MRI and claustrophobia

[LynetteG]

My doctor prescribed me Valium for my MRI's as I'm extremely claustrophobic. The valiums are 5mg each, and it says take one to two tablets. I asked the pharmacist, well which should I take, one or two? He said that one will make you relaxed, two will knock you out.
Has anyone ever taken these tablets, what would you suggest I take, one or two? Bearing mind I've never taken any of these before (actually my doctor said that is what he tends to recommend after surgery more than the oxycontin and other drugs), anyway, your input would be most appreciated

[titaniumed]

Lynette

Sounds like you never took Valium before....

Some people have problems in MRIs and Cts, I never had any issues.
I don’t think 1 or 2 really matters all that much, as long as you have a ride home.

Ed

[osumike]

Yeah I also have a real tough time with MRI's because it hurts to lay on that table with my rib hump. My doctor gave me 4 klonipens. I guess they might be similar to valiums, they are for panic attacks and things like that. I took two, and just about fell asleep inside that darn tube. As long as you have a driver like Ed said, I'd defininately take two and just forget about it.

[Singer]

Yeah, two Valium will knock you out. I'm mildly claustrophobic but got through the MRI with a blindfold...I was okay as long as I couldn't see how close I was to the ceiling. Listening to music also helps.

[LynetteG]

Okay so two is better than one then. Thank you scoli brothers and sisters.

So Ed can you tell I've never taken Valium before?

Ed your personality so reminds me of my brother's - he is so funny too, and is called guess what? Ed . He had three back surgeries literally one after another due to the first surgeon being very bad, he didn't do his research well enough prior to surgery but even throughout the hell he has endured, he always cracks jokes and makes all the nurses laugh. He's also my inspiration

[titaniumed]

Lynette

I know several people with single level fusions that are in major pain all the time... Its truly baffling. My neighbor has 2 screws and he is on disability. I just cannot seem to figure that one out. Sorry about your brothers situation.

I passed an 8mm kidney stone once and thought that was the end. The jokes were rolling and were classics! Of course, the Doctor I "trust" the most is my urologist. LOL

I try to add humor as it lifts the spirit a little. It truly is needed with the stuff that all of us go through... scoliosis surgery is no joke. I was not cracking jokes right after my surgeries.

The surgery you will have will be a heavy duty surgery. There is no question about that. You need to realize this and so do your loved ones. You can show them my x-ray, it explains quite a bit. Its in my first thread. Your rack will look like mine.

Ed

[rainbow2010]

I took valium before my MRI for the same reason. I only took one but medicines act funny in my body. The valium actually triggered motion sickness in me. When they started raising the bed and moving it back, I threw up! I ended up doing the MRI with a cold wet washcloth across my forehead. They gave me valium before foot surgery after I warned them of it triggering motion sickness, and I threw up going into the operating room!

[Vali]

Lynette,
everyone metabolises meds in different ways. I know for me, I am very sensitive to pain meds. I had a morphine injection about three years ago for a ruptured ovarian cyst and i practically slept for three days! I alerted my anaethetist to this, he in turn gave me something different in my PCA post-op. My suggestion is, if you have never had this drug before, try one first and then according to how you feel maybe or maybe not take the second one.

[gmw]

I too am claustrophobic. My dr prescribes 2 valium, but I've not taken more than one. I usually fall asleep during the procedure. Don't open your eyes. I did that during my first mri. Not a good idea.

[mbeckoff]

Lynette,

Can you go to a open MRI?

Melissa

[LynetteG]

Melissa - that was the first question I asked my doctor, but he said the open MRI's don't work as well, so no. I'm sure the valium will work just fine, just still not sure whether to take one or two!

[mbeckoff]

Ok , just wanted to make sure that ypou knew about them

I always just fall asleep in them

Since someone is driving you anyway take two

Good luck

[megz]

I am on Valium for back spasms and I take 1 tablet two times a day..It makes me relax but I am just as claustiphobic as you..I would try to opt for an open MRI. I am deathly afraid to have one and if I did. I would even travel to get the open MRI. =)

[LynetteG]

I did try to get an open MRI but unfortunately my doctor said I had to go for a closed MRI as the open MRI does not show as good results on the x-ray as a closed one.

[megz]

lynette,

when do you go for the MRI??