NSV Victory

Needed an MRI on my shoulder.  I have had them before, but always in an Open MRI - I guess in the old days they could tell by looking at my figure that I would not fit in a closed MRI.

Yesterday, they put me a closed MRI.  OMG - it was like Spock's coffin. The joy of fitting in soon wore off.  I will not use a closed MRI again - and I'm not claustrophobic or anything like that.  I was HOT, NOISY, NO AIR so after the first 5 minutes, I was breaking oxygen-depleted air for 35 mi.  I suffered through it to get the images, but I cannot now image ever doing a closed MRI again, no matter my size.

I am claustrophobic, just reading your description made me break out in a cold sweat.  The best invention...open sided MRI machines!  I hope your shoulder is not the rotator cuff but is something that can be remedied with just phsyical therapy.  I've been through 2 rotator cuff surgeries.

Thanks, the doc is suspecting rot cuff - I'm hoping its just a deltoid strain. 

Really, I was sweating and made them bring me out after the first scan was over and I changed into one of those skimpy cotton hosp gowns.  It was still hot, but I wanted to get it done and figure out what's going on with my shoulder.  If I had to reschedule with an Open one it would prob have been into next week. I felt like I was in a coffin and you can't move or you'll get a blurred scan.

PS  I think I've suggested to back off of weighing so often until you are further out because you are already 100% compliant so you can't do any better, so the scale does not inform your daily behavior, but may drive you crazy.  FYI - I'm a year out, pretty stable, but still hoping for a few more pounds to come off.  I weigh several times a week (but never more than once daily), not exactly daily, but close. Now, the scale gives me useful feedback and keeps me honest on and track. Writing the number is a victory.  Do what works for you, but you can make a plan based on where you are in this crazy wonderful journey. 

Have a great New Year!! You're off to a wonderful start.

Thank you, my friend.  I think I can declare my stall to be over...for now.  I found that increasing my daily protein to 70-80 grams and my water to 90+ ozs finally got the scale to move this week.  The first two days of this week it was only 1/4 lb, yesterday it was a 1/2 lb, then today it was 1 lb.

As for your rotator cuff, have you ever had a RC surgery?  It's not fun.  If you don't have a complete tear your doctor may opt not to do surgery but instead just immobilize your arm for a while then send you to PT.  If it's a complete tear....well, then we'll talk.

BTW, I meant to say in my previous response...congratulations on your NSV!

Did not have rc surg, but had PT over the summer.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  If I have another surgery, I don't want anything but plastics!

Congrats on getting through that stall - seems you are certainly off to a great star for 2016.  That you are willing to experiment to find what works for you is great.  We may need to do it as we go through each stage.