Anyone here ever had an MRI?
Just curious because I’m getting one tomorrow at 12:45.
I’ve beeen having some neck pain for the past week or so and my doctor thinks it might be a herniated disk. Yay fun.
MRI anyone?
I had one a few months back on my ankle, and one a few years ago on my knee. Don’t bring any metal to the appointment with you (necklaces, rings, etc.). There are stories of how strong that damn magnet is, like gurneys and other big items like that getting sucked to the machine. So do yourself that favor and leave all the metal home lol.
If you’re claustrophobic (like I am), it can be kind of stressful, especially if you don’t have the option to use and open-air MRI (which I didn’t the first time I had an MRI :(). I don’t know if they can even do an open-air on a neck, but talk to your doc about that if you feel the need.
Depending on the doc, you might have to wear one of those oh-so-awesome backless johnnies. I did the second time, but not the first. The first I had the MRI done with a closed-back gown. Be prepared to have your keister hanging out if they use the backless ones.
Try not to move. It makes the docs mad, and worse, makes the nurse mad. There is no force on this Earth more powerful or scary than a pissed off nurse. After I had to restart the MRI on my knee for the fifth time, the nurse actually told me if I moved again, she’d rip my legs at the hip off so they could MRI just my legs and not have to worry about them moving. She said it jokingly, but you know, I don’t think she was kidding :shock: I didn’t move again.
This one is a biggie. Breath. I know it sounds stupid, but I kept holding my breath in fear/anxiety/whatever while I was in that stupid tube, and when you realize you’re about to pass out, you inhale big time…and that makes you move. Refer to the last part for advice on that.
Mostly, though, just go in, let them do their thing and when you’re in there, go to a happy place in your head. Close your eyes, relax and pretend your on a beach in Cancun. Or on the deck of a 150’ luxury yacht. Whatever puts you at ease works.
Best of luck, Kip, I hope everything goes well.
MRI anyone?
Great advice. Muchos gracias.
I don’t think I’m claustrophobic, but I’ve never really been in an enclosed space for a period of time.
MRI anyone?
The whole concept is pretty cool; I’m participating in a psychological experiment later in the year which will involve my having a series of MRIs.
MRI anyone?
It’s actually not a big deal, I’ve had probably thirty of them done over the last nine years and always of the brain, neck and spine.
It’s really a fascinating technology when you think about it.
Yes, they can do an open air MRI of the neck, or any part of the body for that matter. They will however put a plastic cage over you when doing neck or head.
Those are some VERY powerful magnets, so follow the advice here and don’t bring any metal with you. Also, if you’ve ever had ANY metal surgically implanted (even a filling) let them know. And if you’ve got a tatoo, they need to know that too. Some shops use heavier inks that have metal in them.
If you want to see how this actually works, go here:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/mri2.htm
Most places will offer headphones with music, and keep air blowing throughout the room. I’ve never had one done that I couldn’t wear my sweats for.
It’s noisy, but with music and air moving, you should be just fine. I don’t like tight spaces, and have had to do the tube before, but did just fine.
BabyButt
MRI anyone?
I know they are different, I just don’t know how. I think an MRI shows more detail.
MRI anyone?
What’s that thing where they show you lights and stuff while you have your eyes closed, and I think they measure brainwaves. I’ve had one of those, but not an MRI.
MRI anyone?
I had one. And they are telling the truth about the magnets. ANd not exaggerating at all.
First question was did I ever work around a metal grinder. When that was answered yes, I had to have an x-ray to make sure I didn’t have any small slivers of metal in my eyes.
Then as they slid me in, and turned on the juice I felt my belt buckle pull up, and towards the machine!
Now I’m not talking about a “rodeo buckle” here. It was a regular belt buckle. To feel how much power was there was just awe inspiring.
MRI anyone?
I’ve had a ton of EEGs. They are so relaxing. 
MRI anyone?
I don’t remember it taking so long to get it ready. Maybe I fell asleep while they were doing it?
MRI anyone?
I don’t remember it taking so long to get it ready. Maybe I fell asleep while they were doing it?[/quote]
I timed it last time I had one. It took about 15 minutes to attach all of the leads, and about 45 minutes for the test itself.
MRI anyone?
That goop they use to connect the leads now is a hell of a lot easier to get out. It’s water soluble now.
I forget how many leads there are. I asked last time I had an EEG, which was back in December, but I forget what her answer was.
I have a seizure disorder, so I’ve had my fair share of EEGs. I used to have them once every six months, and my doctor changed it to once a year last year.
I’ve always fallen asleep during an EEG. I always seem to get the best sleep ever during an EEG.
I’ve had a CT scan and an EKG, but I don’t remember them. Today will be my first MRI.
MRI anyone?
So you’re pretty much a walking House episode.
MRI anyone?
Correct.
MRI went fine. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to wear one of those awesome backless gowns. It was an open MRI versus and closed one. I just had to empty my pockets of my jeans and take my belt off.
I have to wait until Monday to have my neurologist read the MRI. Yay fun. Two more days of pain. That muscle relaxant that he prescribed didn’t work one bit. I took half of a pill on Thursday night because it was supposed to make me drowsy. I ended up taking the other half a couple hours later when I realized the first half didn’t work. :roll: :roll:
MRI anyone?
You have to love those backless gowns. I spent a night in hospital a few months ago and walked back bare foot in the rain wearing only my gown.
MRI anyone?
WTF?!?!? You’re serious?
MRI anyone?
That’s pretty screwed up. What was his specialty?
MRI anyone?
Just FYI,
The questions concerning masturbation may have been an honest attempt to rule out the cause of the seizures. Back then, there was a belief among some pediatricians that masturbation, specifically in males could cause symptoms similar to what you described (circulatory disturbances and seizures).
It has since been disproven as a theory, but it was a pretty prevalent belief years ago.
I guess it would depend on the nature of the questions he was asking.
BabyButt
MRI anyone?
Well, how old are you? I pegged you in the mid-thirties.
MRI anyone?
That’s about where I put it. Roughly twenty years ago. lol
Hey, to a 16 year old, five years ago is back then. And if you asked a 60 year old, they’d probably tell you that years ago meant thirty or forty. It’s all relative. 
BabyButt