BS: Open MRI

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: RangerSteve
Date: 24 Jul 02 - 06:46 PM

That sounds better than valium.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jul 02 - 05:23 PM

Was there an address for volunteers? If so, please post it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Jul 02 - 04:34 PM

(Thread creep alert, but I had to post this) - Yesterday on one of those learning channels, discovery channel or some such, they had people in a Functional MRI, screwing, so they could see what happens inside people while they screw. Just the sight of them going into that MRI machine cracked me up!

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: GUEST,eoin 'buadhagh
Date: 24 Jul 02 - 09:47 AM

been there done that! and it's not too unpleasant. don't worry steve you'll come out ok!! just switch off and think of something you are planning ahead, that's what i always do. I have one to go through next month also. good luck, think positive. i'll be thinking of you!!

eoin o'buadhaigh

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: GUEST,rangersteve
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 03:50 PM

the post from Guest right after Catspaw49 should be from me, rangersteve. I don't know what happened.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Allan Dennehy
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 09:42 AM

I dont suffer from claustrophobia, (Ihave enough other phobias to keep me busy!). The advice about the valium is good. You wont turn into a junkie, but if youve never tried it before you should take one tablet the day before and see how you react. Some people need only one, others might need 6. If you take too many, you'll only fall asleep and that's not the worst thing that can happen. So dope yourself up or smoke some weed and enjoy the ride! I'm going in For my MR in late August to find out if I have MS or not so I'll wish you the best of luck. Allan from Copenhagen

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Kaleea
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 12:12 AM

Hope you get it figured out & taken care of. Good Luck, & God Bless.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 09:19 PM

Keep still. the magnetic fieled is DC and has no effect on static conductors. BUT humans being 90% salted water and breathering and itching on the very tip of the noses.... move. I have read that some people get a taste in their mouth which is from a samll current generated from movement - bit like amalgum fillings when they are new creating an electrical potential and tasting. So no singing in there PAL.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 08:19 PM

Thanks, Spaw. I have quite a while to think about those tests. I made an appointment today, and apparently it's real popular. I won't be going in until August 7.

as for other tests, I had an ultra-sound done on my testicles. I know what they look like, but I'm not sure my life is better for the experience.

Anyway, it's going to be a while before I find out why my eyesight is messed up. Actually, I know why. My optical nerves are swollen. Nobody knows what the cause is, which is why I was in the hospital getting tested. I can still see, and it isn't affecting my life. It just looks like a flash bulb went off in my right eye and the image won't go away. Thanks again for all the help. I let you know how things turn out after the MRI takes place.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 02:50 PM

Ya' know.......I've had both types as well as any number of other wacky tests in the nucleonics labs and the like and I am convinced there are a few things at play here..........

First, I think someone comes up with a brilliant idea for testing something and then it's turned over to someone else to design the "mechanism" to do the test. Once that is finished it is then given to another character who is some kind of psychotic sadist and he works it over til it's as uncomfortable as possible!

Then it's installed in the testing area in one of several ways, all deemed to be as weird as possible. Either it's just you in a bare room except for the gizmo, or the gizmo is installed somewhere with 4 other gizmos in a room that wouldn't hold one of them. This is especially fun when they won't let you off the cart and insist on moving your ass all over the place.

Then there is the viewing factor........some of these tests are observed by students in nursing, EMS, or whatever and you find yourself with a huge tube up your ass while 50 people observe from the "balcony."

Then there is the "you ain't done this" factor. Let me explain two tests.......Arterial blood gases: A large bore needle is inserted into the artery in your wrist at a 90 degree angle. At the best, this is painful as hell, but find a phlebo with bad skills and you're in for a bad time. Two of them came in to do it at OSU with one checking the other. They spent 30 minutes trying and neither could get enough blood! I, on the other hand, am ready to kill them both! Karen was freaking out herself just watching. The pathologist came back later and did the draw in less than a minute....still hurt, but not for long. You want to ask if these people have ever had it done to themselves just so they'd appreciate what a patient is going through!

