Mri

[brioche]

Just to forewarn you, this is a bit of a whine. I'm trying to process the experience. Also, my chiropractor told me that since my tailbone is still tender he thinks I DO have arthritis in my back, which is a whole new can of worms.

Okay, so. I made it through my MRI today, which was a new experience. They make it sound so reassuring, telling you that there is track lighting inside so it's not dark and that there is air blowing so it's not stuffy. And you'll have a panic thing to squeeze if you can't take it.

Then you have to put on earplugs because it's so loud and lay your head in a thing and basically let what is in essence a little lighted tunnel come down and encase you (well, up to the waist or so, anyway). My hands were cramping because I had them pressed in at my side and I told them I didn't need something covering my eyes.

I think this was a mistake.

About 10 minutes in I opened my eyes briefly and realized that the tunnel was about 5 cm max from my face. Although I am not overly claustrophobic, I found this distressing. I actually had to psych myself back out of being scared because if I didn't, I was going to freak out and the MRI image was going to be ruined and I would have to do it again. At this point they were taking 5 to 6 minute shots that seemed much longer. I do not understand how the people who have two hour MRIs do it - half an hour was more than enough for me. By the end I was emotionally exhausted from distracting myself every time my thoughts veered toward the closeness - and they did a lot. I actually almost pushed the panic bulb twice - but the logical part of me just pointed out that once I calmed back down I 'd have to resume, so what would the point be? Urgh.

Now I have to call the doctor on Wednesday and convince her she wants to give me the results soon, not in November. My physiotherapist needs to know one way or the other.

 

[myinnerslut]

*hug*

 

[reignophelia]

My sympathy is with you. My sister has rheumatiod arthritis.

I've also had my fair share of MRI's. I'm not claustrophobic either, but I did have to concentrate on relaxing in order not to fidget too much or otherwise risk ruining the films.

Why would you have to wait until November for results?

 

[brioche]

My sympathy is with you. My sister has rheumatiod arthritis.

I've also had my fair share of MRI's. I'm not claustrophobic either, but I did have to concentrate on relaxing in order not to fidget too much or otherwise risk ruining the films.

Why would you have to wait until November for results?

That's my next scheduled appointment - but when we made it we had no idea when the MRI would be scheduled.

I have psoriatic arthritis. It has some similarities to RA but is also different.

 

[Yang4yin]

Ah, yes... the rhythmic sounds of machine guns blasting in your head! I've had so mamy MRIs I think I personally (well, the insurance company) paid for the new wing at the hospital.

Did you get to have that wonderful dye that leaves a fishy taste in your mouth?

Seriously though, I hope you don't have anything seriously wrong!

 

[Daddyslilpet]

Been there too. ~hugs~ Had my MRI last year, been diagnosed with RA since 2005. Hope you get your answers real soon.

 

[reignophelia]

That's my next scheduled appointment - but when we made it we had no idea when the MRI would be scheduled.

I have psoriatic arthritis. It has some similarities to RA but is also different.

Oh, I see, ( I just googled it.) it's still a rheumatic disease. I remember my sister having such a difficult time getting appointments with the rheumatologist.
Oh yeah, your results should be read soon I would think. I know they take their time with outpatient patients, but November is wholly ridiculous.
You need that appointment. Oye.

I hope you get an appointment soon and relief from your pain.

 

[Jezebel77]

I've had 2 MRI's at different hospitals.

The first one had a mirror thing in front of your eyes angled so you could look at into the room and see down the length of your body and into the technician booth. I liked that one, it seemed more roomy too.

The other hospital only had a postcard attached to the inside, not too exciting a picture either. I personally think they should put a word search or a crossword puzzle in there. Maybe a "Where's Waldo?" or one of those picture searches from the Highlights magazines in the doctors office.

I had an additional distraction at the second hospital trying to figure out if I should be flattered or offended that the guy had to ask if I was wearing a bra.

In both hospitals I would listen to the noises the machine made, they would seem to repeat over and over on the long scans, so I would make them into songs in my head. It was all I could do to not tap my feet to the rhythm.

Basically I tried to focus on anything but how stuffy it seemed no matter how much air they were blowing in, how tight it was or wondering if the technicians could see up my hospital gown.

Jez

 

[brioche]

Ah, yes... the rhythmic sounds of machine guns blasting in your head! I've had so mamy MRIs I think I personally (well, the insurance company) paid for the new wing at the hospital.

