Back from the MRI

OH MY GOSH! I just got home from the MRI. The last one was a breeze compared to this one. I got there at 7:30 and just got home (1:00). The first thing the receptionist said was "Wow- they are doing your whole spine, with AND without contrast." I had no idea, but it wasn't a big deal. I asked how long it would take and she said at least 3 hours in the machine. So I go in and undress- put on the gown and walk up to the machine. This time they are doing my neck too (I realize that they are looking for cancer throughout my spine- it scares me a bit). No pillow this time- I'm locked in a neck brace back and front. There's this plastic guard thing that locks my face in place, like a helmet for football, but across my whole face. Then there were foam pieces to hold my ears steady. I did NOT like the guard on my face- it was making me tense. Then the man (I had a different technician from last time) was ready to go and slid me under. Before the woman put a towel over my eyes and said to think I was at a spa. Then she gave me a panic button in case I needed her for anything. The guy just rolled me under- no towel-no button. I was deeper into the machine this time to do the neck and the top of the machine was right there just above my face. I had to be perfectly still. BUT guess what- I start to panic- BIG TIME- no panic button.... I start yelling at him to pull me out and waving my right arm out the side. He pulled me out and I said- I need Xanex- lots of it.  To make a long story short they gave me a mega dose and I got through it- three scans without contrast and three with the IV contrast. What an ordeal!  I think that I was more nervous to begin with and this time I drove myself so had no drugs in my system at all. Plus the cancer thing was in my mind this time but not before. After I was done I sat for an hour to get less spacey so that I could drive. Thank goodness that is over with. I hope that all testing is done now and I can relax and just recoup from all of the trauma. I should know the results next week.
Thanks for all of your prayers and wishes for good health.
Julia

Good Lord!  What an ordeal. I'm sorry you didn't have someone go with you, at least you would have known someone was there, even if they couldn't have done anything.

Anyway, we were all there with you in spirit.

Hugs,

Julia

What a horrible experience!  I've heard a lot of times about how people get claustrophobic in the MRI machines.  The male technician should have known better, especially with using the face mask.  Once this is all over and everything's fine, I think I'd put a bug in someone's ear.  Maybe a note to the head of the department with just a little suggestion would help.

Xanax is great stuff....

Thinking of you.

Candy

Sound horrible. And I thought my day was bad.

I am send good vibes your way. Take some deep breaths and think healing thoughts.

Julia,

Man oh man !!!!! MRI's are the pits. They should advise people to take lots & lots of drugs.

Rest easy tonight.

hugs
Annette

Oh my gosh  -  I'm glad that horrible experience is over.
I'll be holding good thoughts for you.
Margaret

JULIA,

Does this MRI machine thing mean you won't go into the space program and not fly in a spaceship?

And you are so good at flying. I've ridden with you.

Janet

Was I driving too fast? Haha!

RIDE WITH JULIA?.... DEPENDS!!!

Glad the MRI thing is out of the way!

Janet

Geeze, Julia! Can we all take a vote and put that technician in the machine for double the time you had!! My husband is quite claustrophic and failed to telled them that the first time he had an MRI on his back. He was shaking so hard for about an hour afterward that I was afraid he would have a stroke. Since then he's had the more "open" machines and takes drugs before. Hopefully the results of all of this agony will be good. You deserve it. Hugs.