topic Re: Shoulder MRI in Wellness

Shoulder MRI

nanny24 — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:13:57 GMT

I am to have an MRI of my shoulder this week, possible torn rotator cuff, and never have had one, except my knee, and that was a breeze, just slipped my leg into a cuff, and sat still. If anyone has had a shoulder MRI, could you please describe it? I'm somewhat claustrophobic, so I am thinking I need a sedative, is that a possibility? I am going to call the clinic before I go and ask questions, but woud like some input from anyone that has had this done.Thanks!

Re: Shoulder MRI

I am still oxox — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:25:19 GMT

My hubby had the stand up one and he said it was a breeze

Re: Shoulder MRI

RetRN — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:34:31 GMT

I had a torn bicep tendon and had 2 MRI's of my upper arm. I am also claustrophobic so had my Dr. prescribe a med to take prior to the test. It was very effective and the procedure was very simple. I certainly didn't stand up for it. Was assisted onto the table and entered the tube. The staff talked to me throughout to help keep me at ease. You have absolutely nothing to fear.

Re: Shoulder MRI

PamfromCT — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:32:49 GMT

You will be fine! If you are very nervous, perhaps your doc could prescribe something “to take the edge off.” I am very claustrophobic, and I do understand your fears. You will be fine!

Re: Shoulder MRI

89135 — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:52:20 GMT

@nanny24 I am also extremely claustophobic..but have had to have a couple MRI's and I went to Opensided MRI here in Las Vegas...They only are in about 3 or 4 states..I believe las vegas, denver, california and louisville.. I also went and looked at it before I went so I new about it...it wasnt bad since I could see out the sides ..not sure I could do the other kind and really dont want to take any meds.....I think one of my MRI's was for a frozen shoulder (which I never heard of before and thought it was torn rotator cuff)..check their website if you want..www.osmri.com

You probably dont have where you live and I am so glad they have one here..Ask if you can come first and try it out...And by the way, Insurance didnt pay but I didnt care...I think it cost me 350...alot cheaper than if they bill insurance...

Re: Shoulder MRI

Mombo1 — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:46:20 GMT

@nanny24 wrote:
I am to have an MRI of my shoulder this week, possible torn rotator cuff, and never have had one, except my knee, and that was a breeze, just slipped my leg into a cuff, and sat still. If anyone has had a shoulder MRI, could you please describe it? I'm somewhat claustrophobic, so I am thinking I need a sedative, is that a possibility? I am going to call the clinic before I go and ask questions, but woud like some input from anyone that has had this done.Thanks!

@nanny24 I was really reluctant to respond to your post because of my recent experience with an MRI. I had never had one and wish I had asked more questions before I had it done. Mine was for a problem I have had with an ear since I was child.
I was enclosed in a tube that covered my head and face for 45 minutes. It was a terrible experience for me . I never realized I was that claustrophobic....but I do now! I'm not sure how much of your body will be enclosed for the shoulder...but if includes the head...please get as much input as possible and ask questions before you go. Hopefully someone who has had the shoulder MRI will respond as well. Better to know what to expect than to be surprised like a I was.

Re: Shoulder MRI

hckynut — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:59:56 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
My hubby had the stand up one and he said it was a breeze

@I am still oxox

Didn't know they had those kind. I have had an MRI twice on my shoulder, both with the well known "tube".

Between an MRI and CAT Scans I've lost count of my number. For those not claustrophobic, the only issues some may find a tiny bit uncomfortable! One that use a "contrasting" material injection. There are different types and most of them produce different reactions in different people. I found none of them to be painful.

hckynut 🏒

Re: Shoulder MRI

gizmogal — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:58:00 GMT

I had a shoulder MRI done some years ago. The machine makes a lot of noise. It's pretty loud, so I was somewhat startled at first, maybe for a moment. But after a while I dozed (like I do on airplanes) for the 40 minutes or so it took for the entire process. The technician came in and tapped me back to alertness, though I should have noticed that the machine had quieted!

I didn't find it claustrophobic, and I was much more interested in how it worked and what the sensation of noise and vibration was like than to be affected by the somewhat confining "tunnel" aspect of it. At the time I had to undergo an MRI, these facilities had not yet come to be supplying patients with headphones and music to keep them relaxed or subdued. That's offered more often these days and you might be given the option of audio and music you prefer.

Ask in advance about the entire process of how you will be handled, what to wear (they usually supply a gown, so you want to wear clothing that's easy on and off). Leave your jewelry home, including watch and earrings. No metal is allowed in the MRI room.

If you close your eyes and listen to music (if available), you have less feeling of being shut in or surrounded, but maybe that's too glib a piece of advice. I'm sure they can oblige with a sedative to help you. In that case, they will very likely expect you to have someone to drive you home, so do call in advance about the policy or availability of sedation for those who are discomforted by the confinement inside the machine.

I approach any test or external processes that I know are not invasive or painful (like x-rays, MRI, cardiograms, etc) with no anxiety and a great deal of curiosity and awe at the science. I get more anxious if I know there's any poking, sticking, or predictable pain included! But I am not suggesting my standards or tolerance might apply to everyone.

Perhaps some reading will give you a better notion or help set expectations:

https://radiology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/prepare/mri

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/about/pac-20384768

I hope I've helped to make you better prepared. Best of luck with what ails you. Hoping you hear a good outcome.

Re: Shoulder MRI

SeaMaiden — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 15:17:14 GMT

@nanny24 I felt the same way when I had one done on my shoulder....they do play your choice of music...and they have good cool air flow so you feel better. The pounding though is SO LOUD. That the music is virtually worthless.

