SPINE MRI ?????

chile168

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

salamander

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

I've had them. They give you an eye mask so you won't open your eyes (take one in case they haven't got any). I just concentrated on my breathing and it was fine

annie_mial

I've had one and I'm not only claustrophobic but I hate the dark! I needed it very badly though and I was determined to go through with it.........just closed my eyes and thought of England!

Annie

kathbee

Hi Eve

I had an MRI scan back in Nov 09, for exactly the same as you are going for.

It is worth it to find out what is going on. And its so interesting to look at the scan on screen at the consultant appointment which for me was a couple of weeks later.

Mine showed displaced discs in my lower spine and same just below the neck and also a fractured bone just above the waist area which had happened after a fall.

Someone told me after I had the scan that you can ask for sedation, I'm not sure if that is correct but if you are at all nervous it might be worth asking about it.

I closed my eyes and also they played music as the machine does make some noises.

There is a buzzer which is hand held and therefore you can press it at any time if you want to come out of the scanner, but I was so wanting to get on with it I didnt need to.

Hope all goes well for you.

Kath

oneday

well youre in the right place as loads of us have had these......
i was given some ear defenders and could vaguely hear a bang noise. i was anxious about going in the tube with legs sticking out though so i just kept my eyes completely shut and had a good think! Just think at least youre going to finally find out whats wrong!thats how i saw it....mine showed up fractured vertebrae and slipped discs so i was glad to know it wasnt just muscle pain type back pain etc....good luck....you can do it.

oneday

p.s. one good thing its painless!

skezier

Hi Eve,

Had one or four of em and well mine have always been equipped with light inside and open ended so as you pass further through you get closer to day light as well. Like Oneday I had ear things on and they put the radio on and well it was horrible but necessary and for me as well as feeling a bit claustrophobic (I am) it wasn't too comfortable but they really tried to make it as good as they could. Its 15 mins per section for mine and worth having as its able to show so ,much. Good luck, try no to get worried and it will be ok. Luv and a ((( ))) Cris x

dorcas

Hi Eve!
looks like we've all had at least one :!:

I've had 3 and like Cris said the machines do have light in them and are open ended......so that does help.
I am a bit claustrophobic too and was dreading it the first time...but I kept my eyes shut the whole time and the earphones and music helped.
You can also stop it at any time so I just kept telling myself that and that it would be worth it.....and it was. Yours will be too as it gives the docs all the info they need to know about what arther's up to so you get the right treatment and advice. Iris x

bubbles

The staff are very good and one of them can stay in the room with you, as they offered with me. If you are having a lumbar MRI, then your head is almost out of the other end, so you can look back if you want and see the room or staff member. Most scans can be done in 10 minutes if necessary.

Your GP can give you something to settle your anxiety if you are very worried.

I am sure you will be fine, eyes closed, deep breathing..............

xx Bubbles

frogmorton

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

Hi Eve

I did have an MRI of my spine.

Yes it was a tunnel, but I kept my eyes shut the whole tme as I can have panic attacks :oops: It takes about 20 minutes and you have a panic button in your hand.

Music plays so I counted the records 3 minutes each so I knew how we were doing

They talk to you through headphones and tell you too. There are very loud repetative bangs when they take the photos, This they warned you about too.

I think some places let you take your own music.

Eve - you will be fine.

I supported a person with learning disabilities to have several and he did it Made me feel a real baby :oops:

Good luck

Love

Toni xx

oneday

oh yes, dont wear anything with metal as you have to take it off...so bras can be taken off when you get there but dont wear trousers or skirts with zips as you would have to take them off, i wore track suit bottoms, no metalwork.

dillydream

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

Hi Eve,
I`ve had several and i have also suffered with claustrophobia.
I knew it would involve going into a "tunnel" and i was afraid that i wouldn`t be able to handle it.
I made up my mind that i would close my eyes as soon as i was lying down(so that i didn`t see the inside of the tunnel ) and not open tham again until they brought me back out. I also decided the best thing to do was use images and so i imagined i was lying on a sunbed on the beach listening to the waves coming in.
It wasn`t anything like as awful as i thought it was going to be. The worst bit was trying to keep still while it was going on.
Good luck for April 1st and let us know how you get on
Dilly : - ) xx

jennyanydots

I have never been offered an MRI at all, i have asked but the pain consultant and the orthopeadic consultant said they only show what we already know!!!... i am amazed at this after what i have read, i could have displaced discs, fractures, and all sorts because i suffer really badly with spondylosis in the whole of my spine, fibromyalgia and how do i know fibro is the real cause of the pain with out a scan to confirm this ...

