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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
Has anyone had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of their head? I'm supposed to have one, but I'm having doubts about my ability to withstand it. The idea of being strapped down inside a machine, unable to move for at least a half hour worries me a lot. I don't think I have claustrophobia, but I could develop it while being encased like that. If anyone has experienced an MRI, please write about what it was like for you.
Posted by Mattie on July 3, 2001, at 14:20:22
In reply to MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
I had an MRI in November and like you was really scared. My doctor gave me xanax to take before if I wanted to and I did. I also looked at the unit through a window beforehand (they were doing another patient) and that reassured me for some reason. Anyhow, it was a piece of cake. Just laid real still, said a rosary and listened to music. However, I did not open my eyes at all through the whole thing. It is mostly your head in there and they will slide you out if you ask. Mine was with contrast so there was an injection at the end; that was nothing. There are different types of MRI machines. One is like a doughnut, open at both ends, but I was told the preferred kind is not. The one I was in had a window. Call the center where you will have it. They are use to this and were very reassuring. My insurance covered several places and I choose the newest facility. Thankfully, the results were O.K. Good luck to you and be sure to take a support person with you if anxious. That helped, too.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 3, 2001, at 16:18:08
In reply to MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
Hi. I've had three MRIs of my brain, and I didn't find it to be too big a deal. It's kind of small in there, but not smothering. I fell asleep one of the three times (despite the loud noise that the machine makes). It takes around 45 minutes, and you can talk to the MRI technician if you need help (like if you start panicking or something). Some people need to take benzodiazepines before having a brain MRI. If you're worried, you might ask your doctor for a small amount of Xanax to take before the MRI.
BTW, I don't recall being strapped down, although you aren't supposed to move around.
-elizabeth
Posted by Judy on July 3, 2001, at 18:12:12
In reply to MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
Craig - It's not that bad at all - truth! The entire session takes 30 - 45 minutes, but it a series of short durations. There's a microphone in the machine through which the tech communicates with you constantly (and you can speak to them at all times). They'll tell you "This one will be about two minutes" and for those two minutes you have to remain still. More than likely, you'll be so intrigued by the weird noises (very much like someone banging on different sized metal pipes - with no rhythm at all to the banging) that you'll be surprised when they say "Okay, you can move or cough or scratch your nose until we're ready to do the next one." I don't think any of the tests were longer than three minutes each.
You won't be strapped down but the back of your your head and neck will be positioned in a foam brace type of pillow. Your face will be pretty close to the 'ceiling' of the tube, but there's no sense of smothering. If you look down, you can see your legs and feet sticking out into the 'daylight'.
It's actually pretty interesting...I think you'll be just fine.
Judy
Posted by DebbieLynn on July 3, 2001, at 20:51:23
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience » Craig, posted by Judy on July 3, 2001, at 18:12:12
> Craig - It's not that bad at all - truth! The entire session takes 30 - 45 minutes, but it a series of short durations. There's a microphone in the machine through which the tech communicates with you constantly (and you can speak to them at all times). They'll tell you "This one will be about two minutes" and for those two minutes you have to remain still. More than likely, you'll be so intrigued by the weird noises (very much like someone banging on different sized metal pipes - with no rhythm at all to the banging) that you'll be surprised when they say "Okay, you can move or cough or scratch your nose until we're ready to do the next one." I don't think any of the tests were longer than three minutes each.
>
> You won't be strapped down but the back of your your head and neck will be positioned in a foam brace type of pillow. Your face will be pretty close to the 'ceiling' of the tube, but there's no sense of smothering. If you look down, you can see your legs and feet sticking out into the 'daylight'.
>
> It's actually pretty interesting...I think you'll be just fine.
>
> JudyHello
I don't know where you live, but in our state (Maryland) we have "wide open mri." You are not enclosed. You may want to see if that is available in your area!Debbie
Posted by Craig on July 4, 2001, at 3:20:20
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience » Craig, posted by Judy on July 3, 2001, at 18:12:12
I thought I had to remain still for the entire 45 minutes that I was in the machine, so it is great news to hear that there are breaks after every 2-3 minutes. How much can you move around during the brief breaks? What if I needed to sit up at some point - would they pull me out during a break or is that only a last resort? Is your head elevated at all in the machine? I sleep on three pillows at night or I have trouble breathing (mostly sinus related), so laying with my head flat on the table for very long could be a problem.
