Has anyone ever had an MRI? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-07-2006, 11:35 AM

I'm having neck and upper back/shoulder pain, and I've been seeing an orthopedic doctor. He shot me up with needles twice

, but I'm not getting much relief. Needles in the back of my head, neck, etc. They don't hurt so much, but feel like a bee sting.

I know I have arthritis in my neck, but he wants to make sure nothing else is going like with a disc or whatever.

He told me the other day that he wants me to have an MRI. I told him that I'm claustrophobic and have been all my life. I asked about those Open MRI scanners that I've heard about. He told me that they still have a coffin feel to them and my head would still be covered. It's just the sides that are open.

Having an MRI has been a lifelong fear of mine. I'm not kidding. I can't even pick up the phone to make the appointment.

Ireneparalegal · 12-07-2006, 11:39 AM

Yes. I have had 4 MRI's. I never had a problem with the machine. I enjoyed the fact that you can bring your own CD from home or they will provide you will musical options such as a CD or listening to a radio station. It was very soothing and relaxing to me. Even though hearing all this noise from the machine, like a rapid tapping noise, etc. I still was able to hear the music and just close my eyes and be able to relax.

I know what you mean abt the feeling of enclosures. I never knew what to expect until I had my first MRI. I hope that you do get it done though, it can answer a lot of questions for you. Good luck.

James"Thunder"Early · 12-07-2006, 11:43 AM

Once, a long time ago. I didn't like at all.

Bobby F. · 12-07-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm having neck and upper back/shoulder pain, and I've been seeing an orthopedic doctor. He shot me up with needles twice

, but I'm not getting much relief. Needles in the back of my head, neck, etc. They don't hurt so much, but feel like a bee sting.

I know I have arthritis in my neck, but he wants to make sure nothing else is going like with a disc or whatever.

He told me the other day that he wants me to have an MRI. I told him that I'm claustrophobic and have been all my life. I asked about those Open MRI scanners that I've heard about. He told me that they still have a coffin feel to them and my head would still be covered. It's just the sides that are open.

Having an MRI has been a lifelong fear of mine. I'm not kidding. I can't even pick up the phone to make the appointment.

Your doc must have not seen some of the up-dated MRI machines. I was in one that had 4 pillars on each side with the machine on it. Open all the way around. This was back in 94' so I'm sure that they've even gotten better. I'm not crazy about tight places either but this was a breeze.

KissMyGrits · 12-07-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm having neck and upper back/shoulder pain, and I've been seeing an orthopedic doctor. He shot me up with needles twice

, but I'm not getting much relief. Needles in the back of my head, neck, etc. They don't hurt so much, but feel like a bee sting.

I know I have arthritis in my neck, but he wants to make sure nothing else is going like with a disc or whatever.

He told me the other day that he wants me to have an MRI. I told him that I'm claustrophobic and have been all my life. I asked about those Open MRI scanners that I've heard about. He told me that they still have a coffin feel to them and my head would still be covered. It's just the sides that are open.

Having an MRI has been a lifelong fear of mine. I'm not kidding. I can't even pick up the phone to make the appointment.

Janice,

I have never had and MRI. However, my mother-in-law went for one 2 years ago. The first appointment was for a regular MRI. She is just like you, very claustrophobic. She thought she could handle it though. They gave her some valium to help calm her down. It didn't work. They ended up doing and open MRI. It was the easiest test that she had ever went for.

I would definitely check with the center and see if they offer an open MRI procedure. If not maybe your doctor can give you a name of a center that does open MRI's.

Brad Russ · 12-07-2006, 12:29 PM

I'm also very claustrophobic myself, so I'd definitely be pretty scared to get an MRI. Fortunately, Iv'e never had to have one. Iv'e been having really bad neck and shoulder pain lately though, so it might not be long before I have to.

Anyway, I hope you can get some relief for these problems soon. I know they've been giving you problems for quite some time now. I wish you the very best!!

Brad Russ · 12-07-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Jen_

I hope your pain goes away Brad.

Thanks Jen!!

TVFactFan · 12-07-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I'm having neck and upper back/shoulder pain, and I've been seeing an orthopedic doctor. He shot me up with needles twice

, but I'm not getting much relief. Needles in the back of my head, neck, etc. They don't hurt so much, but feel like a bee sting.

I know I have arthritis in my neck, but he wants to make sure nothing else is going like with a disc or whatever.

He told me the other day that he wants me to have an MRI. I told him that I'm claustrophobic and have been all my life. I asked about those Open MRI scanners that I've heard about. He told me that they still have a coffin feel to them and my head would still be covered. It's just the sides that are open.

Having an MRI has been a lifelong fear of mine. I'm not kidding. I can't even pick up the phone to make the appointment.

I did and i was on the verge of a panic attack because I felt like I was inside a coffin. That's how unspacious it was but what made it a little better was they were palying AL JAREEAU songs-lol But very UNCOMFORTABLE

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 12-07-2006, 12:52 PM

My mom is the same way. She is constantly getting MRIs for one thing or another and she uses the open machine. She just closes her eyes once she's in there and she's fine.

jie3 · 12-07-2006, 01:56 PM

When our patient's are going for an MRI, and they're anxious, we'll ask them if they'd like some mild sedation. It usually helps reduce the anxiety and makes things a whole lot more comfortable.

