Valium for MRI

[TxHomeGirl]

I will be having an MRI on my back next week. The doctor asked if I was claustrofobic and I told her that it could be an issue. I don't like to feel that I am trapped inside something; I feel like I can't breathe. So, she prescribed Valium for me to take prior to the MRI to relax me. I have 4 pills, 5 mg each with instructions to take 2 one hour before the MRI and 2 30 minutes before. I have never taken Valium before and don't know if this is a small dose or large or what. Also, I am concerned that too much and I will be completely out and not able to function. Anyone have any experience with this; I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[gymnut56]

Hi Home Girl,

I'm a nurse at a clinic near Chicago. We prescribe 10 mg of Valium 1/2 hr. before the procedure....and here's the important part...patient must have a driver. You have to have someone with you.

You will be fine. Tired, relaxed. Make plans to go home and rest after the MRI.

Mary

[shapeup1]

Originally Posted by TxHomeGirl

I will be having an MRI on my back next week. The doctor asked if I was claustrofobic and I told her that it could be an issue. I don't like to feel that I am trapped inside something; I feel like I can't breathe. So, she prescribed Valium for me to take prior to the MRI to relax me. I have 4 pills, 5 mg each with instructions to take 2 one hour before the MRI and 2 30 minutes before. I have never taken Valium before and don't know if this is a small dose or large or what. Also, I am concerned that too much and I will be completely out and not able to function. Anyone have any experience with this; I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

If you never took it before, sounds like a lot, you'll be able to function just smashed. Where is the mri . if its the leg the don't put you all the way in...I would take 2 45 minutes before going in, but you must have a driver.....

Its no big deal at all.........unless your Claus.

[TxHomeGirl]

Thanks for the info Mary. That makes me feel better. Yes, I will have a driver, my DH will be going with me. I appreciate your help !

[lisabinil]

Also it is very painful sometimes to lay for that length of time getting an MRI-trust me you will be grateful for the Valium.

[Houston Heather]

My husband is blind. A while back he had to get an MRI.

They said he was the best patient ever, the narrow enclosure didn't freak him out at all.

[Carleigh]

Valium?!! How come no one offered me Valium?!

I had an MRI on my knee and while I'm not claustrophobic just laying there with my knee in that little brace thing (so I wouldn't move it) had me about to jump out of my skin! A sedative definitely would've helped!

[TxHomeGirl]

Thanks everybody for your advice and wisdom. Took 10 mg about 30 minutes before and had no problem with claustrophobia. MRI went fine. Will be getting results next Friday.

[Pcola Girl]

How come they are not using the open MRI msachine? Thats what I have always used when they did MRI's on my back and spine....
They are really alot nicer than those closed in ones.

[gymnut56]

{How come they are not using the open MRI msachine? Thats what I have always used when they did MRI's on my back and spine....
They are really alot nicer than those closed in ones.}

Mary,

The neurologist I worked for a few years back wanted his patients in the closed units...the pictures came out much better.

[gymnut56]

TexasGirl,

Glad to hear everything went well.

Mary

[TxHomeGirl]

Got the results from my MRI today. I have 2 degenerated discs, L3/4 & L4/5 with something she said was "stenosis". She explained that the channel that the nerves come out of was narrowed and that is what is causing my sciatica. I am currently on 400 mg of Neurontin 3 times a day and she added a muscle relaxer that I can take in the evening as it causes drowsiness. Since my pain is being controlled pretty well right now with my Neurontin, we decided to let everything ride for another 6 months. She said that if my pain increased to the point that I couldn't get relief, the next step would be the injections in the back. The injections kinda scare me, but back surgery scares me even more. Anybody have any experiece with the injections. She told me that they usually prefer to do the injections with a local anesthesia instead of putting you completely out; but that sounds like it would really be painful ! Thanks everyone ! !

[angelo212]

Just had my first epidural injection this week. I did it with no local anesthsia. It was not painful at all. I go for another in a month and the third in another month. They recommend no more then 3 a year. You'll be fine. Not painful at all. Go to youtube and watch videos of the procedure.

[TxHomeGirl]

Thanks angelo. Are your injections for sciatica as well? I will be interested to know how well they work for you.

[angelo212]

They are for a herniated disc and bulging disc from a car accident. From the one injection I feel a bit better. The next one should see a difference.

[TxHomeGirl]

Angelo, sorry to hear about your car accident. Glad the injection made you feel a bit better.

[KMassanet]

Thanks to all of your posts. I went in for an MRI last week and had a severe panic attack even before I went in the tube. Thanks to all the advice on this forum -- Valium, blindfold, friends rubbing my legs and praying -- I went back in for my MRI this morning and it went GREAT! Not only was I completely without anxiety, it was almost pleasant. Your advice was invaluable. Kathy

[Magicsmom]

It would certainly take all of 20 mg. of Valium to get me into that tube.

[Over40]

I had surgery a month and a half ago. In recovery the nurse asked if I wanted more morphine. Heck Ya!

I wasn't turning that down.

[Magicsmom]

Originally Posted by Over40

I had surgery a month and a half ago. In recovery the nurse asked if I wanted more morphine. Heck Ya!

I wasn't turning that down.

Morphine gives me a headache. When I was in the hospital after a car accident, I actually asked them to switch me to something else.