Momling Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I have had numb hands for the past 6 months and just to rule out anything awful, I'm going to have a cervical spine MRI tomorrow. I'm curious what it's like... and I know this sounds weird, but I'm kind of excited to see what I look like on the inside. I hope I get to see the scan! So... anyway, ever had one? what's it like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I think the answers you get are going to be varied. I have had several of my spine, which means your entire body is in the machine. Personally, I found them to be terrifying. I tried valium (did nothing), I tried to tough it (they made it up to my eyebrows before I flipped out) and I have been out cold (my favorite). My father had several and he thought it was very relaxing :confused1: Its basically freezing cold (wear warm socks) and loud (seriously loud, like construction site loud). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Depends on the body part they are scanning. Basically, it is like laying in a large metal trash can, unable to move, while someone beats on the outside with a large stick. I would seriously try to relax and take a nap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 It's very loud and cramped. Mine had a little mirror right above my head that was tilted so I could see outside. I almost lost it until I decided to focus on deep breathing, then I found it weirdly relaxing. My mom has had a couple and she needs to be out cold because she always falls asleep part way through and starts twitching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Mine had headphones and satellite radio. I asked that it be put on the Margaritaville channel. I put on my sleep mask, before being slid into the tube, listened to beach music and chilled. i was terrified before hand since I don't do closed up spaces well. The music and the mask let me pretend much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 yeah, they might have played music for me too? i forget. i only had my knee, but the computer crashed and they had to do it twice. long and boring and, yeah, loud. like shake-your-body loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I had a lower spine MRI several years ago, have no history of panic attacks and was completely shocked when I essentially panicked as my head went into the machine. I did not have any anti anxiety drugs on board (Valium, Ativan, etc.). The tech put me in backwards and I suffered through, craning my neck backward so I could focus on looking at the ceiling. The noises did not bother me one bit, but I was absolutely panic stricken and it took every skill I had to cope with being in a tight space. It was a visceral reaction that I could not control. I am a therapist and have done two natural childbirths so I have plenty of coping skills, but I think I would rather do another unmedicated childbirth than an MRI, if that gives you an idea of how it was for me. Not everyone has this reaction, but I don't know that it can be predicted. I would essentially ask for strong sedation if I had to have this done again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Most of the machines are more open these days. You are on a stretcher and they slide your head into a large life saver/tunnel shaped machine. We get a choice of music. It's loud and runs in segments of time. I like to have them tell me the time. "The next will be five minutes.", or "You have 22 minutes left. I ask how long the whole thing is and figure out about how many songs. Afterwards ask if you can look at the scan. They won't tell you anything to do with your condition but it is very interesting. Your anxiety level shouldn't be too high since it's so doubtful they will find anything. Oops that didn't sound right. They will see a brain I'm sure. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I had a brain scan 8 years ago. It was loud and dark--they gave me earphones (but not music) and put blinders over my eyes. It didn't bother me to be closed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I've had a couple of MRIs....both open and closed. You will dress into clothes without metal. I chose to wear normal clothes but take off my bra for the scan rather than dress into a gown. They will have you lay down on a table that will then be raised and sent into a machine. You have to hold very very still while the scan occurs. Brain MRIs typically last 45-60 min. My daughter got to watch movie goggles while she had her monthly MRIs during treatment for brain cancer. Apparently, as an adult, things are more boring. One facility allowed me to bring a cd to listen to. The other didn't. The open MRI made a loud humming and clicking sound; the closed MRI made horrible rhythmic thumps and loud clanging. I napped through my first MRI, but during my one last fall I needed to sneeze and pee. (I was 31 weeks pregnant.) I didn't feel claustrophobic in either, but they gave me a panic button in case I needed it. If you need to push the button, don't worry. It helped to have the lady say, "this will last 3 minutes. this sequence will last 2 minutes, etc. It gave me a chance to scratch my nose at one point when a sequence ended. Seeing your brain is pretty cool. I assume they are giving you a scan with contrast....if you think you are having a reaction to the contrast, push the button. