Claustrophobic? How to Get Through an MRI Scan

Feeling anxious about being inside an MRI scanner is one of the most common concerns patients raise, and clinics deal with it every single day. The good news: with a bit of planning, the vast majority of people who feel claustrophobic get through their scan comfortably.

The key is to prepare in advance rather than hoping for the best on the day. Telling your GP and the clinic about your claustrophobia when the scan is first arranged opens up options - a more suitable scanner, sedation, or simply extra time and support from staff - that are harder to organise once you're already on the table.

Knowing what to expect helps take the fear out of it. A standard MRI scanner is a tube open at both ends - you are never sealed in. Air flows through constantly, the bore is lit, and many scanners have a mirror so you can see out towards the room.

Depending on the body part being scanned, your head may not even need to be inside the machine. For a knee, ankle, or foot MRI, you typically go in feet-first and your head stays outside or near the opening.

You'll hold a buzzer the entire time. Press it and the radiographer - who can see and hear you throughout - will stop the scan and come in. Nothing locks, and you can come out at any point. Most scans take 20-60 minutes.

Not all MRI machines are the same size:

• Wide-bore scanners have a noticeably larger opening (typically 70 cm rather than 60 cm) and a shorter tunnel. Many patients who struggled in an older scanner manage a wide-bore machine without difficulty. These are increasingly common in Australian clinics. • Open MRI scanners are open at the sides rather than tube-shaped. They're much less confining, though they're less widely available and image quality can be lower for some scan types, so they suit some examinations better than others.

When booking, ask the clinic what scanner they use and whether a wide-bore machine is available. You can use Radly to compare MRI clinics near you and check details like opening hours and pricing before you call to ask about their equipment.

If you know from experience that reassurance and a wide-bore scanner won't be enough, talk to your GP about sedation well before your appointment.

The usual approach is a mild oral sedative prescribed by your GP, taken shortly before the scan as directed. It doesn't put you to sleep - it takes the edge off the anxiety so you can lie still comfortably.

A few practical points:

• Arrange this in advance; clinics generally can't supply sedatives on the day. • You must not drive after sedation, so bring someone to take you home. • Tell the clinic you'll be sedated when you book, so they can schedule accordingly.

For severe claustrophobia, your doctor may discuss having the scan done at a hospital where deeper sedation or anaesthetic support is available.

Simple strategies make a real difference during the scan:

• Keep your eyes closed from the moment you slide in - many patients say the scan feels completely different when they never look at the tunnel. • Use the headphones. Most clinics offer music through MRI-safe headphones; bring a playlist request or ask what's available. • Slow your breathing - in through the nose for a count of four, out through the mouth for a count of six. Focus on the count rather than your surroundings. • Ask for a face washer over your eyes, a blanket, or a mirror - small comforts staff provide all the time. • Some clinics allow a family member or friend to sit in the scan room with you (they'll be screened for metal first). Ask when booking.

The most useful thing you can do is mention your claustrophobia at the time of booking, not on arrival. It lets the clinic:

• Allocate a longer appointment so nothing feels rushed • Book you on their widest scanner if they have more than one • Schedule a quieter time of day • Note your file so staff take extra care positioning and reassuring you

If a scan attempt has failed before, say so - that history helps the clinic and your GP decide whether sedation or a different scanner is the right plan. When comparing MRI providers on Radly, you can review clinic details and contact them directly to ask how they support anxious patients. This guide is general information; your GP can advise on the best approach for you.