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#29874 - 08/04/04 03:00 PM My first MRI is coming up
Craig Offline


Registered: 11/13/01
Posts: 1784
Loc: Collegeville, PA, USA
What with my headaches being everyday and all, my neurologist has decided I need an MRI. This means I:

(1) take off all my clothes <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
(2) put on a paper dress <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
(3) remove all metal, including glasses, wedding band, and watch (unlike the airports, the MRI people REALLY mean it) <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
(4) get radioactive dye injected into my head <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
(5) have myself slid into a giant metal tube for god knows how long <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
(6) am utterly and completely helpless all the while <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I'm looking for the upside here, but I don't see one. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />


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#29875 - 08/04/04 03:17 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
Anonymous
Unregistered


1. MRI´s are expensive , YOU`RE WORTH IT.
2. You are not the first person to have one
3. Hopefully Your first MRI will be your last
4. 1 Hour could save you from ????? Headaches
Remember: YOU ARE A SURVIVOR !

DAM


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#29876 - 08/04/04 03:39 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
Vinosaur Offline
dedicated member

Registered: 03/25/04
Posts: 128
Loc: North Central IL
When in college, I had to do a CAT Scan for a sinus problem. Was in the tube for almost 2 hours while the mapped out my sinuses so they could determine how to "fix" me. I had to lay on my stomache, with my arms at my side and my head pushed back as far as it would go. This was back when the machines were very small and cramped. The machines now are much larger, and often of the "open" type. Plus, the MRI often yeilds much better results than the CT scan. Good luck, you will get through this with no problems.
_________________________
If only closed minds came with closed mouths.

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#29877 - 08/04/04 03:40 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
X-ray Dave Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/11/03
Posts: 572
Loc: Nevada
Craig, I work at an MRI center ( we also do Cat Scans and X-rays etc.) Since MRI is really just a big magnent they do want all metal removed (gold and silver jewlrey is OK as long as it's not over the area to be imaged) Most places don't give you a gown, just wear some sweats with no metal on them. MRI's can get cold, so sweats are preferable. The contrast, or dye is NOT radioactive at all. There is no radiation whatsoever with MRI. The dye used is GADOLINIUM, very safe and reactions are rare (our MRI Tech has seen 2 or 3 in 15+ years). The Gad serves to highlight blood vessels and gives a much better scan (more info). Depending on exactly what studies your Doc wants, plan on at least an hour. MRI is noisy, so you will get ear plugs, if it's not your head you may be able to listen to music. Call the MRI place and ask to speak with one of the Techs about your exam and they can help you out. If you are really apprehensive about it, get someone to drive you and ask you Doc for a little something to sedate you. If you can't hold very still for entire exam, the study won't be as good and your stay will be longer if they have to repeat anything. Hope this helps, PM me if you need any more info, be happy to talk on the phone.

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#29878 - 08/04/04 03:53 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
X-ray Dave Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/11/03
Posts: 572
Loc: Nevada
At this point CT is much faster than it used to be. It takes about as long to type in the Patient's info as it does to do a sinus scan. Many people are dissapointed when it takes so little time and complain that it's a lot of money for such a short nothing exam .Since fluid (or yuck) in the sinus is heavier than air it will sink and layer out on the scans, that's why you have to lay face down with your head back.Same reason why sinus and chest xrays are done sitting or standing up. Ct scans are always faster than MRI because they scan things 1 or 2 times. MRI does many different "series" of scans to "see" things differently. In general CT is better for bones and anything in the chest, abdomen or pelvis. MRI is better for brains, soft tissue back & neck injuries and joint injuries.

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#29879 - 08/04/04 04:51 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
Avatar Offline
journeyman

Registered: 01/05/04
Posts: 49
Loc: USA
Craig, I'm sending along my best wishes toward to the outcome of your MRI. I hope that both the experience and the results will prove to be just an interesting experience...and nothing more.

We all hear stories about going through the MRI that are all slightly negative, and I'd like to ask X-Ray Dave several more questions:

When the person is in the "tube," just how tight is it in there? Are you fairly closed in, or is there a fairly good feeling of open space around you?

