"My First MRI" Topic

Had my first MRI yesterday, as my docs are taking a look at my back (they think it has something to do with my knee problem).

The good news: I discovered I'm not claustrophobic.

The only "hard part" was scooting around on the table as they tried to get my knees in the optimum position for the scan.

The surprise was needing to wear ear plugs. (Who knew it was so noisy?)

Also, why do they layer you over with so many towels?

The scan took about 10 minutes or less. Lots of B-movie sci-fi type beeps and buzzes. As they slide you deeper into the machine, it feels like you're the cork and it's the champagne bottle.

OK, been there, done that. What's next to try?

The towels are to help keep you warm they pump cryonics into the machine to keep it cool enough to function or at least that's what the tech doing my MRI on Wednesday told me. My shoulder scan took 45 minutes yours was quick!

Was yours an open MRI? They told me the open MRI takes twice as long.

OK, been there, done that. What's next to try?

Nude bungee jumping? Oh, wait. You said it was your back and knees that were bothering you? OK, never mind.

They told me the open MRI takes twice as long.

My older brother has had a couple of traditional MRIs and he's told me the same thing: noisy, claustrophobic sensation, but he didn't mention anything about being covered in blankets. Instead, he told me that it was rather warm in the tube. No, thanks. I'll take the 45 minutes to an hour for the open MRI.

Unless you can either pump me full of Zoloft or have a pretty little nurse hold my hand, and I can buy her dinner later.

10 minutes is very quick. I've had several. They've all been closed, noisy, jerky (as the table moves around to get to the right spot), and they seemed to take forever. The techs used foam braces and towels to keep the target area immobilized.

I had my shoulder MRI'd. I'm not sure how long it took, I fell asleep during the procedure, even with all the clunks and buzzes.

Did one. Thought I could do it without the vallium. Taking the vallium next time. Seems I am claustrophobic.

2 head MRIs in a month, needless to say I was a bit concerned about the second one! Each took about an hour due to contrasting dye or medium.They thought there was a growth on the brain stem of the first one., essentially normal on the second.

I've watched a research MRI from the operators side. The test subjects were apples so no whining patients. While the parameters for humans are well established, the parameters for non-standard samples are quite hard to work out and close to being an art.

None for me yet. I admit I am in no hurry.

So – did they find anything helpful?

Definitely needed drugs to do mine. I'm too big for that tube in the first place and having my head put in a vice didn't help. Glad yours went well.

I've had several. Obviously I'm a bit wierd, because I volunteer for mine.

The local university psychology dept. occasionally runs experiments using an MRI in their cellar. During holidays when student guinea pigs aren't available, they advertise for volunteers, and pay £15.00 GBP an hour.

So I've I've nothing else to do, I go along.

Being stuck in one of those things for an hour, performing various button-pushing tasks is uncomfortable, and yes they are exceptionally noisy!

But, it pays for my toys…

did they find anything helpful?

Won't know for a while.

I had an MRI for lymph nodes and a severe TMJ problem.
I fell asleep, and the woke me up because I was snoring, which either bothered them or the machinerey? (I'm still not sure which was the problem…)

About five or ten minutes into mine, I felt a sense of panic coming on, and it was a one hour MRI. I started going through a musical play list of Beatles songs and singing the songs to myself. It took my mind off of the claustrophobia and made the rest of the time pass quickly.

Next time though, I think that I'd take the Valium and let my wife drive me to the hospital.

It was okay except holding very still in a very unnatural position got pretty uncomfortable. At least I had a nice young girl operator to talk to. I was surprised that people are paniced by these things and I certainly am no fan of tight spots. I mean you can see out both ends??