Has anyone ever had an MRI?

[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 :eek:, 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]

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]

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

[Bobby F.]

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

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

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]

I hope your pain goes away Brad.

Thanks Jen!! :)

[TVFactFan]

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

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]

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]

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

[Studio 60]

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]

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*]

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

[sara]

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

[Stormtracker TF]

Never had one done, but it sounds frightening. I'd probably be horrified.

[swedeace]

My sister has had various MRIs done on her. She has MS, so she has to get them done when she has her routine checkups done.

[Janice]

I had the MRI done today. They used the open machine, but it was more enclosed than I would have preferred. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. My doctor gave me a sedative, and I just about fell asleep, lol. My husband sat next to me and held my hand the entire time...about 45 minutes.

I obsessed about that for weeks. Now comes the sequel, where I obsess for days over the test results...and of course it has to be a holiday.

[Courtnee]

I had one while I was in the emergency room after I got hit by the truck. Not fun, very boring.

[Fleet]

I've never had one, but I don't think it would bother me. As long as it isn't painful, I wouldn't mind. A lot easier than a dental visit, I would guess.

My mom had an MRI in early 2005 which is how her doctor diagnosed her with vascular dementia caused by transient ischemic attacks [mini-strokes] (also known as multi-infarct disease), the result of atheroscleorosis (hardening of the arteries).

[Janice]

Here's the MRI machine they used. I scanned it from their brochure.

[treky]

I've had 3 of them; it's not bad. They let you listen to the radio or CDs if you want; and they talk to you the entire time.

[sara]

I had the MRI done today. They used the open machine, but it was more enclosed than I would have preferred. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. My doctor gave me a sedative, and I just about fell asleep, lol. My husband sat next to me and held my hand the entire time...about 45 minutes.

I obsessed about that for weeks. Now comes the sequel, where I obsess for days over the test results...and of course it has to be a holiday.
I'm glad you got through it ok. I hope the results are good :)

[catlover79]

I've never had an MRI. I did have an ultrasound to check for gallstones, and a couple of CT scans, but no MRIs.

[Waterston_Fan]

I haven't had an MRI but had a CT scan to see if it was a good idea to have the tympanoplasty ear surgery on the right ear. The left was done but it didn't work because of abnormalities. Good thing cause it wasn't worth doing the right ear.

[Doodyville10019]

I had an MRI for my right knee two years ago. They did it in an open MRI machine, whch was really nice. The lady who performed the MRI was a sweetheart too.

[catlover79]

I've never had an MRI. I did have an ultrasound to check for gallstones, and a couple of CT scans, but no MRIs.
Scratch that - I just had my first ever MRI today on my left knee to check for ligament damage from the accident. It was a bit scary because it was one of those closed things. They put a cloth over my eyes and headphones with music to keep me diverted. It took about half an hour. Not fun.