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How long does shoulder arthrogram MRI take?
Just wondering how long to expect an arthrogram MRI of the shoulder to take. I'm guessing 20 minutes longer than a regular MRI. Do they do a full mri once yout injected? How much pain should i expect? and for how long should i expect discomfort, I am planning to take 1-2 days off work following the test.
I just had one done at 7:30 last nigt the scan it self took about 22 min. the whole ting took about an hour because the dr was finishing something up so i had to wait for im to come don and put the die in my shoulder. This die is part mri contrast but also has some ct contrast in it. since i cant have cat scan die i had to take 3 steoids that day at 13,7,1 hour befor the prcedure. also at the 1 hour before the test i have to take benadyl and valume then when i checked in.I took the last valume. the numming meds sting a little but the die do to the increased presure in your should hurt a little. Im extreamly sore this morning as i was when i got out of the machine do to having to put my arm straight out over my head.
You probably would not want to take pain medication on top of valium and benadryl. The prednisone will not make you sleepy,but both the valium and benadryl can. Actually, for me, the prednisone does the opposite - I have a really hard time sleeping whenever I have to be on it - I think it's one of the documented side effects of it.
Do you they currently have you on any pain medications? If so, I would definitely talk to your doctor about whether you should take it whenever you have to take the valium and benadryl (benadryl alone with pain medication MAY be ok, depending on how your body reacts, the type of pain meds, etc., etc - sometimes I have to take benadryl for my allergies even though I'm on pain meds also). They very well may tell you to avoid the pain meds for a period of time.
If they don't currently have you on pain meds, and you feel you need something stronger than what you can take OTC, don't hesitate to call and ask about getting some presribed. You shouldn't have to sit in constant pain and your doctor should be willing to prescribe you some pain relief at least until they can figure out exactly what is causing the pain and determine a course of action (whether it be surgery, PT, medication, etc.) Again, if they do prescribe some meds for you, double check with them when and if you should stop taking them in order to "prepare" for the artherogram.
I'm with you - I don't deal with pain or needles very well either. A "normal shot" doesn't bother me - it's these other needles that creep me out.
I need to call the MRI center tomorrow to reschedule mine - I had to cancel the first one that was scheduled because I had to go out of town for a family emergency and things have just been a bit crazy since getting back that I haven't called to reschedule yet - and I also didn't want to reschedule and then have to cancel again due to the family situation. I don't want them to think I'm trying to avoid having this done.
Oh - one other thing- that your doctor's office probably told you also - be sure and have someone drive you to and from the procedure. You normally wouldn't need to do that, but with you having to take valium and benadryl, you really shouldn't be driving yourself.
Keep me posted on how you're doing!
robyn
Do you they currently have you on any pain medications? If so, I would definitely talk to your doctor about whether you should take it whenever you have to take the valium and benadryl (benadryl alone with pain medication MAY be ok, depending on how your body reacts, the type of pain meds, etc., etc - sometimes I have to take benadryl for my allergies even though I'm on pain meds also). They very well may tell you to avoid the pain meds for a period of time.
If they don't currently have you on pain meds, and you feel you need something stronger than what you can take OTC, don't hesitate to call and ask about getting some presribed. You shouldn't have to sit in constant pain and your doctor should be willing to prescribe you some pain relief at least until they can figure out exactly what is causing the pain and determine a course of action (whether it be surgery, PT, medication, etc.) Again, if they do prescribe some meds for you, double check with them when and if you should stop taking them in order to "prepare" for the artherogram.
I'm with you - I don't deal with pain or needles very well either. A "normal shot" doesn't bother me - it's these other needles that creep me out.
I need to call the MRI center tomorrow to reschedule mine - I had to cancel the first one that was scheduled because I had to go out of town for a family emergency and things have just been a bit crazy since getting back that I haven't called to reschedule yet - and I also didn't want to reschedule and then have to cancel again due to the family situation. I don't want them to think I'm trying to avoid having this done.
Oh - one other thing- that your doctor's office probably told you also - be sure and have someone drive you to and from the procedure. You normally wouldn't need to do that, but with you having to take valium and benadryl, you really shouldn't be driving yourself.
