[Mary Anne in TX]

It is noisy no matter what! But I use a technique that I learned in a "self-hypnosis" class 30+ years ago. I use it when I'm "beyond afraid", under great stress, or doing a new medical proceedure or surgery, etc. I close my eyes the minute that I lay down and they have me ready to go in because I don't want to give the ol' machine one moment of dominance over my mind! The first few minutes I talk away the temptation to open my eyes and panick and then begin to talk to my feet, legs, body, arms, shoulders, etc. "With every breath I take....I relax deeper and deeper". I just keep repeating the phrase until my body believes it! Usually doesn't take very long! Then I place myself in another setting, usually a beach setting with lots of sunshine, soft breeze, and a cozy lounge chair with a view of the ocean. I "pretend" that the machine noise is killing anything bad around me and that it is relaxing me and making me peaceful. Well, does that sound crazy enough? I've done this for so long in stressful settings, that my body begins to cooperate no matter how much resistance it tries. I used it when I thought I had lost my son to drugs (didn't), my husband was having a heart attack and we were waiting for the ambulance, my dad came over and had a heart attack, well....you know....life!
I don't know if it will do for you what it does for me, but you might try it a few times before. I just don't want to count on drugs and then have them not work for me. Not that I don't take whatever I am given, I just want to be part of the process of being in charge of my insane fears (I have a ton)!
You can do this! Remind yourself of the purpose and that it is "only temporary"! I'll be thinking good thoughts for you on Friday! mary anne