Clear margin - Grade 1 - 1.6mm - No lymph involvement etc. as posted before. Because it was lobular invasive they wanted me to have an MRI scan but unfortunately am too claustrophbic. Anyone know where there is an open one? I fear though that they dont do the breast area. The type I had doesnt always show up on a mammogramme so am now worried about the other side so have asked them to give me an ultra sound just to make sure as I only had a screening mammogram on that side. Must be glutten for punishment. But on reflection I know the ropes unfortunately. My arm is almost back to normal. Must admit I hated that weird feeling of glass under my arm - it only took 3 weeks to go. Also the healing inside took longer - almost 6 weeks. Still do my exercises and carry heavy things on the other side. Role on rads onwards and upwards. Been told to use pure Aloa Vera on the area for rads, so thats a good tip. Enough waffling. Speak soon. xx
hi springblossom,
Glad things are going ok, good luck with radiotherapy. I used aloa vera when I had my first rads and found it cooling and soothing. My second lot of rads they gave me aquios cream at the radio dept.
I know there are open MRI machines but don’t know where, probably at private clinics!Have you asked staff at your hospital they might know.
Take care, love Julie x
I have recently had an MRI in a closed machine, though I don’t suffer from claustrophobia so I could be suggesting complete rubbish here. (If so, I apologise.)
I think the breast MRI is less claustrophobic feeling because you’re not lying on your back, you’re face-down, so don’t feel in such a vulnerable position. Because I was told you have to keep still and keep your head in a central position not looking to one side or the other, I had my forehead on a firm foam cushion, and it was more comfortable if my eye sockets were also on the cushion) I had to shut my eyes anyway and I was able to “zone out” and pretend I was waiting for a massage, or sunbathing. The banging of the machine is also very rhythmic and hypnotic - bit like trance music - so the noise actually helped me to relax rather than making me more tense which I thought it might. I was also offered my choice of radio station to play through the headphones. I chose Radio 4, so I just had background noises of voices. They also seem to have adjusted the headphones to give a hint of “echo”, which also helps to make the space feel a lot more opened up.
I’m lucky that I don’t have claustrophobia to any extent, but I know it would feel much worse looking upwards in the restricted space, but in the face-down position there really isn’t an option but to keep your eyes closed. Would a mild sedative help? I don’t know if you’d be able to get one for an MRI, or whether that would be of any use for you in any case, so I apologise if that’s a stupid suggestion. I suppose it does depend how severe your claustrophobia is.
I was in an absoulute panic about the MRI and i had it layed face down. I took my Rod Stewart CD with me which i could only just hear that for the rythmic banging of the machine. I thought i would never stay still for 40 minutes in fact id never been still for that long in my life. I explained to the staff my fears of being trapped in an enclosed space.
The staff kept me very calm and talked me into it. In the end it was absolutely fine and would have no fear for my next MRI. I think its just the thought of it. I did use a meditation technique prior to going.
The hardest bit for me was keeping still for so long but we did get a few seconds between scans for a quick resettle. They also kept asking me if i was alright. Which i was until my nose itched lol Joking…
Hope that helps with some reassurance from someone whos knees where knocking just at the thought of it and who would now not give it another thought.
Hi, had breast MRI with contrast yesterday (I also have ILC) and was very worried, too, as I am also claustrophobic. The staff were very reassuring and with headphones on, lying face down, eyes firmly shut, it was not as bad as I thought, even though I did have a little weep when it was finished, just the sheer relief… Try and see if you can manage to have one done, ILC is so difficult to spot on mammograms so you have a better chance to catch it early with the MRI! Good Luck!x
Another thought you may be able to have some form of sedation??
…loathe tham. Had one a couple of years ago re my hearing. The only thing that stopped me pressing the panic button then was knowing I would have to go thru’ it again! This time, I did ask if I could have a sedative, thinking a valium would help things along and was told by registrar I would have to get that from my GP - can you imagine? I didn;t accept that but didn;t have energy to argue. This time I found lying on my belly a bit easier but couldn;t hear the CD I’d taken for the noises of the machine!
But - pl read this - a friend who specialises in paediatric kidney cancers said, when I ws having a mumble: ‘Barbara, if we’d had these scanners even 10 years ago, our diagnoses would’ve improved’
And, my MRI scan showed up 3 tiny little lumps apart from the pea-sized one that was shown on the mammogram. Meant I had a ‘no choice’ Mx but at least everyone knew what was lurking there.
BW
Hi Springblossom
What area of the country are you in?. My husband had to have an MRI following a fit and is so claustophobic it was totally impossible. The problem we had was that the consultant neurologist refused to give him an appointment until he had had the MRI. We found several private hospitals with open MRI machines but he couldn’t even cope with that. In the end we discovered that in Central London there is an Upright MRI centre(private of course) where you literally just sit in a chair between the plates of the machine and the front is completely open- you can even watch TV
Having told you this I do agree with the others on here. A breast MRI is not too bad, because you are face down with your eyes shut and can’t see that you are enclosed.
Good Luck
Andie
Thanks everyone for your comments on claustrophobia. Unfortunately I cant even close a public toilet door, get in a lift etc. Must try to overcome as foreign travel out way at moment although I have travelled a lot on planes, must be the alcohol. Have sent for some products from the Penny Brohn catalogue. Bought some Radiance Skin Care Gel for radiation and something else suggested on the phone. And another product to help with energy levels whilst having rads.
Shall see how I go with the MRI and see what they suggest. You are a brave lot in more ways than one . xx
springblossom, the only other thing that occurs to me is having an MRI under a general anaesthetic. I don’t know if they would do it - but this is how they gave my (then) 3 year old two seperate MRI scans. Obviously, very small children cannot lie still - so it was absolutely routine to knock 'em out for it - and although they don’t like giving more than a couple of generals in the course of a year - it can be done if necessary. My little 'un had to have three within the space of six months, and was fine.
(She had a bladder problem which they thought might have been caused by a tumour on her nervous system - 1st MRI was from neck down, second was a brain scan…eek. Luckily, she was fine… and is now 15…)
Sophie xxx
Hi what about just under i/v sedation so you not completely knocked out but rather have the effects of alcohol without the fun .I know some of our patients (some confused ,elderly )who cannot lie still and tolerate it can be given sedation to help and relax them .You can get i/v diazemules ( which is valium they give it to people having endoscopy cameras etc )xJulie