Laura P
as a veteran of two cervical neck surgeries in the last 12 years... you can be sedated during the MRI... if your doctor is not listening to you... find another doctor. communication is the key and his job is to help you. If he does not believe your pain is real, see another doctor... when you go for the mri insist on sedation and make sure you have taken your pain meds on a regular schedule for a day or so ahead so that you are at maximum relief for that day. Good luck.