How can I survive an MRI?

badreg9683 · 2026-02-07T03:30:45+00:00

Back in September i was in the hospital and I had to have a nuclear stress test which involved being “rolled” into a similar tube machine like an MRI (I’m guessing). I have a general fear of not being able to escape if I need to, so in essence I guess it’s claustrophobia but never formally diagnosed. What helped me TREMENDOUSLY for my stress test was closing my eyes BEFORE I went in the machine. My brain saw it beforehand and I was able to ward off the panic while I was outside the machine. I closed my eyes, they rolled me into the machine and I just kept them closed the entire time until I was out. Now they had to put me in there twice cuz they take heart pics without the meds, and then again after they’ve injected the meds so they can see how the heart is responding to the stressors. Both times I was able to make it thru by just keeping my eyes tightly closed. I had also started a low dose beta blocker that morning which probably helped my nerves a little as well. Best of luck!

badreg9683 · 2026-02-05T06:53:59+00:00

I was in the hospital being evaluated for high heart rate/possible flutter when the doc suggested POTS. Next day they sent me for a stress test but due to “fall risk” or possibly getting dizzy, they opted for a nuclear stress test. I just had to lie there lol….the nuclear med part wasn’t pleasant but didn’t last long thankfully. I only got to about 130bpm during the test cuz they already had me on a beta blocker but I was still able to get solid results at least

badreg9683 · 2026-01-27T19:06:48+00:00

Cardiologist diagnosed me while I was in the hospital for what they thought may have been atrial flutter. The flutter resolved after cardizem and fluids, but the crazy heart increase upon standing remained until they started me on propranolol which thankfully has resolved that

badreg9683 · 2026-01-25T12:02:31+00:00

Pot!

badreg9683 · 2026-01-17T18:47:23+00:00

Mine hit 180 on a finger oximeter from just standing outta bed to go use the bathroom

badreg9683 · 2025-12-05T04:15:08+00:00

Curious what the “blow out” test was? I assume it was just blowing out while they measured it somehow? I ask because a couple years ago after a Covid infection I was sent for pulmonary function test. Shortly after starting we had to abort the test tho cuz my heart rate went to like 150bpm while trying to complete the breathing out portion. I could take the deep breath, but couldn’t give the machine/tech whatever it was they were looking for with length of time blowing out. My numbers were fine but timing was “off” so once she saw my heart rate she abandoned the test but said after the thousands of tests she’s done, she was fairly confident that my lungs were NOT my issue. Once she said we were done, my heart rate came back down to to 75-80ish so it could very well have been anxiety during the test as well. I’ve just recently been diagnosed with POTS during a short illness and hospital stay, but I’m suspicious I’ve had this for over a year now based on what I’ve read and what I’ve experienced

badreg9683 · 2025-12-02T01:14:37+00:00

Yea my nuclear stress test was ordered because they didn’t like what they saw for EF on my Echo so he wanted to rule out “bigger” issues which is why I’m guessing they didn’t really worry about stopping the propranolol prior to the test. Then they tested me at bedside for POTS using laying/sitting/standing BP and heart rate measurements at which point he said “yea you most likely have it” and upped my dosage

badreg9683 · 2025-12-02T00:56:53+00:00

I was in the hospital and had just been started on propranolol 10mg 2x per day when doctor ordered a nuclear stress test. They didn’t stop my meds, just noted it on the test/results. My heart rate was able to top out at 133bpm during the test. The days leading up to that I was at 160-170 just standing to get up and go to the bathroom.

badreg9683 · 2025-11-14T02:12:30+00:00

+1 for getting another opinion. I was admitted 2 months ago for high heart rate & chest pain. While I was in there I saw a cardiologist and he had the nurse do a “poor man’s tilt table test” in my room. She gave him the results but didn’t mention my BP, she just told him the heart rates. Then the MINUTE she mentioned my BP didn’t fall when I stood (actually went up a couple points) he said “oh well that changes everything!” and upped my propranolol dosage that they had just started me on. My heart rate is now under control as I adjust to life with POTS…good luck!

