Lorazepam for MRI
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Anonymous
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I posted at the beginning of the fall about having a pretty severe panic attack at an MRI. I never had the MRI. The doctor originally prescribed me Xanax but, after my inability to reschedule due to fear and fear that xanax may not be enough, prescribed me Lorazepam. My PCP also recommended this.
I've never had it. Is it really stronger? What can I expect? Any other coping strategies for this? I'll be in the tube about an hour and I'm terrified. MRI is to rule out stuff like MS. |
Anonymous
| Did you look into an open MRI? |
Anonymous
| Its really not a big deal but seems scary. Just close your eyes and listen to the fun pinging sounds and don't open them till you come out. I'd try open MRI but the closed isn't that bad. You can see out, well, if you don't wear glasses like me, you probably can. They give you a panic button and check in often. |
Anonymous
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take it about an hour in advance (get there early if you don't have someone driving you). This is the generic name for Ativan. For me Xanax was always the one that had a stronger effect, plus I think Ativan leaves your system more quickly - not within minutes, but hours (vs hours and hours). The strength also matters (1mg vs. 0.25 or 0.5). Really, for an MRI the worst part is the banging noise of the imaging. Bring your favorite loud music and some headphones.
If it's the claustrophobia, why are you not having this done someplace with an open MRI? |
Anonymous
| I just had diazepam so I could get myself to oral surgery. It helped a lot. |
Anonymous
The image quality from an open MRI isn’t as good as a regular MRI. If it’s to rule out something like MS, I’d go for a regular one. I’m claustrophobic and for MRIs I usually take Valium and make sure my eyes are closed BEFORE they slide me in. I don’t open them again until I’m out. The techs are really good about making announcements into the room for every single part of the scan (I.e. the next scan will take 3 min, the next one will be 5 min, one more scan, etc) |
Anonymous
| Xanax helped me a lot. Ativan just makes me sleepy. |
Anonymous
| I took Ativan and dozed through the MRI. |
Anonymous
| With valium and a mask, I'm fine. The mask helps a lot. |
Anonymous
| I take 3 .5 mg of Xanax over 2 hours before my breast MRIs and do fine. I am extremely claustraphobic. |
Anonymous
An eye mask? |
Anonymous
| They gave me Ativan for LASIK surgery and I was totally chill when they cut into my eyeballs. Make sure you get a good dose and it could be just the thing. |
Anonymous
| Ativan is good stuff. You'll get through the MRI. Make sure they turn the music up loud. And don't open your eyes. |
Anonymous
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OP I have anxiety and get claustrophobic,
I just had an MRI for mt wrist and I got to lay on my stomach, I felt much more relaxed, I just closed my eyes. They do have an emergency button you hold while you are in there, so at any point you know you can push it and they can pull you out. |
Anonymous
| I took 1 mg of lorazepam and it was barely enough to keep me from freaking out. |