What experiences have people had with MRI's? Closed vs. open? Standup MRI? Did you use sedatives? If so, do they make your gait problems worse? Did the earplugs work?
My very first MRI was in July 2010 at a place called "Stand Up MRI". After finding out there's nothing to be afraid of but there's no point in having a TV in front of a machine that noisy (I think ZZ Top and a show about motorcycles were on but I couldn't hear them) the technician rushed in to say "are you ok? you were moving." I suspect I fell asleep. This meant it took longer because they had to retake some of the pictures.
My next one was a lumbar/spinal MRI in October 2010, an old fashioned "lie down" MRI. The "closed" tube. The dr. prescribed 2 mg of Atavan. I couldn't even walk from the waiting room to the tube. My husband and the technician had to help me. I was more or less asleep the whole time.
At the time I had never had an IV of any kind and was very nervous about getting one. (Don't laugh.) I imagined that after awhile they gave me an injection of the contrast fluid, which for some reason didn't worry me as much, as I'd had injections before. Instead of thinking "oh no, i have to get into a scary coffin!" I thought "I think I'll just lie down in this cozy tube." I also think I dreamed that I was Snow White in her glass coffin. My husband, who did not kiss me to wake me up, says he pretty much had to carry, or at least steer me, to and from the bus to get home.
Next they ordered another brain MRI, which I had in January 2011. I told the dr. that 2mg Atavan had been a bit much, so he prescribed 1mg. It didn't do much, except further mess up my already messed up ability to walk. The technician talked me through it, saying "this scan will take ten minutes." and "now another five minutes." This time I knew they used an IV for the contrast. I had imagined (or dreamed) the injection. When it was over, and I took out the earplugs they give you, i realized they really do work. I had been afraid of the noise because I didn't believe those little ear plugs really did anything.
I decided I preferred the tube where falling asleep won't mess up the test.
Now I'm going to have another brain MRI, at NYU MS Center this time, instead of Beth Israel. It's the same type of closed MRI. When making the appointment, I asked to speak to one of the technicians. Seems like it will be the same as what I already experienced. Seems like the only thing the tranquilizer does is give me more difficulty walking than I already have. So I will do without it. After all, I am not claustrophobic. I'm not scared, and if I were, it's 3 months away.
My very first MRI was in July 2010 at a place called "Stand Up MRI". After finding out there's nothing to be afraid of but there's no point in having a TV in front of a machine that noisy (I think ZZ Top and a show about motorcycles were on but I couldn't hear them) the technician rushed in to say "are you ok? you were moving." I suspect I fell asleep. This meant it took longer because they had to retake some of the pictures.
My next one was a lumbar/spinal MRI in October 2010, an old fashioned "lie down" MRI. The "closed" tube. The dr. prescribed 2 mg of Atavan. I couldn't even walk from the waiting room to the tube. My husband and the technician had to help me. I was more or less asleep the whole time.
At the time I had never had an IV of any kind and was very nervous about getting one. (Don't laugh.) I imagined that after awhile they gave me an injection of the contrast fluid, which for some reason didn't worry me as much, as I'd had injections before. Instead of thinking "oh no, i have to get into a scary coffin!" I thought "I think I'll just lie down in this cozy tube." I also think I dreamed that I was Snow White in her glass coffin. My husband, who did not kiss me to wake me up, says he pretty much had to carry, or at least steer me, to and from the bus to get home.
Next they ordered another brain MRI, which I had in January 2011. I told the dr. that 2mg Atavan had been a bit much, so he prescribed 1mg. It didn't do much, except further mess up my already messed up ability to walk. The technician talked me through it, saying "this scan will take ten minutes." and "now another five minutes." This time I knew they used an IV for the contrast. I had imagined (or dreamed) the injection. When it was over, and I took out the earplugs they give you, i realized they really do work. I had been afraid of the noise because I didn't believe those little ear plugs really did anything.
I decided I preferred the tube where falling asleep won't mess up the test.
Now I'm going to have another brain MRI, at NYU MS Center this time, instead of Beth Israel. It's the same type of closed MRI. When making the appointment, I asked to speak to one of the technicians. Seems like it will be the same as what I already experienced. Seems like the only thing the tranquilizer does is give me more difficulty walking than I already have. So I will do without it. After all, I am not claustrophobic. I'm not scared, and if I were, it's 3 months away.
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