Once again into the scanner, dear friend

The Doc that did my lung biopsy saw me last week.
I've been having a few neck problems and other nerve type symptoms that only a sarc patient could understand.

"I'm ordering some lab tests, a visit to your opthamologist for evident uveitis, and a c-spine scan."

"I'm beginning to feel like a hypochondriac."

"Believe me...you're not. You have real issues."
===================================

This past Saturday was the neck scan. I am claustrophobic. So, I'm thinking, "Why not just sleep through the 2 hours in the tube?"

I took half an Ambien before I started putting my "personal effects" in a locker that looked like something out of high school. Things were getting a little fuzzy, and in that period of time I, uh...misplaced the wedding ring. She hasn't noticed yet.

The tube, waiting in that room like an execution machine, had a pleasantly large diameter. I yawned and thought, "Hell...I can do this."

I laid down, and yes, slid down, etc. They asked me if I liked the radio station playing. Sure it was elevator music, who cared? Then, something goes over my head and then something else and I am buckled down to the table so "my head won't move." (What??!!!)

Apparently I should have taken the whole Ambien. Halfway down the tube and cold panic is starting.

"Can you hear me?" I croaked. Mr. Big Tough Guy prone on the table in his underwear, missing a wedding ring...

The headphones they gave me were buzzing. A voice a thousand miles away said, "I'm right here. You can look in the mirror and see me." That was bs, there was nobody anywhere in the few degrees of vision I had.

"I want my Mommy...." (I really did.)
------------------------------------------------

I should also mention I threw in a little Xanax before the Big Ride. Maybe I overdid it. You should never self-medicate. ;-) However, panic attacks are to be avoided at all costs, in my book. There were probably patients right out of surgery in the hospital across the street that were more lucid than me.
==============================

Given the same circumstances, how would I have changed my prep for this procedure?

I would have put the wedding ring in a more secure place.

I'm sure it's around somewhere.

By Teacherteacher
Posted August 26, 2008 at 9:56 am

Ooo how I relate. Of all the proceedures, slice, dice, scan whatever, I dread that scan most of all. Something very strange. My first breathing related symptom was developing claustrophobia.
When I go in "the tube" I have them cover my eyes with a cloth as well as take every "relax" me and put me out med I am allowed.
You brave, brave soul!!!!
TT

By Cheesypops
Posted August 26, 2008 at 12:34 pm

hey ellis.
I use the open MRI. Partially is becuase I cannot stand my shoulders touching the sides of the normal scanners.

I also take 20mg of valium before I go in plus a Norco pain pill to chill me out. Place a wash cloth over my eyes so even if I do open my eyes I cant see anything.

Sometimes they have a fan that they can point in the scanner that helps also. But not always hve I seen this.

Downside of OpenMRI is the magnet is not as strong, thus the image quality is affected. But to be honest with you. They already see enough to take issue. :)

Hope it helps.

By Reenie
Posted August 26, 2008 at 8:05 pm

Your timing of this post is impeccable. I have a brain MRI in one hour. In about 15 minutes, I will be taking Xanax. Never mind, I think I'll take it now......

Okay, down the hatch. I hate "the tube" worse than any other test, poking, prodding, and even answering questions.

I learned a valuable lesson from last fall though, so I am fully prepared this time. After being in the closed MRI for about 5 minutes I made the mistake of opening my eyes to look in the stupid mirror. Big mistake. I then begged the tech to let me out just for a minute so I could take another Xanax. He said it would take too long to kick in, and encouraged me to continue or to reschedule. We tried again.....divine intervention happened! The electricity went out!! They slid me out, and the electricity didn't go back on for 45 minutes. Plenty of time for another Xanax to kick in.

This time I am prepared. Double the dose, and don't open eyes. I will ask for a washcloth to cover them. This time if the electricity goes out, I don't think I'll notice.

My ride will be here any minute now. GULP! I'm glad that there are others that understand why I dread this.

By prairieannie
Posted August 26, 2008 at 8:20 pm

LOL< OY!! I ask for the IV sedative now! Who knew I was claustrophobic?? Not I, at least not until I got sarc and have developed a severe hate relationship with "the tube"!

Bless you all who have to visit the tube this week.. and next, and next and next! I completely understand ~ and by the way.. I totally wanted my mommy too! :)~

By alifay
Posted August 28, 2008 at 9:53 am

I had an mri in July. I was dreading it. As I had many in the past. I mentioned to the girl I was claustrophobic. She gave me a wash to place over my face, she also gave me a little oxygen . I also had took my meds. I did a lot better with this one.
I'm so thankful I had someone that cared, they usually say just try to relax.
Alice

By Two_Labs
Posted September 1, 2008 at 1:24 am

Dude-in a four day period I had a Thoratic spine MRI, Lombar spine MRI, C-spine MRI (that cage thing they put over you really sucks-wasn't expecting that one at all), a Brain MRI and a gallium scan. I think in four days I spent over 8 hours in the closed MRI machine. I just shut my eyes and went to sleep. Though the cage thing did freak me out for a while...took me forever to relax with that thing on.

