One can have sedation for an MRI, but I didn't know, like Gypsy said, that they would "knock you out," completely.  I've probably had 10 MRIs at least in my life, and have never asked for sedation.  I keep my eyes closed and either pray or count.  I usually ask how long it will take and then I play this little "game" by counting to 60 over and over, trying to "time" the procedure by my count.  I know that probably sounds "nutso," but anything to get through it.  It's very uncomfortable laying there, but I've found if I tell them up-front that I hurt, the techs are usually quite good about doing what they can with pillows, blankets, etc.  The last two times I had an MRI I took a little Zanax before I went, and that seemed to help.  Good luck, and just remember that "this too, shall pass."

Carol

hi slatts....I see no reason you cannot be sedated during your MRI.  It might be difficult finding a place that can sedate you.  If you want IV sedation a nurse has to be present, to put in IV and give IV med, and to monitor your vital signs.  Or if several pain pills might help, maybe your doc can write a precription for them, and you take them about 30 minutes before the MRI.  Come to think of it, IV sedation might have to be done in a hospital MRI.  Let the office of the doc who ordered the MRI know you want sedation and tell them what kind,  the girls in the office should know where you will need to go for your MRI.  OK enough rambling for now..gonna take a short nap. take care and good luck with your MRI.

My wife had sedation for her MRI at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda Maryland. She has cerebral palsy and would not have been able to lie still. They had to rig up a looong tube for the IV and extra extensions for the monitors they have to have you on for sedation, and they ran it all from out in the hallway since there is no metal allowed in the room with the MRI running.  So it CAN be done, but it's just a pain in their butts to do it and at the time, 2005, there was no streamlined way to do it.