I Have A Phobia Of Confined Spaces. I Have To Get A Ct Scan.will It Bother Me?

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asked 8 months ago

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I too have a tendency to claustrophobia, and I have undergone a number of different scans.

CT scans are not too bad as the scanner is like a large doughnut, and there is quite a good clearance around your body. Also, the table you lie on is inching along as the scanner takes an image of each 'slice' of your body, so you don't tend to feel trapped.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans on the other hand are an absolute nightmare ! I had a stroke about 10 years ago and they sent me for an MRI scan. If I'd known what it would be like I would have refused it. The scanner was like a tunnel but closed at one end, and the clearance around your body minimal. I was lying in the same position the whole time. Despite the earplugs they provided, it was very noisy, and lasted about 20 minutes (half of this was spent resetting the scanner for the next patient believe !)

OK- they do give you a 'panic' button to squeeze if you want out, but it was only by a supreme effort of will that I managed to keep my fear under control, and if I ever have to have another one I'd need sedating first.

Having just frightened you to death probably, this WAS 10 years ago and I understand that 'open' scanners are now available though how many hospitals have them is another matter. All I would advise is, if you're ever referred for one, ask what sort of machine it is first !