Let’s play what’s wrong with me..physically- small update, pg.3

[kimblebee]

I doubt another day will make a difference, as long as you're not in pain. You will get on it soon though, right? At this point I predict you'll be keeping your original May 8 appointment.

And as for your night, we're all still here rootin' for you and waiting for an update on your other thread.

Thanks for the reminder. I’ll do an update right now.

 

[FayeW]

I ask about it every time, and they show me every single time. It’s the same people so they know I know but they still show me. It’s actually very easy to get out of it..you just have to push up on it. It would be tough to do because it’s very tight quarters but you could, realistically, pop it loose and shimmy your way down and out of the machine.

My big fear used to be that there would be a power outage and I’d be stuck in it indefinitely. One, the hospital has many generators and two, use the above method.

OMG, I am starting to hyperventilate just reading the description of trying to get out of an MRI machine! I always knew I was claustrophobic but had no idea how bad it was until I had an MRI about a year and a half ago. I managed to make it through because the referring specialist had mentioned cancer as a possible diagnosis and my fear of that was greater than my fear of the machine. But just barely. I will 100% need to be sedated if I ever require another one.

 

[kimblebee]

OMG, I am starting to hyperventilate just reading the description of trying to get out of an MRI machine! I always knew I was claustrophobic but had no idea how bad it was until I had an MRI about a year and a half ago. I managed to make it through because the referring specialist had mentioned cancer as a possible diagnosis and my fear of that was greater than my fear of the machine. But just barely. I will 100% need to be sedated if I ever require another one.

I’m not out cold when I get sedated. They just give me a few sleeping pills to relax me. The usual dose is one but I always ask for two lol

I think in extreme cases they will put you in ‘twilight’, where you’re awake but don’t remember anything.

 

[monica9]

I've only ever had the one - does your kind require being locked into the head cage and loaded head-first into the tube? I could handle practically anything else (I think ).

No defintiely not locked in a head cage. yikes

 

[monica9]

I’m not out cold when I get sedated. They just give me a few sleeping pills to relax me. The usual dose is one but I always ask for two lol

I think in extreme cases they will put you in ‘twilight’, where you’re awake but don’t remember anything.

I have to do these stupid breathing exercises while I'm in there for the hour so I'll never be able to be sedated. I have to hold my breath for 20 seconds at a time for about an hour. I'm used to it since its been 5 years of doing this but it's very annoying. I'd love to be sedated!

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I've had the head cage MRI, it wasn't too bad. I just closed my eyes ,wore my headphones, and took slow, deep breathes. 45 minutes. The hqadest part is the loud grinding noise

 

[ronandannette]

I’m not out cold when I get sedated. They just give me a few sleeping pills to relax me. The usual dose is one but I always ask for two lol

I think in extreme cases they will put you in ‘twilight’, where you’re awake but don’t remember anything.

They told me they couldn't sedate me and I absolutely wasn't supposed to doze off due to the risk of involuntary movements. I feel betrayed...

 

[ronandannette]

I've had the head cage MRI, it wasn't too bad. I just closed my eyes ,wore my headphones, and took slow, deep breathes. 45 minutes. The hqadest part is the loud grinding noise

Tried it - I sang songs in my head, prayed, made my grocery list, recalled poems from my childhood, mentally catalogued all my shoes, counted to 1,000... and that killed the first five minutes. Mine was extra nerve wracking because they were introducing contrast dye part-way through which meant I had a needle coming and no way to know when.

 

[maxaroni]

I had the head cage thing once and thought it was horrible. I am claustrophobic and had the hardest time with it. However, prior to that one, I had one and was headfirst and had to close my eyes to go in, as I didn’t want to know anything. I did the same with the head cage, closing my eyes, finding it still mentally hard but if eyes had been open, I would have totally freaked out.

Thinking of you Kimblebee.

 

[kimblebee]

They told me they couldn't sedate me and I absolutely wasn't supposed to doze off due to the risk of involuntary movements. I feel betrayed...

Did they have the big headphones on you and towels or something packed in to keep your head extra still? I usually can’t move my head even if I wanted to.

Tried it - I sang songs in my head, prayed, made my grocery list, recalled poems from my childhood, mentally catalogued all my shoes, counted to 1,000... and that killed the first five minutes. Mine was extra nerve wracking because they were introducing contrast dye part-way through which meant I had a needle coming and no way to know when.

They didn’t start an IV before hand?? I always have to get the contrast so I get an IV every time. I have to go an hour early so they can get it started because of my veins. They can’t use my port because the clip that goes in it is metal.

I love getting the contrast because I know it means I’m almost done.

I had the head cage thing once and thought it was horrible. I am claustrophobic and had the hardest time with it. However, prior to that one, I had one and was headfirst and had to close my eyes to go in, as I didn’t want to know anything. I did the same with the head cage, closing my eyes, finding it still mentally hard but if eyes had been open, I would have totally freaked out.

