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)
malmal2446 4
They will give you a sedative if you tell them before hand.
Badkarma4u 17
I'm not claustrophobic and MRI machines are wierd. Like being shoved into a giant doughnut hole, covered in germs.
tlnorman 18
It's common OP I'm the same way, they let me have Ativan and my husband stroke my head while I was in there. It's okay.
birchbeer 5
Hi...OP here, alive and kicking. Thanks for the kind words in the comments! The big problem was that the scan was of my lower back, so I was basically squashed entirely inside and couldn't fully inhale...And freaking ensued :( The tech was really great and worked out a way to get me in with my arms over my head, which gave just enough wiggle room to make it bearable, tho it was a very long 35 minutes of my life. Managed to get it done, tho, which is the best part. Crazy part is, I knew it was all in my head, but oh well. At least I know to beg for drugs next time :)
the_real_dvd 21
I have 3 herniated discs in my lumbar vertebrae. I never knew I was claustrophobic until my first MRI. If I may suggest, I took 50 mg of Xanax (make sure the techs know you're doing this, they'll advise when to take them). I vaguely remember even being in the machine on my second MRI.
blackonblight 33
Huh, when I had my knee done they had me in with my upper body sticking out, if it was lower back I wonder why they didn't do it that way for you...
mammolady 8
Been there...done that. Glad you're ok.
InternetHobo 18
Feel better /:
castielnovak 13
That's how I learned that I'm claustrophobic as well. I've had two MRI's done in the past year and it seriously took all the self control I had to not have a complete anxiety attack. I hope they pulled you out of the scanner and you were able to calm down!
08XL1200L 6
Been there before. it is scary.
militarybrat 21
Good News, they have open mri's that my mom, who has SEVERE claustrophobia, can actually use :).
magicalswaci 12
Try doing an upright MRI, those things are even worse. You're not cramped from the top but you're sitting up and the machine is instead on both sides. Also tighter than a regular one and you have to be strapped in and sit even more still.