I'm sure your Doc would be able to arrange something.

J

Kay Scarpetta · 12-07-2006, 02:01 PM

I've had tons and tons of them. My daily anti-anxiety medication usually helps me though. I'm so claustrophobic.

Studio 60 · 12-07-2006, 09:40 PM

i just had an MRI on my knee about 6 weeks ago. i didnt know that i was semi-claustrophobic until i had it done. even though my whole body didnt go in the machine, i still didnt like it. and i was cold so it made my leg twitch. i didnt know how much energy i had either. staying still for 45 minutes was hard for me.

but all in all, i thought it went ok. they found out that i tore my ACL and needed surgery so its very helpful

PZelda · 12-07-2006, 09:42 PM

I had to have a MRI a long time ago, when I was having sinus issues. I wasn't frightened at all- it's honestly not so bad, really.

Karen* · 12-08-2006, 01:13 AM

I had one when I first got diagnosed with my scoliosis. I think it was back in 2002?

sara · 12-08-2006, 01:56 AM

I had one done last year and I didn't have a problem with it, but I'm not claustrophobic.

12-07-2006, 11:35 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Has anyone ever had an MRI? I'm having neck and upper back/shoulder pain, and I've been seeing an orthopedic doctor. He shot me up with needles twice , but I'm not getting much relief. Needles in the back of my head, neck, etc. They don't hurt so much, but feel like a bee sting. I know I have arthritis in my neck, but he wants to make sure nothing else is going like with a disc or whatever. He told me the other day that he wants me to have an MRI. I told him that I'm claustrophobic and have been all my life. I asked about those Open MRI scanners that I've heard about. He told me that they still have a coffin feel to them and my head would still be covered. It's just the sides that are open. Having an MRI has been a lifelong fear of mine. I'm not kidding. I can't even pick up the phone to make the appointment.

12-07-2006, 11:39 AM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	Yes. I have had 4 MRI's. I never had a problem with the machine. I enjoyed the fact that you can bring your own CD from home or they will provide you will musical options such as a CD or listening to a radio station. It was very soothing and relaxing to me. Even though hearing all this noise from the machine, like a rapid tapping noise, etc. I still was able to hear the music and just close my eyes and be able to relax. I know what you mean abt the feeling of enclosures. I never knew what to expect until I had my first MRI. I hope that you do get it done though, it can answer a lot of questions for you. Good luck.
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12-07-2006, 11:43 AM	#3
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,087	Once, a long time ago. I didn't like at all.
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12-07-2006, 12:29 PM	#6
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	I'm also very claustrophobic myself, so I'd definitely be pretty scared to get an MRI. Fortunately, Iv'e never had to have one. Iv'e been having really bad neck and shoulder pain lately though, so it might not be long before I have to. Anyway, I hope you can get some relief for these problems soon. I know they've been giving you problems for quite some time now. I wish you the very best!!
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12-07-2006, 01:56 PM	#10
jie3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 13, 2005 Location: HOME OF THE BRAVE! Posts: 1,057	When our patient's are going for an MRI, and they're anxious, we'll ask them if they'd like some mild sedation. It usually helps reduce the anxiety and makes things a whole lot more comfortable. I'm sure your Doc would be able to arrange something. J
	__________________ Savor the fruits of life, but don't leave me with the indigestion! Bring Home The Troops Trade List: http://www.freewebs.com/jie3-tvtrader/ Best trade site ever! http://www.savageamusement.com

12-07-2006, 12:52 PM	#9
AllIWantIsYourClutch peaceout. Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Location: Illinois. Posts: 53,424	My mom is the same way. She is constantly getting MRIs for one thing or another and she uses the open machine. She just closes her eyes once she's in there and she's fine.

12-07-2006, 02:01 PM	#11
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	I've had tons and tons of them. My daily anti-anxiety medication usually helps me though. I'm so claustrophobic.
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12-07-2006, 09:40 PM	#12
Studio 60 12.28.06 Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 28, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 41	i just had an MRI on my knee about 6 weeks ago. i didnt know that i was semi-claustrophobic until i had it done. even though my whole body didnt go in the machine, i still didnt like it. and i was cold so it made my leg twitch. i didnt know how much energy i had either. staying still for 45 minutes was hard for me. but all in all, i thought it went ok. they found out that i tore my ACL and needed surgery so its very helpful

12-07-2006, 09:42 PM	#13
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	I had to have a MRI a long time ago, when I was having sinus issues. I wasn't frightened at all- it's honestly not so bad, really.
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12-08-2006, 01:13 AM	#14
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I had one when I first got diagnosed with my scoliosis. I think it was back in 2002?
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12-08-2006, 01:56 AM	#15
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	I had one done last year and I didn't have a problem with it, but I'm not claustrophobic.
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