What does valium feel like?
 

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:

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.

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.

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

But if that fails, consider hypnosis.

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.

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.

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

Wonderful. Valium is like ice cream for adults.

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