MRI of spine

I had my MRI of the spine done today (thoracic and lumbar) It lasted about an hour and was pretty miserable.

I've had lower back pain for years and silly me, I thought last years MRI had included the entire spine. It hadn't.

Well, I have a very hard time lying flat on my back. It's very painful, so I of course avoid it. I didn't realize how bad my back has gotten until today.

After lying there for about 3 minutes my arms and legs started getting all tingly and numb. Pins and needles for awhile and then D.E.A.D. it's so bizarre and scary.

About 45 minutes later she pulled me out to the IV for the contrast. She tied the band around my upper arm and told me it'll be tight...didn't feel that the band was even on my arm, nor did I feel the IV stick or the fluid. NOTHING. I did tell the tech and she was sweet and said, we're almost done, about 15 more minutes.

It took me awhile to sit up and then walk once I was done.

Any ideas why this happens?

Has it happened to any of you?

(also had ENT appt. and surprise surprise...it's still NOT an inner ear problem)


Thanks,
Kelly
-Limbolander not looking forward to summer.

[jensequitur]

You had your lumbar done, huh?  I wonder why - there's no spinal cord in the lumbar, just a bundle of nerves (typically called the cauda equina.)  

I have a lot of back pain, but I don't get numb from laying on my back, thankfully.

[Ojibajo]

I didn't have lumbar either. They only did an MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine.

[MonkeyMom4]

I'm guessing he ordered the lumbar b/c of all the nerve pain I'm having. I'm not really sure, but just hoping it provides some answers.

Anyone know what would cause my arms and legs to go dead?

[candy158]

Hi to you, I am going for the very same MRI as you just had done.  I go on Saturday, and I am also worried about it.  I have to take Ativan, and that does help, but I am also concerned about the numbness, and the irratic muslce movements that I have sometimes.  I hope the Ativan will help with that.

I did have a lumbar puncture last year, and it was OK, but they want to do the whole spine and brain, and with contrast too, they told me about 90 minutes..... YIKES !!!

H0pe you get good results from it,

Praying for you,
Candy

[Wobbly]

I had a full spine MRI done before I was Dx.  I guess they wanted to see if there was any reason for any of the symptoms I was having at that time.  And there wasn't.   I have problems staying still at time and having a MRI that long would be difficult.  

take care and let us know when you get the results.
wobbly

[MonkeyMom4]

Thanks. I'll keep you posted.

Candy, good luck this Saturday! Hope the Ativan helps!

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