Just had my first ever MRI

[disneysteve]

Hi all. Haven't been here for a long time but I've been listening to the podcasts and getting sucked back into the DIS.

I thought this would be a good topic for jumping back into the community board. I hurt my shoulder a few months ago shoveling snow and since it has failed to get better, I broke down and went for an MRI tonight. For those who don't know/remember me, I'm a family practice doctor and I've ordered hundreds of MRIs over the years but never experienced one myself until today.

I must say I can certainly understand why people freak out in the scanners. The first couple of minutes were quite unnerving when I was first slid into the machine. It is cool with good air flow, well lit and you can kind of see out if you look down toward your toes but the feeling of confinement is overwhelming at first. I wasn't entirely sure I was going to be able to go through with the testing. I tried to relax and close my eyes but actually found that made me worse. Having my eyes open, even though I was staring at the inside of the tube, was more grounding for me than not seeing anything. Finally, I started to settle down and relax and I was fine for the remainder of the test, about 25 minutes total I think. But those first few minutes were rough.

I definitely have a new appreciation of what I'm sending my patients for when I order those MRIs now. I think all medical professionals who order MRIs should be required to have one to see what it is like.

 

[C.Ann]

Hi all. Haven't been here for a long time but I've been listening to the podcasts and getting sucked back into the DIS.

I thought this would be a good topic for jumping back into the community board. I hurt my shoulder a few months ago shoveling snow and since it has failed to get better, I broke down and went for an MRI tonight. For those who don't know/remember me, I'm a family practice doctor and I've ordered hundreds of MRIs over the years but never experienced one myself until today.

I must say I can certainly understand why people freak out in the scanners. The first couple of minutes were quite unnerving when I was first slid into the machine. It is cool with good air flow, well lit and you can kind of see out if you look down toward your toes but the feeling of confinement is overwhelming at first. I wasn't entirely sure I was going to be able to go through with the testing. I tried to relax and close my eyes but actually found that made me worse. Having my eyes open, even though I was staring at the inside of the tube, was more grounding for me than not seeing anything. Finally, I started to settle down and relax and I was fine for the remainder of the test, about 25 minutes total I think. But those first few minutes were rough.

I definitely have a new appreciation of what I'm sending my patients for when I order those MRIs now. I think all medical professionals who order MRIs should be required to have one to see what it is like.

This is so strange! Just the other night I was thinking that I hadn't seen you on the DIS in quite awhile.. Glad to hear all is well - except for your shoulder of course..

I agree that all doctors should first have to experience all tests that they expect their patients to endure.. I think a few of them might find a little more compassion..

It made me anxious - reading about your MRI.. For a few years now I have suffered from severe claustrophobia and I'm terrified that one of my doctors is going to send me off for another CAT scan, MRI, or some other test soon where I'll be "confined".. I honestly don't know what I would do because I feel like I'm suffocating to death..

Anyhow - good to see you again.. Been over to the Budget Board yet?

 

[disneysteve]

Hi C.Ann. Nice to "see" you, too. I've missed it here. Just kind of drifted away and spending most of my time on the saving advice board and the Atlantic City board. I pop into the Budget Board from time to time but most of the threads are about spending money - sales, coupons, discounts, etc. I'm more interested in saving and investing. I also visit the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board, but usually only as one of our visits approaches and for a while after we get back.

Anyway, I will certainly ask people if they'd like a sedative before MRIs from now on. Either that or if they have someone to drive them to and from, I'll suggest they have a drink before they go (if their medical condition doesn't rule that out).

 

[Feralpeg]

I've had several MRIs. The hardest part for me is to lay perfectly still for that period of time. It hurts my hip to lay flat. The worst was the MRI with contrast. The contrast material tends to give you a warm feeling, but it is nothing like having a CT Scan with contrast. You feel like you are incinerating from the inside out and you feel like you've had an accident (even though you haven't).

 

[travelbug]

Hi disneysteve, it's good to see you around again.

