No idea thoracic MRI was such an ordeal.

[hbananas]

Takes about an hour, during which time you're almost flat on your back (small pillow under knees), lying on the antenna, with your head strapped down and your torso in a straitjacket.  Gets a little painful toward the end there.  Kinda made the brain MRI a relief.

Round two of fun and games Monday was the SSER.  I thought it would be a lot like the EMG, but they actually shock you pretty hard.  Fifteen minutes each limb, and you're supposed to be relaxing while getting a jolt every half second or so.  Wrists were OK, but she really had to crank it up on the ankles.  Maybe that's a sign the conduction wasn't so hot?  I'm glad that part is over.

[hbananas]

I've had 2 prior cervical and brain MRIs, and they didn't take that long, either.  I'm thinking it's the MS protocol, with the tiny slices--taking more pictures takes more time.  I think my prior 3T ones went faster than the 1.5T or less ones when they both had thicker slices.  Contrast adds a couple of go-rounds to the mix, did you have that?  My thoracic was without, brain and cervical with.  This latest batch is on a 1.5T machine.

[Melissa072]

Hi
Read your post about your mri of the thoracic.
I have had 2 mri's of whole spine, the spine, thoracic, and cervical, I think they are all called.
All together mine only took about 30 mins max???????????
All I had to do was lie on the bed under a blanket and then have the helmet thing on my head for the brain one.
I'm just hoping if mine was so short they did the mri correctly?

[hbananas]

You know, I didn't have a trace of the dreaded lumbar headache, but I had a backache after my LP that lasted for days.  I don't know if it was the insult, or the result of lying around so much.  Be sure not to drink much before the MRI, or you might be floating by the end.  Good luck.

[mary_kay]

Jeez, that sounds barbaric!  I have a thoracic MRI to look forward to soon.  Ugh  AND a lumbar puncture on the same day.....ugh  ugh