[Guest]

Ok, very simply, I am scheduled for an MRI on Monday and I am freaking out! I have a panic disorder relating to anything medical related -- It's not logical, it's not fear of pain (I'd prefer to suffer in pain than risk a procedure involving inserting anything into my body!) I've resisted medical treatment AMA many many times - before my husband came along to apply a gentle force. I am not concerned about the MRI itself but I AM VERY concerned about the DYE! Can you tell me ANYTHING that might help calm my fears about this part of the procedure? My doctor is trying to rule out an anurism in my head. Isn't there any way to do the same thing without the use of a needle? He gave me Ativan to take before the procedure but I fear it won't be enough and I won't be able to go through with it.

I realize there's no logic to the fear. Most people don't fully understand the extreme since No one LIKES medical confrontation. I assure you, this goes beyond reason and I've lived w/ it for 30+ years and it just gets worse and worse as time goes on.
It's actually quite embarassing since I was raised by a Nurse and it makes me feel so bad for the practitioner b/c I don't want them to think Im being difficult.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Guest]

Your reaction is a very common one and I sympathize, really. Being forced to confront a major phobia is no small job. Here's what I think... the needle they use for injection in MRI is a very small one and if properly inserted should almost if not completely painless. The dye, gadolinium is as inert as dyes can be and should not be felt, or if felt at all, should not be unpleasant.
However, having said all that if you still can't stand the idea of it, you can have with test without contrast. You can do an MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram)and look at your intracranial vessels without dye. Not as good, but still not too bad.
Talk to your doctor.
[quote] Ok, very simply, I am scheduled for an MRI on Monday and I am freaking out. I have a panic disorder relating to anything medical related -- It's not logical, it's not fear of pain (I'd prefer to suffer in pain than risk a procedure involving inserting anything into my body... [/quote]