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MRI scans

dogslife

dogslife

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Hello there folks. This is not diabetes related so thought the "Off topic" thread was the right place to post my question. Apologies if I'm mistaken. I have to go for an MRI scan on my spine soon and wondered if any of you could offer any advice please. Many thanks.
 
dogslife said:
Hello there folks. This is not diabetes related so thought the "Off topic" thread was the right place to post my question. Apologies if I'm mistaken. I have to go for an MRI scan on my spine soon and wondered if any of you could offer any advice please. Many thanks.
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Hi @dogslife
Not sure what advice you are looking for, but I"l try....

I have had several of these scans. The first was 25 years ago in a machine that seemed quite claustrophobic, and it wasn't explained to me that I would be fully enclosed in a tube. That was a bit scary, as I needed to be in there for 30 mins.
More recently, in the last 2years I have had a further two scans head and neck, and lower spine and leg. The machinery is more modern, but the operators seem more clued up on the anxiety of the patient. They put me at ease by showing me the machinery and Telling me what to expect.I still needed to be inside a tube, and was made comfortable on a sliding table, with pillows placed under my neck and knees. There was a speaker inside so the operator could talk to me. I had a hand held switch to press if I felt I needed to get out. There are some loud clicking and banging noises during the procedure. It did help that I knew what to expect, even though it felt a bit weird to have them slide me into the tube. There is not much room to move, but as they want you to keep still that is probably why. It also helped to relax as much as possible so I did meditate a bit and sang in my head. The operator did ask me to hold my breath a few times, and all was done in around 10 minutes. Just like xray, you don't feel a thing.
Quite facinating to see the images at the follow up appointment, too.
Best of luck with yours.
 
I had a head/c spine one a few years ago - took about 45 mins or so. My GP very kindly gave me a valium for the occasion as I usually fidget my way through stress which is not really an option in an MRI! Other than that the best advice I got was to close your eyes before they slide you into the tube - that way you really don't get much of a sense of how enclosed you are. All in all it wasn't bad :)
 
Pipp said:
Hi @dogslife
Not sure what advice you are looking for, but I"l try....

I have had several of these scans. The first was 25 years ago in a machine that seemed quite claustrophobic, and it wasn't explained to me that I would be fully enclosed in a tube. That was a bit scary, as I needed to be in there for 30 mins.
More recently, in the last 2years I have had a further two scans head and neck, and lower spine and leg. The machinery is more modern, but the operators seem more clued up on the anxiety of the patient. They put me at ease by showing me the machinery and Telling me what to expect.I still needed to be inside a tube, and was made comfortable on a sliding table, with pillows placed under my neck and knees. There was a speaker inside so the operator could talk to me. I had a hand held switch to press if I felt I needed to get out. There are some loud clicking and banging noises during the procedure. It did help that I knew what to expect, even though it felt a bit weird to have them slide me into the tube. There is not much room to move, but as they want you to keep still that is probably why. It also helped to relax as much as possible so I did meditate a bit and sang in my head. The operator did ask me to hold my breath a few times, and all was done in around 10 minutes. Just like xray, you don't feel a thing.
Quite facinating to see the images at the follow up appointment, too.
Best of luck with yours.
Click to expand...
Many thanks, Pipp. It was good of you to reply. I am mainly concerned that I won't be able to stand my back pain for the 40 minutes it takes. I had an ordinary x ray of my lower back and pelvis this week. It really hurt to lie on my back with my legs straight but each picture only took a couple of minutes. Even so it took 2 people to help me off the table as I hurt so much. I'll just have to take pain killers before I go and think happy thoughts. I haven't had my appointment letter yet so hopefully that will give me some information. Thanks again for taking the time. :)
 
Safi said:
I had a head/c spine one a few years ago - took about 45 mins or so. My GP very kindly gave me a valium for the occasion as I usually fidget my way through stress which is not really an option in an MRI! Other than that the best advice I got was to close your eyes before they slide you into the tube - that way you really don't get much of a sense of how enclosed you are. All in all it wasn't bad :)
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Thanks, Saffi for taking the time to reply.That is very reassuring.:)
 
dogslife said:
Many thanks, Pipp. It was good of you to reply. I am mainly concerned that I won't be able to stand my back pain for the 40 minutes it takes. I had an ordinary x ray of my lower back and pelvis this week. It really hurt to lie on my back with my legs straight but each picture only took a couple of minutes. Even so it took 2 people to help me off the table as I hurt so much. I'll just have to take pain killers before I go and think happy thoughts. I haven't had my appointment letter yet so hopefully that will give me some information. Thanks again for taking the time. :)
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It is important to get as comfortable as possible on the sliding table prior to being slid inside the scanner. Tell the clinician operating the scanner of your pain, they can provide the best pillows and foam wedges and position them for your comfort. If necessary, ask about mild sedative meds in advance of the scan. I do understand about the pain, and the need for help after lying still in the restricted space, and it really does help if you can be confident and relaxed about it.
 