how easy was it for you all to get a MRI ... did you have to push, wait years and years before you got it done ? .. is it all to do with where you live ?.. do you only have an MRI if your being considered for surgery ? ... my GP says if the treatments are the same does it matter what it s !!! ... I have not seen a spine specialist just general ortho .....

jen

dillydream wrote:

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

Hi Eve,
I`ve had several and i have also suffered with claustrophobia.
I knew it would involve going into a "tunnel" and i was afraid that i wouldn`t be able to handle it.
I made up my mind that i would close my eyes as soon as i was lying down(so that i didn`t see the inside of the tunnel ) and not open tham again until they brought me back out. I also decided the best thing to do was use images and so i imagined i was lying on a sunbed on the beach listening to the waves coming in.
It wasn`t anything like as awful as i thought it was going to be. The worst bit was trying to keep still while it was going on.
Good luck for April 1st and let us know how you get on
Dilly : - ) xx

chile168

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all so much for reassuring me but guess that to some extent I will be anxious because of the claustrophobia but will take all your advise on board and will be thinking about it as I go into the tunnel.

Jen, I have complained of back pain for years and know that L4/L5 discs are reduced in height due to a scan I had and paid for in Chile. I have continuously complained to my rheumatologist. But over a month ago I saw my Orthopedic consultant who I have been seeing for 2-3 years due to problems with feet. When he saw me he said - "Eve this is the worst I have ever seen you look" and then he wrote to my GP suggesting that I be referred to a spine specialist.

Im somewhat confused as I have been told that the triage will see me in physio, carry out the MRI and then the orthopedic consultant will see me if the triage thinks I need to. To be honest, that doesn't inspire much confidence as I have seen the physiotherapist at that hospital and I think they are rubbish. If Im unhappy I will speak to my other consultant and hope that he refers me within the same hospital.

Eve

kmt297

Hi Eve,
I had a spine MRI a few weeks ago. I was clautrophobic as a kid but thought I'd grown out of it. First attempt was a disaster, tried to do breathing exercises but panic set in and I had to press the buzzer to be got out. The technician was absolutely lovely - she said I surprised her because I had seemed so calm! I would suggest you tell the technician your concerns so they can help you - mine told me it's very common to be claustrophobic and easier if they know beforehand. I then switched round and went in feet first, at the last minute the technician took away my pillow so I could peep back into the room which helped. It doesn't take long - about 10-15 mins once you're in and you have the radio playing over headphones. I did breathing exercises all the way through to try to keep me calmer and it was worth it - they can tell lots about what's going on in there! I wish you well with it - hope you manage it without too much stress...
KT

purely

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

I am like you and hate confined spaces. If you are anxious ring up and arrange to have something to relax you and they will have valium or similar ready for you. This will help and before you know it you will be done. I did ask once if I could go in in reverse so that my head stayed out in the air. the didnt mind at all and I preferred it.
Tony F

chile168

Hi Tony,

Thank you for the advice and will try and call them tomorrow to make that arrangement. Would I be able to drive afterwards if I take the valium?

I think your idea of facing down is brilliant so will be asking them about that too. Im getting more anxious by the minute and the thought of it sends me into a minor panic so I know that I will be in tears if I don't try and make arrangements.

Do you know if I can take my sister as she can calm me down during panic attacks. I just want to hear the voice of someone I know.


By the way WELCOME to this site and look forward to reading your posts and threads.

Eve

purely

chile168 wrote:

Hi Tony,

Thank you for the advice and will try and call them tomorrow to make that arrangement. Would I be able to drive afterwards if I take the valium?

I think your idea of facing down is brilliant so will be asking them about that too. Im getting more anxious by the minute and the thought of it sends me into a minor panic so I know that I will be in tears if I don't try and make arrangements.

Do you know if I can take my sister as she can calm me down during panic attacks. I just want to hear the voice of someone I know.


By the way WELCOME to this site and look forward to reading your posts and threads.

Eve

I think they advise that if you have valium someone should drive you. I don't think you are able to have anyone in the room with you but your sister I am sure can wait nearby. You have no need to worry about the scan you will be fine. The valium will take away your worries. Once your scan is done the doctors will be able to help you more with your problems so look upon it as a positive thing.

Good Luck with it
TonyF

happymegs

Hi, I've had a few MRI's and I'm claustrophobic and get quite panicky! You know when you're told not to do something and you just have to do it anyway? well I opened my eyes for a split second never again!!!

I try to do what a previous poster does and imagine I'm on holiday but there are builders working and making a noise with their hammers, I mentally go and tell them what I think of them and by the time I have finished telling them off (thinking about my words very carefully) it is normally over and the staff have a good laugh when I tell what I think of.

