YIKES--I'm Having an MRI Today--Update Post #22

[Christine]

So, are these MRIs all that bad??? I've heard horror stories about "the tube."

I've been having lower back pain (left side) for well over a year. My GP gave me an order for an MRI back in November. With all the other health issues I had starting in November and through the holidays, I just couldn't deal with it.

I called the MRI center this morning thinking I'd get an appointment sometime next week. Well, they had three openings TODAY. I just decided to do it since I am already off work today and there is no sense having this stuff hanging over my head.

Now, how do I stop being a nervous wreck for the rest of the day? I can't take anything because I have no one to drive me.

Is it that bad?

 

[bananiem]

Tell yourself you'll be fine. Take calming breaths. If they do your lower back your head may be out of the tube. If you get frightened they will talk to you through a speaker. My last one was awhile ago and I'm claustrophobic but I made it through. It makes clunking noises but it's all contained and you just lay there. They may ask you to hold your breath at times. If they do your head they MAY put a cage-like mask over your face. That I will not do again without valium! If you think you'd like to be sedated for it ask them to re-schedule so you can have someone drive you home. They prefer to have you calm.

 

[Christine]

Tell yourself you'll be fine. Take calming breaths. If they do your lower back your head may be out of the tube.

This is what I am hoping. My co-worker had a lower back one done and she said her feet went in first. I am having L1-L5 and pelvic--two studies. I really hope my feet go in first.

 

[disneynutt1225]

Don't get your hopes up about your feet going in first. I herniated a disc three years ago on my L4 and L5 and I went in head first. I honestly have to say, it wasn't that bad. Just remember to stay calm, and breathe! They'll tell you when they're almost done, what they're doing now, etc. I was singing songs in my head and making lists of things I had to do at the time. Just remember, breathe!!!

 

[Nite0wl71]

I haven't had an MRI but my DD has had about 50 or so. It is really loud, it always sounded like a jack hammer. Some play music for you and let you have a light on if you want. Good luck

 

[golfgal]

CT scans are worse then MRI's. Many MRI machines are more open these days. The CT scans I have had give you about 3" of space.

 

[AZKathy]

They are no big deal. You go in head first (at least that is how I went in for lumbar series three times). They give you music to listen to and they communicate with you all the time. You also get an emergency button to push in case you have a problem. If you have a plain one without contrast, it should not take more than 20 minutes or so. If the closed in feeling gets to you with being in the tube, just close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and enjoy the music. You can do it!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I had a brain MRI recently and it wasn't that bad. Noisy with all the clicking sounds, but I wore earplugs that they provided and it was fine. Rather boring, actually. It was an open MRI, but I don't recall it being too different than anther MRI that I'd had probably 4-5 years before.

 

[Christine]

They are no big deal. You go in head first (at least that is how I went in for lumbar series three times). They give you music to listen to and they communicate with you all the time. You also get an emergency button to push in case you have a problem. If you have a plain one without contrast, it should not take more than 20 minutes or so. If the closed in feeling gets to you with being in the tube, just close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and enjoy the music. You can do it!

There is no contrast. The person on the phone told me that the lumbar study should take about 10-15 minutes and the pelvic study would take 20-25 minutes.

Oh, why do I do this to myself....

 

[Jeafl]

I just had an MRI of my brain last week. It wasn't bad at all, mostly because it was an open MRI. I still went in head first, but my eyes were closed, so I couldn't tell where I was anyway. It does sound like a jackhammer, but most places will play music.

Incidentally, I also had one for my back a few years ago when I broke a disc. They do take quite a bit longer. Hopefully you are going to an open MRU place, that does make it a lot easier.

 

[Lesleyluvdisney]

You'll be fine. I suffered a spinal injury 10 years ago resulting in a fracture in my neck, I have to go for MRI's periodically. I know what you mean though the thought of being in there is a bit icky, you can get yourself hyped a bit, buit its not the least bit painful or uncomfortable - so stay calm, and try and lose yourself in happy thoughts! like Walking up Main Street USA, strolling down Sunset Boulevard.!!

