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?
Stay out of submarines.
Orthopod diagnosed my slipped disk. But he wanted MRI confirmation. So I go in and the tech said I’d be in the machine for eight hours because the doctor wanted an image of my entire spinal cord. I lasted about 5 minutes. Seemed like I was in a coffin. No way I’ll ever do that again!
Whatever you do, do not read the short story ‘The Premature Burial’ by Edgar Alan Poe before your next closed MRI. Or if you do read it just before your next closed MRI, do not think about it while the machine is operating. It will not help !
I’ve had several; with contrast is the worst, because the contrast “dye” causes me to have a horrible anxiety reaction. Also, going in with rotator cuff damage and inflamed labrum was the worst. The pain in my shoulder was so bad I almost blacked out, and they had to do multiple series (over an hour).
I have a bullet in my left side, from being robbed and shot in FL, in 1975, and can’t have an MRI. CTScan is as far as I can go, and since I developed pancreatitis last March, I’ve had 17 CTScans.
I have had one a few times.
The first time, I heard the hype and that freaked me out. I think the fear of it is over-blown. The first time, I bought a sleeping mask ... one of those usually satin type masks that go over the eyes. I wore that through the entire operation and had no trouble.
Note, you can also wear ear buds and listen to music. Now, the MRi machines at Cedars Sinai have TVs and movies you can watch inside. You may want to ask if that option is available in your area if that helps.
Relax ... you’ll find that the sleeping eye mask is really helpful
Good luck.
First thing, stop whining.
I have had several MRIs. I guess if you cannot control yourself, you better ask for the sedative.
I’d tell you to just calm down, but that would be as ineffective as baptizing a cat.
They have to wake me up to get me out.
Of course I could sleep with rounds kicking up dust around me. Nothing much bothers me
Maybe it is the age, how old are you?
Bigger and more open? Should be better then right? Sometimes you have to overcome your fears. Consider this practice. Do NOT wear any metal objects.
Can you help invent virtual Freeping goggles for patients who could make good use of that time?!
Yes, Kevin and they are very unpleasant as surely the majority of these 100 persons have stated.
Bright side - this was scheduled and you were aware it would be happening. Dark side - you are unable to cope with closed in spaces = claustrophobia.
Experienced two MRIs. First was terrible. Woke with the clicks in a sterile white environment knowing absolutely nothing of where I was or what was happening. Fortunately, my DH was there holding my hand. Not a pleasant experience. As I lay silent and still I counted the tiles on the ceiling for a time, became lost in the count and repeated this numerous times. Sleep was impossible due to the clicks.
The second MRI was done on schedule. Before the procedure, was given Xanax to calm the nerves which did help with the closed in experience. It’s not waterboarding, but it is nerve wrecking.
Good luck. Sinus is not much fun. Like the appendix, one must wonder why we have them. Interesting how some things were given us and we’ve yet to understand why.
Remember, it is all in your head. You are in no danger
My suggestion is, NEVER, EVER join the Navy and volunteer for submarine duty, you won’t like it.
PS.....Close your eyes and pretend your on a flight to mars.
Open MRI.
Or take a nap.
I am extremely claustrophobic. Had to get knocked out for an MRI many years ago. I took one look at it in the wall and felt like a plug getting plugged into a socket. I tried and had to get taken out. Then they knocked me out on another day. Next time I needed an MRI they found an “open” MRI. It was a much better experience. Open on both ends much like a catscan. They had a mask and also headphones for music. It was very bearable. I would check ahead of time in case you need to bring your own mask and music. Good luck.
I had the most terrifying moment of my life in an MRI machine. I am not claustrophobic and had my first one about 20 years ago and I almost fell asleep so I had no worries about going for a second one. So I fill out the forms show up at the scheduled time and get in the machine. I’m lying there waiting for the test to start when I suddenly remember a surgical procedure I had about 15 years ago where about 50 surgical steel staples were implanted in my gut. I had completely forgotten about it and didn’t disclose it on the form. In a flash I went from calm to panic because as far as I know when that machine comes on my intestines are going to be torn out of my body and spattered all over the inside of the MRI. I am going to die in one of the most painful, horrible, and STUPID ways imaginable. I am about to scream “STOP!” when the machine comes on, and nothing happens. I was so relieved I almost passed out. Turns out the staples were titanium and not surgical steel. That’s the last time I will just breeze through medical disclosure forms.
It is a painless event and gives the best possible picture of what they need to see to properly treat you.
I suggest you take the sedative and allow them to do it - keep your eyes closed and listen to the music 9and voices as the machine and/or technicians give you information and try to "take a nap" - the biggest "down side" of being sedated is that you require a driver...
My last MRI was just last Tuesday and the machine was a bit bigger than the older ones (not as big and wide open as some of the latest most expensive machines but it didn't crowd my shoulders and there was a 5" or so gap between my nose and the top.
The first time was the worst and once I realized I wasn't trapped, the discomfort eased up - now days it is a piece of cake.
Good luck.
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