MRI tomorrow and somewhat freaking out

andromeda · 08-28-2012, 05:54 PM

I'm finally having an MRI tomorrow, after months of waiting. I thought I'd be okay with it but now it's only a matter of hours, I'm getting really nervous and panicky about the whole thing. They're taking it of my head and neck so I will have to lie still for around 40 minutes apparently. They say I can bring music but I have no idea what music is appropriate for an MRI scan. Anything I bring will just sound cinematic and bizarre. I keep thinking, what if they find something they weren't initially looking for?? What if they find something terribly wrong? I have nobody to go with me and I admit it: I am so scared. I have a valium ready for the morning.

Mark in Idaho · 08-28-2012, 07:44 PM

andromeda,

Relax. You likely do not even need an MRI much less have anything to fear from it.

To prepare, you should choose music that will help you relax and also to overcome the noise of the pounding magnet. It will sound like someone is using a jack hammer a few feet away.

It you have any claustrophobic tendencies, my suggestion is to cuddle with yourself. Fold your arms across your chest and grab your elbows. This will prevent your arms from touching the sides of the tunnel. I also close my eyes. They will put a cage like sensor array over your head. Closing your eyes means you do not try to focus on the cage.

Did you ask for the MRI or was it suggested by your doctor?

Some doctors suggest imaging to help their patients understand that there is nothing serious wrong with their brain. This can reduce anxiety and enhance healing.

The cervical image may or may not show some small trauma to your neck. Studies show that there is very little correlation between the MRI image and cervical vertebra symptoms. It may show some inflammation or ligament injury but they are hard to image.

And BTW. You will likely be in the MRI room for 40 minutes but the process will take much less. A lot of the time is just getting set up, etc. If you struggle to sleep tonight, maybe you can fall asleep.

I prefer to use maximum hearing protection with foam ear plugs and head phones if possible. I don't see how I could enjoy music with the noise of the MRI machine.

So, relax and expect an all clear so you can reduce your anxiety.

btw, I have had 6 or 7 head MRI's if not more. I forget. They never found anything. So, I guess I am missing a brain. LOL

My best to you.

windseeker242 · 08-28-2012, 09:48 PM

I was nervous before my MRI - especially because I've always been told I had metal wires in my head (from an unrelated surgery when I was a child) Once I was in the gown and ready to go I was very nervous. I discovered that I had "no metal in my skull" which was a relief. I had trouble sleeping the night before too and I think that helped. I was so tired that I just kinda zoned out when I was in the machine, kinda like when your getting a cavity filled and you just go somewhere else in your head. Wear the headphones they offer, It sounds kinda like dub-step samples being played on different scales one at a time. You have to remain still throughout the procedure. I asked "can I blink" and the operator joking asked "why would you want to blink?!"

I lied there with my mouth slightly open and my eyes closed like when your sleeping and just relaxed. It was over before I knew it.

Your gonne do just fine. Let us know how it went when your done

Best of Luck!

sospan · 08-29-2012, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andromeda

I'm finally having an MRI tomorrow, after months of waiting. I thought I'd be okay with it but now it's only a matter of hours, I'm getting really nervous and panicky about the whole thing. They're taking it of my head and neck so I will have to lie still for around 40 minutes apparently. They say I can bring music but I have no idea what music is appropriate for an MRI scan. Anything I bring will just sound cinematic and bizarre. I keep thinking, what if they find something they weren't initially looking for?? What if they find something terribly wrong? I have nobody to go with me and I admit it: I am so scared. I have a valium ready for the morning.

What a strange coincidence - I am having mine tomorrow after waiting nearly 6 months. I have had MRI's previously on my neck and knees. They are indeed painless, lying motionless on the hard surface does mean I get a little stiff getting up.

I also feel strangely apprehensive of the test. I have never had a thorough examination at all about my injury in the 8 months so far. The test is a pre-cursor to a Neurologists examination.I am not expecting the MRI scan to pin point anything

My concern is that after 8 months I have no "proof" of the injury and that I may get a poor quality Neurologist whom will be dismissive and like so many on this forum have found the symptoms are put down to depression, age or worse still faking - which they aren't

It is a strange position to be in wanting to know whats wrong but at the same time worried by the diagnosis

andromeda · 08-29-2012, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sospan

My concern is that after 8 months I have no "proof" of the injury and that I may get a poor quality Neurologist whom will be dismissive and like so many on this forum have found the symptoms are put down to depression, age or worse still faking - which they aren't

It is a strange position to be in wanting to know whats wrong but at the same time worried by the diagnosis

Yes me too! And mine is also so the neurologist can examine it before I begin treatment. People around me (not dictors) keep saying, "we'll know more when we see the MRI" and "let's wait and see what the MRI says" but my understanding is that it will only show bleeding and if it doesn't show anything, it's lot indicative of there not being a problem. It's so irritating - people just don't understand. They want to see hard evidence. My lawyer is having me seen by a specialist at a private clinic so I'm hoping he can at least set the insurers straight.

Thanks for your advice everyone, I've made a cd and taken some Valium so feel pretty sleepy and out of it. I'll let you know how I get on!

sospan · 08-29-2012, 03:54 AM

Seems to be both of our doctors are working to the same script. My solicitor is arranging the same for me. However, then it will be a battle between the "experts"

andromeda · 08-29-2012, 07:39 AM

Back from the hospital. Despite the Valium haze I started to panic on the bed, but managed to keep it together when they put the headphones on and I could listen to Paul Simon & Bob Dylan's soothing voices...

Mark: I shut my eyes and hugged myself as I went in, don't open them again until I was out. Thanks for that suggestion - I think I would have freaked out had I seen what I was inside of.

The hospital staff were very nice, actively trying to keep me calm. It was not easy in there but they've got clear images now and I feel good for having kept it together.

Thanks everyone.

sospan · 08-29-2012, 12:24 PM

Glad it went well and its all calm now. You can sit down and bask in the aftermath. Lets see what the Neuro comes up with

BTW. Did not want to mention it before - the last one I had before my head injury was in a very small machine and I am quite broad they had to squeeze me

with my nose virtually touching the top of the scanner. After about 20 mins I thought to myself "This is like being in a coffin" - I wish I hadn't thought that it seemed very long from that point

andromeda · 08-29-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sospan

Glad it went well and its all calm now. You can sit down and bask in the aftermath. Lets see what the Neuro comes up with

BTW. Did not want to mention it before - the last one I had before my head injury was in a very small machine and I am quite broad they had to squeeze me

with my nose virtually touching the top of the scanner. After about 20 mins I thought to myself "This is like being in a coffin" - I wish I hadn't thought that it seemed very long from that point

Oh my goodness! When they moved me in further to do my neck, though my eyes were still closed, I felt my belt against the opening of the machine which made me freak a bit because I really felt like I was wedged in then. I couldn't have done it with my eyes open...or without my music. I just had to imagine I was lying in bed at home the whole time, though did have a brief panic when I wondered if I'd remembered to remove my earrings or not...

Do you get to see the images? After all that I'd like to at least see what my brain looks like.

Mark in Idaho · 08-29-2012, 07:54 PM

Some clinics will give you a password to access your images online. I have a copy of my last images on CD. I also had a PET and an MRI/MRA. I can see the vascular structures in my brain.