scans

spacey
spacey Member Posts: 126
edited 18. Mar 2011, 08:35 in Living with Arthritis archive
morning, I am going for my 2 MRI scans today so they have said half an hour in the tunnel. My husband went for one last year but after 2 attempts they had to stop as he is claustraphobic. Think I will be ok on that front but a little concerned about how I will manage lying still and on my back for that length of time. wish me luck at about 2.45 thanks! x

Comments

  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck with it spacey..
    Can you not ask them for a sedative of some kind if it is going to be painful etc.. I think I've heard others mention it before.
    It's many years since I had an mri, just remember it being awkward laying still as you say, and noisy..

    Best wishes, might be worth asking about the sedative.
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
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    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • caterina57
    caterina57 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had an MRI some years ago, Wasn't painful but not nice in that it was like being in the middle of a washing machine cycle and a rap concert! I was in for 45 mins --- It was on my head though! I survived!lol
    Cath
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had an MRI about a week ago and I have to admit I wasn't very comfortable lying there. There was a lady in the waiting room who'd been given a sedative (diazepam, I think?). I saw her afterwards and she said she was nice and chilled. Is that an option you?

    Good luck, will be thinking of you.
  • Compositor
    Compositor Member Posts: 122
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Spacey

    I had 2 scans over the last few weeks, it is a little bit of an ordeal, particularly the lying down in limited space, although, I also have tinnititis and the noises really got to me, I found that more intimidating than lying down in differing positions...but I got through it, and managed to get to the bottom of things. Good luck and have good day.

    regards

    John
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It can be uncomfortable - it depends on what is being scanned. My knees were painful mainly because they had to squash them to fit into the cup designed to keep the knee still. They were grumpy as mine were too fat for their bit of kit - I was grumpy cos they damn well hurt me! You can see thro the tunnel, it really isn't too bad, noisy yes, but that is all. Close your eyes, think nice thoughts, it's a chance to lie there and do nothing for half an hour - how lovely is that? Good luck, and if you can let us know how it went. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi spacey :grin:

    Wishing you good luck with your scans today. :wink:

    I've had MRI scans too and found that keeping my eyes shut for the time I was in the tunnel helped a great deal. The radiographers also played music through the headphones and although it doesn't prevent you hearing the noise the machine makes when it's taking the scans, it does help.

    Hope it all goes well and that the results will allow the docs to pinpoint arther and offer the best treatment options.

    Iris xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Spacey,

    They aren't pleasant but they are so revealing that it worth having them and I hate the bit in the middle with no daylight and so nearly ring to have it stopped but its better in my case to just get it over and done with really.

    I keep my eyes wide open and am some tense but the radio helps though the first one I had didn't cus it was radio 2 and in those days it really was bad :lol: My last one I was lucky it timed nicely with Scot Mills so it wasn't as bad :wink:

    Good luck flower and be thinking of you. Cris x
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi spacey
    If you are on time with the scan you will be going in in 15 mins,

    Just caught you intime to jump in your pocket.

    I always worry about being laid on my back for so long but i think your mind is elsewhere and you seem to manage. It also doesn't seem that long.

    Hope it goes well.
    take care
    juliepf x
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck Spacey..

    You should be going through the tunnel now..
    I am sure you will be fine...
    Thinking of you
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey spacey, I hope you are out, done and home and that it all went OK. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I hope the scan went well. I've had a few and they are really uncomfortable, although for me it was worse the next day, when the ice cold table seemed to have chilled my back and twisted it! That was the first one for my back. The others I had didn't seem so bad, I think because I was more relaxed, knowing what would happen. Love Sue
  • spacey
    spacey Member Posts: 126
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. It went well in the end, I walked in and didnt look at the tunnel then lay down and shut my eyes so i have no idea what a confined space it was although both my elbows were touching the sides. I was suprised at how loud it was but lay back thinking happy thoughts and listened to the radio. I also had a wedge under my knees so the laying flat wasnt too bad either. All in all I wouldnt do it for fun but got through it ok. I am sure though it was because of all of the positive thoughts coming my way so thanks again xxx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Spacey, sorry I was too late to wish you good luck today, but really pleased you managed and that the lying still wasn't as hard as you expected.

    Love Tilly xxx
  • gretta
    gretta Member Posts: 74
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Spacey
    Sorry I was too late to offer any help. I too had an MRI scan 3 months ago & was concerned because I have a bad back. But it was okay, they put a wedge under my knees & folded the pillow in half so that I wasn't totally flat. Closed my eyes all the time I was in the tunnel. Wouldn't bother me now to have another one. You have to tell them though about your bad back so that they will make you comfortable.

    Gretta
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,837
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done you Spacey

    Of i had seen this i would have told you they gave me a wedge for the one for my back so you didn't need to worry.

    Now thet's hope the results come back soon.

    LOve

    Toni xx