davidl Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Had an MRI for the first time last night. Not a comfortable thing. I never thought I was claustrophobic but apparently I was a little bit wrong. Didn't go into a panic or anything but was very happy to get out of that tube. They tell you not to move and breath shallow. They had to redo one image because I was breathing too heavily. Hard not to. I'm 6'1" and weigh about 220. I have no idea how larger folks do it. I felt like I was in a coffin. Anyone else share the feeling? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShredAstaire Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I had an MRI about 2 months ago...it was on my head so my whole body didn't go in. I felt ok...I thought I would be more claustraphobic but i was fine. Just focused on my breathing and listened to music in my head. I think if I went all the way in though I woulda been freaked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I had one done in a tube-like MRI machine many years ago. I am a bit claustrophobic but I was fine, it was a dual so they took scans of my lower and upper back...that takes twice as long. I fell sleep and luckily did not move much. the funniest thing is when I yawned in there and could not stretch out, I wanted to do that so bad. The MRI I had last time was on one of the new "open" machines, very nice and comfortable. Probably that is one of the few times in my life when I am awake and I stay still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chase1410 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Kind of off topic...but have any of you become claustrophobic with age? When I was younger I never had a problem with claustrophobia, but now as I progress into my 20's...I've become alot more freaked out in small places...I find myself panicking, when in an elevator, packed into a small car, or even when thinking of being in a coffin, or as some of you stated, that MRI machine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Shallow breathing? Do they say anything about snoring? My wife had one done. I made the decision to go into the room with her. Had to strip off all metallic objects, put them into a locker that didn't. After 20 minutes, I nearly fell asleep, so did my wife. (they gave us ear plugs) All tolled it took about 45 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowdiddley Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Dave when I was in the testing phase prior to my liver transplant I had several. Didn't really bother me but I was glad to get out of it. I learned to bring my iPod so they could put my own music on for me to listen to. I'm about your size as well and it was tight! They had one at MUSC in Charleston, SC that was huge, two people could get in that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paging Page Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I learned from mine that when the nurse calls to make your appointment and asks you, "Do you want to be sedated?" THE ANSWER IS YES!!! Even if you don't think you're claustrophobic, etc. They said I'd be wearing a helmet (it was a brain MRI). No. They lie. They locked a wire cage over my face like Hannibal Lecter. Which was halfway OK until the thought occurred to me "I can't get out...." and then my life was flashing before my eyes the remaining 20 min. I'll never do that without sedation again. shudder L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I once had an MRI; the docs gave me drugs and it went away....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I'm an MRI Radiologist. I've had at least 40 on myself while developing protocols. Amazing technology. Consider this. Before MRI and CT of the brain, the only way to look was to inject air in the spinal canal and turn the patient upside down or do a next to worthless nuclear scan. I'd have an MRI per day instead of that experience I tell ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Had quite a few with my back and neck injury, But nope not claustrophobic at all I usually just listen to my I pod and fall asleep. the size is almost a issue s get tight but at 6'4" and 270 I barely fit unless they use the larger units or even better the open MRI design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I have had many MRI's they don't bother me, but I can see why some people would freak out. Layla, I had the same type of MRI, did they inject a dye? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I once had an MRI; the docs gave me drugs and it went away....... I had Grape Nuts once but it cleared up with a heavy doses of pain killers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I've had two recently. One with contrast and the first without both on for my entire back. I can understand why some would have problems with them - it is a small tube. They gave me headphones and asked what my favorite radio station was. I just closed my eyes and listened to the music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAS44 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I've had two, once when I was ten, the other when I was thirteen. They are uncomfortable and loud, but best bear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff-7 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I've had 4, all to do with football (torn meniscus in both knees, torn pcl, and dislocated shoulder). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ne14t? Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I have had a few, the first one was OK; just a long time. The second one was also long and I started feeling closed in. The third time I asked for something to relax me and I ended up sleeping through the entire thing dreaming about a huge Pringles can coming after me. I swear thats what it sounds like, a Pringles lid being pushed and released.... Best Description ever! I have had a couple from mountain biking injuries and it was no biggie for me. That other procedure with the air in the spinal cord and nuclear scan sound painful and slightly radioactive, I will take the big magnet any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Here where I live we have Open MRI's http://www.willamettevalleyimaging.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Kind of off topic...but have any of you become claustrophobic with age? When I was younger I never had a problem with claustrophobia, but now as I progress into my 20's...I becoming alot more freaked out in small places...I find myself panicking, even when thinking of being in a coffin, or as some of you stated, that MRI machine... I am selectively claustrophobic, and yes it started in my 20's. I don't really freak out at all but I also am not going "caving" anytime soon. I get "cabin fever" quick, I have the ability to work from home but I do it only occasionally because I need to get out and see people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namvet Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Have had a few. Was afraid the dam* thing would catch fire and I'd be trapped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I had one, but it was one of the newer open ones. Took a multilayer image of my brain. For someone as crazy as I am, I have a pretty solid mass of fat up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I've had five or six. I guess I'm a bit claustrophobic, but closing my eyes makes it bearable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidl Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 I found closing my eyes was a big help too. I grabbed on to SRV little wing and that was soothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Have had a few. Was afraid the dam* thing would catch fire and I'd be trapped. Was never worried about that, but I did have some concerns about one of my tattoo's that is mostly black and had tested as having some metal oxide content, so they were repeatedly checking it and asking me if I felt any burning. They had also wrapped some kind of a dense blanket thing around it that supposedly will help reduce the magnetic waves at that location. I never had any issue and Ive never had any issue from any of my tattoos but that part was a little nerve wracking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 i've had no less than 10 MRIs, usually have to be woken up when we're done so I guess they don't bother me. i'd take 10 MRIs to 1 Myelogram(sp?) any day, for the Myelo they remove (tap) spinal fluid and replace it w/dye.....the slightest inbalance of the amount drawn/replaced can and will cause a migraine from he!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I had a CT scan. Is that the same? Didn't mind the scan too much, but signing that release form with all the things that "could" happen is a little scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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