Had My First Set Of MRI Scans Today

[ProfessorGAC]

6am this morning.
Brain was the target. With & without contrast.
Laying flat & stationary for 45-50 minutes really tightened up my back muscles. I needed the railing put up to pull myself into a seated position. Yikes, that stung.
So, next Monday I'm scheduled for the same set of scans, except it's doubled up. Two on the cervical spine, the other two on the thoracic spine.
The idea of being in there for twice as long was very unappealing.
So, I mention to the technician that I'll probably reschedule one set so I only have to do one region at a time.
She says "Hold on. Let me check something."
She told me that if was willing to back next Thursday instead of Monday, but later in the morning, she could book me on their newest MRI unit.
It scans more than twice as fast! so I could get 4 scans done in less time than today's 2.
I said "I'm in!"
I wish I had known before and I would have scheduled for that unit today.
At least I'm in the speedy machine next week.
I didn't know that different MRI machines worked at different speeds!

[SheltieLover]

1. Good luck with results & next 2, Professor

[Lochloosa]

2. Did they offer Valuim? I would ask your Doc. It really helps.

[Silent Type]

6. I'd need a double dose to go in that tube, unless I could press a button and eject immediately.

[Lochloosa]

14. My wife has to take it for claustrophobia. 5mg dose for her.

[beaglelover]

23. I had an MRI of my prostate last November and I did ask for the sedative. I expected to be given

Valium like I was for my Lasik surgery and that was great. But instead it was some other pill that did not chill me out as much as I was hoping. When they put me in the tube I was a bit panicky at first but then I realized that I could see the opening of the end of the tube if I looked up, so that helped calm me. Then the various scans started and the different noises the machine makes for each scan kind of put me at ease. I was able to get through the 45 minutes in the tube and was glad when it was over.

[ProfessorGAC]

15. They Did Not

And, I didn't ask.
Having had MS for 30 years now, I've had lots of MRIs. (I was also part of the study group for the drug company on patients with the cerebellar form of the disease, so every other year for 10 years).
They don't bother me & I have no claustrophobia.
It's just that as I aged, the laying in one spot without moving for 45 or 50 minutes, with no back arch was more difficult than it used to be.

[mopinko]

18. maybe

a muscle relaxant wd help.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. That's Possible

I'm thinking maybe a rolled up towel under my lower back will keep my arch so I don't tighten up so much.
I was ok after about 10 minutes, so I'm just being a baby about it, I think.

[Skittles]

3. hey

I am out of the loop a lot because of my "night shift hours" - may I ask what the scans are for, thanks.....

[highplainsdem]

8. Here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10182168463

[Skittles]

12. ahh OK thank you

I have a bond with the Prof because we joined DU at same time on the same date in 2001

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Right Back At Ya

And, I'm in the privileged few. You only asked me once if you needed to kick my ass!

[EuterpeThelo]

4. Wishing you luck

With the next set of tests and hope everything is OK!

[True Dough]

5. Just be careful!

If you go through too fast you come out as a Big Mac.



Hoping for the best, Prof!

[woodsprite]

7. Glad you're done at least with the first set.

I didn't realize MRIs would work faster or slower, but it would make sense if the tech/unit is the newest version. I found out that the machine that doles out radiation for treatments can vary in treatment times by about 15 min (in my case) depending on how recently they've been serviced/or had their core replenished. When they used a replenished machine on me, my treatment time went from 20 min to 7 min. Maybe MRI machines are similar.

Sending good positive thoughts to you for next Thursday!

[Figarosmom]

9. Hope the results are good.

Well as good as can be. Good vibes being sent.

[Cha]

10. Wishing Best Healing Results,

Prof GAC.

[LoisB]

11. Good Luck.

[Skittles]

13. I had no idea that MRIs could take so long

[ProfessorGAC]

16. It Is BORING!

Just laying there, with the head in a halo, while the machine goes, buzz, warble, hum, and shakes.
Tedious!

[Skittles]

26. I am hyperactive and that would drive me nuts

I donate double platelets every three weeks - that requires me to be still around 90 - 100 minutes but at least I am watching a movie or reading!

[ProfessorGAC]

27. Gotta Do Something

But in that tube, can't even have headphones on because the speakers are magnets, and they're targeting everything in the head.
Just listening to that machine doing it's boring thing. Good thing they gave me earplugs.
I can't go an hour, even watching TV or surfing the net, without getting up to play piano or grab a guitar.
I'm most appreciative to get rescheduled on that faster machine.

[debm55]

17. Good luck, Professor GAC,

[mopinko]

19. i've had several ct's on the last yr.

they r much faster than they used to b.

[AllaN01Bear]

22. had one done a while ago and had no phobic attacks @ all. how ever did feel the magnetic effects of the

machine thougth.

[Clouds Passing]

24. Did you have the cube around your head? OMG panic attack!

[ProfessorGAC]

25. It Wasn't A Cube

It was more like a hockey helmet, but with a face guard that lined up across the mouth and a center bar that went over the nose.
I'm not sure how confining it is or isn't because I knew I had to keep my head still or go through it again.
The only tricky part is scratching an itch or rubbing an eye.
My eyes got pretty dry with that cool, dry air in there.

[Clouds Passing]

28. I hope your tests come out ok. Glad you got your ring off 😄