Please don't worry too much it really isn't that bad. Honest [/quote]

kathbee

jennyanydots wrote:

I have never been offered an MRI at all, i have asked but the pain consultant and the orthopeadic consultant said they only show what we already know!!!... i am amazed at this after what i have read, i could have displaced discs, fractures, and all sorts because i suffer really badly with spondylosis in the whole of my spine, fibromyalgia and how do i know fibro is the real cause of the pain with out a scan to confirm this ...

how easy was it for you all to get a MRI ... did you have to push, wait years and years before you got it done ? .. is it all to do with where you live ?.. do you only have an MRI if your being considered for surgery ? ... my GP says if the treatments are the same does it matter what it s !!! ... I have not seen a spine specialist just general ortho .....

jen

dillydream wrote:

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

Hi Eve,
I`ve had several and i have also suffered with claustrophobia.
I knew it would involve going into a "tunnel" and i was afraid that i wouldn`t be able to handle it.
I made up my mind that i would close my eyes as soon as i was lying down(so that i didn`t see the inside of the tunnel ) and not open tham again until they brought me back out. I also decided the best thing to do was use images and so i imagined i was lying on a sunbed on the beach listening to the waves coming in.
It wasn`t anything like as awful as i thought it was going to be. The worst bit was trying to keep still while it was going on.
Good luck for April 1st and let us know how you get on
Dilly : - ) xx

HI Jen

In answer to some of your questions:

I had an appointment at a muscleoskeletal clinic, because of hip and back pain,
and the consultant told me I had one leg shorter than the other, I had an xray there and then and she showed me the results straight afterwards on the scree and discovered that I needed a hip replacement. She automatically set up an MRI appointment ( I didnt have to ask) for me which showed the damage to my spine and therefore the reason for all the back pain I was troubled with.

That was back in last November 09 and I have had the hip op, glad to say my legs are now the same length but not so glad to say I still have the back pain as I am waiting until a few months have gone by after the hip op before the surgeon will operate or treat my back condition.

Kath x

oneday

jennyanydots wrote:

I have never been offered an MRI at all, i have asked but the pain consultant and the orthopeadic consultant said they only show what we already know!!!... i am amazed at this after what i have read, i could have displaced discs, fractures, and all sorts because i suffer really badly with spondylosis in the whole of my spine, fibromyalgia and how do i know fibro is the real cause of the pain with out a scan to confirm this ...

how easy was it for you all to get a MRI ... did you have to push, wait years and years before you got it done ? .. is it all to do with where you live ?.. do you only have an MRI if your being considered for surgery ? ... my GP says if the treatments are the same does it matter what it s !!! ... I have not seen a spine specialist just general ortho .....

jen

dillydream wrote:

chile168 wrote:

Hi Everyone,

Im due to see a spine specialist but on the 1st April will be having an MRI on the spine first and then the orthopedic consultant will see me.

Have any of you had an MRI to the spine and if so did you go through a tunnel???? Im so anxious already as I suffer very badly with claustrophobia and just the thought of it is making me panic.

Eve

Hi Eve,
I`ve had several and i have also suffered with claustrophobia.
I knew it would involve going into a "tunnel" and i was afraid that i wouldn`t be able to handle it.
I made up my mind that i would close my eyes as soon as i was lying down(so that i didn`t see the inside of the tunnel ) and not open tham again until they brought me back out. I also decided the best thing to do was use images and so i imagined i was lying on a sunbed on the beach listening to the waves coming in.
It wasn`t anything like as awful as i thought it was going to be. The worst bit was trying to keep still while it was going on.
Good luck for April 1st and let us know how you get on
Dilly : - ) xx

Hi there
must put my bit in ...again.....
I was told in the first place that i had slipped disc but as the pain wasnt travelling down the leg they expected it to!! they sent me for an mri which i am glad i had as it found my fractured vertebrae. I think if you have certain symptoms they make a diagnoisis but if you dont match up at least you get tests. It makes me think some diagosis must be wrong.

chile168

Thanks guys for the support and apologise for delay in replying back to the latest posts but I have not been on the net as I have been quite anxious, have a lot on my mind and loads of things going on.

TonyF (purely) I tried what you said and I went in to speak to someone about the scan and they sent me from one place to another and no appointment had been booked. I am still due to see them on 1st April and will have to discuss it then.

Happymegs, As I read your reply I immediately thought of nice HUNKY builders working lol - good idea might try that too.

Have another question for you guys.

1st April I will be seen by the triage nurse in the CAT team and she will decide whether I have an MRI to the spine. To be honest Im dreading it incase she decides I don't need it yet 9 out of 10 I have back problem and knowing my luck Im bound to be okay on that day. The orthopedic surgeon advised that I should have one and have a letter from him stating so.

Should I take the letter incase? Were you guys seen by a triage nurse first?

Thanks - Eve