I passed out at my MRI yesterday

[Jenvenza]

How embarssing. I went in for a lukbar spine MRI yesterday and was a little nervous about it. They gave me a valium - a very small dose may I add - and then they said I need an IV. The MRI was with and without contrast, so I needed an IV to inject dye. Now, I have VERY small veins and everyone has a really hard time finding them. I told the guy this and he looked at my arms and said they were fine and he was an EMT and was used to giving IV's in the back of moving ambulances. I said you must be a pro then and let him do his thing.

I dont mind needles, I just dont like looking when they stick me. So he stuck my left arm and it didnt even hurt. Then I felt him digging around and I knew he didnt get it. He said he was right there but didnt have it. After a few minutes of that, I told him to try another one. he said my other arm looked better and he could get one there. But it was in the middle of my arm, so I knew it would it hurt. I have been known to get a little dizzy if I am stuck more than once, so I warned him about that.

He stuck the needle in my arm and it HURT and then I heard him say - You have got to be kidding me!! - and I knew he missed again. He was digging around with the needle in my arm and it was really hurting by this point, then I started to sweat and feel a little sick. I told him I didnt feel well and then the next thing I knew my hearing went and I said I cant hear anything I then I was out! I know I slumped forward and I could hear him saying - stay with me!!! Stay with me! Then the next thing I remember was this lady thumping my forehead saying - open your eyes!! I opened them and must have been confused because I just said - WHAT??? Like I was annoyed with her! I then noticed I was flashing eveyone because I was in a hospital gown.

What a day. All that and the MRI wasnt even that bad!!!!

 

[JessicaR]

Oh you poor thing! I'm glad its over! Hope you get positive results.

 

[Jockaroo]

Don't be embarrassed. I was terrified before my MRI (on my wrist). I had to have a contrast and required an orthopedic radiologist to get the injection. I got one shot to deaden the area, then got one shot to inject a substance to allow the doctor to see the area on his machine to know where to inject the dye, then the dye, and then a bunch of saline to separate the bones in the area. I was numbed up very well, didn't look at anything going on and it really wasn't painful. But when they got me up from the table, there was blood everywhere and I kinda lost it. I never hit the floor, but they had to put me back on the table. Don't feel bad--they've seen it all. And you are right, the MRI itself isn't that bad.

 

[Chicago526]

Poor thing! I can relate, I'm a "hard stick" too, to the point that I can't donate blood anymore. Last time it took four tries and my arm was bruised and sore for a week after. In all the times I've donated blood or had an IV, only once was it easy and painless. It was a nurse in the outpatient surgery area of my hospital, she totally rocked! If she moonlighted at the blood bank I'd start donating again in a heart beat.

 

[kellyg403]

How scary for you! I hate to pass out..but I probably would have been so embarrased I was flashing everyone I would have passed out again!

When I had surgery on my wrist, they said that I would be awake for the surgery, they just give you some valium. I had been up 1/2 the night worrying about everything I had to do that I wouldn't be able to do for a few weeks etc. They gave me those two valiums and when I woke up 8 hours later the nurse said.."Don't take drugs much huh?"...

Kelly

 

[LadyyRedd]

Don't be embarrassed. I come to the near point of passing out at ANYTHING medical. I had a granuloma on my hand earlier this year that had to be removed, but prior to surgery, had to keep it wrapped. I had to have a nurse friend change the dressing for me every day because I could not look at it without almost passing out. I can't even have blood taken without laying down.

Kimya

 

[Jenvenza]

Oh you poor thing! I'm glad its over! Hope you get positive results.

Thank you! I hope to get the results back soon!

Don't be embarrassed. I was terrified before my MRI (on my wrist). I had to have a contrast and required an orthopedic radiologist to get the injection. I got one shot to deaden the area, then got one shot to inject a substance to allow the doctor to see the area on his machine to know where to inject the dye, then the dye, and then a bunch of saline to separate the bones in the area. I was numbed up very well, didn't look at anything going on and it really wasn't painful. But when they got me up from the table, there was blood everywhere and I kinda lost it. I never hit the floor, but they had to put me back on the table. Don't feel bad--they've seen it all. And you are right, the MRI itself isn't that bad.

That doesnt sound like fun at all! They had to put me in a wheelchair because I couldnt walk afterwards.

Poor thing! I can relate, I'm a "hard stick" too, to the point that I can't donate blood anymore. Last time it took four tries and my arm was bruised and sore for a week after. In all the times I've donated blood or had an IV, only once was it easy and painless. It was a nurse in the outpatient surgery area of my hospital, she totally rocked! If she moonlighted at the blood bank I'd start donating again in a heart beat.

I can no longer donate blood either. I would love to, but it just wont work for me. Not with me passing out after the second stick!

How scary for you! I hate to pass out..but I probably would have been so embarrased I was flashing everyone I would have passed out again!

When I had surgery on my wrist, they said that I would be awake for the surgery, they just give you some valium. I had been up 1/2 the night worrying about everything I had to do that I wouldn't be able to do for a few weeks etc. They gave me those two valiums and when I woke up 8 hours later the nurse said.."Don't take drugs much huh?"...

Kelly

I would have been much happier if they had given me two valiums, but he said with my size, I had to have to lowest dose. But then again, I wasnt having surgery either.

The guy gave me a blanket after I tried to lay on the table but wouldnt do it because I was afraid of flashing everyone again!

Don't be embarrassed. I come to the near point of passing out at ANYTHING medical. I had a granuloma on my hand earlier this year that had to be removed, but prior to surgery, had to keep it wrapped. I had to have a nurse friend change the dressing for me every day because I could not look at it without almost passing out. I can't even have blood taken without laying down.

Kimya

I had never passed out before, but had come close. This was the first time. The poor EMT felt horrible!