It is just still REALLY LOUD even with ear plugs and ear sound covers over your ears.

the fellow doing the MRI will talk you through it...and ask how you are...at any point you can ask to be pulled out if necessary. So you are never left alone in the machine. He tells you what is next and how many minutes....that helps a lot

I found shutting my eyes helped me. ..I used an eye mask ...bring a eye mask perhaps to help cover your eyes.

just do it. It is no big deal...and I was the biggest baby!

Re: Shoulder MRI

BlueFinch — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 15:22:10 GMT

I think even for those not claustrophobic, that the MRI tunnel can be foreboding, but generally tolerable for most. I sent many acute Psych patients for MRI's and even they managed to comply with reassurance, although sometimes a mild anxiety med was administered.

I've had MRI's of my cervical and lumbar spine. My issues are the discomfort of the hard, cold table and necessity to lie still through completion. If you can't get comfortable and you're in pain, it's challenging.

Then, there's the noise level. I was given ear plugs, but it's still almost unbearably loud. I just kept reminding myself that while it seemed like forever, it really wasn't. It helped that the staff would give updates of how many minutes were left at intervals. Just when I felt like -- I've got to shift my body, I'm hurting here, I'd get an update that we were over the hump, or closing in on completion. That helped me ride it out.

I think you will be fine. Just keep reminding yourself that the temporary discomfort is worth it to identify the problem and begin healing treatments. Hopefully with a great outcome.

Re: Shoulder MRI

bonappetit — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 16:46:40 GMT

hckynut, do you realize your font is HUGE!!!

Re: Shoulder MRI

hckynut — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 17:10:49 GMT

@bonappetit wrote:
hckynut, do you realize your font is HUGE!!!

@bonappetit

Yes. I was using a 4 font for a long time, but recently many of my posts ended up in a 2 or 3 font, which for me is way too small. So I am gonna stick with 5 for now.

I accidentally had a 7 in 1 of my posts, not sure why. Of the 2 options? I was always told "bigger is better" of the 2 options.

Glad you pointed that out as I was going to say something about it, but now I that won't be necessary. Thank you.

hckynut 🏒

Re: Shoulder MRI

Still Raining — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 17:35:21 GMT

Gathering scare stories from this board is not useful.

I have had many, a MRA every 3 months to track the growth of an aneurysm, several up and down the back/neck, for radioactive tracing, and for stroke care. They are not so bad.

Ask for ear plugs, music of your choice, a cloth for your eyes and a heated blanket. If you wish you can preorder something for nerves, just be sure have a ride home.

Told DD to just lie back and think of England. She laughed all the way back.

Re: Shoulder MRI

hooked on books — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:40:10 GMT

An eye mask worked great for me! It really helps you feel less claustrophobic. A mild sedative would help you too. Wishing you the best of luck!

Re: Shoulder MRI

nanny24 — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 11:04:47 GMT

Thanks to all for your tips/insight. MRI is Wednesday.Hope everyone is staying safe!

Re: Shoulder MRI

Deree — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 20:55:05 GMT

I've had a couple for my upper body including one for shoulder. I can manage the close quarters so can't relate to true claustrophobia but what you definitely want to ask is if music can be piped in through headphones or just to wear plain headphones as the various sounds of the machine can be intimidating and extremely loud to the point of discomfort. There are sequences of various sounds -- pinging, knocking, buzzing, banging. If they can't provide headphones ask if you can bring your own or else earplugs. To me that's very necessary. I just close my eyes before going into the machine and keep them closed, relax my body and meditate. For my second MRI I almost fell asleep.

Re: Shoulder MRI

KonaKat — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 13:49:58 GMT

I had one on my shoulder on March 30. Instsructions for preparing for the day were provided in advance. I was provided headphones and choice of music. I closed my eyes and relaxed, so I don't even know when I went into the tube. It definitely was less noisy than the one I had several years ago. It lasted about 45 minutes but the technician talked to me at various intervals.

I got the results but because of elective surgeries being postponed until safe to do, I haven't even seen the ortho face to face but his nurse did go over the MRI with me. I had already seen the results on line but she made the results a little clearer.

Re: Shoulder MRI

embgm — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:43:16 GMT

I will be honest when I had my first MRI as soon as I was rolled into the machine and opened my eyes I told them to roll me out. They did immediately. The tube was so close to my face I felt I couldn’t breathe. They calmed me down and put glasses on me and rolled me back in. I opened my eyes and the special glasses were mirrored and I could see a picture of a beach instead of the inside of the machine. They told me to think of my next vacation at that beach. They played music and I was good. The next MRI I had I went to a facility that had open MRI machines and had it done there.

Re: Shoulder MRI

colliemom4 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:47:48 GMT

I never got music. The noise is worse than anything.

Re: Shoulder MRI

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:31:08 GMT

I had a shoulder MRI about 2 years ago. I had shoulder pain and other issues from what was initially diagnosed as frozen shoulder but he wanted to be sure. I personally found the MRI to be uncomfortable pain wise but not horrible. But my arm/shoulder was in a position that made things a little painful.

I was in a full machine but this was my second MRI inside that machine and it just doesn't bother me at all. I close my eyes as soon as the bed starts to move into the tube. I have headphones on with music of my choice and I keep my eyes closed the entire time, until they start moving me back out out. Even with headphones I can still hear the noise though. Again, it doesn't bother me.