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OK. I had my MRI this morning. I feel that all of your posts here were quite helpful. I also looked up the machine, after talking to the tech by phone, who was excellent at helping me know what to expect. I was prescribed 2 Valium, at $6 a pill, and given instructions to take one about 1 hour before the procedure, and if necessary, 1 more right before the test.
I spoke to an aquaintance I have made at the gym,who is a retired psychiatrist, and he advised me to limit myself to one. “You’ll be sleept,” he told me. (He was right)
But the valium did help with my anxiety.
The tech was extremely low key and he told me what to expect.
Man, that thing was noisy, even with earplugs! As a poster recommended, I did think of a washing machine, during some of the buzzing.
I took an ibuprofen as well as the valium beforehand, so I had no discomfort.
I go back in one week to see a different doc, and hear whatever bad news he has.
Thanks to all who took the time to post their experiences. I aporeciate it.
PS Right before I got onto the platform, I asked if there was a way to get me out of that thing if they had a sudden power failure or emergency. He assured me there was a way to “release” me.
I just quoted your first post then decided to check the last page before I answered you, silibran. Glad I did. Good to hear you got through it.
When I had to have my first MRI, I freaked. I was so scared thinking about being in that machine. I was worried about lying flat on my back too, I was sure my back would go into spasms. They put a pillow under my knees. Yay. I peeked and saw that my nose wasn't against anything and I could look into the mirror behind my head. Good thing I did that before it started up, I was in for neck and head scans. I had to be perfectly still, not open my eyes and even had to control my swallowing! Lol, talk about loud....try having all those sounds right on your ears! I also have contrast put in for the 2nd round. Takes me 2 1/2-3 hours each time, twice a year. I have gotten so used to them that they are nbd anymore, plus my MS is doing well enough that I don't need another one until next year. Yay! Knock on wood.
Did they give you a panic button? That made me feel better the first time too. Some places play music through the ear plugs too! That was cool.
I just had a bilateral breast MRI and it was torture. So I am glad yours went ok for you. I had to lay on my stomach with my boobs into the holes, my arms over my head and my neck stretched to the left. It was about an hour with no talking, no relief and extreme pain in my shoulder which already had been bothering me. I had a bulb in my hand, which I assumed was for me to press if I couldn't take it anymore. It was with contrast, so there also was an IV needle in my arm.
I had no idea what to expect and the tech offered no help either. Did not talk to me the whole time. So glad it's over. When you have arthritis, this is NOT fun.
No panic button, but I had a rubber bulb I could squeeze to talk to the tech,i squeezed it once because I badly wanted to cough. He let me know me before he turned the thing on each time, and he would also mention how many minutes each session of buzzing and banging would take.
I did not have a music option.
The breast MRI sounds awful. I hope AZgarden never has to have another one. It is too bad designers of this sort of equipment don’t take painful joints into account when designing this equipment. In my case I did not have pain until after the test, when back pain came out and bit me.
I just wanted to share the results, and then begone from the thread. My spine is “not that bad” and I am to start PT in a week or so for my back. He does not know why my leg hurts.
The painful leg is what pushed me to see the doc in the first place!
But the leg is less painful than it was.
I’m scratching my head over whether to go in about my knees. I guess if they get worse (and I am sure they will) I’ll go in again then.
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