Randomly....

[geminigirl]

They're sending me for an MRI of my neck-they suspect that a problem with my neck (possibly a disk or something) may be causing the shoulder problems. I've never had one before-have any of you? Suggestions, comments, valium? Is this something that I'll be able to drive myself to and from or what?

Comments

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

I found it interesting and only *mildly* claustrophobic. Basically, you're fed through a tube and have to stay pretty still for a long time, but unless your back hurts when you lie still for a long time (as mine does), it's pretty pain-free and noninvasive. I don't see any reason you can't drive to and from.

[melebeth]

Bring a CD with music you like. They generally offer to play music for you and the selection frequently sucks. Which is, admittedly distracting, but bleh. As the above poster said it won't hurt, but a) you'll have to take out any earrings/piercings in the area, and b) if you're claustrophobic it may make you a bit stressed. That having been said unless you're incredibly claustrophobic you should have no problem driving home

[mhw.livejournal.com]

I've had a few, and the predominant effect on me was boredom. I don't have real claustrophobia, so being slid backwards into a tube not much wider than I am wasn't distressing. Lying as still as possible can be uncomfortable. It's also VERY loud in there when it's running, but they give you ear protectors, so it's not unbearable.

I'd rate it 9/10 on my pleasantness scale of interventions. I'd still rather have my physio run the ultrasound over me. That's a definite ten :)

[geminigirl]

Does it take long? I could probably handle the tube for some time, but I'm not sure how long...I know my Mom who is very prone to claustrophobia had to be prescribed valium before she went for the test-she panicked the first time...

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

It takes a while (it varies depending on how much they're doing, etc -- mine took something like 15-20 minutes, I think) but if you just remember that they'll pull you out if you tell them you're panicking, you probably will not mind it much, besides being bored.

[mhw.livejournal.com]

I think it very much depends on how much of you needs scanning. My lower-back scans take about 20 minutes inside the tube. Tell the radiographer if you get nervous (you shuold have an inbuilt mike and speakers so they can hear you and talk with you).

seems a pretty good patient info resource.

[danger-chick.livejournal.com]

You might not be put into the tube very deeply, as maybe only your head and shoulders need to be checked out. I had several done years ago (15 years next winter!) to my full spine, which meant that my whole body was in. I got valium and morphine before I went in the tube because I had broken my back and they were going to have to move me around a lot without being casted while laying on a back board. I was mostly bored and sleepy, but I enjoy enclosed spaces. The banging noise became annoying after awhile and no one thought about ear plugs. (They should have given them to my mother at least who sat in the same room during the test; she got quite a headache from listening to the banging.) Because it was so long ago they didn't play CDs for patients, which was still pretty new technology then. But they did have a cartoon taped to the top of the tube that I stared at. I remember that I got very good at saying the alphabet backwards.