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If you never have to get an MRI, count yourself lucky.
These things are nothing like the spacious tubes that are shown on TV and in films. You get strapped to a board and shoved feet first into a hole far too small for human inhabitation.
And then stay inside for 20 minutes and alternate holding your breath and 'relaxing', as if that were possible in this tube of death!
*I should mention that I'm fine. Had a UTI in the fall. Got a CT scan as a follow up, and there's a very small (1 cm) something on one kidney. Because it's a 'something', as in they couldn't really tell, I had to get the MRI. I love modern medicine, but I really wish the CT scan could see this thing better!
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Is it close enough that you can feel your own breath on your face when you exhale? That'd be my "trigger" and screaming/kicking/flailing would ensue.
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Pixiest, that has not been my experience. It's very close, but I've found that closing my eyes and listening to the rhythmic thunking noises generally stops any claustrophobia. Earplugs are a must, though, and having your eyes covered with a towel (so you *can't* see) may also help.
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I have had two CT scans the in the last 2 weeks, and I found them both to be far more comfortable than the MRI I had as a teenager. Fortunately, the MRI was on my knee, so I didn't have to go all the way in. I wouldn't have wanted to.
I have a "something" on my kidney right now as well. When you figure out what yours is, let me know I can tell my doctor what to look for, he is currently stumped.
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Luckily I had earplugs and, since it was an MRI of my kidneys, my head stayed just at the lip of the 'tunnel', so it wasn't too bad. What was horrible was holding my arms over my head and the fact that I'm fat, so I was pressing against the walls.
quote:Originally posted by prolixshore: I have a "something" on my kidney right now as well. When you figure out what yours is, let me know I can tell my doctor what to look for, he is currently stumped.
Will do.
For all I know, it could just be the weird way my kidney naturally looks. I'll be seeing my urologist next Thursday, so hopefully I'll know then.
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When I was sick a few years ago, I had two MRIs in one day. The first was not as bad, because I though it would be about ten minutes. When it was 45 minutes, it was bad, but I had no expectations. Plus, if I looked out the "window"(opening by my feet), I could see my husband's hand.
The second time was later that night, I had a raging fever, and I was absolutely terrified. Plus, my husband was not there.
It left me with terrible dreams for a very long time.
While I am not a fan of the MRI as an event, I sure am a fan of it as a tool. It saved my life.
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I had an MRI years ago. I kept myself sane imagining turning it into the next "Thrill" ride. Instead of falling or zooming to our death, lets put a real scare into a thrill ride--confinement. Locked into a small, tight space, where you can feel your breath bouncing off the nearest walls, but its OK cause you can see the fan blowing air on you.
Then the lights go out.
Pitch black. Totally dark. Can't see eyes in front of face dark.
But that's ok, because the fan would be blowing fresh air on your face. You feel it and hear it.
Then the fan dies.
Deathly silence. Just you, the closed space, and nothing else.
Then the sound of bending metal, and what feels like the sides closing in.
If you haven't hit the emergency exit button by now, your a better man than I Gungah Din.
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Huh. I guess I'm pretty glad I have no claustrophobia issues, then. My MRI stay was lengthy but unpreturbing.
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They do have MRI s now that don't have a tube that you are shoved in. Well, it's more like a really short tube that moves.
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I've had MRI's. I kind of liked them. I got to lie still and quiet and think. And wonder what those clunking noises were for.
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Dan: Did the fan die for a reason or did it just break? I mean, can they not have a fan blowing on you while they take the pictures?
If I ever have to have one and I have to lay there for 45 minutes breathing my own breath blown back on my face I think I would go completely insane, never to return.
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Man, I guess MRI's are harder than I thought for plenty of people.
It's like a fear of needles — likely to interfere with good medicine. But what can you do? It's not like phobias are a matter of choice for everyone.
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quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: I've had MRI's. I kind of liked them. I got to lie still and quiet and think. And wonder what those clunking noises were for.
Me too, I rather like the time-out. I took part in a study of brain activity once (all jokes about be the 'flat-line' control aside) and it was great. I got to lie still for an hour listening to some quiet music.
A couple of years ago I had a whole series of them, while I was the victim of some House style investigative medicine (umm, well, we're not sure, but we think you're ill...). I got to like the MRIs - especially the wierd and wonderful markers they inject you with.
Mind you I go caving for fun, so claustrophobia isn't an issue for me. Now, if there was some medical process involving spiders, they'd have to force me in at gunpoint...
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: There are an awful lot of "open MRI" places around here. Guess I know why now...
I've had an open MRI. I thought the machine was going to fall on my face. And I couldn't move my head, so it didn't really matter that it was open. I don't know how I'd react to a closed MRI, though.
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: I've had MRI's. I kind of liked them. I got to lie still and quiet and think. And wonder what those clunking noises were for.
Me too, I rather like the time-out. I took part in a study of brain activity once (all jokes about be the 'flat-line' control aside) and it was great. I got to lie still for an hour listening to some quiet music...
Mind you I go caving for fun, so claustrophobia isn't an issue for me.
Perhaps we are claustrophiliacs. I like caves, too.
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I was not claustrophobic before I got sick and had an MRI. Now, I start feeling panic when I even think of being in an enclosed space.
Yesterday, I saw "Prince of Slaves," a PBS documentary(or History Channel, I forget)There was a picture of people stacked like beef jerky in a dehydrator, with only about three inches between their faces and the top of their space.
