What does valium feel like?

[Betty]

In an effort to get my husband to submit to an open MRI instead of the upright one (our insurance doesn't seem to be compatible with anyone in so cal that has one) I am trying to convince him to take something and try again.

His doctor called and said she would prescribe valium for him.

I've never had valium and neither has he.

He is VERY MUCH against the open MRI and VERY MUCH against being sedated for it. He says he doesn't like that feeling of being on medication "like that."

Part of this seems to be an anxiety attack at the mere mention of the MRI.

So, have any of you taken it? I've read some stuff online but I'm curious as to your particular experience as well as comparing it to being drunk, or other, ahem, mind altering things.

Anyone feel like sharing?

Or have suggestions as to how to MAKE him do it? :rolleyes: :eek: :evil:

[SzczerbiakManiac]

When I took Valium for my MRI, it just caused me to calm down. I didn't get any sense of euphoria, it just "took the edge off". I don't booze or drug (unless prescribed by a doctor), so I cannot relate to either of those experiences.

[Strangler Lewis]

When I had a vasectomy, they prescribed me one valium. I would say it put me in a state of mild bemusement/indifference. I can't say I felt as loopy as when my back went out, and I combined painkillers with anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants.

I suppose it did the trick. However, I don't think I would have been especially panicky without it. I don't know if it would have gotten me through something that horrified me.

Also, for what it's worth, I've had a closed MRI. They gave me headphones with music to listen to, and they told me how long each session would be (5-7 minutes) and they said they'd roll me out after each session. Having the music helped me estimate the time. I can't say it was a walk in the park, but I got through it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Never had valium so I can't help you there.

But if that fails, consider hypnosis.

[Not Afraid]

Valium doesn't do much to me but I have a resistant metalobism. I had a recent MRI and it wasn't really a big deal. I had to do some "meditation" to get myself prepared for it but I kept my eyes closed and it wasn't too bad.

I would rather find out what's wrong in 20 minutes of uncomfortable situation than spend days and days worrying about something that may or may not be an issue.

We all do it, but I'll never understand WHY we do it - worrying about something that hasn't happened yet and my not even happen.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'll ask. My hubby had Valium during and after his eye surgery. He's very very very anti-drug of any kind, but I don't think it was bad.

I wonder how much of your hubby's anxiety is finding out that something's wrong, moreso than the actual MRI procedure. Is he prepared for the scan to show something?

[Betty]

I actually think he had a panic attack at work which led to the vertigo, heart fluttering, feeling not right etc. He hadn't really felt it since to that degree, but upon his return to work he was getting all uppity again - just not to the same crescendo-ing amount.

But I'm not a doctor - and we need the MRI to figure out if there's actually something wrong with his brain that would cause the vertigo or if it's from something else.

Just the mention of the MRI brings on symptoms - everything but the vertigo and to a milder extent depending on how much we discuss it.

I found a website - askpatient.com - that has user experiences with valium and I'm hoping that he'll respond to that. Out of the full page of people that posted, there were only 2 or 3 with a bad or negative reaction. Everyone else said things like "godsend" and "don't know what I would do without it".

By the way, the MRI guy said he would be in there for an hour - if he was lucky and didn't move. 40 minutes for the head and 20 for the neck.

[Strangler Lewis]

Find out if that's 40/20 minutes at a single sitting or several "snapshots" like I had.

[Tref]

Wonderful. Valium is like ice cream for adults.

[wolfy999]

Valium...relaxing and calming, should do the trick.

[Gemini Cricket]

Valium makes ya mellow yellow, man.

[Morrigoon]

Makes my head heavy

[wendybeth]

I'm naturally a fairly high-strung person, and Valium really calms the nerves when I'm in a stressful situation. It doesn't make you 'high' at all, just way more relaxed. It's almost like it shuts down the adrenals and short-circuits panic attacks. Tell him to try it at home first, in a controlled environment. Most docs will go along with this, so it's worth a shot. He needs to get that MRI- if it helps at all tell him my 13 year old just had one 6 weeks ago, for similar reasons.

[lashbear]

When I had my eyeballs sliced open, and burnt with a laser beam (AKA LASIK Surgery) they gave me a Valium beforehand.

...I've never felt more relaxed and unconcerned about anything in my life before. Open my eye up? Meh, go ahead.

No dizzy or out of control feeling at all, just a lack of concern about the whole procedure.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Can he try the valium at home first?

[Kevy Baby]

Personally, I am a big fan of morphine. Never tried val.

[JWBear]

I have freaky reactions to Morphine.

[lashbear]

Morphean makes me sleepy.

[Betty]

What a coont. f.