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 To me, they are relaxing, though noisy. I have had a lot of them. Wear comfy clothes with no zippers or metal at all, no jewelry, watches, hair accessories with metal. Good luck, I'm sure you will do just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I was afraid I would be claustrophobic so I started to pray through mine and ended up falling asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowing Brook Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I had to have one to see if I had a tumor behind my ear. It is a little noisy. To me it was no big deal. I would have fallen asleep had it not been for the technician asking me every three minutes if I was ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I went in feet first and laying on my tummy so my head ended up just barely in the machine. My arms had to be stretched out 'over' head and the technician let my husband sit there and hold my fingers. That helped me soooooo much. I 'sang' praise songs in my head to keep my mind off everything--very effective. It was LOUD--I had earplugs and it was still loud. Mine took 45 minutes with the tech telling me how long each phase would be. That helped too. All in all, not too bad, once you are used to it. It's still not my favorite test for sure...but effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Cool - Thanks for all the info! I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm not an anxious person by nature, so I doubt I'll have trouble. At least I'll go in prepared. In a best case scenario, nothing will be wrong with my spine and I'll know what getting an MRI is like and I'll get to see what I look like on the inside (and verify I don't have some alien in my chest like Sigourney Weaver did ;-). In a worst case scenario, at least it'll be clear why I have such a lack of sensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I find MRIs to be relaxing. I put in ear plugs and close my eyes. I hope you get answers. My numbness was cause by new "stroke like" migraine symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I had one late last year, and like everyone else said it is noisy and clunky. I'm not claustrophobic, but boy, it started to get to me. Mind you, it did take about 45mins and I had to keep holding my breath which was incredibly difficult considering I struggled to breathe normally at the time. Other than that, I had my music put on which helped me keep focused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013  had one a few years ago. I had it to look at my sinuses as I was having trouble breathing. I Had to put n a hospital gown and remove all jewelry. I then hopped on a trolley thingy and had my head pushed in. It was very quiet. after a few minutes the operator ( not sure what he was called) cam e over , pulled me out and asked me if I could breath at all (well obviously as I was still alive). He had never ever seen such large polyps in all the years of doing his job!) after he confirmed that I was still breathing he went back to his machine and kept on scanning me. I didn't see him again. Turned out that the polyps were completely filling the sinuses in my cheeks, blocking both nostrils and extending down my throat (specialist told me that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Tip: if you wear a sports bra with no metal in it, you can keep your undies on. I have never had an MRI, but my daughter has had two. She never thought they were bad, but the first one was with contrast, and the dye made her stiff for a couple of days. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes/went. Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 I'm back! You know... an MRI is not something you can be prepared for. Loud just doesn't cover it. It was like alternating between a jackhammer next to my ear and then sometimes a siren and sometimes someone yelling "badabadabadabadabada" with a tamborine and a jackhammer as accompaniment. It was not easy to relax and it was awfully hard to not swallow for 3-5 minute periods. I did get the contrast injection too. It felt a little burning up my arm, but it wasn't too horrible. All in all, I survived, but I'd be happy to not ever do that again. I'll post results if they're anything interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I'm back! You know... an MRI is not something you can be prepared for. Loud just doesn't cover it. It was like alternating between a jackhammer next to my ear and then sometimes a siren and sometimes someone yelling "badabadabadabadabada" with a tamborine and a jackhammer as accompaniment. It was not easy to relax and it was awfully hard to not swallow for 3-5 minute periods. I did get the contrast injection too. It felt a little burning up my arm, but it wasn't too horrible. All in all, I survived, but I'd be happy to not ever do that again. I'll post results if they're anything interesting. Glad you survived! Here's hoping for BORING results. I get numbness in my hands from time to time--but it's my back. I'm sure you discussed this with a chiropractor already. Just wanted to mention my experiences. I hope you get relief in a simple manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I never thought about not swallowing. That puts a new spin on things. I'm glad you're out and intact. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Good news - I saw the MRI (my partner works at the hospital...) and it looked totally normal. I am appalled by my back and chin fat though. I'm not overweight, but oh my... I don't look very slim from some angles (internal). It's good that I can rule out the cervical spine as a source for the constant numbness of my hands, but it looks like I don't have an answer. Luckily, I don't have pain or anything, so I suppose I can live with it. In a way, I'd have preferred something specific and non-life-threatening and fixable to have shown up on the MRI and then I could fix it and all would be well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 LOUD, very, very LOUD. Banging, whirling more banging, more whirling. Did I mention loud, even with head phones. I just close my eyes and tried to relax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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