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Scan, claustrophobe, any advice?

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User
Posted 03 Aug 2023 at 16:03

Hi Dick

I recently had an MRI and only went in as far as belly in the scanner whilst  they scanned my prostate. 

hope this helps?

 

User
Posted 04 Aug 2023 at 09:06

Thanks for the info Conrad. I'll ask the doctor when I see them in a couple of weeks. 

User
Posted 05 Aug 2023 at 15:31
Maybe get a sleep mask? They're only a few pounds on Amazon and you won't be able to see a thing.
User
Posted 05 Aug 2023 at 17:19

Hi Fenderman, Just a line to say I have a couple of shot gun pellets in my lower lip so for the MRI scan I'm put in feet first so my head stays outside the tube, hope this helps  and gives you another option

Dave

User
Posted 06 Aug 2023 at 09:17

I've got still got one somewhere I was given on a flight years ago. I'll have to dig it out. 

Thanks.

User
Posted 06 Aug 2023 at 09:23

Hi Dave,

I was speaking to a friend who has PC last week and he said he'd had a number of scans and for most of them he was "feet first" with his head slightly outside the tunnel. 

I've go an appointment with my doctor next week so I'll ask him.

Meanwhile, I got a text about the scan appointment which says the'd send me more details so that may be useful. 

 

User
Posted 06 Aug 2023 at 16:49

For all the MRI scans I've had, a nurse from the scan department has phoned me up a couple of days before the scan to go through the scan checklist (metal in your body, etc), so that would perhaps be the ideal time to raise your concerns. 

 

User
Posted 06 Aug 2023 at 17:40

Thanks, it's something I will do if they call me. 

User
Posted 06 Aug 2023 at 19:36

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
I was speaking to a friend who has PC last week and he said he'd had a number of scans and for most of them he was "feet first" with his head slightly outside the tunnel.

It's five years since my scan and it was definitely feet first, and I'm almost certain I the tunnel only came up as far as my chest. Remember they are imaging your prostate which is quite a long way from your head.

It's quite possible that some hospitals might say, oh well we've got you on the machine we may as well have a look at everything, if you have a call prior to the scan ask how far it comes up? On the day of the scan, tell the radiologist your concern and that you don't want your head in the tunnel. I think that will be no problem.

Dave

User
Posted 11 Aug 2023 at 14:26

Thanks Dave, sorry I'm a bit late with the reply. 

Yes, I've got a mate with PC and he said he'd had 5 MRI scans and on only one of them he went in "head first". The others left his head pretty much outside the machine. So, fingers crossed. 

I will speak to them before I go and see what they say. 

Cheers 

Dick 

 

User
Posted 24 Aug 2023 at 17:01

Well, what a big baby...

I had the the MRI today and was surprised that I didn't find it claustrophobic. I was pleased I hadn't taken the valium the doc gave me. 

The tunnel is bigger than I thought and although my head wasn't actually out of it,  I could see the ceiling if I tilted my head back slightly (although I kept my eyes closed for most of it and almost fell asleep at one point despite the bangs and beeps). 

They couldn't give me any idea of when I'd get the results. A couple of weeks perhaps?

Many thanks one and all for indulging my barely concealed panic and giving useful feedback and advice. 

 

 

 

User
Posted 24 Aug 2023 at 20:46

Good stuff fenderman 👍 I didn't think you'd find it as bad as feared - next time you'll definitely be asleep - it has that effect on me every time!

Good luck for the results, I guess a couple of weeks could be a best case scenario. Don't panic when you get the call to see the consultant with the results - the call itself doesn't necessarily indicate either good or bad news - just an appointment to tell you what they did or didn't see on the MRI. It's easy to get ahead of yourself before you need to!

User
Posted 25 Aug 2023 at 07:59

And if you'd told me it wouldn't be that bad I wouldn't have believed you!

Thanks for the heads up on "the call" - duly noted 😀

 

User
Posted 25 Aug 2023 at 12:57
You will find the whole PCa process is a bit like this in many cases. You anticipate the worst and rarely does it manifest itself - I was pooping lego before my RARP but it actually turned out to be very much easier than I ever anticipated. I guess that's the wonders of being fast asleep as I am not sure I would want to actually watch them doing it LOL
User
Posted 25 Aug 2023 at 19:04

😀 thanks Steve!  

User
Posted 10 Sep 2023 at 13:30

A quick reply here and I think I'll open up another thread about treatment.

The good news is that the scan showed a low probability of cancer but did confirm the enlarged prostate. 

It seems like TURP or ToLEP are being offered but I'm waiting for an appointment with the consultant to discuss further. I'm going to check out the posts on the two procedures. 

Thanks to all for your help and advice.

Dick 

User
Posted 10 Sep 2023 at 20:44
Good news Dick - good luck with the next phase!
User
Posted 10 Sep 2023 at 21:56

Thanks Stan, much appreciated! 

 
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