MRI with contrast...FREAKING OUT! **UPDATE p.4 - Thanks to all of you! :)

[mookie]

I have to have a brain and cervical MRI with the dye contrast. I have been putting off the appt and finally am going in on Thurs. The worst part is that I also have to have a lumbar one done also, and because it's so much, I have to go back for that one a week later! I'm freaking out already....don't know how I'm going to get through one, let alone TWO MRI's in one week!!!

Any reassurance from my DIS buddies would be great. I'm especially nervous about the dye injection....I've heard so many side effect horror stories. I'm literally shaking as I write this and the appt is 4 days away!

 

[mjkacmom]

I've had a few, and I was fine (I wasn't nervous going in). If it's what I'm thinking it is, the dye will make you feel like you wet your pants.

 

[Christine]

I thought the MRI with contrast was not done with a dye but with "Gadolinum" (geez, I know that I got that wrong for the spelling). I've known a few people who've had it and they don't feel anything as they do with the dye used on a CT scan (which makes you feel hot and like you have to go to the bathroom).

 

[mookie]

I thought the MRI with contrast was not done with a dye but with "Gadolinum" (geez, I know that I got that wrong for the spelling). I've known a few people who've had it and they don't feel anything as they do with the dye used on a CT scan (which makes you feel hot and like you have to go to the bathroom).

Yep....that's the stuff! Good to know it's not as bad as the CT dye, but still for some reason doesn't calm my nerves! I'm such a dang baby when it comes to this stuff. My DH tells me to look on the bright side....I'm having so much done that I will DEFINITELY know if I'm messed up in some way or another.

 

[jftsmt]

OP - I understand! I too have a hard time with MRIs. When I have them, the MRI tech has me listen to music. Also, I wear an eyecover (almost like a sleeping mask, I guess) before I'm put into the MRI. This is very helpful to me at least. I've been told that I can take something beforehand, but I've not done this.
I hope this helps!

 

[Shutterbug]

I have them with and without...no problems at all.
If you are having that much trouble and can have someone to drive you home, maybe you can call the doctor that wrote the MRI for you have them prescribe a Valium for you.

I just try to look at is nap time! woot!

Is it a closed or open MRI?

 

[mookie]

I have them with and without...no problems at all.
If you are having that much trouble and can have someone to drive you home, maybe you can call the doctor that wrote the MRI for you have them prescribe a Valium for you.

I just try to look at is nap time! woot!

Is it a closed or open MRI?

It's closed because they said it offers better results. I tried for an open, but they wouldn't got for it...which is also probably why I am dreading this.

 

[Christine]

It's closed because they said it offers better results. I tried for an open, but they wouldn't got for it...which is also probably why I am dreading this.

Hopefully you will be okay.

I am a pretty anxious person prone to anxiety attacks. Sure, I get real nervous before the MRI; however, once I get in the tube and it starts I'm okay. The only time you might not be okay is if you are a true claustrophobic (apparently claustrophobia is NOT one of my anxiety issues.). If you know that you have problem with that, ask your doc for a script for valium or xanax. It's very common to do that.

Also know that all the machines I've been in have been white inside with light. They usually have mirrors places inside so that you can see behind you. While the space is tight, you don't feel like you're in a tomb.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I hate MRIs also. I had two in two days once and now I have to have them yearly. It's the longest hour of my year. I worry about the dye, too, but I've never had any problems at all from it. This year I never even knew it went in.

They give you a call bell to keep with you in the machine. Nobody can tell how badly you're white knuckling it. Just know it's there if you need anything. They also talk to you during the test to let you know how long each segment will last. "This one's going to be 4 minutes", etc.

I don't like wearing headphones or eye covers. But I have to wear earplugs, which is fine. I've learned to meditate about my favorite things while I'm in there (it's forced, but it's better than sitting there worrying). You might want to practice doing that before your tests, it really does help.

Good luck. I really don't know too many people who like these types of tests. But we're really fortunate we live in a day and age where we have them.

Good luck.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You could be my 13yodd who passes out with stuff like this. She is a joy.

19yodd have her heart done 2 yrs ago. It was several injections of contrast spaced out. Now she was not really nervous but she got thru it OK. She has a repaired heart defect and we had to check her leakage.

We all hate tests. The good thing about them is that when they are over you feel SOOOO much better.

Good Luck!!!!!!

 

[Ppufi]

I was stressed about the MRI I had last week, but only because I was told there wouldn't be a contrast, only to be told heading into the room there would be! I was pissed!

Mine was done at a children's hospital, and they had these goggles that displayed a movie which really helped, otherwise I would've freaked. But the contrast was just a little tingly. I hope yours goes well!

 

[mookie]

I was stressed about the MRI I had last week, but only because I was told there wouldn't be a contrast, only to be told heading into the room there would be! I was pissed!

Mine was done at a children's hospital, and they had these goggles that displayed a movie which really helped, otherwise I would've freaked. But the contrast was just a little tingly. I hope yours goes well!

The only thing I know is that it won't be an Open MRI, there will be the yukky contrast stuff, and they (hopefully!) will have their Sirrus Radio back up and running by the time I get there. (she said it's broken right now....greeeeaaat.)