Keep me posted on how you're doing!
robyn
I talked to the office the other day and they are calling in valium and prednisone, that combined with benadryl I am wondering if it will be safe for me to take pain medication as well. Because I do not deal well with pain or needles :( I asked for sedation but they said it takes months to get it scheduled that way. I have a lot of pain in my neck and collar bone too so I've got my fingers crossed that this test will show something. I am scheduled for the middle of june.
Yes, Gallium definitely sounds right! I've never heard that word before hearing it in the doctor's office when they were talking with the MRI center, so I'm not sure if it is the same as the non-ionic dyes I've had before that I didn't have a reaction to or if this is something completely different. I think I actually might call my docs office to ask them about premedicating with the prednisone and benadryl just to be on the safe side - I actually have both already so it won't even require them to call me in a prescription. I think I'd feel more comfortable about it if I had that premedication - this time of year is horrible enough for me with allergies, so I'm sure my body is extra sensitive about everything - no sense in taking a chance I say.
I'm sorry you have to deal with workers comp and they seem to be somewhat going against what your doctor wants to do. Hopefully if you end up having to go through your regular insurance company they won't give you any problems and also won't make you go through any further testing. I can somewhat understand your frustration - I'm not in your shoes going through the same thing, but I do understand how it feels to know that there is something really wrong and wanting it fixed so that you can be out of constant pain and having to go through a bunch of testing and waiting before it's decided what to do about it.
Like you, I'm presuming that this test will show something because there HAS to be something causing this type of pain. I mean, I've got other chronic pain conditions, but this is NOT chronic pain type pain - this pain is almost identical to the pain I was having prior to the original shoulder replacement surgery.
I hope they are at least giving you pain medication to help deal withthe pain while you're going through all the testing and waiting. Pain medication is not going to completely take away the pain and is obviously only a temporary "fix", but it can make the "waiting game" a little more bearable.
I'm sorry you have to deal with workers comp and they seem to be somewhat going against what your doctor wants to do. Hopefully if you end up having to go through your regular insurance company they won't give you any problems and also won't make you go through any further testing. I can somewhat understand your frustration - I'm not in your shoes going through the same thing, but I do understand how it feels to know that there is something really wrong and wanting it fixed so that you can be out of constant pain and having to go through a bunch of testing and waiting before it's decided what to do about it.
Like you, I'm presuming that this test will show something because there HAS to be something causing this type of pain. I mean, I've got other chronic pain conditions, but this is NOT chronic pain type pain - this pain is almost identical to the pain I was having prior to the original shoulder replacement surgery.
I hope they are at least giving you pain medication to help deal withthe pain while you're going through all the testing and waiting. Pain medication is not going to completely take away the pain and is obviously only a temporary "fix", but it can make the "waiting game" a little more bearable.
Not sure yet when mine will be, workers comp is demanding it be done, my dr says it's useless because he recommends exploratory surgery even if the test doesn't show anything (because it can be a false negative). I am soooo frustated with the whole thing. It's been over 4 months since injury and my shoulder still hurts, I just want it fixed. If this test doesn't show anything then I'll have to get my health insurance to pay. Surely this test will show something since something is causing pain, right? The G word is gallium i think.
The pre-medicating with prednisone is definitely a good idea - you may also want to check with your doctor's office about taking a dose of something like benadryl about an hour before your procedure - between that and the prednisone, hopefully the risk of an allergic reaction will be greatly reduced.
One thing I also wanted to mention - I have had an anaphylactic reaction to IVP dye in the past, so therefore, all doctors I've seen since then (that was way back in 1985) have considered me as having a severe reaction to any type of IV dye. However, I have had other procedures done using a non-ionic dye and made out fine with that. So now I specifically request a non-ionic dye be used.