By Reenie
Posted September 1, 2008 at 2:23 am

Oh my goodness, Two_Labs, it was the cage thing that could have sent me over the edge last week. Thank the Lord for Xanax. I was so doped up (down?!) in preparation, that I could've endured just about anything......but when they secured the cage thing over my face, I asked for the washcloth over my eyes (thank you all for the suggestion).

With the beefed up sedatives and the washcloth over the eyes, I have to say that it was the best darn MRI or test I have ever had! I did my "counting" (to the sounds and to try to keep track of time so that I knew when it would stop), but I tended to lose track of my numbers.

I now know what it takes to get through "the tube" test. It is by far the worst of all (for me anyway), but GLORY BE for sedatives and washcloths!

By Reenie
Posted September 1, 2008 at 2:57 am

EH,

I sincerely hope that your wedding ring has surfaced. Better yet, I hope that it really hadn't 'gone missing' and was only mentioned for humor. Please update~and how is that wrist coming along? I hope well. Is the cast off yet?

Reenie

By Cloudnine
Posted September 1, 2008 at 3:08 am

Oh "the tube"! okay it doesn't really bother me. They take my glasses, I can't use the mirror to look outside the window. I had the flu when I went in "the tube", my arms fell asleep, I was to freaked about coughing/moving that I didn't think about anything else. She said if I coughed we would have to start all over again. Oh no! Not in my world, we will not!

They give you a panic button where I go, but since my arms were numb, I couldn't feel the button in my hand, I even wondered if I was pushing it cause she kept talking to me, asking me if I was alright, telling me just a little bit longer. I had to lay on my stomach going in, that is how my arms fell asleep. I don't like that it gets warm in "the tube" That is my only issue with it. The MRI dye isn't even bad. I hate the CT scan dye, all warm and stuff and then it hits my bladder and I lay there wondering if I peed my pants. Telling myself if I did, I can't be the only person that ever did. I never have but these thoughts run through my head.

By ellishamilton
Posted September 1, 2008 at 4:34 am

I really did lose the wedding ring. But I found it a few days later.

(It was in the bottom of the briefcase I'd taken in with stuff to read.)

I think there are some mysterious connections here with the wrist fracture and marriage. ;-0

By Two_Labs
Posted September 1, 2008 at 4:58 am

When they put that cage thing over my head, I kept envisioning Hannibal Lecter. ;)

"I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner. "

By janepauline
Posted September 1, 2008 at 9:33 am

I too hate the MRI scanner. I had one which I survived but then a few days later they wanted another to look futher down my abdomen. I really freaked. I had to stop it 3 times and I finally gave up and stopped it. This is in england, they never even offered me any sedation or any music to listen too. It seems a bit less barbaric in the states. If they ever suggest I have another MRI I shall demand sedation so that I am 'out of it'. Thanks for the ideas.

By Kathleen_Geaghan
Posted September 1, 2008 at 11:42 am

Boy, it's good to know I'm not the only one out there. Eleven years ago, before the dx I spent 2,5 hours in a CT Scanner! Thank God for meds. This last year I was completely out of it. Didn't know anything that was going on because of the swelling in the brain. Came awake and aware inside a MRI! I had terrible pressure in my head including my ears and the noise in side of there was deafening. I had know idea what it was or where I was and I knew I wanted to scream but I have know idea if I did. My brain surgeon always orders CTScans but I guess the insurance demanded a MRI instead! Like he would lie?!? When I finally got out of there I told that doctor I refused anymore MRI's and I told him why. He couldn't believe that they hadn't given me any earplugs. I told him they never have. So things have now changed for the better when testing is done. Has anyone alse been offered earplugs? I would have liked a wet washcloth too. I had one nurse that held my hand and rubbed my arm once in an Open-ended MRI. So, If I'm awake I have learned to open my mouth and ask for what I need before that day. Hope everyone is feeling good for the holiday! Hugs, Kathy

By Soosie
Posted September 1, 2008 at 4:28 pm

I have had the usual CT scans and am due for another in a few months. I am not allowed to have an MRI as I have an electronic magnet in my 'bum' because (as my 95 year old friend says) my poo pipes don't work properly! Sorry, bit personal but it might make you smile. I guess from what I have read above, I am quite lucky that I can't have one. x

By Bunny
Posted September 2, 2008 at 2:06 am

When I had the brain MRI it must have been open. there were 2 huge disks. I laid down and the tech put in ear plugs, then when she put the "hockey mask" over my face she put 2 large foam pads over my ears. Also I could see out - outside!! there was a huge skylight above me or at least it seemed to be very real. At that time I still did not have a clear diagnosis so I didn't care what I had to go through to find out what the hell was growing in my body!( the lymph nodes in my chest have formed one large mass at the bifurcation of the trachea). Anyway I have CT scans and gallium scans about every 3 months depending on the amount and location of activity. As a nurse I would recommend that a person should ask for and take any meds that would let one get through the tests with little stress. The washcloth over the eyes is a great tip to know thanks.

16 replies

Add to the discussion

Search

Join

Connect

You