Wellness

[colliemom4]

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@proudlyfromNJ wrote:

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@colliemom4 wrote:

I just kept my eyes shut. I wasn't given the option to hear any music and the machine was very loud. It sounded like a space ship at times lol. There is a person there and you can signal to them if you are having anxiety about the test. I didn't like it but it wasn't uncomfortable. It didn't take as long as they said it would either.

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@colliemom4  My husband had one yesterday and said the noise was so loud he would never have another one and he has had other ones.

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@proudlyfromNJ  In this day and age you'd think they could make quieter machines.

[Sooner]

You can do it!  I did it for two and I am very unhappy in small spaces.

Before you go, practice just closing your eyes and saying to yourself "I am fine"  "I am fine"  "I am going to take a breath and relax because I am just fine!"

And just do that if you start to get tense.  Eyes open or closed--whatever makes you feel best at the moment.  And relax.  Take a breath. 

[KateE]

I suffer from anxiety and don't like closed or half closed spaces, so for me I get i.v., sedation otherwise, it's not happening.

[hckynut]

@MOMMAVik 

Have had many an MRI and they were never a problem for me. Some that are claustrophobic may have a problem with these and other types of body scans.

The doctor that ordered this MRI should be your best source of information, since she/he probably knows if you need a sedative to make this easier for you.

Hope it goes well for you and your doctor gets to the source of what is causing your pain. Once that is known what needs to be next for you should be known.

I have had 2 lumbar surgeries. One removed my L-5/S-1 discs, the other my L-3 disc. Didn't effect my lifestyle then after I was healed and recovered, or now, decades later.

Best wishes to you,

hckynut 

[aubnwa01]

I've had quite a few MRIs over the years after a mass called a cavernous hemangioma was found sitting on the optic nerve behind my right eye when I was having a test done by a neurologist of my head for something else back in 2004.  They didn't know what it was at first & I had to get an MRI done with & without contrast every so often for several years to monitor it to see if there were any changes. 

It generally took about 45 minutes each time.  It had been stable for a long time & was even smaller at the last one about 3 years ago, but I think I'm about due for one the next time I see my opthalmologist, who monitors it.

I just had an MRI a couple of months ago for back problems & this one was done w/o contrast & it was done in a different machine & room than when they did the ones of my head.

I'm not claustrophobic, but the 1st time or so, I did feel a little anxious inside the machine, but I told myself, I'm just in a machine at the imaging center & nothing is going to harm me.  I generally just close my eyes & let my mind drift, I guess like meditating?  The most recent one of my back, I asked if I could have a blanket over my bare feet, as it was chilly in the room & it was fine.

The very first time I had the one done of my head when they didn't know what it was yet I had a bad cold, with a tickly throat & the tech kept telling me to be still because I couldn't keep from coughing inside the tube & they didn't want anything in my mouth during the test  I kept having to tell her to roll me out to cough, because I was afraid I'd bang my head in the tube if I coughed too hard!  She was getting irritated with me, but it wasn't like I could control it.  Finally, she had enough pictures that she could give me a lozenge to help calm my throat & cough, so she could finish up the test.

[Pooky1]

Mommavik.  Wishing you good luck and I always take something for pain because laying down for the text can make your back pretty soar. MRI test have gotten faster over the years. My first MRI was 18 years ago for my brain and spine.I was I there for 2 and a half hours. Good luck with your MRI and the test results of it. Let us know how you make out with it.

[Shelbelle]

The facility made me undress, gave me scrubs to wear and then warm socks and a blanket, so wear what you want to your appt, chances are it comes off anyway. 

Just go in with an open mind that it is fine, no need for anxiety, and certainly there is no pain involved.  Dont stress over it in the least. 

[violann]

@Love my grandkids  "Eyes closed" worked for me too.

[zitawins]

I, too am very claustrophobic and have had several MRIs. I take a valium beforehand (you'll need a driver to take you home). All the advice here is good. It doesn't last too long, but the noise is loud! At any time you can signal your distress if necessary and they'll stop the machine.

I pray the rosary internally while I'm in the tube. It calms me.

If you need this test, don't hesitate. It's not all that bad.

[matty liz]

Had 3.  I was fearfull but what I did was keep my eyes closed and counted.  I know that sounds silly but I would give myself a goal to count to and it helped and pretty soon they said all over and I was glad.  You'll do good and it helps them help you