The other test that strikes me that anyone who does it needs to have it done to them first is called a TEE......Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram. In this winner they are looking at your heart through your esophagus with a sonagram type pickup. Imagine a garden hose with ridges about an inch apart being shoved down your throat and then maneuvered around for about 10 minutes. It's a real pleasure. I especially like the nurse telling you to breath deeply and relax......"Fuck you, you dumb bitch!!! I'm choking to death on this gawddam hose!!!!" Well, that's what you are saying, but it comes out....."Uhckoo-ooumih..Iaokiawnihawoh".........Yeah, if you do these tests, you need to have them done to you first!!!

Oddly, some of the worst sounding tests are kinda' neat and fun. A heart cath(eterization) is really neat. There is a "bee sting" feel as they do the cutdown on the femoral artery, but after that it's nothing. They insert a long tube up through the aorta and all around the heart and any other arteries they want to look at and you can watch it all on the screen....You never feel a thing and it's interesting as hell. The nasty part of these is that afterwards you have to lay flat on your back for 4-6 hours with pressure on your groin where they opened the artery......and if you have any kind of back trouble, it really sucks!

So Ranger, be thinking about all of these other fun tests and maybe the time will pass more quickly!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 02:05 PM

They gave me valium to counter claustrophobia and while the valium didn't do anything, there was enough moving air that it was OK. I wish I'd known about the open type then!

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 11:36 PM

Drifting a little bit...Dicho...you're right! I am proud to say that my grandma could have, though! She climbed down into a submarine when in her late 70's on a trip to San Diego! This was in the early 60's..she always was one to try new-fangled things.

Mudlark, I think I mentioned acupuncture for something else and there weren't any near you, but dental work is another good application for it to control pain. Works a treat!

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: mmm1a
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 08:49 PM

First time I had a M.R.I.they only got me a fourth of the way in before I freaked and made them get me out, they scheadule another 2 days later and gave me a valium 20 minutes before. This one didn't bother me at all I slept through the whole thing :). The last one I had they did the same thing, no problems at all.It helps I guess that I have a very low tolerence to drugs , so it doesn't take much to knock me out, this is why my Doctor prescribe a low dosage vallium, I hope everything works out ok. mmm

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 04:01 PM

I'm feeling better about this all the time. And your'e right, Kaleea, I don't have to be back to work for another seven days. Now, if I just knew what was wrong with me, I'd feel a lot better. Thanks again for everyone's help.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Kaleea
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 12:06 PM

I had one a few months ago to attempt to diagnose the reason for the extreme neck & back pain--which turned out to be nerve trouble & carpal tunnel resulting, none of which shows up on the mri. My Dr., who is terrific to me, told me that he wanted me to get an MRI, & had I had one before? He said he had, & proceeded to ask me, "If somebody locked you up in the trunk of a car, would you like it?" Puzzled, I responded in the negative. "Patient claustrophobic," he said as he wrote on my chart, "open MRI needed to diagnose neck, back & other injuries." I went in for the MRI, and the people in the very plush office offered me my choice of beverage or snacks as I waited in the plush lobby with the TV going. Then they ushered me into a dressing room, and had me don a cotton hospital type gown which covered front & back, and remove my jewelery. I padded into the room in the disposable fuzzy socks they had me put on, and saw a big thing which resembled something from a Sci Fi film, and had a long skinny table thing which they had me lie down on--it was kinda cold. They put a wedge under my knees--helps when you have back pain to have something under your knees to elevate your legs thus reducing stress on the back. Then I had to lie there for about 30 minutes while the big thing moved a portion of it's anatomy around me v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, and made a wierd droning sound. I believe I do enjoy the drone of bagpipes much better! I did not mind at all the machine, or even the sound of the thing that much, but my back did hurt (hurts all the time anyway!) & I was stiff from being on the dang thing for so long, which is normal for me. So all in all, the only thing that really bothered me about it was that I was in pain & stiff--which was the reason I went there in the first place! Don't worry! Be happy you are going to an OPEN mri! Just close your eyes & imagine the drone of the machine to be pipes, (or chanting, or the sitar, depending upon your preference) and mentally chime in with your mental portion of the mental music opportunity of a lifetime. Oh yeah, and remember that it is not permanent, and hey, it's better than being at work!