I had an MRI once too, and it was all I could do to stay in that tube. I was the opposite of you -- I did better by closing my eyes and trying to think of pleasant things (like my next vacation). But it was still tough.

I've heard that there are a few places in the metro area that have open MRI machines. So if I ever have to have another MRI, I think I'll look into that.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I definitely have a new appreciation of what I'm sending my patients for when I order those MRIs now. I think all medical professionals who order MRIs should be required to have one to see what it is like.

Two of my kids have had MRIs, and thankfully, they are the two who could handle it. My 3rd child (19) I'd worry about...she has said she'd freak out.

I definitely would have a very difficult time having an MRI...I don't know what I'd do! I won't even do the non-spinning Mission: Space attraction because of claustrophobia. I broke out in a sweat last (and I mean LAST!) time.

Anyway...welcome back to the DIS! Hope your shoulder is OK.

 

[honugirl]

I sleep through MRI's now I have to have them so often. They're so nice down at the University of Utah medical center because they've got internet radio. Last time I listened to Disney music. So nice!

I really wish though that doctors could get very sick and very scared at the beginning of their careers. I think it would make them much better doctors. If they could have someone stare at them with a disgusted look and treat them so condescendingly they started to cry, I would be over the moon. Maybe they would finally learn. The way I've been treated by the medical community is something NO ONE should ever go through, not even my worst enemies. I will be trying to get over the hurt I've felt at the hands of many doctors for a long time. Thank goodness I have 3 good doctors who are starting to soften my hardened heart.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, it's very interesting being on the other side of the bed.

PS I have to have them yearly - on my stomach, with my arms above my head and my breasts hanging down in a device that looks like a double cupholder in your car. (Try getting in that thing gracefully.) It takes 45 minutes and feels like it will never end. The first time I had one I asked the techs when it was over if it was my imagination that the breast holder "heated up". They chuckled and said no. Then they added, "If you think that's bad, be thankful you're not one of the prostate cancer guys. They have to have a probe "elsewhere" and sometimes we hear them yelling in the machine - 'Hey, it's getting HOT in here!!' "

 

[MinnieTink]

Congrats on getting thru your MRI. I have worked in a radiology facility for many years and have told many people "it'll be ok" when they were nervous about their MRIs. And then it was time for mine. There was no chance that I could ever chicken out. The anticipation of it was horrible. (I actually had a dream that the tech was trying to shove me into something the size of a water heater, that was beeping and burping smoke like something out of Willy Wonka's factory! Haha) It is very unnerving. But for me the anticipation was worse than the actual event I've had to have several now and it is easier. However I have gained quite a bit of sympathy for our clostrophobic patients.

 

[CookieGVB]

I had one last Friday - thankfully it was an open MRI, but to have to lie flat and remember that you shouldn't move - that was rough. I was nervous, not really knowing what to expect. Actually asked for an extra pillow for under my head, or I'd never have been able to lie completely flat.

The tech told me it would be 30-35 minutes. He was very nice, but it was still unnerving. Then I tried to occupy myself to make the time pass. I was singing songs in my head, but then started thinking how silly it was, and had to beat myself up mentally to keep from laughing - I would have freaked out if I had to start all over!

Then I started thinking - what can I sing that will pass the time? 99 bottles of beer on the wall!!! The tech would interrupt every few minutes "Are you ok?" "Yes" "OK, remember to keep still" (77 bottles of beer on the wall...)

I got down to 10 bottles, and when he interrupted, he said "Only 12 more minutes to go." I was thinking "Are you kidding??? This had to be more than 30 minutes - and I only have 10 more bottles!!!" Then tried not to laugh again at how ridiculous that seemed.

Turns out I was in there for over 50 minutes, because something had to be recalibrated...something like that. Ugh. Really don't want to do that again any time soon.

Found out I have a torn meniscus & ACL - now I'm home waiting to see an orthopedic surgeon...Double Ugh!!!

