Embarrassing mri stories update on mine

[georgina]

Your last paragraph is exactly why I have to be sedated. Every year, though, I have them show me how to get out of the cage. All you have to do is push up on it, then you can slither out. It definitely sounds easier said than done. I’m so glad the techs know me by now and don’t mind helping me with my routine. I have one coming up in the summer and I’m already not looking forward to it.

Interesting. Never knew that. I have been having yearly MRIs for 20 years, always keep my eyes closed the entire time. Last year I had gamma knife radiation so they screwed a cage onto my head and then that was attached to the table so I could not have gotten out. That was the only time I was sedated for both the MRI and the radiation treatment and it was wonderful.

 

[lifesavacation]

I freaked out and couldn’t finish the MRI. I am not claustrophobic and declined medication, but the vibrations and loud sounds and the head cage made me hyperventilate. My dr had me do a CT scan instead and I was fine. Not happy with myself that I had to pay for an unfinished MRI.

 

[Dan Murphy]

All you have to do is push up on it, then you can slither out

You can push up on the MRI top? On a so-called 'open' MRI machine?

As a breast cancer survivor, I had probably ten or twelve years worth of yearly MRIs and did fine. (And just so people realize, in that case, you lay facing belly-down and your bare boobs go in two holes in the table. Ya, not fun or graceful to get positioned for that. ) Once settled, I usually felt pretty anxious inside the machine but was able to get through them.

Until one year when I was just getting over an illness or something and was not feeling myself. I showed up for my MRI and the tech was, well, mean and rude, which put me in an awful mood. When I was getting positioned I realized I wasn’t going to be able to go through with it. I asked if my DD could stay at the head of the machine and the tech said no. So I had to cancel it and leave, which had never happened before. (The tech said my DD could stay at that point but it was too late, I just couldn’t do it.)

When I had to go for the rescheduled one, I was really worried about whether I’d be able to do it. I even went to a different place. But it was the tech made all the difference. I told her what had happened before and she was so supportive. She actually stayed outside the machine and held my hand through the ENTIRE MRI. I felt awful because I knew her back must’ve been killing her the way she was leaning in, but she just kept saying don’t worry about it. I cried through the whole thing so that my pillow was soaked with tears by the time I came out. But I had gotten through it, thanks to her. I wrote a nice note of thanks to her superiors so she’d understand what she did made a big difference for me. (I think I also may have dropped off a gift.)

I once had a head MRI and had to lay on my back and that I did not like, either. Not sure which is worse, lol.

I am always sympathetic to patients who have trouble undergoing these types of tests. Sometimes I go with them if I can, or at the very least, I get them some medication to help them relax so they can get through it.

We are very fortunate to have these types of diagnostics but they are not always easy to undergo.

's P-n-M

 

[ScottOKW2K]

You can push up on the MRI top? On a so-called 'open' MRI machine?

's P-n-M

I'm not aware of an MRI system - even an open one - that you can simply "push up" on and get out. I do know that there are many coils that are used in scanning that have more than one section and the top section can be detached. In most cases I could not see a tech recommending that simply because the patient would not have the training and familiarity on how to properly latch/unlatch the coil sections. Damaging the coil can be expensive to repair and if the coil has to be replaced some can cost into the five or six figure range.

 

[disykat]

I won't even go on a waterslide etc. that is a tube, so I ask ahead of time for a prescription for one Valium (have to have a driver) and request a cloth for over my eyes. I purposely don't look or feel to see how close the sides are and try not to think about it.

The worst was when my oldest had just gotten his driver's license and had to be my driver/ support person. Because of the waterslide thing it wasn't a surprise to him that I would have difficulty with that, and it was certainly an appropriate action to request help, but it's still a touch embarrassing telling your child you're going to drug yourself and ask if he can he be your driver.

 

[RogueX]

I had a seizure in an MRI and they told me I looked like something from the Exorcist. I just shrugged it off because I was used to the seizures at that point and they were scanning my brain.

There was a newer machine where it was more open and you could listen to music, see different colors, watch a video of dolphins swimming around, etc. I told the tech that if I had a margarita, I'd be all set.

 

[prairie_girl]

You can push up on the MRI top? On a so-called 'open' MRI machine?

's P-n-M

I meant you can push up on the top of the head cage, not the actual mri machine. That would be way too expensive an option to have to start the machine up again. Plus, open mris aren’t really conducive for brain/spine images.

 

[prairie_girl]

I'm not aware of an MRI system - even an open one - that you can simply "push up" on and get out. I do know that there are many coils that are used in scanning that have more than one section and the top section can be detached. In most cases I could not see a tech recommending that simply because the patient would not have the training and familiarity on how to properly latch/unlatch the coil sections. Damaging the coil can be expensive to repair and if the coil has to be replaced some can cost into the five or six figure range.

I thought I had posted my reply, but it didn't post. I was talking about pushing on the head cage. It's a little ridiculous to think I was talking about manipulating a machine that costs multiple millions of dollars to purchase and is quite expensive to start up again once it is shut down.

 

[Jennasis]

I LOVE MRI's...because it's 45 minutes of being left alone. No constant texts. NO nagging. Just a little (loud) peace and quiet. I usually fall asleep. I've had my back MRI'd several times and my brain twice. The spine is "worse" because they have to put you in the machine further, but the brain one was odd because I had the cage over my head. The only time I had a rough go was when I needed contrast. My sister had warned me that you could feel the dye spreading through your body so I made sure the tech warned me before they pushed it because I knew I would start an anxiety attack if I suddenly felt "weirdness" in my body.

Also, pretty sure I farted in the machine loudly. So theres that.