 

[C.Ann]

For future references, two attempts and you have the right to request someone else do the procedure and they cannot refuse you..

My son-in-law is very bad when it comes to needles too - just the "thought" puts him on the verge of passing out - so don't feel bad..

Glad you got through the MRI otherwise unscathed..

 

[JESW]

Oh I feel for you! I have small veins and now have to go to the hospital when I need blood drawn and they have to do it with a pediatric needle! I feel like Elaine on Seinfeld as I am sure I have DIFFICULT PATIENT written on my chart as I have tried a couple different places to get blood drawn. I have passed out 2x while they "dug" around - just reading your description was making me ill...

Jill

 

[Jenvenza]

For future references, two attempts and you have the right to request someone else do the procedure and they cannot refuse you..

My son-in-law is very bad when it comes to needles too - just the "thought" puts him on the verge of passing out - so don't feel bad..

Glad you got through the MRI otherwise unscathed..

Thanks for the info. I will definitely do that next time. Three times is normally my limit.

Oh I feel for you! I have small veins and now have to go to the hospital when I need blood drawn and they have to do it with a pediatric needle! I feel like Elaine on Seinfeld as I am sure I have DIFFICULT PATIENT written on my chart as I have tried a couple different places to get blood drawn. I have passed out 2x while they "dug" around - just reading your description was making me ill...

Jill

I am sure they think I am difficult, too. I hate it that my veins are so small.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm sorry that happened to you. It was likely a vasovagal response (linked FYI) where the vagus nerve is stimulated enough to cause the heart rate slow and BP to fall, often to the point of passing out. If it happens again, try not to "clamp down" when you're in pain. We see it happen a fair amount in the hospital when patients are undergoing painful procedures.

 

[Jenvenza]

I'm sorry that happened to you. It was likely a vasovagal response (linked FYI) where the vagus nerve is stimulated enough to cause the heart rate slow and BP to fall, often to the point of passing out. If it happens again, try not to "clamp down" when you're in pain. We see it happen a fair amount in the hospital when patients are undergoing painful procedures.

Thanks for that link. That sounds exactly like what happened to me. I didnt think I clamped down, but I may have. I will try that next time though. Thank you!

 

[bumbershoot]

The flashing would be hard, but just passing out is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Heck, I almost passed out while having my navel pierced (I was 20something in the 90s, it was almost a law that I had to have it done, right?). However, it sounds like the piercing place was smarter than that medical office, as the piercer saw immediately what was happening (going cold and starting to sweat seems obvious to me!) and poured a sugar package in my mouth. Brought me out of the faint immediately, it was very cool.

Maybe that office needs to stock sugar packets!

 

[Took]

I nearly pass out (and sometimes do) EVERY TIME I get stuck! I think I developed some kind of "thing" due the trauma of getting many penecillin shots as a child. They terrified me when I was a kid and I still hate needles. I can't even watch my dog or child getting a needle. I just kind of discreetly look away.

Please, don't feel embarassed!

 

[MissMinnie]

Jenvenza, I have the same problem with the small veins, only mine also "roll". I went to have a CT with contrast done about a year and a half ago, and after sticking me twice, my vein "blewout" during the CT. Nothing like having your arm start swelling with radioactive fluid to make your day! It was more painful than childbirth! Not something I wish to repeat. I hope all is well with you and the results are good!

 

[Jenvenza]

The flashing would be hard, but just passing out is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Heck, I almost passed out while having my navel pierced (I was 20something in the 90s, it was almost a law that I had to have it done, right?). However, it sounds like the piercing place was smarter than that medical office, as the piercer saw immediately what was happening (going cold and starting to sweat seems obvious to me!) and poured a sugar package in my mouth. Brought me out of the faint immediately, it was very cool.

Maybe that office needs to stock sugar packets!

That is a great idea! But all this guy did was continue to dig around in my arm after I passed out, because he got it eventually without having to stick me again. I dont really remember that happening though.

I nearly pass out (and sometimes do) EVERY TIME I get stuck! I think I developed some kind of "thing" due the trauma of getting many penecillin shots as a child. They terrified me when I was a kid and I still hate needles. I can't even watch my dog or child getting a needle. I just kind of discreetly look away.

Please, don't feel embarassed!

I cannto watch my daughter get shots, but I think it is because I hate seeing her in pain. I cant watch my cats get shots either though!

Jenvenza, I have the same problem with the small veins, only mine also "roll". I went to have a CT with contrast done about a year and a half ago, and after sticking me twice, my vein "blewout" during the CT. Nothing like having your arm start swelling with radioactive fluid to make your day! It was more painful than childbirth! Not something I wish to repeat. I hope all is well with you and the results are good!

Mine roll as well!! The EMT told me he saw the vein and it was like it ran and hid when it saw the needle coming!

And you describing your vein blowing out made me cringe!! You need a hug for that one!! How awful!

 

[momof1princess]

Don't feel bad, OP, I was having an MRI of my knee about 4.5 years ago and I fell asleep in the MRI machine, LOL, the look on the tech's face when she had to come in and wake me up was priceless. funnier still, when she unstrapped my knee, i wasn't in pain any more, could put weight on it and walk normally.

 

[MoniqueU]

At least you were brave enough to go in. I have been known to show up, sit in the waiting room and then take off, sometimes being chased down by staff. I am 34 years old, old enough so I shouldn't do that anymore.

 

[Jenvenza]

At least you were brave enough to go in. I have been known to show up, sit in the waiting room and then take off, sometimes being chased down by staff. I am 34 years old, old enough so I shouldn't do that anymore.

LOL - I was close to doing that!! I was telling my sister that I thought I really didnt need to go and that we could just leave while we were still in the waiting room!