MRI Problems

[meatball227]

Today I went to get 2 MRI's. The ones I got were cervical spine and lumbar spine. I went in, put on the gown, ect.- got ear plugs and ear muffs. I don't have claustrophobia or anything... but I'm not pro at stay completely still... My leg muscle twitch as it is (which is one of the reasons I'm getting these MRI's) and when I was put inside the thing it was extremely uncomfortable. The noise didn't bother me, it was the positioning of my body, I hate lying on my back for a long time... Anyways the radiologist or whoever the guy was conducting the MRI said I was moving and swallowing too much.(I wasn't completely moving, just swallowing my saliva and twitching a bit, I didn't change positioning really.) I think he re-did one part. But after both MRI's were done he said they're probably going to come out blurry, but we'll see what the doctor says... This really bothered me... I hated getting the MRI in the first place, and now for all I know it could of been just a waste? I have anxiety/OCD and ADHD so to stay like a statue is literally impossible for me. I have a brain MRI on tuesday so I'm hoping that will go a little better - I heard you get a neck brace to keep still. Anyways I was wondering from anyone else's experiences, do you think the neurologist will be able to read the images? Also, if they re-order the MRI because it came out blurry, should I ask for a sedative? Because honestly I'd rather be knocked out asleep than have to go through that horrible thing again.

[LilMinnie]

I don't know how to answer your question about if your MRI was a waste or not. However, I had no problem with asking for something to relax me since I was going to be in the machine for an hour. The thing is, since I did that, I had to have someone drive me. And yes, for both my brain and c-spine MRIs I had a neck brace.

Best of luck,
Hugs,
Minnie :)

[jensequitur]

I would ask for a sedative if you have a problem with being in the tube, and definitely ask for the brace.  I had to remain still for my head and spine, and it was very difficult.  MRIs, especially high-strength MRIs are very sensitive to any kind of movement.  If the MRI is too blurry, they'll have to redo it.

[doublevision1]

Agreed, definitely take a sedative if there's a next time.  It will help.

I find as soon as I'm all strapped in and they begin, suddenly I get a compulsion to swallow when normally I don't even think about it.  It's because we are so conscious of it at that moment that it suddenly becomes a problem.  A mind over matter kind of thing.  I just try to think of anything else.  It helps if they put the radio on for you.

[LilMinnie]

Funny, I kept wanting to swallow too! It's like being at the dentist ;)