When my ortho's office was making arrangements for me for this MRI test, I reminded them about the dye situation - the nurse called the MRI center where it's going to be done and spoke with them, asking if the dye used was the same or similar to IVP dye. They told her that although it is different, they could/would use a special type of dye with me since I've had that reaction in teh past. I don't remember the exact name of the dye, but I believe it started with a G. Something you may want to ask your doctor's office about. You probably could call the MRI place where you're having yours done, but more than likely in order to use that special dye, they would have to get permission/instructions from your doctor anyway, so it's probably best to start with the doctor's office.
I hope this information helps and maybe they can use this other dye for you (even if they still want you to use the prednisone before hand). It's unfortunate that sometimes us, as patients, have to be so proactive and involved in telling the doctors what we need! But believe me, I'd much rather put in a special request for a special kind of dye than to have to go through the anaphylaxis episode again!
When are you having yours done? Mine actually was scheduled for last week, but I had to postpone it because of a family emergency, so now I have to call them back and reschedule.
If you happen to have yours done before mine (I'll let you know when mine is scheduled for), please let me know how it went and if there is anything different I should expect other than what I've been told. I'll do the same for you if mine happens first.
Best of luck!
Robyn
One thing I also wanted to mention - I have had an anaphylactic reaction to IVP dye in the past, so therefore, all doctors I've seen since then (that was way back in 1985) have considered me as having a severe reaction to any type of IV dye. However, I have had other procedures done using a non-ionic dye and made out fine with that. So now I specifically request a non-ionic dye be used.
When my ortho's office was making arrangements for me for this MRI test, I reminded them about the dye situation - the nurse called the MRI center where it's going to be done and spoke with them, asking if the dye used was the same or similar to IVP dye. They told her that although it is different, they could/would use a special type of dye with me since I've had that reaction in teh past. I don't remember the exact name of the dye, but I believe it started with a G. Something you may want to ask your doctor's office about. You probably could call the MRI place where you're having yours done, but more than likely in order to use that special dye, they would have to get permission/instructions from your doctor anyway, so it's probably best to start with the doctor's office.
I hope this information helps and maybe they can use this other dye for you (even if they still want you to use the prednisone before hand). It's unfortunate that sometimes us, as patients, have to be so proactive and involved in telling the doctors what we need! But believe me, I'd much rather put in a special request for a special kind of dye than to have to go through the anaphylaxis episode again!
When are you having yours done? Mine actually was scheduled for last week, but I had to postpone it because of a family emergency, so now I have to call them back and reschedule.
If you happen to have yours done before mine (I'll let you know when mine is scheduled for), please let me know how it went and if there is anything different I should expect other than what I've been told. I'll do the same for you if mine happens first.
Best of luck!
Robyn
yes i reacted to shellfish--it caused an asthma attack, so i think i can call that anaphylactic. i talked to the doc office today and they are calling in prednisone for me to start before the test.
No, I've not had the pain pump in my shoulder after surgery - and with hearing all the horror stories and potential law suits that have been arising because of these pumps, I know for sure I will not permit one to ever be installed in any future surgeries. I did have a PCA for pain control right after surgery, but, of course, that was through my regular IV. The only thing that was in the shoulder following surgery was a drain that was removed the following day.
in the past surgeries did you have a pain pump installed in your shoulder that sat there for 2-3 days?
Have you ever had an allergic reaction to any type of dye? are you allergic to shellfish?
With me, I have had an anaphylaxis reaction to an IVP dye in the past - the ortho surgeon who ordered the test knows this and they spoke with the MRI department before scheduling me to make sure that the dye they use is not the same or similar to IVP dye. They said a name of a certain type of dye that they could use, but I quite honestly couldn't remember what it was called for teh life of me! I would remember it if I heard it though.
So - if you've ever had a reaction to a dye or if you are allergic to shellfish (some dyes are made from derivitaves of shellfish or something like that) - be sure to notify not only the doctor that ordered the test, but also the technician, nurses, anyone who will actually be doing the procedure. That way they can use a special dye if necessary and also be more aware of a possible reaction.
Mine is being done to see if there has been a tear or leakage somewhere since I had my shoulder replacement done a year and a half ago. I've been getting progressively worsening pain and limiting movement in it for the past several months. doc is concerned that I may have somehow now torn my rotator cuff. This will hopefully tell them what is going on and hopefully be able to avoid another surgery. they're also going to be removing some of the joint fluid to culture it to make sure I haven't develoepd an infection in my prosthesis.
