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small bowel MRI--scared

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Posted 1/27/2017 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm scheduled for a small bowel MRI next week. I'm claustrophobic and needle phobic (need an IV) so I'm really anxious about it. My doctor prescribed me .5mg of Xanax when I told her about my fears. They also said I need to get there early to drink something but didn't specify what the liquid is. I was investigating online and lots of people said the barium made them feel really nauseous and have diarrhea. Now I'm worried about that, if it is in fact barium I had to drink.

I had a colonoscopy a few months ago and tolerated the SuPrep well. No nausea or cramping or anything. I'm so worried that I'll be in a tube with an IV in my arm feeling like I either have to throw up or have diarrhea.

Any suggestions?
Posted 1/28/2017 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
1. You can request a sedative at the MRI. They may be able to give you something in your IV. You will need somebody else to drive you back if you do so. Ask about that. If they can't, then taking your xanax before is probably OK - just let them know ahead of time.

2. You're not the only person claustrophobic. Lots of people are and worry about MRIs. That means that the people there will be understanding (or should be), because they deal with people like you all the time.

3. Unfortunately, yes, you will have to drink contrast. Exactly what it is and how much you have to drink varies from one MRI center to another and may also depend on your size. What I've had to drink when I've had mine was not too terrible - something like three 16 ounce bottles, one every 15 or 20 minutes or something.

4. Unfortunately (or maybe for you, fortunately), lots of people get nauseous or have to go during the scan. They're used to that happening. So if it happens, just tell them. They'll let you up and out if you have to. I've gotten nauseous during mine and had to have them stop and give me a break for a couple minutes. I didn't actually get out of the machine, but I needed a minute to compose myself. Also, I got diarrhea really bad with one of mine, but it was just a few minutes after it was over. I was glad I stayed around for a few minutes and could run to their bathroom and that I wasn't in a car!
Posted 1/28/2017 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
I've had several MRI scans. I'm kinda claustrophobic, but the scans didn't bother me in the slightest. You lie down on your front and your head is at the end of the tunnel, so that you are looking out at the room - it's really not like being trapped in a small, dark place at all. In fact, between lying on my front and listening to music on the headphones, I felt so chilled I nodded off a few times.

For most scans I didn't have any nausea, but one time I had nausea so bad I had to sound the buzzer and gesture for a bowl to throw up in: I dunno why it was so bad that time. But it wasn't a problem. It was near the end of the scan and the techs said I didn't have to go back into the scanner. But I said I would, and it was fine after that - finished the scan, no problem.
Posted 1/28/2017 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I just did a small bowel MRI and the contrast was all oral, so I didn't have an IV at all. I asked my GI about it in advance, and he said that if they give any kind of sedative in the IV, they have to have an MD present as opposed to just the technicians. I get claustrophobic, too, and the Xanax was fine.

The contrast is drunk in 4 parts, 30 minutes apart from each other. It made me a bit nauseated to do it, especially on an empty stomach, and it gave me a bit of D, but not too much trouble. It made my stomach very loud, lol.
Posted 1/28/2017 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was just given a litre of stuff to drink. I could put squash in it if I wanted, but the cheapo squash with artificial sweeteners that was provided was worse than just drinking the stuff straight. Was given about half an hour to get it all down. I think the time I threw up I had to get it down even faster than usual, but can't remember why.

I do know from colonsocopy prep I get nauseous if I drink it too fast. If you can properly space out the drinking of the contrast, hopefully it will prevent any nausea.
Posted 1/28/2017 4:16 PM (GMT 0)

NiceCupOfTea said...
I was just given a litre of stuff to drink. I could put squash in it if I wanted, but the cheapo squash with artificial sweeteners that was provided was worse than just drinking the stuff straight. Was given about half an hour to get it all down. I think the time I threw up I had to get it down even faster than usual, but can't remember why.

I do know from colonsocopy prep I get nauseous if I drink it too fast. If you can properly space out the drinking of the contrast, hopefully it will prevent any nausea.

Squash?
Posted 1/28/2017 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
This stuff <_<

/www.ukfoodexport.com/assets/img/products/robinsons_fruit_squash_various.jpg
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