MRI accomplished (0 Comments)
Well, it was postponed from Friday because I caught Nathaniel’s cold and didn’t think it would be a good idea to share the sickies with the folks at the imaging center. Plus I didn’t really want to deal with a claustrophobic situation when already having trouble breathing because of congestion.
So. MRI was this evening. Arrived about 6:20 for a 6:30 check in for a 7 pm MRI. They copied my insurance card, had me sign some paper saying (basically) that if my insurance company sucks I will pay for the test myself (shouldn’t happen since it was preapproved, but it’s a CYA on their part and an admission that I am screwed on my part). I asked if it would be the anticipated time and she said yes, there was someone before me and so it would be a while. Also note: When I “preregistered” on the phone I was told the MRI itself would take 30 minutes.
So mom leaves thinking it’s going to be a good hour before I’m done (imaging center is less than 10 min from her house). I sit down, fill out the questionnaire assessing my current health (any metal in your body? anywhere? really? are you really sure? What about here? No? Ok, are you sure? etc.). I turned in the clipboard and pen, then figured I’d kill a few minutes going to the bathroom before sitting down to knit for the 30 minutes before my insertion into the tiny metal tube was supposed to start.
Ha. The tech was in the lobby looking for me before I came out of the restroom. Took me to the changing room, showed me where the locker was, and asked if someone was with me. I told him my mom had gone home because we thought it would be a while and he said it would probably be about 10 minutes if I wanted to call and have her head back to get me. Well, that was a surprise, but not really a bad one since it meant only 10 minutes in the tiny metal tube instead of 30 like I was expecting.
If I had thought to wear pants with no metal I probably wouldn’t have even had to change other than to remove my bra (damn underwire). But, I’d left my jeans on so that meant a gown for me, but I did leave my tee shirt and sweatshirt on. Probably didn’t need the sweatshirt as it was toasty in there (which I’m sure most people in the gowns appreciated).
I had expected to enter feet first, so when the tech told me to lie down head first that made me more anxious. But, I could see the opening on the other end so I was hopeful that once I was slid into the TINY METAL TUBE, I would still be able to see out a bit at the head. This turned out to be correct - but first I had to slide through the TINY METAL TUBE.
I laid down on the table and the tech handed me a button to press to call him if I needed. I tested it out before going in just to make sure I knew how to work it and that it really worked. Then he put a cushion under my legs (excellent idea!) and it was time. As I started to slide in my heart starting racing - the tube was really, really close to my face. I reached up and touched it and then closed my eyes hoping it would go away. LOL
Actually, it did. The edges of the MRI machine are tighter/closer than the center. I’m not sure if I am explaining that well. Once I got about a foot into the machine, it opened up a few inches and was not so close to my face. Kept sliding and my head was then at the far end, which was close like the first end had been. BUT, since it was open, all I had to do was raise my eyes a bit and I could see the ceiling and walls above and around me in my peripheral vision. THAT WAS AWESOME because I knew if I had to I could just reach up and haul myself out of there. *where* Escape routes are totally comforting.
Then the noise started. It didn’t seem as loud as I’d expected (I was wearing heavy duty ear protection). My heart was racing and I was trying to do deep breathing to calm down. My mouth was super dry and I was trying to figure out if there was ANY way they could bring me some water. LOL Then it suddenly got a LOT louder, which I wasn’t expecting, so I jumped a bit and my heart was racing even faster. I’d guess my HR was 180 to 190 for a minute or two there it was pounding so fast. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing and slowly was able to relax. My leg twitched once or twice, and they asked me if I was ok and that I needed to try to be still. So I changed to some shallow breathing for the next loud part and they said that was better. The third round of “loud” was kind of funny - I swear I heard some disco music and saw flashing lights even though my eyes were closed… funny trip on Xanax. LOL The last loud bit was shorter and by then I was pretty calm.
All in all, it wasn’t that bad. The anticipation was the worst part and if I really had to do one again, I could. Don’t want to, but at least now I know what to expect and know that I can see my escape route 
Oh yeah - I opted to take the medication. Good advice from several friends and just plain common sense… if I didn’t take it and panicked, I’d had to do it all over again with the meds. And the priority in this case is researching my back issues, not conquering my fear of enclosure.
Wow, so, totally rambling on here… I think I need to head to bed. Will try to get caught up on some photos tomorrow, though I think we have missed another day or so.
