I have, Glenda, but not the type you are having. Mine was on a flat table with the huge "plate" over the top of me. If you're claustrophobic, believe me when I tell you that the patient still feels "trapped", because the plate is sooooo close to your face that if you tipped your head, you could lick the plate - plus, it covers your entire body.

The one you're having is THE best for claustrophobia! You shouldn't have a problem at all.

Good luck and let us know how you fared! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Stand Up MRI - Sit Down MRI

Thanks!

Receptionist I talked with was most informative and willing to put any anxiety I had at ease :o)

I can't do a closed MRI. (You're slid into a narrow tube, like a cigar in a metal case!) I'm fine when it's an open MRI, which is like being slid through a donut hole. Haven't had sitting or standing procedures. Come back and report! Whasa-matta-you that you need this test?

Glad you got it scheduled. One less thing to be thinking about. Keep us posted.

I had the most horrifying experience in one of the closed MRI machines, I can not even go into details because it causes me to relive it. Suffice it to say I will NEVER have one of those again.
But I would have the type you are having the totally open MRI.
You will have to be very still just make sure you are in a comfortable position you can hold, if not tell them before it starts. Good luck but you will do great. IF I ever have to do it again that is exactly the kind I want.

In fact mine was so horrible they immediately fired the person that was supposed to be doing mine and keeping constant watch and contact with me but had gone off to do who knows what while I nearly died in there.
They could have had a very serious lawsuit on their hands if I was that way. My doctors(in Dallas) all stopped using that company for their MRI needs. The owner of the company called and apologized and asked what they could do for me, I said well I darn sure am not paying for it she said oh no mam, think she was thinking please don't sue us.

Wow, Raven, I cannot even imagine what happened. I'm glad you are alright!

I must be the weirdest person in the world, because I actually enjoyed my shoulder MRI. I would have slept through the whole thing if the tech had quit checking on me and asking if I was alright. I found it very relaxing. The vibrating noises just lulled me.

I am claustrophobic, and the two MRIs I had were pure h*ll for me. The first time, I made the mistake of opening my eyes--it was like being in a casket and it was all I could do to not scream. The next time, I kept my eyes closed. It still was not pleasant, but it was not nearly as brutal as the first one. I don't think they have open MRI machines around here, so I just pray I never need another one.

Good luck, Glenda. Keep us posted. Hugs!

I had a closed MRI just this past Sunday. My orthopedist asked me if I was claustraphobic, so that scared me a little. When I asked about the open MRI, he said that he doesn't usually use it, because the images are inferior to the closed.

Then I talked to my neighbor who had an MRI a few months ago & she said that it was the excessive noise they generated, rather than a claustraphobic feeling, that drove her nuts. Ditto with her friends that had one.

As it happened, I found it almost a piece of cake for the 25 minutes I was in there. Neither the noise nor the closed feeling bothered me in the least---I too almost fell asleep. Everyone reacts differently obviously.

I have had both types. Never again will they put me in that closed one. The open one was so much easier and I wasn't claustifobic at all. I had a tv screen in front of me to watch (no audio though, I don't know why) The only thing that I didn't like was I couldn't move at all and for some reason, my eye itched, my arm itched, and I couldn't scratch lol, but I did survive it! Thank goodness we have one about 25 miles from us and I sure don't mind that distance instead of having to go to a closed one about 6 miles from me!

I was Nearly claustrophobic in a closed MRI but I took one pill to comfort me and kept my eyes closed and meditated on the seashore. For a split second I opened my eyes just to see how close it was. Yes, it was lick-able! Immediately I went back to the seashore and even breathing, also adding the phrase 'I will get through this too'. I've used this technique MANY times.
If someone were to cover my face, I would put up the fight of my life, no doubt about it.
If your going to have to have one, your lucky you are doing an open MRI!

You'll do fine, Glenda. Stay positive! Hope it shows the problem you're having is curable without surgery. When are you having it?

Was told I could be sedated for the regular mri, but I didn't want that.

THink this will do, and was told the images are inferior to the regular mri, but receptionst today told me everything will be fine.

Scheduled for next Wed in the early pm.

I haven't had the kind you've described. But I've had the open where you lay on a table and the scanner or whatever it's called is right on top of you..or so it seemed.
I had to quit before it even got started. Went home and called the doctor for sedatives and rescheduled. LOL The people at the center told me to take 10 mgs of valium 20minutes ahead of test..then 10 mgs valium immediately before the test. snoooze..

Regarding a closed MRI-I couldn't tolerate the closed MRI even though I was medicated. Came out of that thing like a cat out of a bag. The wimp that I am. :(

sleeperblues - I'm weird too! I could've slept too....gotta multi task! lol

Hope it goes easily and you get good news.

Glenda, I think you'll be fine with the open MRI, don't be anxious. The tech will most likely be well trained and make it go quite smoothly - law of averages :), those that are otherwise likely far and few between.

I'm mildly claustrophobic and managed a first closed MRI without any major issues, just required patience. When they wanted to do part of it over and I went back, the tech put a blanket over me before rolling me in and I got too warm - that second one I had a little trouble with, but at least now I know if I'm ever in a closed machine again, better to be a little on the cool side than overheated. I didn't ask them to stop and remove me, just wanted it over.

You can hold still long enough, just relax and think about something calming - they'll give you cues as to when you can move a little, talk you through it.

I haven't had the one you're having, Glenda but I've had many MRIs both open and closed. They never bothered me except lying flat on that hard surface made my back hurt. If they don't talk to me I go to sleep even with or maybe because of the noise. It's a steady rhythm.