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Anyone else hate MRIs?

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  • elephant911
    replied
    I'm also an MRI napper. Last summer the power cut out during my MRI, interrupting my perfectly good nap.

    Leave a comment:


  • sprinkles
    replied
    Yes, I despise them and always have. I've had quite a few over the past 9 months (brain biopsy 9 months ago) and learned a new trick that helps me.

    I now wear a SLEEP MASK, and it has done wonders. I don't have to worry about keeping my eyes shut from the get go anymore. It really helps me relax and if I want to open my eyes I can without freaking out anymore.

    On my last one I actually forgot it, so I had the technitian put a towel over my eyes which still worked fine. Oh, I also take valium to get through it too.

    Tammy

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  • Hawkeye
    replied
    What's the deal with the new, more powerful machines???

    For my last MRI I was glad to think it would be quicker and perhaps the tube a bit larger because of the greater Tesla rating... NOPE!

    The test took l-o-n-g-e-r than before and the tube felt like a "S/M" instead of the "Medium," which had been PLENTY tight for my tastes!

    Seems like a lot of time and money for something that really doesn't lead to any other options for treatment.

    Glad it's a year 'til my next...

    No fan of "shooting the tube,"

    Hawkeye

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  • MarySunshine
    replied
    The newer 3-Tesla machines could bake a turkey! (esp when one is in there for 3 hrs!)

    I used to enjoy the (quiet) time and nap before the 3-T's came out.

    Leave a comment:


  • SNOOPY
    replied
    Originally posted by journeyman View Post
    I am an easily entertained person. I like to count how many different sounds I hear
    journeyman,

    You would have liked the very early MRIs. They were louder and if you focused on the sounds it almost sounded like beats to music...Yes, I am also easily entertained

    doublebuttons, I neither hate nor like the MRI...it's simply a diagnostic tool.

    Like many others I can fall asleep in a MRI.

    Leave a comment:


  • wriser
    replied
    Originally posted by Sheltiebrat View Post
    They have to block my head in, because I doze off : ) I am very lucky that way!
    Doze off? how in the world can you doze off. thing sounds like a airplane going off in your ears.

    I don't mind them accept for the sound and the BILL when it comes in.

    Leave a comment:


  • froggirl88
    replied
    yessssssss

    Hey there doublebuttons,
    I totally hear ya! The mention of an MRI sets me into a panick attack. I have one coming up at the end of the year and I am already having nightmares about it! I was never clastraphopic until I had to go through it for MS, now.... well let's just say we avoid all small spaces! It has gotten worse over time. For the next one however, I am going to be put to sleep. Maybe, just Maybe I will make it through all the way without making them stop every two minutes!

    Leave a comment:


  • lily09
    replied
    Tomorrow...

    ...is my cervical MRI along with the dreaded LP. When I had the brain MRI a few weeks ago, I did fine, until I opened my eyeballs up and then I had to talk myself off the ledge. I went to a beautiful beach and found the hottest looking Cabana boy to bring me my fill of cocktails. I'll be looking for him tomorrow too.

    Honestly, I am nervous about the LP and not the MRI. I asked if they gave away cocktails before the MRI..NO with a chuckle was the response.

    Wish me luck and answers.

    lil

    Leave a comment:


  • Jennyfoo
    replied
    I'm terribly claustrophobic: terribly! I know exactly where it originates, but that doesn't help. My brothers locked me up inside the back cavity of a hide-a-bed/sleeper sofa when I was little, and left me there, screaming for who knows how long. They also tied the top of my mummy bag closed when we were camping and trapped me inside, freaking out. I hate elevators too.

    I HATE MRIs! I've tried closing my eyes before going in, tried headphones with music; I just couldn't do a closed machine. The neuro wants a stronger, closed machine for my brain and cervical MRI. I've agreed to try, but I honestly don't see any way I'll be able to manage. If it were a shorter tube or if they had movie glasses or something, I might be able to make it, but I'm thinking that I'll be booking a 2nd back-up appt for the open MRI a few days after I schedule the closed MRI. The neuro says that the open MRI isn't strong enough to pick up everything he wants to see. It'll pick up MS lesions if I have them though, right?