 

[mrsbert]

I had an MRI just a month ago and I really came close to freaking out. I had no idea that I would react in that way. Do you know what got me through it? I went to Magic Kingdom....I started at the gates and walked my way through thinking to myself, "ok, here's Tony's and here is such and such and so on". I got to the hub and decided to go toward Tomorrowland first and ride Buzz.

I was a mess by the time I got home and lost it. I will try REALLY hard to never have one of those again.

To the OP, I'm glad you had the experience. Now, though, you won't be able to fake the,"oh, it'll be okay" face.

 

[DMRick]

Nice to see you back here on the Dis Steve.

I've had a few MRI's (back problems) and anytime I can miss one, I do. I always wonder..if the hospital where I go had a fire, or another problem, would I be able to get out LOL.

..

Hi all. Haven't been here for a long time but I've been listening to the podcasts and getting sucked back into the DIS..

 

[Caropooh]

My DD16 has to have one of her head on Monday. She's a little nervous and scared. Her big thing she wants to know is how far in she'll have to go. I think the keeping still and not fidgeting is going to be the toughest for her.

 

[honugirl]

My DD16 has to have one of her head on Monday. She's a little nervous and scared. Her big thing she wants to know is how far in she'll have to go. I think the keeping still and not fidgeting is going to be the toughest for her.

I get my head done every 6 months or less. She will have to go into the machine head first and I'm usually in there up to right around my hips. You can ask for the head piece with the mirror on it so you can look out of the machine if you're claustrophobic. Keeping still is tough, especially if it's a T3 machine (the strongest out there right now, 1.5T is standard) because that one generally goes in smaller slices so it's very important not to move or they may have to do a sequence over again (it's happened to me before...) They'll either give her headphones to wear or earplugs which will cut down on the noise. Depending on the strength of the machine (the new T3's are the worst for this) it may vibrate a bit on some of the sequences too, but it's really not bad.

 

[Jennabeth]

My DD (10) had one in Dec and thought it was pretty cool. She got to wear movie goggles and headphones. She watched HSM while it was taking place. Seems like they could use something like that for adults too. She was at a children's hospital but it sounds like big people don't like them either.

 

[Deb in IA]

I think all medical professionals who order MRIs should be required to have one to see what it is like.

OK, Steve, but in this era of health care finanace reform, who is going to PAY for all these MRI's?????

By the way, I've had a couple of MRI's for my L5-S1 herniated disc. I guess I'm not at all claustrophobic, because I found the entire procedure kind of calming and relaxing, once I got used to the clicking noises. I think I actually fell asleep for a while.

 

[disneysteve]

OK, Steve, but in this era of health care finanace reform, who is going to PAY for all these MRI's?????

I don't think everyone has to actually have an entire MRI performed - just go through the motions. Get on the table, get moved into the machine and see what it feels like. It could easily be done as part of a radiology class in med school. I wouldn't be surprised if some schools already do it. It wouldn't cost much of anything except paying a tech to be there, and that could come out of tuition money.

 

[disneysteve]

Just to update the thread, I got the report this morning. No major damage. A very small partial rotator cuff tear, some fluid in the bursa and just some general inflammation. I spoke with one of the orthopedists and reviewed it with him. He said it isn't something that will need surgery, just physical therapy, anti-inflammatory meds and time to heal.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Just to update the thread, I got the report this morning. No major damage. A very small partial rotator cuff tear, some fluid in the bursa and just some general inflammation. I spoke with one of the orthopedists and reviewed it with him. He said it isn't something that will need surgery, just physical therapy, anti-inflammatory meds and time to heal.

 

[disfan07]

I have to get one done of my brain on tuesday. It's my 3rd one in about 2 years. I was fine the first and the second time. The third time, they ended up having to call my doctor from the hospital to get permission to give me a sedative. They ended up giving me ativan.

This time, i made sure to get some xanax to take beforehand....xanax and a nice lunch before the MRI at jerry's deli and I'm very happy