Did you get to have that wonderful dye that leaves a fishy taste in your mouth?

Seriously though, I hope you don't have anything seriously wrong!

No, I had radioactive dye for my bone scan, to check where my bones were damaged, but this time was just the MRI.

I already have it in my knees and hands, this is just to see if we can add the sacroiliac joint to the list. It'll help narrow down what kind of PA it is.

I'm still hoping it's not in there. One of the kinds that likes the SI joint has "mutilans" as part of its name, and it's nasty stuff.

 

[Chris_Xavier]

Been there, done that - have the t-shirt (and fixing to have to do it again)

All I can say is that I cope with it the experience by taking some sort of chemical relaxer (I horde up pain pills) and ear plugs.

 

[RJMasters]

Well I haven't been there or done any of that so it sounds awlful to me B. I am glad that you worked your way through it and hope you get your results and appoints quickly.

~RJ

 

[Cheshire D]

I had an additional distraction at the second hospital trying to figure out if I should be flattered or offended that the guy had to ask if I was wearing a bra.

Making an assumption here, but probably neither. If you're wearing an underwire bra and forget you're wearing it/to take it off...well...have you seen that House episode where House shoots a corpse and then runs it through an MRI to see whether the bullets would come out?

If you haven't: They did.

Shutting the MRI down for three weeks.

I assume that's what would have happened, so the guy asked to make sure.

 

[brioche]

Making an assumption here, but probably neither. If you're wearing an underwire bra and forget you're wearing it/to take it off...well...have you seen that House episode where House shoots a corpse and then runs it through an MRI to see whether the bullets would come out?

If you haven't: They did.

Shutting the MRI down for three weeks.

I assume that's what would have happened, so the guy asked to make sure.

They go through a whole list of: have you ever had metal in your eye? Have you been shot? Do you have shrapnel in your body? Have you ever had surgery (presumably because you might have had surgical staples)? It goes on. They also send you a detailed list of what you can and can't wear. I managed to find metal free everything execpt a bra, so I only had to take that off. I haven't seen that House! I wish I had!

 

[JupitersGirl]

Well I haven't been there or done any of that so it sounds awlful to me B. I am glad that you worked your way through it and hope you get your results and appoints quickly.

~RJ

My thoughts exactly! And whine away, Brioche. It sounds like you've earned it.

 

[DVS]

They go through a whole list of: have you ever had metal in your eye? Have you been shot? Do you have shrapnel in your body? Have you ever had surgery (presumably because you might have had surgical staples)? It goes on. They also send you a detailed list of what you can and can't wear. I managed to find metal free everything execpt a bra, so I only had to take that off. I haven't seen that House! I wish I had!

A little off subject, but did you know that the actor who plays House used to be in a comic duo? I was almost shocked when I heard that.

A link

OK, back to the claustrophoic MIR talk. YUCK.

 

[brioche]

A little off subject, but did you know that the actor who plays House used to be in a comic duo? I was almost shocked when I heard that.

A link

OK, back to the claustrophoic MIR talk. YUCK.

Are you talking about Stephen Fry? Jeeves to his Wooster? I have the entire set! I know they did other stuff, but...in fact, I only just changed to "Work in Progress" from "I say, Jeeves!" Laurie as an airless bimbo twit.

I watch House too. I'm surprised I missed that one, unless it's fairly recent. I missed a whole spate of them a bit back that I'm trying to catch up on. For the same reason I got the MRI, ironically enough.

 

[jadefirefly]

It's not a really really recent episode, and it made me laugh. Wasn't that the sick cop episode?

He actually pulls out a gun in the hospital and shoots a corpse. MRI made some great noises!

 

[Kajira Callista]

Been there, done that - have the t-shirt (and fixing to have to do it again)

All I can say is that I cope with it the experience by taking some sort of chemical relaxer (I horde up pain pills) and ear plugs.

LOL when they schedule me for an MRI they hand me the script for the sleep drugs at the same time. I wiggled myself out once because the guy kept saying "Just one more min and I will be done dear".

 

[A Desert Rose]

They give me a choice of music, put a headset on me and I doze off until it's time to do the contrast.

I'm sorry Biroche for all you're going through. And you know my feelings on all that already. Best of luck and know I'm thinking about you.