MRI advice

[BettyRose]

Hi,

I have an MRI on Friday for my lower back - I've never had one before and am pretty anxious about it. I have diagnosed ADHD (I suspect AUDHD though) and fidget a lot, and I know I have to stay perfectly still.

Everything I've read online suggests it would take between 20 minutes and an hour, which is a huge timeframe. I've been watching videos to try ease my worries but if anyone has any advice or reassurance that would be great.

Also, it coming back clear means I don't have an answer to what's going on, but also if it doesn't come back clear that's obviously a concern too.

 

[Beth1980]

I had one a few years ago and wondered if I could stay still long enough due to lower back pain(the scan was for this)I managed it, I took painkillers before and they got me in a comfortable position with wedges.
I kept my eyes closed through, listened to the music and tried to think the slight heat was helping relaxing the muscles and for me time went faster than I thought it would.
As for the results I got shown a cut and copy of a couple of sentences, never thought to ask for the full report, they did find 'issues' as in scoliosis and osteoarthritis which while nothing serious I knew the cause.
I know when I had mine a GP could prescribe a relaxant but don't know if this is still allowed or if you could use one. Hope all goes well.

 

[MavisBeacon]

I have to have brain MRIs regularly for MS and find them quite relaxing, even though i have a 'twitchy' mind. The sounds are quite rhythmic so I try and get into a breathing pattern and count them. Sometimes i have even fallen asleep! You don't feel anything, just breathe, relax and trust the team. Also you can tell them that you're anxious and they should be able to help you relax. For example you should be able to get headphones and listen to the radio etc.

 

[MavisBeacon]

I suspect what you're really worried about is the diagnosis, not the MRI. But it's all just information. I received a life-changing diagnosis of an incurable neurological condition, and while it's not exactly great, at least I know what I'm dealing with so I can make the next decisions. Best wishes to you x.

 

[BettyRose]

I suspect what you're really worried about is the diagnosis, not the MRI. But it's all just information. I received a life-changing diagnosis of an incurable neurological condition, and while it's not exactly great, at least I know what I'm dealing with so I can make the next decisions. Best wishes to you x.

Thank you, I'm sorry you didn't get good news from yours but like you say, it's an answer.

I'm in a lot less pain now than when it was initially booked, but the initial injury was almost 5 weeks ago and I spent a week in hospital, and don't even know what I've done or how to prevent it happening again.

Coming back with nothing, means I don't get an answer, coming back with something means I can at least make a plan from here.

 

[NowIsGood]

Good luck, they're completely painless and they keep an eye on you the whole time and can hear you if there's a problem.
One word of advice I would give if be wary of pinning all hopes on getting an exact diagnosis or losing hope if they find something that sounds bad.
They found some facet joint arthritis in mine and I was devastated at the time (I was only 25), but I've learnt many people will have some sort of arthritis in their spine if they look for it and its often a symptom of a larger weakness issue.
10 years ago when I was starting on my back pain journey, most 'professionals' NHS, private physios, osteopaths ect just followed symptoms- no one thought outside the box. You have to be your own detective with trial and error because you know your body better than anyone. I've learnt more about strengthening and body mechanics from Instagram than I did from the people I paid to help me

 

[BettyRose]

Hi,

It was last week, only took 10 minutes which was good - but the headphones didn't work!

The MRI came about as I recently spent 5 days in hospital having none stop spasms, which (I think) also trapped a nerve.

 

[Beth1980]

Glad you got through it and hope you get some answers to your issues, I got shown two sentences of the full report and didn't think to ask for a copy of the full report.

 

[givemethenight]

Hi, hope it’s ok to ask here - I have to have an MRI on my hip next week and I’m terrified as I’m intensely claustrophobic

I called to speak to the department about it this week and they said a radiographer would call me back but they haven’t. What the hell can I do? Can I be sedated?! Not sure if that might make me worse. Thanks for any help. X

 

[BettyRose]

Hi, hope it’s ok to ask here - I have to have an MRI on my hip next week and I’m terrified as I’m intensely claustrophobic

I called to speak to the department about it this week and they said a radiographer would call me back but they haven’t. What the hell can I do? Can I be sedated?! Not sure if that might make me worse. Thanks for any help. X

Your GP may be able to prescribe something - the radiographers won't.

Mine was lower back, and they didn't have to put me fully inside, I still had my head out of the machine and it only took 10 minutes which was a relief. They also gave me a "stop" button I could press at any time and got to test beforehand.

 

[givemethenight]

Your GP may be able to prescribe something - the radiographers won't.

Mine was lower back, and they didn't have to put me fully inside, I still had my head out of the machine and it only took 10 minutes which was a relief. They also gave me a "stop" button I could press at any time and got to test beforehand.

Oh that would make a huge difference if my head was outside! Thank you

 

[WitchyGrab]

Hi, hope it’s ok to ask here - I have to have an MRI on my hip next week and I’m terrified as I’m intensely claustrophobic

I called to speak to the department about it this week and they said a radiographer would call me back but they haven’t. What the hell can I do? Can I be sedated?! Not sure if that might make me worse. Thanks for any help. X

Wishing you all the best and communicate any worries that you have with the radiographer/nurse/HCA. In the scanner, you hold a buzzer that you can press if you have any problems. The radiographer will communicate with you via tannoy, whilst you are in the machine. You can ask to leave the scanner, if you cannot handle it but I hope that you will feel strong to keep those claustrophobic thoughts and feelings at bay. If you have to lie in head first, there is a little mirror inside the scanner, that enables you to see out of the machine and the window that the radiographer and staff are behind. I am claustrophobic, so I understand your anxiety about that. I have had loads of MRIs and the first time I had one, I remember feeling panic for the first few seconds, feeling claustrophobic. I then checked myself and did some deep breathing to calm myself and remembered that I was safe. Once the scan started, wow, I felt differently! I had the most unexpected experience… I had euphoric recall, the industrial, intense sounds of the machine reminded me of being high in clubs in Berlin; listening to techno and noise. Even though I already knew that I was going to get tit results, I disconnected from that and just enjoyed having this experience of euphoric recall and existential happiness.

 

[BettyRose]

Obviously I can't guarantee that will be the situation for you, but fingers crossed!!

Hope everything goes well for you.

 

[givemethenight]

Wishing you all the best and communicate any worries that you have with the radiographer/nurse/HCA. In the scanner, you hold a buzzer that you can press if you have any problems. The radiographer will communicate with you via tannoy, whilst you are in the machine. You can ask to leave the scanner, if you cannot handle it but I hope that you will feel strong to keep those claustrophobic thoughts and feelings at bay. If you have to lie in head first, there is a little mirror inside the scanner, that enables you to see out of the machine and the window that the radiographer and staff are behind. I am claustrophobic, so I understand your anxiety about that. I have had loads of MRIs and the first time I had one, I remember feeling panic for the first few seconds, feeling claustrophobic. I then checked myself and did some deep breathing to calm myself. Once the scan started, wow, I felt differently! I had the most unexpected experience… I had euphoric recall, the industrial, intense sounds of the machine reminded me of being high in clubs in Berlin; listening to techno and noise. Even though I already knew that I was going to get tit results, I disconnected from that and just enjoyed having this experience of euphoric recall and existential happiness.

thank you! I did a lot of clubbing in my youth (although not in Berlin), and so I shall try and think of that! xx

 

[Pizzahutsh!r]

I’m claustrophobic and the best advice I got given was from the lady on the phone booking me in for my urgent MRI, she said wear an eye mask as soon as you get on the bed. (Make sure it has no metallic bits). I wore a black velvet one and honestly helped me so much.