    Leave a comment:


  • DianeD
    replied
    MRI's okay, but hate the contrast IV

    The MRI is mostly boring to me. If you ask you can usually look at the machine and see that you are only head deep in it, not full body, so claustrophobia shouldn't be too bad.

    For the spine it's true you are deeper, but with the panic button in hand you can be out of it in seconds.

    They used to put your head in a lock down full helmet with only eye space and mouth space. It was like a football helmet; I hated that, but now the device is much smaller.

    The problem for me is when they give the contrast. My veins are not great and last time it took three different techs before they got a vein. I hate that.

    Otherwise I could sleep through it.

    Diane

    Leave a comment:


  • coral63
    replied
    I am sorry that you are having such an uncomfortable time with your mri's. What bothers you about having them done? Is it that you are physically uncomfortable while the test is being performed, or is it possible that you could be dwelling on having it or what the results may or may not show? Understanding that the test is not going to last forever, and there is a definate purpose to having the mri does take some of the anxiety away. As for the physical sensations, can you ask the tech for pillows or headphones? The techs I have found want nothing more than their patients to be comfortable. I actually find the rhythm of the machine to be soothing. Have you thought of focusing on the benefits of the mri, as opposed to the anxiety that you will possibly feel from having one? I know in my case the more I think about an event the more I can make it negative. By focusing on the outcomes and benefits, or maybe even visualizing something beautiful, I find that I am less anxious and more comfortable. I believe you will find a perfect solution!
    with you
    Karen

    Leave a comment:


  • journeyman
    replied
    I agree with Sheltibrat

    I too sleep through them. If you get a nice technician they give you earphones with music - that usually helps.

    I am an easily entertained person. I like to count how many different sounds I hear and then I usually fall asleep.
    A perverted way of counting sheep.

    I hope everybody just realizes it just a tool that uses big magnets. Take care and good luck.

    P.S. I find it comforting to know they found a brain in there to look at. J.

    Leave a comment:


  • Toomnyhats
    replied
    YES!

    hate MRI's! My first one I took my happy pills from the dr as directed (learned it's more than I need!) and closed my eyes before I went in. No music headphones so I began with my blessings & thankfulness prayers, switched to singing (silently in my mind) but I never can remember all the words to any one song so I ended up singing some silly combination until I fell asleep.
    Second & third MRI's I took 1/2 dose of happy pills, again closed my eyes before I went in and slept through whole thing.
    I think I might be able to do a shorter MRI w/o happy pills IF they had music headphones to distract me.
    For me, closing my eyes before I go in & not opening them until I'm told we're done is vital. I think if I accidentally opened them in the tube I would have a panic attack.

    Leave a comment:


  • JudySz
    replied
    Oh yes I do too. Take a zanax before I go also. One time, I took 2, but then a fell asleep and snored, so they had to do it again. That just added to the ordeal, so now I amat one about 1 hr. before I go. I get dd or dh to drive me, so I am able to take them. If I had to drive myself, I am not sure what I would do.
    I also had headphones for the brain one. That is not bad.
    JudySz

    Leave a comment:


  • JoanFrances
    replied
    Hello doublebuttons

    Nice to meet you, sorry it is because of MS

    I hear you about the MRI. My fear starts the minute they strap my head in place and lock that hood on my head

    We have open MRI's here but they still get me all sweaty just thinking of them

    To add insult to injury, I can't take any form of a tranquilizer, as I have a reverse reaction to them. If I take them, I could kill someone if they cross me if, I kid you not

    Then I also have a real hard time controlling my own swallowing, so my saliva and at time my nasal drip will go down my throat and choke me if I lay flat. That tiny little pillow they give you does not raise my head enough

    Wish I could give you so pearls of wisdom, but as you can see we are in the same boat, so I need them too

    Good luck to you as you walk this journey of MS

    Leave a comment:

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