Hope it goes OK

Les
x

 

[Christine]

Hopefully you are going to an open MRU place, that does make it a lot easier.

No, this is not an open MRI and, in fact, my doctor advised against doing it. He said that the study with an open MRI is not as good as the "old fashioned" kind.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I've had 2 MRI's and they weren't too bad other than the pain of laying on my back for an hour straight. I had ruptered discs in my lower back and was unable to lay flat on my back for almost a year so by time I had to have the MRI the pain was terrible. I shouldn't have put it off for so long but I had no insurance for a while and MRI's cost thousands! I think it's better to get it out of the way now than to wait, the problem may get worse then you will have to deal with pain on top of the akwardness of the scan. For my 2nd MRI they had to give me valium to keep me still & calm because I was in so much pain. The space confinement isn't too bad unless you're extremely claustrophobic, the noises are loud but just take some deep breaths and it will be over before you know it!

If it helps...my scans were on my lower back discs L4, L5- S1, etc. I had a closed MRI and my whole body was in the tube, I went in head first.

 

[golfgal]

I actually took a nap during one of mine. The twins were about 4 months old and I was tired (partially becasue of thyroid issues too). The techs said that was great if I slept, they prefer it because people don't move then.

 

[Christine]

I actually took a nap during one of mine. The twins were about 4 months old and I was tired (partially becasue of thyroid issues too). The techs said that was great if I slept, they prefer it because people don't move then.

Don't think THAT will be happening! I guess my biggest problem is that I get a lot of "anticipatory anxiety" even when it isn't warranted. I don't know why and I cannot help it. I know this MRI is not going to hurt and I'm not even especially claustrophobic--I guess I'm just nervous...period.

Well, it doesn't sound like I'll be going in feet first, but I think that would be a nice surprise if I did.

 

[Lesleyluvdisney]

You will be fine Christine!

The fear of the unknown is worse than the actual event. It'll be over before you know it!

Sending you happy thoughts!!

Les
xx

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have not had MRI's, Marie has. She is claustrophobic. Tried open MRI first, results not conclusive, needed 'regular' one. They gave her a relaxing sedative, she did great. You'll do fine, Christine, just make sure to relate to the technicians any concerns. 's

 

[Lesleyluvdisney]

Hi Dan,

Going off topic here a bit, but just found you last night, when saying hi to Linda-Aux. Your photos are fab, we spent an hour last night lookiing through them. We are returning to the world in September for our honeymoon. Do you have in pictures of Soarin', also where is it placed in EPCOT? Thanks for taking the time to share

Les
x

 

[horseshowmom]

I had a MRI to identify my herniated disk (lower back). I told them up front that I was claustrophobic and nervous. They gave me a choice of going in head first or feet first. I chose feet first. Although all of me went in, I was able to tilt my head back to see outside.

Most of the time, I kept my eyes closed and forced myself to focus on thinking about something in particular. I was in there for about a hour. Since I'm not a small women, everything was pretty close in there.

I completely understand how you feel. I had several days to work myself into a panic and was scared nearly to death. It really wasn't anything as bad as I expected, and I wouldn't be anything near as nervous if I had to have another one.

Good Luck!

 

[Towncrier]

I work for one of the major players in the manufacture of MRI units and I used to volunteer for scans all the time. I am slightly claustrophobic, but had absolutely no problem in the Philips MRI scanner. I actually prefer the old fashioned models because the so-called open MRI's are really only open on the sides. I felt more closed in when having an open MRI done than when I went into the traditional unit.

My advice to you is to close your eyes and relax. Pretend that you are at a Stomp concert and think of all the bangs and hums as music. I often used the foam earplugs to soften the sounds and I really did fall asleep on at least a couple of occasions.

You'll be fine. Honest!!!