I got all shaky and started to cry, thinking of how they spent six weeks or more in that position.
Sometimes, I still have dreams where I am in a small space. I am not sure if this is a result of the MRI, or just some leftover post traumatic stress.
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I get MRIs every two years. Each time the claustrophobia is worse. The last time I think I'll take the drug they offer.
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Pixiest--The fan dieing thing would be part of a "thrill" ride at an amusement park that I was describing. It would be something to create and sell for multi-millions, or not.
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I kinda dug my MRI. It's difficult to stay still like that for forty-five minutes, but it makes way neat noise.
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I think I had a CT scan once. Never had an MRI that I am aware of, though I used to work at a company that made them.
Regarding thrill rides, though, I used to think I'd like a free fall experience, but I went up on one a couple of years ago, and I was frightened so I closed my eyes. I think that made it much worse.
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pooka: if you want to free fall, go skydiving. You're so far up the world doesn't look real and it isn't frightening at all (at least, it wasn't for me.)
I have to admit, though, it was kinda boring. Rollercoasters are more fun.
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I'm pretty lucky in that I don't have any phobias at all. I suppose that the one I'm closest to having would be acrophobia, but I'd characterize my feelings about heights as a respect for them rather than a fear of them. I have no desire to be at the top of a wobbly 36 foot extension ladder. Looking over the edge of a tall building doesn't freak me out, and I'd really love to go out on that clear plexiglass platform that juts out over over the lip of the Grand Canyon.
Anti-maven, how did you get involved in caving? It's something that I've been thinking that I'd like to try my hand at, but I'm not completely sure where to start. I mean, I've been on tours of caves, but I've never been in a situation to get down in the muck and shimmy along on my belly through narrow tunnels and the like, exploring.
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quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: I too enjoyed my MRI, and much more than my CT scan.
What didn't you like about the cat scan?
I had a few of them last week, and I thought they were all high tech looking...I was too amused by the appearance of the machine to think of too much else.
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Noemon, don't try caving alone, whatever you do. There are probably groups that take weekend trips if there are caves in your area. I would contact an outdoor sporting goods store like EMS and see if they know anyone who takes trips.
I really hated it. Something about having fire on my head, fifty degree water, and small spaces didn;t do it for me.
We used to take kids at our school caving. They loved it.
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I've been caving - or more properly mine exploring - since I was about ten. I started with my Dad and we have joined various groups.
Never go by yourself. Ever. Even going as a pair is highly risky. Get yourself along to a group and then you can borrow lamps and rope gear from them. Plus you get to meet like minded folk. Cavers tend to be a bit wierd so it's usually great fun!
I much prefer mines to caves, as I get more of a sense of wonder from scale of the work carried out by the miners. The trouble is you have to be triply careful as old mines are XXX unsafe places.
Nothing like wading, arse deep, in freezing adit water to really appreciate woring in a nice warm office (Or indeed to appreciate lying in a nice warm MRI scanner - he adds desperately clawing back to the original thread...)
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Oh, yeah, I wouldn't dream of doing it alone. I'd definitely want to do it with a group of people who were all old hands at it; I have very little sense of direction *above* ground; I can only imagine how quickly I'd get lost on my own down in a cave or mine. There are some great caves not all that far south of me; I'll google for local groups and see about joining one of them for a trip or two.
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quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: I too enjoyed my MRI, and much more than my CT scan.
What didn't you like about the cat scan?
I can't speak for Porter, but I loathed, hated, and detested the nasty, horrible, disgusting contrast suspension I had to drink before mine.
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I had an x-ray when I was 3. I had to drink a barium supension. I loved the chalky taste. I still remember that.
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Porter, you make it sound like there are beautiful women in the little MRI chamber, just waiting to talk to me. Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Tammy: What about cave diving?
I've been scuba diving, in a cave, but not extreme push your tank in front of you because the space is so small diving, as I'm not certified to do that... and I don't think I'd really want to do that. It was very cool. It was shallow enough and there were enough openings to air that were your equipment to fail horrendously at any time you could have swum your way to safety. It's like going through a cave normally, only with the ability to fly, effectively. anyways, I'll let people get back on topic now...
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From reading this thread, I'm beginning to think I'd like an MRI if I ever had to have one. Being in small, enclosed spaces has always been a comfort thing for me-- I used to climb into the narrowest boxes I could find that would hold me as a child and lay there listening to music.
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Does anyone know what the noises are from? I've got several guesses, but It's not obvious to me which of them should be correct.
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Sign me up as one of the ones who find it kind of relaxing. A 20 minute nap with your choice of music!
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I'm a little claustrophobic. Well, more than a little, really. So when I have to have an MRI, I have to sort of self-hypnotize myself just to avoid complete panic. Usually, I wind up falling asleep in there.
And open MRIs aren't a lot better, as far as I'm concerned. You're still immobilized (which is the peak part of my claustrophobia), and the top part is way too close for comfort.
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With one of my CT scans, I reacted to the contrast dye that was injected into me. Shaking progressing to convulsions and passing out - not so good. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: I get MRIs every two years. Each time the claustrophobia is worse. The last time I think I'll take the drug they offer.
Whatever for, Dag?
Wow - I don't think I'd want them doing that to me that often. (Not that I've ever had an MRI all -- but I won't even let them do a Mammogram every year like they keep pushing me to do. I don't think my b**bs need to be radiated every single year. Once every five years is enough.
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