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Abstract

But I came up with some ways to help the time pass quicker for myself, to be able to get through the procedure without messing it up by moving or becoming hysterical with claustrophobia setting in.Maybe these will help you too if you have to get an MRI.<h2 id="d2fb">1. Visualize a clock</h2>I found getting an MRI to be a perfect time to practice some visualization techniques, so I decided visualizing a clock and mentally estimating each minute going by would be the most help.I focus not on the noise but I visualize 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds . . . 30 seconds, 1 minute, and repeat until I get to 10 minutes and make a mental note that 10 minutes are down and 35 minutes to go, etc. (or however long the tech says it would be) until I get to the end of the time.This really does help the time to go by faster because it occupies your mind, instead of just being idle and stressing about how long the procedure is taking.<h2 id="d45c">2. Meditate or pray</h2>I know meditating seems impossible to do with the noise of the machine, but it can be done. Meditating or praying while getting an MRI can help you control how your mind and body process the experience.I like to close my eyes and try to fixate on the inside of my eyelids like I am actually looking at the inside of my eyes and trying to see “nothing” in the dark and add prayer.I find by doing this, my mind takes a journey and allows me to float in and out of a completely awakened state, which helps the time seem to go by faster.<h2 id="b2c7">3. Practice mindfulness</h2>This is similar to meditation but it’s not quite the same. What I like to do is focus on my breathing. So, I’ll take a few slow deep breaths with complete consciousness and awar # Options eness, observing every aspect of each breath in and each breath out and keeping it in rhythm.Then, I return my breath to its normal rate and just think only of my breath as I keep observing my inhales and exhales.This helps the procedure seem like it’s going by a bit quicker. Also, counting the breaths as I go helps to speed up the time as well.Having an MRI can be a nerve-racking experience and some people even become extremely emotionally distressed when undergoing the procedure that they are not able to finish it.Some people can feel overwhelmed with <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM198902163200716">anxiety symptoms</a> ranging from complete nervousness, abnormal fear, heart palpitations, choking sensations, and feeling like they are dying when getting an MRI. And I can certainly relate but this is why I consciously calm myself and remind myself that it will be over soon and try and count down the minutes.MRIs are no fun at all.Thank you for <a href="https://audreysdesk.medium.com/subscribe">subscribing to my content</a>. I write thought-provoking stories on life, self-improvement, relationships, spirituality, history, poetry, and healthy living. If you found this Medium experience interesting, <a href="https://audreysdesk.medium.com/membership">consider signing up for a membership</a>.For $5 a month, not only will you get unlimited reading privileges, but a small portion of your membership fee will help buy me a coffee (thank you if you do!) and your reading times will also support other wonderful writers on the platform. Become a member and <a href="https://audreysdesk.medium.com/membership">earn money from writing your own stories</a> as well! We’ll show you how.</article></body>

HEALTHCARE

3 Ideas on How to Use the Time Wisely While Getting an MRI

Especially if you’re claustrophobic

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

When I was faced with having to go for an MRI and I was very glad that I knew what to expect because I’ve had one before. But even so, I was still a bit apprehensive about the procedure. The reason is that being inside an MRI machine is super creepy and can make even a non-claustrophobic person claustrophobic.

Besides the feeling of being closed in, what about the NOISE? It sounds like an airplane taking off and hitting a bunch of oversized air pockets the whole time you’re inside the machine.

And it takes SO LONG, at least 45 minutes you are laying in this apparatus, instructed to keep perfectly still the whole time or you could invalidate the results and they would have to start all over. And inevitably, you always get some itch that you want to scratch so badly but you just can’t.

And you get SO COLD. I always have them cover me with a heated blanket beforehand.

Passing the Time

As if 45 minutes is not long in reality, when you’re undergoing an MRI, it can seem even longer, and you wonder if you’re ever going to be free from this loud monster of a machine. One thing that may offer some comfort is that you can speak and the MRI techs can hear you and they can talk to you.

But I came up with some ways to help the time pass quicker for myself, to be able to get through the procedure without messing it up by moving or becoming hysterical with claustrophobia setting in.

Maybe these will help you too if you have to get an MRI.

1. Visualize a clock

I found getting an MRI to be a perfect time to practice some visualization techniques, so I decided visualizing a clock and mentally estimating each minute going by would be the most help.

I focus not on the noise but I visualize 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds . . . 30 seconds, 1 minute, and repeat until I get to 10 minutes and make a mental note that 10 minutes are down and 35 minutes to go, etc. (or however long the tech says it would be) until I get to the end of the time.

This really does help the time to go by faster because it occupies your mind, instead of just being idle and stressing about how long the procedure is taking.

2. Meditate or pray

I know meditating seems impossible to do with the noise of the machine, but it can be done. Meditating or praying while getting an MRI can help you control how your mind and body process the experience.

I like to close my eyes and try to fixate on the inside of my eyelids like I am actually looking at the inside of my eyes and trying to see “nothing” in the dark and add prayer.

I find by doing this, my mind takes a journey and allows me to float in and out of a completely awakened state, which helps the time seem to go by faster.

3. Practice mindfulness

This is similar to meditation but it’s not quite the same. What I like to do is focus on my breathing. So, I’ll take a few slow deep breaths with complete consciousness and awareness, observing every aspect of each breath in and each breath out and keeping it in rhythm.

Then, I return my breath to its normal rate and just think only of my breath as I keep observing my inhales and exhales.

This helps the procedure seem like it’s going by a bit quicker. Also, counting the breaths as I go helps to speed up the time as well.

Having an MRI can be a nerve-racking experience and some people even become extremely emotionally distressed when undergoing the procedure that they are not able to finish it.

Some people can feel overwhelmed with anxiety symptoms ranging from complete nervousness, abnormal fear, heart palpitations, choking sensations, and feeling like they are dying when getting an MRI. And I can certainly relate but this is why I consciously calm myself and remind myself that it will be over soon and try and count down the minutes.

MRIs are no fun at all.

Thank you for subscribing to my content. I write thought-provoking stories on life, self-improvement, relationships, spirituality, history, poetry, and healthy living. If you found this Medium experience interesting, consider signing up for a membership.

For $5 a month, not only will you get unlimited reading privileges, but a small portion of your membership fee will help buy me a coffee (thank you if you do!) and your reading times will also support other wonderful writers on the platform. Become a member and earn money from writing your own stories as well! We’ll show you how.