 

[Chickenlady]

I got yelled at to "Stay Awake". Apparently, I was so chilled that I kept falling asleep and twitching or moving.

 

[emer95]

I LOVE MRI's...because it's 45 minutes of being left alone. No constant texts. NO nagging. Just a little (loud) peace and quiet. I usually fall asleep. I've had my back MRI'd several times and my brain twice. The spine is "worse" because they have to put you in the machine further, but the brain one was odd because I had the cage over my head. The only time I had a rough go was when I needed contrast. My sister had warned me that you could feel the dye spreading through your body so I made sure the tech warned me before they pushed it because I knew I would start an anxiety attack if I suddenly felt "weirdness" in my body.

Also, pretty sure I farted in the machine loudly. So theres that.

Ok, your last sentence made me burst out laughing.
I find MRIs rather relaxing too!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Last time I saw an open MRI machine, it didn’t really seem all that open, but I think the technology varies.

 

[Kimkimba]

I’m claustrophobic so I need to be drugged. Nothing relaxing about them to me.

 

[mommasita]

I got yelled at to "Stay Awake". Apparently, I was so chilled that I kept falling asleep and twitching or moving.

This is me. I have had a lot, and they don’t fizz me. More head/brain, spinal. Now thankfully I only do those annually.

But I often tear my rotator cuffs, and the last one, they had me weighted down with the bad arm. I understand the need. But I fell asleep, and did all kinds of jerking movements I had to redo it twice for this reason. I left in tears, I could not even brush my teeth for days. Worst MRI EVER. They were not pleased with me, and I kept apologizing

 

[ronandannette]

I thought I had posted my reply, but it didn't post. I was talking about pushing on the head cage. It's a little ridiculous to think I was talking about manipulating a machine that costs multiple millions of dollars to purchase and is quite expensive to start up again once it is shut down.

Not that I'd give a flying fig if the building was on fire and the technician panicked and fled without getting me out. (I'm a major worst-case-scenario imaginer. )

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I thought I had posted my reply, but it didn't post. I was talking about pushing on the head cage. It's a little ridiculous to think I was talking about manipulating a machine that costs multiple millions of dollars to purchase and is quite expensive to start up again once it is shut down.

I actually work on these machines. And after decades of doing it nothing surprises me as to what people think you can/cannot do. If you look at my post you can see that in the next sentence I did state that you were likely talking about one of the coils. Even so, if you felt the need to get out all of the sudden you would still be in the center of the unit. The tech would have to withdraw the tabletop till you were fully out and I know of no technologist or applications specialist that would recommend the patient manipulate any part of the unit. I'm not saying that you weren't told that but that it's not something I've heard recommended. I simply don't want others to go into a unit to be scanned thinking this is a recommended action.

 

[prairie_girl]

Not that I'd give a flying fig if the building was on fire and the technician panicked and fled without getting me out. (I'm a major worst-case-scenario imaginer. )

I’m right there with you. My phobia is a shooter in the building.

 

[prairie_girl]

I actually work on these machines. And after decades of doing it nothing surprises me as to what people think you can/cannot do. If you look at my post you can see that in the next sentence I did state that you were likely talking about one of the coils. Even so, if you felt the need to get out all of the sudden you would still be in the center of the unit. The tech would have to withdraw the tabletop till you were fully out and I know of no technologist or applications specialist that would recommend the patient manipulate any part of the unit. I'm not saying that you weren't told that but that it's not something I've heard recommended. I simply don't want others to go into a unit to be scanned thinking this is a recommended action.

I didn’t say, or even imply that I was told it was recommended.

 

[BayouQueen]

As a breast cancer survivor, I had probably ten or twelve years worth of yearly MRIs and did fine. (And just so people realize, in that case, you lay facing belly-down and your bare boobs go in two holes in the table. Ya, not fun or graceful to get positioned for that. ) Once settled, I usually felt pretty anxious inside the machine but was able to get through them.

Until one year when I was just getting over an illness or something and was not feeling myself. I showed up for my MRI and the tech was, well, mean and rude, which put me in an awful mood. When I was getting positioned I realized I wasn’t going to be able to go through with it. I asked if my DD could stay at the head of the machine and the tech said no. So I had to cancel it and leave, which had never happened before. (The tech said my DD could stay at that point but it was too late, I just couldn’t do it.)

When I had to go for the rescheduled one, I was really worried about whether I’d be able to do it. I even went to a different place. But it was the tech made all the difference. I told her what had happened before and she was so supportive. She actually stayed outside the machine and held my hand through the ENTIRE MRI. I felt awful because I knew her back must’ve been killing her the way she was leaning in, but she just kept saying don’t worry about it. I cried through the whole thing so that my pillow was soaked with tears by the time I came out. But I had gotten through it, thanks to her. I wrote a nice note of thanks to her superiors so she’d understand what she did made a big difference for me. (I think I also may have dropped off a gift.)

I once had a head MRI and had to lay on my back and that I did not like, either. Not sure which is worse, lol.

I am always sympathetic to patients who have trouble undergoing these types of tests. Sometimes I go with them if I can, or at the very least, I get them some medication to help them relax so they can get through it.

We are very fortunate to have these types of diagnostics but they are not always easy to undergo.

The boob ones are seriously uncomfortable. I literally recited The Lord’s Prayer over and over through the whole thing. I’m due for another one soon and am totally dreading it.

 

[ronandannette]

The boob ones are seriously uncomfortable. I literally recited The Lord’s Prayer over and over through the whole thing. I’m due for another one soon and am totally dreading it.

Worse than a mammogram?!? If so, I'll start praying now I never need one.