Today, I learned I'm claustrophobic by having a raging oh-god-I'm-gonna-fucking-die panic attack while I was stuck inside an MRI scanner. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, while getting my MRI, I found out I had claustrophobia when I had a major panic attack and then was pulled out after only completing a single scan. I suffered through the other 10 because if that happened a second time, we'd have to reschedule after I took meds for it. I didn't even know I had claustrophobia. FML
Today, I had a panic attack while giving a presentation on how to breathe to avoid having panic attacks. FML
Today, I got stuck for a while in a hallway between two security doors due to a malfunction. I'm not claustrophobic, but I sure am sensitive to horrifying smells coming from a nearby bathroom stall. FML
Today, I had a panic attack. Not on a crowded train, or an airplane, or in school, or any of the expected places. It was in my yoga class, which my therapist recommended for me, while I was in a dead-body position. FML
Today, I had a panic attack because I was constipated. FML
Today, I was squeezed through an overly-crowded hallway down to my psychologist's. There, I sat in an overly-crowded waiting room to see him, next to an obese woman and an insane man. I finally entered the smaller-than-a-closet room. My reason for seeing a psychologist? Claustrophobia. FML
Today, as a last resort for my back problems, I tried acupuncture. After the needles were placed and the doctor had left, I couldn't move for 30 minutes. I had a panic attack. FML
Today, I finally told my boyfriend that I see a therapist every week because, amongst other things, I'm terrified of being locked in a room. He didn't believe me, so he locked me in the bathroom "for a laugh." I had a panic attack and passed out. FML
Today, I blanked and forgot to take out my piercing before going for my MRI, even though the nurses asked me multiple times to make sure I had no metal on me before entering, you know, the big machine made of massive electromagnets. The piercing was on my clitoris. FML
Today, I was in the bathroom at work. The lock on the stall door broke, and I couldn't open it. I was all alone and I started having a mini panic attack. After several minutes of frantically trying to fix the lock and hyperventilating, I realized I could just crawl under the door. FML
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Top comments
xsydneyx123 28
Oh no. I'm glad you're okay, OP. Coming from a person with severe claustrophobia, i know how much that sucks. I really hope they pulled you out and made sure we're okay. As a side note, you were being scanned for a reason so I hope everything is all right. Please do a follow up and let us know how everything is. (:
lexiieeex3 32
Hopefully they pulled you out and you're safe now! I can't imagine how terrifying that must be. Good luck OP!
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Comments (59)
LennyComa 39
Man I hate MRI scanners too. Not because I'm Claustrophobic but the noise they make is not nice.
Corneliapresent 13
I can understand that happening, it can be a horrible experience. Hopefully the people around you were understanding and niece to you
sohigh10 34
My grandma had that issue too, so they brought her to a new type of open MRI scanner where it moves around you and you're not stuck in a small tube with your head enclosed. Maybe you could inform about those possibilities?
scififemme 23
That's awful, OP. I had an MRI a few years ago and it was a very uncomfortable experience. I was so nervous - I've never sweated so much while lying still.
sailorarctic 22
closing your eyes may help and they can play music most times through the ear phones. as soon as the ear phones are on close your eyes tight and concentrate hard on the music. and taking slow deep breaths. it'll still be really loud but hopefully you'll be in control of your fear. good luck next time op.
kavyashahs 16
Hope you're alright.
Attacksloth 33
I have a chiari malformation so I've had to have MRIs yearly since age 2 So I totally understand how someone could be claustrophobic in there. The loud ass noises dont help either eh?
janfleury 19
I know it sucked but your not the first and you will not be the last.
mattrd_fml 31
don't feel bad op. I'm not claustrophobic, but I hate going in those things too!
tsr1993 16
I feel your pain op I had an MRI today and kept getting terrible spinning sensation. Was horrible.