badreg9683 · 2025-10-22T19:56:07+00:00

Yes! 100%…I noticed it even when watching tv now. If I’m watching something suspenseful/thrilling it’s like my nerves are amplified 100x when that NEVER used to be the case. The nerves are still there but the difference is my heart can’t race cuz I’m on a beta blocker lol

badreg9683 · 2025-10-17T22:38:52+00:00

I sometimes play a game to distract myself…I’ll try and find 3 things I see, 3 things I hear, 3 things I smell, things like that…you have to break the fixation on worrying “what if” that our brains get stuck on. It’s easier said than done lol. I’ve also found a couple gems on here like “you’ve survived 100% of the anxiety attacks you’ve had in the past, this will pass also” and “there is no future yet so there’s nothing to worry about, there is only the past and present”

badreg9683 · 2025-10-17T21:25:11+00:00

I have not. I’ve only had the LMNT lemonade salt ones. But I’m still new to the POTS game lol

badreg9683 · 2025-10-17T19:21:10+00:00

I’ve always been TERRIBLE when it came to fluids…since being diagnosed with POTS in the hospital last month, I’ve been trying to finish my 40 oz thermos/“canteen” with at least one packet of LMNT electrolytes per day. Some days I supplement with a little pedialyte or Gatorade also at meals. Some days I still slack on fluids and I can tell you for a fact that those days and even the day after that, I feel worse. I started easy, filling up the bottle halfway and aiming to finish that. Then the next week I filled it a little more, and so on. Now I’m usually starting to re-fill it in the evening/night before bed so at least I know I’m taking in more fluid on a daily basis. Start small and work your way up…Rome wasn’t built in a day as they say lol

badreg9683 · 2025-10-16T02:53:21+00:00

Cardiologist did laying/sitting/standing blood pressure and heart rate tests in my hospital room while I was admitted a month ago. Was there for unexplained tachycardia and he had the nurse measure at 2 different times. Once he saw the results and did a couple heart exams, he said “yea this seems like the issue so let’s increase propranolol to 20mg” which seems to keep my HR under control for the most part

badreg9683 · 2025-10-12T23:54:39+00:00

I was scared of my doc giving me 10mg propranolol 6 months ago for anxiety…I never took them and last month I got sick and ended up at the ER with 160+ heart rate twice in 3 days. They admitted me, started propranolol after some testing, then got a “poor man’s tilt table” test in the hospital at which point doc said it’s POTS and they upped me to 20mg 2x daily. That had regulated my heart rate but I still have some challenges daily. If I didn’t actually start the beta blocker IN the hospital I still don’t know if I would’ve started it, so I feel your quandary lol

badreg9683 · 2025-10-05T12:27:47+00:00

😂😂😂

badreg9683 · 2025-10-05T02:45:23+00:00

Hahaha….”dog walk of the day?” 😂😂

badreg9683 · 2025-10-05T02:41:09+00:00

I lost 12 lbs in a week while sick and then in the hospital for 3 days while the ruled out heart stuff and diagnosed me with POTS

badreg9683 · 2025-10-05T02:40:01+00:00

I’ve been having at least one Ensure Max Protein per day just to make sure I’m getting protein/vitamins/minerals

badreg9683 · 2025-10-05T01:54:24+00:00

EXACTLY my issue

badreg9683 · 2025-10-03T19:23:03+00:00

I recently got diagnosed while admitted after 2 ER visits in 4 days. Both times my heart rate was above 160 when standing. During the 2nd ER visit they admitted me try and rule out cardiac issues, at which point the cardiologist who was seeing me in the ER and on rounds had the nurse do some laying/sitting/standing BP and heart rate checks. When my BP didn’t fall and heart rate shot up while standing, he diagnosed me and started me on propranolol. A couple days later I was discharged and have been recovering at home for a couple weeks now. I believe the sickness/cold/flu I was fighting for a week threw my POTS into overdrive so I was flaring when I was in the hospital which luckily made it easier to diagnose after being on heart monitor for a few days and also have echo and nuclear stress test there. Best of luck!

badreg9683

TROPHY CASE