Also, are both ends of the "tube" open and not sealed off in any way?
(Getting in there and NOT losing my mind and making a terrible scene would be of great importance to my personal dignity.) <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I know that no metal objects are allowed around the MRI, but what happens when the patient has metal within their body? This would be pins or rods in bones, and even metal fillings in teeth.
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#29880 - 08/04/04 06:33 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
JOEGREEN Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/09/02
Posts: 204
Loc: Long Island, New York
Craig,

My son had an MRI when he was 6, also due to constant headaches. It was an "open" MRI, and I was allowed to be in the room while he was scanned. He actually fell asleep during the scan! The result: the headaches were due to stress. At 6 years old. Due mostly to his teacher and schoolwork. Hooray for modern education. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> The neurologist wanted to put him on beta blockers, but we said no way. He still occasionally gets headaches, maybe once a month or so. He manages his stress by playing sports and pummeling his little brother. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine.
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#29881 - 08/04/04 06:57 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
Craig Offline


Registered: 11/13/01
Posts: 1784
Loc: Collegeville, PA, USA
Thanks for the replies, all.

Since this is about my Chronic Daily Headaches, it involves my head. My only real concern is, I'm kind of fidgety. I'll have to ask for a valium or something.

Having to remove my glasses is okay, I guess, especially if the MRI chamber is a close fit. If a wall is smack dab in front of me, well, I'm not claustrophobic, but I dislike that 'hemmed in' feeling.

Good points, everyone. I'll have to look at my sweats to see if I have any without metal eyelets.

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#29882 - 08/04/04 07:15 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
X-ray Dave Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/11/03
Posts: 572
Loc: Nevada
Good questions! Mri tube diameter varies, I think that the largest is 26 inches. Both ends are open and on some tubes the ends are "flared" to give better visability. The bigger you are, the tighter the fit. The body part of interest needs to be in the center of the tube. So if you are tall and it's your knee, your head will be outside. Most places have mirrored glassses so you can see out. Provided that it's not your head or neck that's getting scanned. Some places have music available. Metal in the body, as long as it's in bone or teeth is OK. Stuff like metal fragments in the eye are a BIG no-no. The magnent is strong enough to remove them. The other biggies are, heart pacemaker, brain clips and inner ear prothesis. Coins left in the pocket can heat up and leave a red mark. Watches, cell phones, pagers etc don't do very well either. A word about "open" MRI. An open MRI is 2 slabs with the patient in between them. If you can turn your head, you can see out. Great! but if it's a head or neck MRI you get to look straight up at the slab in front of you. So "open" can be a little missleading, also quality of the scan is normally not as good as with the tube. The newest open MRI allows you to sit or stand and see out, even watch tv or a movie(provided you stay still) There are a LOT of claustraphobic people and we can give them some oral valium for relaxation as long as they bring a driver. The valium works for people that are just nervous as well. I should mention that in order to shield the magnent there are no windows, and that patient can hear and talk to the Tech during the exam. Any time any one has a CT scan, MRI or injection in x-ray it's a good idea to call and ask questions. Most MD's do a poor job explaining the procedure. They may have ordered 100's of the test, but they may never have actually seen one. I'm at work, so I'm being brief.

Dave

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#29883 - 08/04/04 07:48 PM Re: My first MRI is coming up
Pete_Kenney Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 07/12/04
Posts: 56
Loc: Sylvania, OH
For years, I had migraines. Sometimes they would last two weeks straight--day and night. Then a friend mentioned that certain foods prompt headaches. In particular, this friend mentioned that chocolate is a very common cause of headaches.

During that period, I would get the munchies at work everyday around mid afternoon and head for the candy machine and buy a chocolate bar. This just fed the migraine on a daily basis.

By all means, get the MRI. But check out your diet also. Some web article I found once said that there are two groups of foods that cause headaches. The two food groupings are based on the presence of one or another chemical that causes the headache.


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