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: RangerSteve
Date: 21 Jul 02 - 10:12 AM

Thanks for all your kind thoughts. I'm feeling better already. Dick G - they make sure you don't have any metal with you: piercings, jewelry, etc, and there's way too much metal on a banjo, so that's not an option anyway. I'm going to brush up on Barbara Allen and a few other British ballads. Two of those should be enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Mudlark
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 08:22 PM

I've never had either kind, but I AM claustrophobic and you have my sympathies. I'm allergic to dental anesthesias so have all dentistry done without, and find that making up songs in my head is a help, since I have to concentrate. It doesn't help with the actual pain, but it does cut the stress from the drill noise. Good luck and keep up posted.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 08:06 PM

Kat, you would never make a submariner!

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 07:34 PM

I am surprised they didn't give you a mild sedative. They'd have to knock me out completely to get me in a closed one! Please let us know how you are doing and practise up on those verses! Lots of good thoughts coming your way,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 07:19 PM

MRI has become a generally used tool in a rather short time. I have had a couple runs through the tube type. They are covered by the medicare here (Alberta, Canada), and one hospital machine here is booked up until Dec. 27, others not quite so long. Private MRI labs have been set up here in the last year, so those wanting quick service can get it within a week for about $500-600 US.

Amos has the right attitude. Noise (bark) but no bite.

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 06:26 PM

well, I had one of the closed ones, but since I am tall & thin and NOT claustrophobic, it didn't bother me...except for HURTING like hell 'cause my neck was getting the scan, and they put it in the worst possible position for MY comfort to get the images they needed.

But it WAS loud and I am glad the hear there is an 'open' one...if I ever do that again, I'm gonna ask...

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Amos
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 05:40 PM

There's the ticket, Steve-me-lad -- just envision yourself performing at the world's biggest Mudgather, with a coupla dozen of our fayrest ones all on the edges of their seats watching you with adoring looks as you roll right through every known verse of Barbry Ellen, or perhaps Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer.

As far as I know they don't care what you think about while you're lying there, and you're allowed to close your eyes and go off just any old where -- so trip on out, Officer, and have a ball!

Warm regards,

A

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Giac
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 05:30 PM

Hi, Steve --

I've had a few of these "open" ones and, for me, they aren't too bad. They don't last all that long in the greater scheme of things. Ya know, you might ask your doctor if you can be given a anxiety-reducing drug prior to the procedure. Wouldn't hurt to ask, and it might help. I usually sing to myself, except during the part where you have to be perfectly still, then I sing in my head. My favorite tune for such things is, uh, what's that Beatles song ... oh yeah, Life Goes On. Don't bounce around in time with it though, the technicians take a dim view of that.

Luck to you RangerSteve, let us know how it works out!

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 05:29 PM

I suffer from claustrophobia and have had 6 MRI scans I must admit they are not pleasent and it sounds as if you are in a washing machine on spin cycle but it's better than having exploritory surgery. The open MRI's are much better and you can see more.....the walls don't seem to be that close. I find trying to relax before I go in ( I know its hard) and I sing a happy song in my mind and that just about gets me through it.

Good Luck

cat

Subject: RE: BS: Open MRI
From: Susan of DT
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 05:23 PM

(dick greenhaus here) Steve, The open ones are much less apt to promote claustrophobia. Not much room to pick a banjo, though.

Subject: Open MRI
From: RangerSteve
Date: 20 Jul 02 - 05:07 PM

I need some assurance here. I went to my eye doctor because I had a couple of dark spots in my right eye. I ended up in the hospital being probed, prodded, drained of blood, and otherwise humiliated while wearing a hospital issued muu-muu that didn't close in the back. I took it like a man until I got to the MRI. It was a closed one, just a narrow tube that was not as wide as my shoulders, and I couldn't focus my eyes on anything, and I was uncomfortable, and I COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT!!! They couldn't get me out of there fast enough, as far as I was concerned. Anyway, I'm scheduled for an open MRI next week, it's the kind that looks like a clam shell and is open on all sides. Has anyone been in one of these? Is it less claustrophobic? I get nervous thinking about it. How about advice on how not to be claustrophobic? Thanks in advance for your help, Steve, the formerly brave cop.