I call the dr. office and tell them I want an additional dose of valium for him to try at home beforehand to make sure he's okay with that and the nurse is all snotty about it. "ohhh - we don't dooo that". :rolleyes: (doesn't she know that we need our valium fix and will call twice a day, at least, for the last week, in order to set up the perfect scheme to get not 1 but 2 doses of valium) what-effing-ever.

Fine. I'll speak with the doctor about it then.

I swear. Now to get my husband on board with my plan.

I've stopped phrasing things in a question and make them statements. I AM getting you the valium. I AM scheduling your appointment. I AM taking the day off work to do this and so are you.

His response has been less then positive but I hope to wear him down. Or something. I don't know.

[Capt Jack]

although Ive only taken valium once or twice, Ive always considered them little doses of "dont really give a sh!t"

might be just the thing.

[Betty]

I love this doctor. Of course he can have another dose of valium!

[Moonliner]

Good luck with this Betty, us guys can be a handful....

It's funny, you could lock me up for a week in an MRI machine and I'd just thank you for all the quite "me time" but the thought of taking Valium gives me the screaming heebie jeebies.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

It's funny, you could lock me up for a week in an MRI machine and I'd just thank you for all the quite "me time" but the thought of taking Valium gives me the screaming heebie jeebies.That's funny, valium is usually prescribed to ease the screaming heebie jeebies (SHJ).

[JWBear]

I could use a Valium right now....

[RStar]

It feels like a small hard tablet. Why?

:D

Actually it is one of the most widely prescribed tranquilizers, and with such a good track record most Drs have little reservation to giving it in situations like this.

But my wife had a rare alergic reaction to it when the Dr gave her a shot for her agoraphobia while at his office. We were on our way home, and had to turn around because she broke out in hives and couldnt breathe. We went back to his office and the gave her a shot of eppy. and she was ok after that.

[Betty]

RStar - let's jut hope that doesn't happen or I'll never get him to even consider the MRI again!

[3894]

!#$@%!#@%! I had a long post typed out and timed out. I just spent the past several months being treated for panic disorder by a shrink. It was triggered by a savage endodontist about a year ago. I didn't know that if panic disorder isn't treated, it festers and gets worse.

I had gotten to where the panic disorder was beginning to limit my life. Your husband is also at that stage. He has to be able to deal with this kind of a test.

Short-term:
1. Tell the doctor about your husband's panic attack. The amount of Valium prescribed to smooth the edges off anxiety is not the same as the amount needed to block a full-on panic attack. Your doc doesn't want a full-on freak in the machine and they do have medications to stop them. Also, let me just say the obvious: panic is not just a matter of dealing.

2. Once your husband is on the machine, ask the attendant to put a cloth over his eyes. It really helps.

Long-term:

Get a referral to a psychologist or a psychiatrist with experience with panic disorder. The treatment is not psychoanalysis. It is fully internalizing just what a panic attack is, what the triggers may be, how to breathe through one, how the mind cannot think two things at once. It's very practical. It seems like obvious stuff but, believe me, it takes a lot of work. It's learning how to press the reset button on some primitive, pavlovian stuff.

Good luck. Panic disorder is very treatable.

As for me, I finally feel like my old, adventuresome self again.

[Betty]

Thanks for the helpful advice 3894. Much appreciated. :)

[3894]

Thanks for the helpful advice 3894. Much appreciated. :)

You betcha.

[Kevy Baby]

...her agoraphobia...Why are some people afraid of Agoura (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoura,_California)? It is such a nice little town.

[Betty]

So - he had the MRI and everything was fine with that. The anxiety and panic attacks remain. Finally had his dr. appt. today with the psych who immediatly put him out on disability because, to quote the doctor, it's actually going to physically kill him if he keeps this up.

So - this is good and bad. Haven't quite decided.

I'm concerned over medical insurance though, among other things.

All this while trying to find a house to buy too.

It's all upsetting my stomach and giving *me* anxiety!!!

[RStar]

If his disability becomes permanent (as far as working that is) you can expect:

1) To hire a disability lawyer. SSI will deny his benifits. My wife and I found this out the hard way. We fought them on it for nearly a year, then after getting the lawyer it was at least 6 months later before we saw any money. But with out the lawyer we never would have seen a penny.

2) Expect to only get 50% of his normal income. This is important when figuring what you can pay for a house payment.

If it is temporary or permanent you will need:

3) To become extremely patient and supportive. It's a long road, but still a worth while trip. Counseling and proper meds takes time, but can help so much. Keep in mind there will be times when things don't look rosey, but those are fleeting.

4) Plenty of friends and family to talk to and unload. And that's what we are hear for as well.

Good luck,

and hugs

{{{{{Betty & Hubby}}}}}}