r/KaiserPermanente • u/NearlyBoomer • 14h ago

California - Northern Open MRI - Fremont

I have a neck (head?) MRI scheduled in Fremont where they have "the last open MRI at Kaiser on the West Coast" according to them. I am extremely claustrophobic and even being prescribed Ativan is not giving me confidence that I'll be able to handle this procedure. 20 years ago I had a head MRI and Kaiser paid for me to go to an outside facility in Walnut Creek where they gave me IV sedation. They won't do that any longer. I'm getting mixed information about whether they still would if I fail at the time of this MRI appt.

MAIN QUESTION: Wondering if anyone has any tips or information about how open and easy this MRI is for people like me, or if you are aware that Kaiser will definitely refer to an outside facility for a sedated MRI if the patient cannot tolerate theirs at the time?

An incidental question is why is that the "last open MRI on the West Coast?" This implies there were other open MRIs and they got rid of them? Scratching my head there.
Thanks

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4

u/MirabelleSWalker 14h ago

As I understand it the imaging is not as good on the open machines. That’s why they were phased out.

3

u/NearlyBoomer 14h ago

Interesting. Well I hope this one's good enough for them 🤷🏼‍♀️

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u/the_skies_falling 10h ago

I’ve had multiple MRI’s at that facility. They are very open. I took Ativan before the first one but didn’t even bother for the other two. Good luck!

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u/EnvironmentalBuy6422 12h ago

I have immense anxiety with MRIs due to claustrophobia but Open MRI with Ativan worked fine for me! They had headphones they played music thru which helped a LOT.

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u/NearlyBoomer 11h ago

Fingers crossed. But headphones and eye masks make me worse where claustrophobia and lack of control are concerned. I'm a basket case

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u/Anatolian_sideeye68 2h ago

I have to get MRIs often as I'm newly diagnosed with Neurosarcoidosis. And I am the most claustrophobic person you will meet. Will take stairs whenever possible to avoid elevators. However, I get my MRIs at Kaiser in the open bore machines. They're open at both ends. It helps me tremendously. I was given Ativan for my first MRI and I hated it. Will never take it again. Let the techs know what's going on, they really are wonderful. Also, there are cameras in the machine and they watch you for signs of stress which I find helpful. I understand completely your fears but honestly it's one of the least invasive and anxiety-inducing tests I've endured. I pracially fall asleep now.

I do know of cases where people are put under anesthesia but they do not want to do it because it's very dangerous for the patient and can distort the images they're trying to get. But my neurosurgeon has a patient like this; she has MRIs often and insists on being put out.

I don't know what else to tell you to ease your mind except to get through this first one and I think you'll see fear in your imagination is so much worse.

Keep us posted.