How Did You Feel After An MRI

[StarchildSue]

Today's MRI. was HORRIBLE ! I could not even get through the first sets without contrast. After I got up from the table I literally had to be walked out. I was jerking and had to use 2 walking sticks to stay upright. It felt like a typical relapse but only lasted a couple of hours. Has anyone else ever felt this bad after having an MRI ?

[SarahL2491]

I had to have xanax as I can't handle closed in places and it worked quite well

[StarchildSue]

You are indeed correct I did have Xanax in my system

[PastorDan]

My most recent MRIs were on a 3T machine.  I assumed that my sensations were due to the increased strength, as all the others were on 1.5T units.  I felt like I was vibrating throughout for perhaps 90 minutes after.

I'd been in the tube quite a while, for brain, c-spine, and t-spine, then all 3 again with contrast.  I told the techs how I'd felt nauseous with the contrast the last time, so they injected it very slowly to prevent that.  It worked.

I also felt a bit disoriented upon leaving the area.  That's not uncommon for me, especially in a maze like some labs have behind their waiting areas.  That seemed to pass after I sat in the lobby for a short while afterward.

Sorry you had such a bad experience.  The Xanax suggestion sounds good to me.

[immisceo]

Were you offered any sort of medication (like xanax) for this procedure? This may be a very intense stress reaction. MRIs, when performed correctly, are extremely low risk. http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/ucm200086.htm#rb The use of contrast has a different set of potential risks, but you mentioned you had not had that.

Assuming you were cleared for the procedure (clarification of metal implants, possible pregnancy, etc.) it doesn't seem likely your reaction was caused by the procedure directly. Definitely bring it up to your medical practitioners as getting clear MRI results can be a powerful diagnostic tool and there are several things they can do to ameliorate any excess stress caused by the procedure.

[Hez64]

I now get very stressed when I go into the MRI before it didnt bother me but for some reason I got myself very wound up and my daughter had to hold my hand for me to get through it. The stress of it all made my symptoms worse but it did settle down after a day of rest. Hope you are feeling better

[Poppy7402]

I found I couldn't see someone 10 ft away from me clearly after my contrast MRI's, everything was really blurry.  After a couple of hours I was right again though.

Poppy