Embarrassing mri stories update on mine

[TCRAIG]

I must be an anomaly- no ear plugs or head sets or music - I always fall asleep - but I’m not claustrophobic and my husband snores

 

[BayouQueen]

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

Oh much worse. You have to stay still in a really uncomfortable position. Say your prayers. Lol

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

No embarrassing stories from me, but I'm glad my MRI days are over. Mine were of my abdomen, so I had to be in the tube all the way. I learned the first time to close my eyes before I went in and never, ever peak. I couldn't sleep, no that I would have, but I had to listen to the directions to take a deep breath and hold it and when I could let it out. I would count in my head because it felt like I was holding my breath forever! I hated every minute of it, but did not have someone to drive me, so I never tried the sedative. I imagined myself lying on a beach at night with my arms spread wide, looking up at a sky full of stars with a light breeze blowing across my body. I had something to squeeze that would alert the tech if I needed out, so that was comforting.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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.

I do, too. Sending good vibes for you.

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

The holes heat up. It’s not unbearable, the whole thing is just very awkward. And it takes a lot longer than mammograms.

 

[Silver saucer]

I had an abdominal/ pancreatic MRCP one. They got me all strapped into whatever it is. Then they pushed me into the long narrow tube. I made the huge mistake of opening my eyes. I couldn't see out and the top of the tube seemed very close to my face. I didn't give it a second thought. I called for the tech and said take me out NOW. I was asked if I wanted to try again, etc. I politely but firmly said NO. Im not usually claustrophobic but there was no way. The tech was not happy with me as I wasted an appt spot. I understood that but I could not do it.
On my way out the receptionist was very nice and said it happened occasionally and not to worry about it. I was able to get an appt with a bariatric MRI. The tube was much larger. I could look out and see my feet and it felt better. Plus a little ativan helped as it was an hour and half test.

I hate MRIs. My next abd one I was able to go in feet first which also helped alot. I had never thought to ask.

 

[SirDuff]

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

I’ve had them done yearly for over a decade - I find them totally fine. Easier, than most other MRIs for me (I think because you are facing downwards so don’t see the “ceiling” right by your face and, unlike abdominal, the coils aren’t in a “blanket” you you aren’t strapped in).

Now, let us not discuss MRI guided biopsies (youch).

 

[aprilgail]

Mine was Friday towards the end I had a full blown anxiety attack combo of it taking place in a truck and them placing for lack of better words putting a cage ver my face at one point they had to stop it make sure I was okay it was almost like I forgot how to breathe normally mris are second nature but this one felt different the space felt tighter then usual

eta that it took place in a hospital I had to do some fast talking not to be escorted to the ER

I needed a brain MRI and they put that cage thing over my face and slide me in and in 3 seconds had to slide me right back out because I had a major anxiety attack. I then went and had it done at an open MRI place and barely made it through that because for that they put on a football type helmet and even that was to confining but I made it through. Then I needed a cardiac cat scan and had to stop that too but the worker was smart- my head was just ever so slightly "under" and they brought over a pillow and tilted my head all the way back so I didn't see anything over my face-just clear space and I made it through that one.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Mine was Friday towards the end I had a full blown anxiety attack combo of it taking place in a truck and them placing for lack of better words putting a cage ver my face at one point they had to stop it make sure I was okay it was almost like I forgot how to breathe normally mris are second nature but this one felt different the space felt tighter then usual

eta that it took place in a hospital I had to do some fast talking not to be escorted to the ER

That is not under any circumstances something you should be embarrassed about. That was not something you had control over. You were in a medical setting, you were having a medical emergency. That is OK. It's understandable. Don't be embarrassed.

 

[Minnesota!]

Had one on my legs a few years ago - no big deal. Listened to music and was fine.

Had to have a full body one a little over a week ago. I cried. Big tears. They were SO kind. She rubbed my arms and got me a warm blanket. And then she pinned a cotton ball with peppermint oil just under my chin so I could smell it. Big headphones and a washcloth over my eyes. Then, when she slid me in, she stood by my head and rubbed my shoulders until I stopped sobbing. And the other tech was down near my feet and rubbed as far up my leg as was hanging out, just to show that I was not fully enclosed.

I never peeked, because I would have flipped, but the people who helped me made all the difference in my experience.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I do, too. Sending good vibes for you.


The holes heat up. It’s not unbearable, the whole thing is just very awkward. And it takes a lot longer than mammograms.

For me it was also having my weight on my breastbone and my face stuffed into the pillow hole. I just felt so exposed and claustrophobic at the same time

 

[Wendy1985]

Update nothing showed uo so lost what it can be

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Update nothing showed uo so lost what it can be

Follow up with your PCP or specialist. Not every test is going to find something - sometimes it's also about eliminating some possible causes to determine a better avenue of diagnosis or treatment. One of the main reasons MRI and CT are used as often as they are is that they are among the best non-invasive methods of gathering information. Your physician will likely recommend other diagnostic tests once he/she has had time to fully review the results.

 

[Wendy1985]

Follow up with your PCP or specialist. Not every test is going to find something - sometimes it's also about eliminating some possible causes to determine a better avenue of diagnosis or treatment. One of the main reasons MRI and CT are used as often as they are is that they are among the best non-invasive methods of gathering information. Your physician will likely recommend other diagnostic tests once he/she has had time to fully review the results.

making a appointment with my neurologist just have to wait for a opening

 

[DisneyOma]

I had a full spinal one done years ago, no problem. But fast forward a decade, and my dense breasts needed an MRI. Got on my stomach, put the girls in the pockets, put my head in the headrest. Tech put earplugs and headphones on me. Table slides into tube. Opened my eyes and the base of the table was two inches away from my nose. Nope. So claustrophobic! Instant panic attack, squeezed the "get me the heck out of here" button, and whacked my head hard on the top of the tube because I couldn't stand it long enough for the table to extend enough.

Months later, I have to have an MRI of my head and neck, due to a mass (cyst) in my neck. Head first in the tube, but on my back, only in to my waist. Not a problem. Huh. I did take my calm-down meds before this time, but I don't think they'll work on the belly down, all the way in one.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

making a appointment with my neurologist just have to wait for a opening

Sometimes not finding anything is just as significant as finding something. In medicine it’s called “ruled out”, so now investigation and treatment takes another path. It’s good you have follow up.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We did have an issue once where my DS was diagnosed via MRI with a meniscus tear of his knee. Surgery was scheduled, and off he went. When the surgeon got in there, he saw that the meniscus was not torn; he had just a soft tissue injury. So he left it alone and sewed him back up, referring him to physical therapy instead. The question came up of whether the radiologists who interpreted the MRI results (two radiologists generally have to sign off on them) read it incorrectly or not. We’ll never know, but just to say, it does happen sometimes. And I wasn’t too happy that DS had to be sedated and all that unnecessarily, we had to miss school and work, not to mention the cost of the surgery itself that we still had to pay. etc.

I also had a radiologist and breast surgeon misinterpret a mammogram once (post breast cancer recovery) where both actually freaked out about a spot they saw. I pretty much had myself dead and buried if I had a spot like this after all the treatment I’d just completed. (In my head I knew it couldn’t be; but what do I know when they’re freaking out?) Had to go through the whole biopsy process, which was negative, but was then referred for an excisional biopsy, too, “just to be sure”. Showed up for that and the radiologist there couldn’t even find the spot! Said it was likely a pre-menstrual change and had he seen it that day, he would’ve sent me home and repeated the test later.

So I do think that there can be some variation depending on who is reading and interpreting these images. @ScottOKW2K curious to hear your thoughts on that.