If I'm only having an MRI of my head, will everything from my shoulders down remain outside of the machine? And finally.... are they going to make me wear one of those damn hospital gowns?!!! ;-)
Posted by Lupercal on July 4, 2001, at 3:38:08
In reply to MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
> Has anyone had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of their head? I'm supposed to have one, but I'm having doubts about my ability to withstand it. The idea of being strapped down inside a machine, unable to move for at least a half hour worries me a lot. I don't think I have claustrophobia, but I could develop it while being encased like that. If anyone has experienced an MRI, please write about what it was like for you.
As a matter of fact I had one last night! Truly.
In my case the main thing I was concerned about was the noise, as I have severe tinnitus and noise induced hearing loss. As far as the confinement goes though, it was really no problem at all. I am somewhat claustraphobic myself, andI remember having one done about 15 years ago which I found a bit oppressive, but this time I hardly gave a thought to it. One reason may have been that with this machine they had mirrors so that when you looked straight up, what you actually saw was a view through the end of the machine, looking towards the control room, where I could see the technicians moving around talking, etc. It really didn't even feel like I was inside the machine. I also did take some valium beforehand, which probaby helped, but I think it would have been ok anyway to be honest.And of course they give you a control button or bulb, which will get you out the instant you squeeze it, iof you really can't handle it.
My one advice though: PLEASE make sure you wear hearing protection. Those things can produce noise levels comparable to a rock concert, and a very breif exposure is enough to harm your hearing. Make sure you take the earplugs they offer you, and if they have earmuffs as well, take them, too. That'll cut 30-40 db off the noise level.
Good luck with the results. You'll be fine with the test.
Tim
Posted by Lupercal on July 4, 2001, at 3:44:52
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience » Judy, posted by Craig on July 4, 2001, at 3:20:20
> I thought I had to remain still for the entire 45 minutes that I was in the machine, so it is great news to hear that there are breaks after every 2-3 minutes. How much can you move around during the brief breaks? What if I needed to sit up at some point - would they pull me out during a break or is that only a last resort? Is your head elevated at all in the machine? I sleep on three pillows at night or I have trouble breathing (mostly sinus related), so laying with my head flat on the table for very long could be a problem.
>
> If I'm only having an MRI of my head, will everything from my shoulders down remain outside of the machine? And finally.... are they going to make me wear one of those damn hospital gowns?!!! ;-)Ok, let's see... first of all, this is assuming you have the same sort of machine as I was in. They do differ a little. But this would be the most confining sort. I actually couldn't tell how much of my body was inside the machine (which has to be a good sign), but certainly your shoulders and upper torso will be. Try to fold your arms across your chest or keep them close to your sides. Having them brush against the sides of the machine reinforces any sense of confinement you might have. If you don;t come into physical contact with the sides of the machine, you would have no reason to suspect you were inside it (especially if your eyes are closed. I'd recommend that method, if the machine doesn't have the mirror-arrangement like mine did.)
I don't think your head will be elevated, but I could be wrong.
It may differ somewhat with you, but in my case there were about a half dozen different scans. These ranged in length from 15 second up to about 4 minutes. They slid me out between scans, so the longest I was in there at any one time was probably 5 minutes (they did do the last two without a break, but I think they'd have given me one if I'd asked for it)
And no, you should be able to wear your own clothes. The only thing that has to come off is anything metallic. e.g., armour would be a problem ;)
Tim
Posted by AKC on July 4, 2001, at 8:15:06
In reply to MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
Craig,
I'm pretty clausterphobic (sp?) and did okay (did the xanex thing though). It was reassuring to know that I could take a break if I needed to (I never did). And it really helped to have the tech continuously talk to me letting me know what was happening. I'm now of the mindset that if I could do it (because of my clausterphobia), pretty much anyone can! Good luck - I'm sure it will go well.
AKC
Posted by Judy on July 4, 2001, at 10:20:31
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience » Judy, posted by Craig on July 4, 2001, at 3:20:20
> How much can you move around during the brief breaks? What if I needed to sit up at some point - would they pull me out during a break or is that only a last resort?
You can wiggle around during breaks, change your arm and leg positions, cough, sneeze, etc. but generally they won't pull you out because that will just lengthen the time the whole procedure takes. They *will* pull you out if you ask them to (double check with the tech on this before they slide you in - if you are told 'no', ask for another tech!)
>Is your head elevated at all in the machine? I sleep on three pillows at night or I have trouble breathing (mostly sinus related), so laying with my head flat on the table for very long could be a problem.
The 'pillow' that holds your head in one place will elevate your head a little. I don't think you'll have trouble with 'sinus-clog' for the short time you'll be there.
