CT scan for hip and pelvis?

gidgetgh · ‎03-09-2010

Forgive me for being wordy. And please be gentle. I'm upset.

I had 2 falls (stupid stuff) in mid January and landed on my left hip both times. Direct hit to the hip. I seemed to be fine both times and just kept an eye on it. Since mid January I've been fine.

I went walking with a friend yesterday and it's really the first time I've done exercise since the fall. I followed that up by immediately going to Target and then grocery shopping so a lot of walking. I got home, sat down and the pain started. Mostly in my lower back and my left hip. Pretty intense, mostly in the lower back and out of nowhere. So, I called the local large orthopedic practice close by and they had me come in.

They took a bunch of x rays of my hips, pelvis, lower and mid back. All were normal. So the doctor said let's try physical therapy. Fine. So I'm standing there, keys in hand, ready to leave and he said well, let's do some scans of your left hip and pelvis just to make sure. MRI's.

The dreaded MRI word. I am extremely claustrophobic and can't lie flat because of vertigo issues. I knew from experience that the imaging place I use, for the lower back, you sit up and it's totally open, like a phone booth. I have no problem at all with that. Breezed right through it when I've had scans there before. I asked the doctor to consider doing the lower back instead because that's where the pain is I'd be able to get through the MRI easily and he said no. Now, keep in mind, that I literally was on my way out the door when this thought of doing the MRI came to him. I was 5 seconds away from being gone. So it wasn't his first thought.

I came home and called the imaging place and talked to them and they said that it will be 2 scans, 1 hour each and that for these, I will have to lie totally flat. They can't even prop my head up. They'll get me up after an hour, give me a minute to walk around before starting the second scan. There is just no way I can do it. And this is an open MRI.

I've done some reading tonight about doing a CT scan instead of an MRI and that appears to be doable. I've done ct scans before and can handle those.

So, after all my rambling, my question is, has anyone ever had a CT scan instead of an MRI for the hips and pelvis?

Please don't tell me to "just" close my eyes and get through it or put a cloth over my eyes or think happy thoughts. When you are claustrophobic and have anxiety about it that just won't work. And then you add the vertigo. And my vertigo can be pretty intense and is predictable. If I lie flat, I'm going to have vertigo. I could just cry. Even if they gave me Ativan to calm me down, I still couldn't lie flat.

Why is it, when I have a 50/50 guess at something, I'm always 100% wrong?

4kitties · ‎03-09-2010

I have never had an MRI and can offer no advice, but I did have a bout of vertigo once and it is horrible.

I hope the doctor and/or technicians are able to offer you a solution.

🤞🤞🤞🤞

“I heard the sound I had to follow”
In Your Wildest Dreams by Justin Hayward

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Sorry, but the precise images the doctor is looking for are only available in an MRI.

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@gidgetgh

So sorry you have to deal with this.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

spiderw · ‎06-14-2010

I sympathize and understand as I also cannot lie flat because of vertigo. Also I would have to have an open MRI. I have had a phobia with anything medical since I was a youngster. It causes much anxiety.

About a year ago, my DH was going for an MRI. Mind you he had many before but now cannot stand the claustrophobic feeling. As I recall, the hospital where he would have the MRI had the option of putting him under anesthesia for the procedure. I don't know if that would apply to you but you can ask the doctor if it does.

I wish you the best and hope you can resolve your situation without further anxiety and stress.

shoechic · ‎06-10-2015

Would lorazepam help? Maybe the doc could prescribe a couple just for the day. Take in the morning & when you get to the place. That stuff makes me not care about anything (I have real bad anxiety)!

pupwhipped · ‎03-11-2010

Well, it doesn't sound like a "must do" kind of thing so I would calm myself down and choose not to do the MRI at this time. Commit to the physical therapy and see if that helps. If it doesn't help and you continue to suffer then rethink and reinvent at that point. @gidgetgh, it will be alright.

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

@pupwhipped I agree with you. Go for the therapy first - - it doesn't sound like a must do at this time.

Doctors get a flash idea with minimal thought - Oh, let's do this - Try that.

I would refuse - try the other and see how it goes.

Good Luck

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

@gidgetgh You absolutely do NOT have to do them or anything your doctor suggests. YOU are in charge of your body and you should decide what you will do and not do. Based on what you said, I would not agree to do it. You MUST be your own advocate.

Bri369 · ‎11-03-2018

@gidgetgh

I'm sorry you're going through all of this. If you absolutely cannot do it, you cannot do it. Continue with physical therapy and I hope things improve for you. I would in no uncertain terms have a test like if you know you cannot handle it.