Need help ASAP - Test scheduled Monday

[VOsRose]

I suffered a fall recently and x-rays show a fractured vertebra and 3 dislocated vertebrae. I am having pain/numbness in my left leg and foot. My physician has ordered an MRI and it is scheduled for Monday afternoon. My problem is that I am horribly, terribly claustrophobic. To the Nth degree!! I tried to do it on Wednesday of this past week and they didn't get me into the machine to my waist before I freaked out and insisted on being pulled back out. Unfortunately, because of the injury and my symptoms, the physician needs a closed MRI (as opposed to an open MRI which I think I could handle much more effectively.) The opening in the MRI he is using is only 21" in diameter. Even with a blindfold on I could feel it closing in around me and I'm going to have to be in it for a minimum of 25 minutes.

My physician prescribed me 3 Valiums (5 mg.) and told me to take one an hour before the procedure. If I still felt nervous to take another one 30 minutes later and, if that didn't do it to take the 3rd immediately before the MRI. First of all, I've never taken a Valium (or anything similar) so have no idea how it will affect me. I had them on Wednesday and didn't take them because, frankly, I was more terrified of being terrified and drugged!! I asked my Suboxone Doctor if it was okay to take them and his answer was "It should be okay." I called "Here to Help" and talked to a counselor and she didn't give me much reassurance that I would be okay taking the Valium. She did tell me that there are patients that are on Suboxone and Valium, though.

My question is this: Does anyone know if I'll be okay taking this medication while on Suboxone? I can't get an answer I feel is really putting me at ease about this and I've lost many nights of sleep fretting. Without taking something there is NO WAY I can have this MRI done and I must have it done.

I certainly don't want to do anything to hurt myself, so I am in a real difficult situation. Any help, advice, suggestions, information, etc. would be so greatly appreciated!!

[VOsRose]

Thanks for all the feedback.  IF I had more faith in my physician (the Suboxone prescriber) I'd feel better.  He's very strange and, after being with him for over 2 years, he still acts like he doesn't know me each month.  Anyway, he did say it "should be alright" - of course, that's not too reassuring!  I am going to call a pharmacist - that's a great idea.  I don't really see I have much choice but to accept the "should be alright" answer because the MRI won't get done otherwise.  The idea of being "drugged" and claustrophobic in the MRI is even more frightening, frankly.  And, of course, anxiety makes you feel like you can't breathe AND since that's the danger (I think) of taking Suboxone and Valium, that may freak me out!  LOL  I'm a mess -

Thanks for the feedback.  I'll take the advice.  

IBKleen - thanks for the welcome back!  I've been SO busy since I was last on.  As you know, I got married.  Almost immediately upon return from our honeymoon my husband and I adopted an 8 mo. old baby boy.  It's been crazy around here with a now 4.5 year old and a college age child.  Things have been going well - I'm still on Sub but doing well with it.  About to start weaning down and working towards getting completely off.  

[s00n2bM0m0f3]

I take subutex right now because I'm pregnant but I used to take suboxone. My doctor prescribed me valium and I was fine. Also, pretty much everyone I know on suboxone also take valium with it. As long as you have aren't allergic to valium then yes, those two medications can be taken together. As someone else previously posted, you can call any pharmacy and they can tell you if those two drugs can be taken together. As I'm sure you'd rather hear it from a pharmacist rather then me, a complete stranger. Good luck with the mri.

[forgottensick]

  The only ones who know FACTS about these things are pharmacists. So call your pharmacy and ask them about it because it is their job to know those things. If the one you talk to isn`t sure then call another one. They have computer programs that can also tell them if certain drugs don`t mix.
I felt the same way when I had my MRI. The Valium will help, but you will still feel anxiety. I`ve even known people to have to be put under to get the MRI.  Try to relax.  Take the Valiums. It isn`t that bad really. Just keep your eyes closed and breath. It`ll be over before ya know it.

[IBKleen]

Welcome back! I haven't spoken with you in years. I wish you luck with this but Vicki is right--we cannot advise on this.

Let us know how you make out and hope to see you stick around.

[vicki595]

It really wouldn't be very wise of any of us to tell you that Valium and Suboxone are fine together. We have no way of knowing your specific medical history with drugs and illnesses.

The physicians have answered you already. We can't do any better than that.

Good luck with the MRI.