Hoping for the best for both of us....
With me, I have had an anaphylaxis reaction to an IVP dye in the past - the ortho surgeon who ordered the test knows this and they spoke with the MRI department before scheduling me to make sure that the dye they use is not the same or similar to IVP dye. They said a name of a certain type of dye that they could use, but I quite honestly couldn't remember what it was called for teh life of me! I would remember it if I heard it though.
So - if you've ever had a reaction to a dye or if you are allergic to shellfish (some dyes are made from derivitaves of shellfish or something like that) - be sure to notify not only the doctor that ordered the test, but also the technician, nurses, anyone who will actually be doing the procedure. That way they can use a special dye if necessary and also be more aware of a possible reaction.
Mine is being done to see if there has been a tear or leakage somewhere since I had my shoulder replacement done a year and a half ago. I've been getting progressively worsening pain and limiting movement in it for the past several months. doc is concerned that I may have somehow now torn my rotator cuff. This will hopefully tell them what is going on and hopefully be able to avoid another surgery. they're also going to be removing some of the joint fluid to culture it to make sure I haven't develoepd an infection in my prosthesis.
Hoping for the best for both of us....
hi geminigirl, i forgot to mention to bring ear plugs it can be noisy. just relax, believe it or not i can almost fall a sleep lol. also why do you think you would have an allergic reaction? the only reaction i had when the dye entered my body is it got real warm for a min or two, it felt weird and thought i could taste it. anyways its no big deal in my opinion. Phill
I haven't actually gotten to speak to the office about it yet....they call when I'm at work, I call and get their machine....I have no pain tolerance, never had a cortisone injection, and had a hard time lying still for the plain MRI, and with the arthrogram I am afraid of an allergic reaction, so I am guessing your test will go alot amoother than mine. I am hoping not to have to stay still for any longer than the plain MRI. (it's only being done because comp wants it, not me nor my doctor)
I am also having this procedure done in a couple of weeks. According to my orthopedic surgeon, I agree with the timing of the procedure, although, of course, it may take a shorter or longer amount of time depending on how difficult it is for them to do the injection and how well the images are coming out during the scans. My doctor did not mention any restrictions/limitations for me following the procedure, and neither did the MRI center when they called me to set up the appointment. In fact, they specifically told me that I did not require anyone to drive me - I would be able to drive myself (it's about an hour drive each way to where I have to go), so I'm guessing there are no drastic restrictions. Of course, that could also differ depending on the type of work that you do - if you work in an office at a desk all day, then you coudl possibly return to work the following day, however, if your job requires lifting, then it might be a good idea to take a day or so off.
I'm sure there will be some discomfort involved in the procedure - after all they ARE sticking a needle into your joint, however, I'm hoping for the best that it won't be any worse than having a cortisone shot or Euflexxa injections - both of which I've had in one joint or another.
Let me know how you make out and if I should expect anything different from what I'm thinking.
I'm sure there will be some discomfort involved in the procedure - after all they ARE sticking a needle into your joint, however, I'm hoping for the best that it won't be any worse than having a cortisone shot or Euflexxa injections - both of which I've had in one joint or another.
Let me know how you make out and if I should expect anything different from what I'm thinking.
Hi KeyD, i'd agree with the time frame but disagree with this doctor about time off. its no big deal, just call you doctors office for the answer but i didn't take any time off or rest. i would have if i felt needed
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello!
It will take couple of hours for the whole procedure injecting the dye and scanning etc. To be exact sequences in three planes take approximately 15 min. Thus the MR examination and MR arthrogram can be performed in approximately 1 h also.
It is good that you have taken 2 days off and this is sufficient for you to recover.
Take care!
It will take couple of hours for the whole procedure injecting the dye and scanning etc. To be exact sequences in three planes take approximately 15 min. Thus the MR examination and MR arthrogram can be performed in approximately 1 h also.
It is good that you have taken 2 days off and this is sufficient for you to recover.
Take care!
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