Posted on 03/14/2018 9:28:41 PM PDT by Kevin in California
So I've been having very bad sinus issues for the longest time and finally got my Dr to schedule me for a cat scan which resulted in mild mucosal thickening within the floor of the maxillary sinuses. Also, it found I had a non specific boney loss/defect at the right skull base as well as TMJ degenerative changes. This scan ultimately led to my Dr ordering an MRI. Well, this past Monday I went in to do the MRI. I was all prepped up and asked the tech how long it was gonna take...45 mins he said. I go, YIKES! Well, I then get this contraption attached to my head, a pair of ear plugs, and the squeeze ball to alert the tech in the event I want out. Into the tube/machine I go and I hear the tech leave the room. It was then, I start to sweat and feel I cannot breath. This, before the MRI has even begun. I'm in panic/anxiety mode now so I squeeze the hell out of the ball. It seemed like an eternity before the tech comes back in the room and gets me the hell out of that thing. I felt like I was about to be buried alive. Long story short, I went home and was a wreck. Now, my Dr wants to give me a sedative and do the MRI in a bigger and open MRI machine and now I'm terrified to get into one.
Ever have an MRI? If so, your thoughts?
I had one done recently. Not enjoyable but staying calm would have probably shortened the time required.
My wife had one done once when they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. It probably saved her life. She was Life Stared to another hospital for emergency heart surgery.
I’m 100% with Karbine as I have an identical claustrophobia and resolution.
Sedatives rock! No worries! Eyes closed. Take a relaxing break from the day.
Report back to us as to how it went.
I will not go into the tube. Shove the sedatives. Totally asleep with propofol maybe.It’s called claustrophobia followed by panic attacks which are beyond frightening. You are not alone by any stretch. There are places with so called “stand up sit down” MRI’s which are ok. Other places advertise “open” MRI’s. Bull shit. You wind up being almost compressed by a giant hamburger bun. I had an MRI on my foot but only had to go into the tube up to the knee. Survived ok. In summary, many , many people can’t do tube and stand up sit down is the only way to go short of being totally passed out.
Had one for my eyes last year. I took a sedative and blasted the music, I was fine
I’ve had horrible sinus problems since I was 8 years old.
About 30 years ago I had to undergo extensive surgery after a work accident literally smashed my forehead and sinus cavities. It was CT scan back then.
Forward in time to about 5 years ago with a long history of sinus infections and dental problems I ended up having surgery done after a tooth extraction opened up a new pathway between my sinuses and oral cavity.
MRI then and more recently were no big deal at all and the surgery fixed damage that had been there since I had broken my nose as a teenager. I took two days off work to recover.
Anxiety and panic are completely self defeating and controllable reactions, and unless you learn how to prevent them from controlling you, each occurrence will reinforce the previous.
I use controlled breathing techniques learned from martial arts and meditation, but there are many forms of self hypnosis that you can employ.
The only rational thing to be feared in an MRI is the economic pain, and I have found shopping around in my area that I was being quoted from as high as $2000.00 to a low of $250.00. We are fortunate that there is such an overcapacity that we have competition for our healthcare dollars.
Me too! Not afraid of anything anymore. lol I had breast cancer and the worst are the breast mri’s. They have me lay face down with my breasts in cones. Hate them. I have a bad back and when it’s all over I need help getting out of the machine and can’t walk.
Breast cancer survivor. Ativan is standard procedure for most tests at the clinic that treated me. They even give Ativan in your drug bag before chemo. Best drug ever.
I was told many years ago that if you’ve ever had metal in your eye(s), you can’t get an MRI. Is this still true?
Sometimes, a shard can get past one’s safety glasses while grinding or welding.
One was mentioned when I was diagnosed with cancer, but I have an artificial hip so can’t do anything magnetic.
However, the advice you're getting to keep your eyes closed is solid, and I think of the music as kind of a panic barrier.
If you're focused on the music, you're less likely to be thinking about the situation you're in.
Over the years, I’ve had 3 MRIs. I always doze off. It’s the weirdest thing, because they are really loud, but for some reason, just lying there, not moving and wrapped in the nice, warm blanket makes me sleepy. OTOH, if you’re even the slightest claustrophobic, the halo could be a challenge.
I’ve had dozens of them. I have MS, and besides the yearly one, I also have scoliosis from the MS, so occasionally they required an MRI for that. I imagine you’re in the head first position.
MRIs used to be much longer years ago (I had 3 hour sessions for brain, and spine, but now they about shaved that time in half for the same MRI.
I had the panicky feeling at first, but then I discovered a distraction that helped me cope. Don’t choose music, you can’t hear it anyway (at least that’s been my experience.)
I began to use my imagination to ease my panic, and distract me from the time.
For instance: I’d imagine I’m a baby in a womb and these are the sounds I’m hearing...then try to figure out what each noise represented. That one can be
“played” to a million situations: you’re on a construction site; you’re on in the big city; you’re in a jungle, etc. Or make up an imagination game of you’re liking.
What happened to me eventually was all panic subsided and quite a few years ago, the MRI became a soothing place. A place to lay down, rest, and I now mostly sleep through the longer ones.
They will give you valium if you need it, I was not aware of this back when I first started, or I would have taken it because it’s an unknown, and there’s nothing wrong with a valium to get you through anxiety.
Funniest comment I’ve heard after someone had an MRI came from my Dad. We asked him how he liked it and he said, “I’ve never quoted (in my mind) the 23rd Psalm so many times in my life.”
Take a deep breathe, say a prayer, and ask them to use the music ear muffs. Keep your eyes closed, as it lessens the closed in feeling. Or get your doc to give you 10 mg of Valium before hand.
I just had 2 Cervical and Lumbar, and wish they done the entire spine. They are no worse than a CT is now a days. Just they are LOUD that is why you want music to drown it out. I’ve had a dozen or more with older machines and they are nothing like the new ones that are fast. Ask them to BURN you a DISC for your records.
Piece of Cake, I’d rather have a MRI than do a Chem Stress test anyday. In fact I told the Cardio not to bother ordering another 1 they are painful and make you feel like you are having a heart attack and they may break you out in Hives to boot.
I need to get a tattoo that says 'NO MRI' because of shrapnel in a lung. I hate to think the result if i'm unable to communicate in a hospital and they decide I need an MRI.
Be prepared for really strange noises. Close Encounters type noises.
My guess wire coils inside the machine expanding and contracting changing frequency now and then.
I expected to see some Greys standing next to me. g
Geez... relax
It’s nothign.
Excellent idea.
I had a Medic Alert necklace that had written I had a mechanical heart valve (switched out for tissue last yr.) and took Warfarin.
In all the times I was examined by a Dr or nurse I don’t think even once did one of them look at the tag.
The fact of the matter is some people just cannot tolerate the 'closeted effect. Good luck.
oh I aren’t enguneer I are manufacturing un quality....mainly FDA compliance stuff the last 10 years...
Besides if your freezing your moving and that makes the finger painting technician create a blurry image....
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