What does valium feel like?

Betty · 06-02-2009, 04:18 PM

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?

SzczerbiakManiac · 06-02-2009, 04:29 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 04:31 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 04:33 PM

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

But if that fails, consider hypnosis.

Not Afraid · 06-02-2009, 04:41 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 04:59 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 05:12 PM

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 · 06-02-2009, 05:44 PM

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

Tref · 06-02-2009, 05:48 PM

Wonderful. Valium is like ice cream for adults.

wolfy999 · 06-02-2009, 06:14 PM

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

06-02-2009, 04:18 PM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	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? __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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06-02-2009, 04:29 PM	#2
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	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. __________________
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06-02-2009, 04:31 PM	#3
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	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. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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06-02-2009, 04:33 PM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Never had valium so I can't help you there. But if that fails, consider hypnosis. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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06-02-2009, 04:41 PM	#5
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	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.
	Submit to Quotes

06-02-2009, 04:59 PM	#6
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	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? __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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06-02-2009, 05:12 PM	#7
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	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. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
	Submit to Quotes

06-02-2009, 05:44 PM	#8
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Find out if that's 40/20 minutes at a single sitting or several "snapshots" like I had. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
	Submit to Quotes

06-02-2009, 05:48 PM	#9
Tref Not Tref Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,188	Wonderful. Valium is like ice cream for adults. __________________ Tref3.0 Listen in aural 3-D to Pop's muzak! (New songs added semi-bi-daily) j & j Did you know that Emas eht yltcaxe is exactly the same spelled backwards?!
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06-02-2009, 06:14 PM	#10
wolfy999 Eyes like Sapphires! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2.4 miles from Disneyland Posts: 1,523	Valium...relaxing and calming, should do the trick. __________________ Diane "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin 1937-2008 DISNEY IS FINALLY PAYING ME BACK......STILL OWES ME ABOUT (oh, wait....way too much)!
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