Just talked to my neuro and they are sending over a prescrip for Valium. Hopefully that will help.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Aww, I know it sounds scary but it really isn't. I have really weird migraines so i get MRI's with contrast about once a year whenever an eye goes blind, I smell hallucinate or to follow up on the brain spots I have from the headaches.

The machine is loud so music works but books on tape don't. They should even have CD player there they can pump in for you so bring your own in case the satellite is down.

They rest your head loosely in an open helmet sort of thing to keep it steady. You can move if you need to but it will only make them re-do the section, which is why the sedative is very good. Take it about a half hour before the procedure so you are relaxed. you will be laying on a long operating room type table which slides in & out. It usually gets very cold in there to keep the machines cold so dress warm with warm socks, I always do. Where very comfy clothes so you don't feel the need to reposition yourself.

Once you are in there the tech can talk to you and see you, and you can hear him/her and probably look around the room with a little mirror affixed in the helmut thing. Focus on the mirror, it's calming, or close your eyes and rest. Once the test starts it will sound like a loud whirring around you as the machine spins itself inside the metal casing it's made of, you can't see it but you sure can hear it. The test runs in increments as they do sections with little breaks in between.

The will probably give you the IV when they start the procedure but won't actually inject the contrast into the line until the 2nd half. they have always pulled me out for the injection.

I don't know what hoopla you've heard about the contrast but it's no biggie wow wow in my experience, and I've had it plenty. Basically they just inject the stuff into the IV line that is already there. The sensation only lasts seconds (I'll say one minute to be generous) and seems gone in a blink of an eye. I guess the closest sensation could be described as though you went to the bathroom but I really think that's a bit of a dramatization. It just feels like a warmth spreading from those parts and then it's gone. Also, you are quite in control of your bladder, it's a fake sensation, that's all but I guess it would be alarming if you weren't warned so that's why they do it.

Good luck and try to stay calm about it, sometimes people make things out to be much worse than they are. No matter what the Valium will help, just don't take too much and try to drive home because it's potent.

 

[JessicaR]

Just talked to my neuro and they are sending over a prescrip for Valium. Hopefully that will help.

That should be very helpful.

Try not to worry and remember it will be over before you know it. I won't say no biggie but for me, and I've had many, no biggie. Wishing you a very easy quick time of it!

 

[bumbershoot]

It's closed because they said it offers better results. I tried for an open, but they wouldn't got for it...which is also probably why I am dreading this.

It's probably for the best. DH was trying to get a pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) diagnosed, and they started with an open MRI. They said "it's a good image, but we didn't visualize the pituitary". I flat out told them "since the pituitary is what you were trying to get, that's the definition of a BAD image". They smiled. Anyway, a week later DH got to get the closed MRI, and had to go over an hour away b/c he's a big guy and they needed the bigger machine. That got the pituitary. Shoulda started with the closed.

They pulled him out to give the contrast; he didn't say anything about having an IV for it though.

 

[mickeygirl14]

I'll second the PPs that suggested the valium...worked wonders for me. I am a very anxious person...it did help me relax, but I was a bear to be around once it started wearing off.
The eye mask probably isn't a bad idea either...and some good earplugs. They give you some, but if you have better ones, take them.
The contrast stuff didn't bother me too much - and I was pretty concerned about it. It did feel cold and left a metallic taste in my mouth later in the day, but no other side effects.
I hope all turns out okay!

 

[jfoofj]

One word: ATIVAN

Ok, more words, becaue I can never stop at one... they will give you an eye mask, and prob ear buds to listen to music. When I had my MRI I was listening to some relaxing music, chilling out. The mask helps because if you do open your eyes you just see the mask, not the MRI machine so you don't freak out. It will be ok... really. They are used to people being nervous and do their best to calm you down so they can get a good study quickly.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

It's probably for the best. DH was trying to get a pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) diagnosed, and they started with an open MRI. They said "it's a good image, but we didn't visualize the pituitary". I flat out told them "since the pituitary is what you were trying to get, that's the definition of a BAD image". They smiled. Anyway, a week later DH got to get the closed MRI, and had to go over an hour away b/c he's a big guy and they needed the bigger machine. That got the pituitary. Shoulda started with the closed.

They pulled him out to give the contrast; he didn't say anything about having an IV for it though.

I had a pituitary tumor, and have had an MRI with contrast many times over the years. I had the tumor removed in 1993, but I have to have a follow up MRI with contrast every 1-2 years to check for regrowth. The dye is in an IV, but it has never caused any problems for me.

 

[JessicaR]

One word: ATIVAN

Ok, more words, becaue I can never stop at one... they will give you an eye mask, and prob ear buds to listen to music. When I had my MRI I was listening to some relaxing music, chilling out. The mask helps because if you do open your eyes you just see the mask, not the MRI machine so you don't freak out. It will be ok... really. They are used to people being nervous and do their best to calm you down so they can get a good study quickly.

Just wondering why Ativan and not Valium? Thanks

 

[Christine]

Just wondering why Ativan and not Valium? Thanks

I'm not the person who posted Ativan but I think that type of benzo (Ativan or Xanax) is much better at reducing anxiety than Valium. Valium tends to work more on the muscles and gives you a more slow and drugged feeling while Ativan and Xanax work more on the mindset if that makes sense.