Pipp said:
It is important to get as comfortable as possible on the sliding table prior to being slid inside the scanner. Tell the clinician operating the scanner of your pain, they can provide the best pillows and foam wedges and position them for your comfort. If necessary, ask about mild sedative meds in advance of the scan. I do understand about the pain, and the need for help after lying still in the restricted space, and it really does help if you can be confident and relaxed about it.
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Thanks again, Pipp. I have been in a great deal of pain for the past 8 months. I had a very good physiotherapist but the treatment didn't reduce the pain so she referred me to a specialist at the hospital who arranged the x-ray and scan. I don't get much relief and I struggle to lie in bed so lying in a fixed position for so long is concerning me. I'll do as you say and explain to the operator. You are very kind. Thank you for the advice.:)
 
Take some foam earplugs, it sounds like being at a Hawkwind concert with your head up a Dalek. They might provide some but I’d take a set just in case.

Take any piercings out! If they are cartilage ones, replace them with plastic for the scan so they don’t close up.

Tattoos can tingle, especially if they are recent or contain a lot of red.

I can’t lie flat on my back for long due to back problems but they give you foam wedges to put under your knees to get you in a comfortable position.
 
Pipp said:
It is important to get as comfortable as possible on the sliding table prior to being slid inside the scanner. Tell the clinician operating the scanner of your pain, they can provide the best pillows and foam wedges and position them for your comfort. If necessary, ask about mild sedative meds in advance of the scan. I do understand about the pain, and the need for help after lying still in the restricted space, and it really does help if you can be confident and relaxed about it.
Click to expand...
Thanks Pipp for your advice. I asked my GP this week if the hospital offered any sedation and she said not unless the consultant who requested the scan specifically asked for it. She suggested I take my own pain medication before the scan which is what I was planning to do anyway. My appointment is for next Friday evening. Thanks again for taking the trouble to respond.:)
 
Mel dCP said:
Take some foam earplugs, it sounds like being at a Hawkwind concert with your head up a Dalek. They might provide some but I’d take a set just in case.

Take any piercings out! If they are cartilage ones, replace them with plastic for the scan so they don’t close up.

Tattoos can tingle, especially if they are recent or contain a lot of red.

I can’t lie flat on my back for long due to back problems but they give you foam wedges to put under your knees to get you in a comfortable position.
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Thanks Mel dCP for your advice. The information about the foam wedges was reassuring as that was my main concern.:)
 
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Ah, good luck with it. It really does help if you can go in calm and relaxed. Let us know how you get on.
 
Pipp said:
Ah, good luck with it. It really does help if you can go in calm and relaxed. Let us know how you get on.
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Thank you, Pipp. I will do. :)
 
dogslife said:
Thank you, Pipp. I will do. :)
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Hello Pipp. I said I would let you know how I went on with my MRI scan. It was fine. Only took 1/2 the time I had previously been told it would. Noises were interesting. I found myself counting in rhythm with them and imagining the magnets/ fans that were making them. Disappointed that I didn't hear any music or instructions through the headphones. Maybe they forgot to switch them on? I took my regular pain medication throughout the day. Pillows beneath my knees helped and the bed became warmer as the scan went on which was quite comforting to my painful back. Hope this post will reassure anyone else who has to have one for the first time. Just got to wait 4-6 weeks for the results apparently. :rolleyes:Thanks again:)
 
Morning Mel dCP. I loved your earlier comment about the noises sounding like a Hawkwind concert inside a dalek. It made me smile. They did give me earplugs and headphones which dulled the sounds but I found them interesting to listen to. I didn't hear any music or voices as I was expecting. I think they forgot to switch the headphones on!! Thanks again for bothering to respond. Have a good weekend.:)
 
Thanks for the update, @dogslife. Good to know you got through the scan without too much bother. Let's hope that you and the medics get to the cause of your pain, and find a solution soon.
 
Pipp said:
Thanks for the update, @dogslife. Good to know you got through the scan without too much bother. Let's hope that you and the medics get to the cause of your pain, and find a solution soon.
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Thank you, Pipp. That would be good!:)
 
Update: Got my MRI results sooner than expected. Apart from the usual "wear and tear" I have a bulging disc in my lower spine at L4 &L5 vertebrae which is pressing on nerves and causing so much pain. I have an appointment at 9am tomorrow for an epidural/ steroid injection into my spine. A bit nervous but have to try something. Thanks again to all for your earlier responses.
 
Thanks for the update.
Good luck. Wishing you well
 
Well! Would you believe it? Just about to set off to the hospital for my 9am steroid injection when I got a call from the hospital cancelling my appointment as the consultant had called in sick with the flu. Apparently they can't carry out the procedure if there is any risk of infection. They will ring to rearrange when he is back. Feeling deflated after psyching myself up but it's probably for the best as steroids raise blood sugars and mine are already raised at the moment. :)
 
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