> If I'm only having an MRI of my head, will everything from my shoulders down remain outside of the machine?Like Tim said, most of your torso will be inside the tube. Depending on how tall you are, your legs will be outside. I forgot about the mirror he mentioned...that allows you to see the tech who is usually visable through a window at your foot end of the room. I also forgot to mention that they will probably have you put those foam ear plugs in your ears (you can still hear the machine and the tech talking though).
>And finally.... are they going to make me wear one of those damn hospital gowns?!!! ;-)No gown needed to do your head :-D! Before you go into the MRI room, they'll probably assign you a little locker and you'll be asked to remove your watch, rings, wallet, coins, (anything metal) and lock them up.
Also, as DebbieLynn said, they do have newer open-sided MRI machines now - so maybe you'll get one of those - but all the procedures will remain the same.
BTW, they may allow someone to sit in the MRI room with you if you ask - I sat in on my daughter's MRI. I also had to remove all my jewelry and I had to wear the earplugs, but we could converse and the machine she was in had a timer on the outside so I could tell her how much more time she had for each part of the testing as it counted down.
Posted by Diane J. on July 4, 2001, at 16:15:21
In reply to MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 3, 2001, at 1:29:23
Dear Craig,
I had an MRI a couple of years ago. I was pretty apprehensive and the doctor did give me a slight sedative. I was not strapped in, but I was instructed to lie still. My head and torso were inside the machine. I wore my regular clothes. It turned out to be a fairly easy procedure, albeit a noisy one. I kept singing songs in my head in time to the weird beat. The strangest thing about the whole experience is that it took place in a humongous trailer that came to the doctor's office just for my appointment. It was a mobile
MRI! Also, the results were returned quickly, and I had no tumor on my pituitary gland. I don't think you should be too worried about it.Good luck!
Diane J.
> Has anyone had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of their head? I'm supposed to have one, but I'm having doubts about my ability to withstand it. The idea of being strapped down inside a machine, unable to move for at least a half hour worries me a lot. I don't think I have claustrophobia, but I could develop it while being encased like that. If anyone has experienced an MRI, please write about what it was like for you.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 4, 2001, at 21:25:22
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience, posted by DebbieLynn on July 3, 2001, at 20:51:23
> I don't know where you live, but in our state (Maryland) we have "wide open mri." You are not enclosed. You may want to see if that is available in your area!
For MRIs of the head? (I've seen this for MRIs of the extremities, but if your brain is being scanned, your head has to be inside the machine, AFAIK.)
-elizabeth
Posted by Craig on July 5, 2001, at 2:21:52
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience » Craig, posted by Judy on July 4, 2001, at 10:20:31
I want to thank everybody for explaining what it's like to have an MRI. Now I feel confident about having one done and I'm ready to make the appointment. There are several community hospitals near me where I could have the test done, but I'm wondering if it would be better to drive the extra miles and set this up at a university-affiliated medical center. Is there any advantage of one over the other?
Posted by lissy on July 6, 2001, at 11:30:49
In reply to Re: MRI of head experience, posted by Craig on July 5, 2001, at 2:21:52
> I want to thank everybody for explaining what it's like to have an MRI. Now I feel confident about having one done and I'm ready to make the appointment. There are several community hospitals near me where I could have the test done, but I'm wondering if it would be better to drive the extra miles and set this up at a university-affiliated medical center. Is there any advantage of one over the other?
>
Craig, if you have any doubts at all ask them for a sedative. I got one for my back w/out a sedative and had a panic attack inside but then again I made the mistake of opening my eyes a peep and saw how enclosed I was. And when they say don't move for the few minutes at a time they mean it, my back muscles were spasming once in a while and just that happening a couple times out of the several the whole thing had to be scrapped and I had to make a new appointment to come back. They told me they could here me crying in there and told me next time they would give me a valium and that would help alot. My back had gotten better before the next visit so I can't tell you what happened w/the sedative. Then again since it was for my lower back and leg my whole body had to be in. I think I heard that other people I knew had them for their upper bodies and didn't have to be all the way in and I think I would have done better in that case. I would say to tell them when you make the appointment that you may want a sedative. It would be better to be safe than sorry and it won't hurt anything and is better then maybe having to come back later and pay twice. My dad who is a plumber and used to small spaces said he wished he would have asked for a sedative but he had his lower back done also. I am not trying to scare you, it certainly isn't the worse thing in the world but you may want to take preventive measures and I think that if they won't stick your whole body in like the others are saying, you should do alot better then a whole body deal. Let us know how you did and if everything is alright.
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