Thinking of you Kimblebee.

I keep my eyes closed for most of it but open them every once in a while just to show myself how good I am doing being where I am. I found a really good way to distract myself is to count the beeps of the machine. The techs talk to me through the headphones and let me know how long each series will be. It’s around 450 beeps for my longest series.

 

[ronandannette]

Did they have the big headphones on you and towels or something packed in to keep your head extra still? I usually can’t move my head even if I wanted to.



They didn’t start an IV before hand?? I always have to get the contrast so I get an IV every time. I have to go an hour early so they can get it started because of my veins. They can’t use my port because the clip that goes in it is metal.

I love getting the contrast because I know it means I’m almost done.



I keep my eyes closed for most of it but open them every once in a while just to show myself how good I am doing being where I am. I found a really good way to distract myself is to count the beeps of the machine. The techs talk to me through the headphones and let me know how long each series will be. It’s around 450 beeps for my longest series.

Headphones yes, I think so but I definitely could still hear the machine. No neck support other than the built-in one or IV; just an injection into a vein in the back of my hand when the time came. I don't really have a thing about shots but not being able to see it coming freaked me out pretty badly.

 

[Sweetpancake]

Ive has two MRIs. The first I was a wreck! I’m incredibly claustrophobic. I remember the nurse told me to close my eyes and keep them shut throughout the test, which i did and was for the best but boy was my heart pounding.

The second time around my husband suggested I try wearing a sleeping mask. This may sound funny but it worked SO amazingly well. I couldn’t see above me so I couldn’t see how tight it actually was in there but I could see out looking down from the bridge of my nose. I was completely calm the entire procedure, totally different experience than the first time. I’d highly recommend the sleeping mask. The one I have is kind of padded so it wasn’t so tight that I couldn’t not see anything.

 

[kimblebee]

Ive has two MRIs. The first I was a wreck! I’m incredibly claustrophobic. I remember the nurse told me to close my eyes and keep them shut throughout the test, which i did and was for the best but boy was my heart pounding.

The second time around my husband suggested I try wearing a sleeping mask. This may sound funny but it worked SO amazingly well. I couldn’t see above me so I couldn’t see how tight it actually was in there but I could see out looking down from the bridge of my nose. I was completely calm the entire procedure, totally different experience than the first time. I’d highly recommend the sleeping mask. The one I have is kind of padded so it wasn’t so tight that I couldn’t not see anything.

They always offer to put a facecloth over my eyes but I always decline. Having something else over my face and head would not work. Thanks for the suggestion though. Maybe one of the other sufferers will take it with them for next time.

 

[DeniseJH]

Ive has two MRIs. The first I was a wreck! I’m incredibly claustrophobic. I remember the nurse told me to close my eyes and keep them shut throughout the test, which i did and was for the best but boy was my heart pounding.

The second time around my husband suggested I try wearing a sleeping mask. This may sound funny but it worked SO amazingly well. I couldn’t see above me so I couldn’t see how tight it actually was in there but I could see out looking down from the bridge of my nose. I was completely calm the entire procedure, totally different experience than the first time. I’d highly recommend the sleeping mask. The one I have is kind of padded so it wasn’t so tight that I couldn’t not see anything.

Yes, that's what I do - the cloth over my eyes, not my whole face though. If I caught even a glimpse of how close in everything is I'd totally freak out. I do understand that it wouldn't work for everybody.

 

[monica9]

Any update? How’s the lump feeling today?

 

[anniemae]

Update please!!! Hopefully you are getting checked out. Don't put this off.

 

[SharonZ]

I'm very claustrophobic and was convinced I needed to be sedated for an MRI. The technician though I would be fine without medication, and I pointed to the machine and said there is no way that I am going into that without being sedated! He said relax ma'am that's the photocopier! I was actually fine.

 

[monica9]

I'm very claustrophobic and was convinced I needed to be sedated for an MRI. The technician though I would be fine without medication, and I pointed to the machine and said there is no way that I am going into that without being sedated! He said relax ma'am that's the photocopier! I was actually fine.

hahaha too funny!! We all need to just keep our eyes closed and picture being at Disney world!

 

[North of Mouse]

I've only ever had the one - does your kind require being locked into the head cage and loaded head-first into the tube? I could handle practically anything else (I think ).

Just had a cervical neck mri last week. The 'head cage' is the camera - I just close my eyes when they slide me in as I can't stand the whole process - the knocking drives me insane! The little 'bulb' in my hand to stop if necessary makes me feel more in control though. Hate them!!

 

[kimblebee]

Sorry guys, I’m not following my own advice. I’m going to wait until my dr appt next week unless something drastically changes. It hasn’t gotten any bigger and there’s still no pain or fever or anything so *knocks on wood* one week won’t make a difference at this point.