tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post5203828934310030552..comments2024-01-29T11:48:55.990-07:00Comments on Dave's ActiveMSers Blog: How to Survive 20 MRIsDave Bexfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-3811910168069575372021-07-08T11:29:46.072-06:002021-07-08T11:29:46.072-06:00STD, we appreciate and understand your vent!STD, we appreciate and understand your vent!Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-47012087033084552642021-07-08T11:26:08.073-06:002021-07-08T11:26:08.073-06:00A decision got made today: No more Contrast. I ha...A decision got made today: No more Contrast. I have terrible veins. Only 1 is accessible for the average vampire. (Even with lots of water) <br />I'm now old enough that they ask for the Creatine test to give the Contrast. So I use the 1, easy vein for the blood test which means there are no easy veins for the MRI Tech.. <br />I'm sure I'll be black and blue for a week and 2 of my fingers are numb. No, they never got the Contrast in.<br /><br />thanks for letting me vent.S_T_Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14883009792232797898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-63633370962816069912020-04-09T14:15:40.905-06:002020-04-09T14:15:40.905-06:00I actually have dozed off during an MRI. I have ha...I actually have dozed off during an MRI. I have had every part of my body MRI'd except maybe my pinkie finger. When it's time for the annual brain MTI, I just tell my friends That I have to have one every year because they are still searching for my brain, and so far, they haven't found it .Dee Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307254409915234555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-754614432798290552017-05-30T13:13:03.852-06:002017-05-30T13:13:03.852-06:00Sorry about your knee, Tina. That sucks. But getti...Sorry about your knee, Tina. That sucks. But getting out of running a timed mile, well, that's totally worth it. At least let's tell ourselves that. :)Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-62558516789103138712017-05-25T18:12:03.808-06:002017-05-25T18:12:03.808-06:00Ahh, the tube! I'm "only" up to 8 or...Ahh, the tube! I'm "only" up to 8 or 9 (fuzzy memory) My first couple of years I had 2 a year...Next I get to go in the tube toes first. I blew out my knee working out. <br />One "plus" is that I get out of the timed mile for my karate advancement. Alternate test may be worse. I have to help plan the test for the rest of the class. >..<<br />Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01244674365296705720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-46768376441230454402017-03-07T09:42:02.790-07:002017-03-07T09:42:02.790-07:00Michael, I'm with you. Fortunately I can usual...Michael, I'm with you. Fortunately I can usually convince the techs I wore zero metal and they let me stay in my street clothes instead of getting into a gown. But sometimes rules are rules.Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-81827030902710882192017-03-06T20:39:18.885-07:002017-03-06T20:39:18.885-07:00Hey Dave, I've frankly lost count but am havin...Hey Dave, I've frankly lost count but am having my next on 5-25. A brain MRI with and w/o Gadolinium, making the procedure twice as long. Last year despite the automated sledge hammer sound of the magnets, I fell asleep. Two plus attributes are music of any genre and precise mirrors that allow me vision of the techs. in the booth. Ironic that when I worked in an underground Electron Accelerator (splitting atoms into subatomic particles) my job was to maintain and repair the magnets that propelled atoms at speeds we all wish we could travel at. MRIs, except for banging, don't bother me other than being barely clothed. And somebody has to devise, after years of the same old same old, something 21st. century. BostonMichaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13805386730466061235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-65566813565326940932016-09-13T09:01:46.629-06:002016-09-13T09:01:46.629-06:00Great tips, Anon! I've never asked for my scan...Great tips, Anon! I've never asked for my scans while at the facility, but that is a fantastic idea...Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-3924002303983282172016-09-13T08:57:43.124-06:002016-09-13T08:57:43.124-06:00Great post! I think I've had about 14 MRIs so ...Great post! I think I've had about 14 MRIs so far, and I feel like I am becoming the MRI expert. ;) Lately, I've been getting brain and cervical spine MRIs, and I can get them both done in about an hour. Here's what works for me...<br />1) I make sure the tech tells me how long each sequence is going to last. This way I know for how long I have to lie completely still, and when I can finally wiggle my toes again or move my arm. The more you move, the more re-takes they'll have to make and the longer you'll be in the scanner. The tech checks in with me over the speaker after each sequence.<br />2) I ask for a warm blanket. It can get pretty cold in the machine, and a warm blanket keeps me warm and helps me to RELAX... and sometimes fall asleep. :)<br />3) A couple of times I was able to have music, but at the radiology center I frequent, they only give me ear plugs. Not entertaining, but at least they "help" to drown out the loud clicking and banging.<br />4) I ask for pillows for under my knees. Helps with lower back pain.<br />5) Only during the last scan was I told not to swallow. (Maybe old school tech?) It turns out that they don't want you to swallow while they are doing your cervical spine (only). If the tech tells you when he/she is scanning your neck and how long each sequence is going to last, this shouldn't be too much of a problem. (Assuming you don't have difficulties with swallowing.)<br />6) The center offers free water bottles and I make sure I get at least 2 to flush out all the contrast after the scan.<br />7) I ask for copies of all my scans while I'm there. Harder to get them after the scan.<br />** All these tips aren't from a person being high maintenance! ;) I learned that they offer all of this stuff - you just need to know that it's available. And honestly, they will help you get in and out as quickly as possible. The last tech was so glad that he didn't have to do any re-takes and was able to go home early. So was I! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-25626949462006474272016-09-04T19:33:38.160-06:002016-09-04T19:33:38.160-06:00Thanks for making me smile at work today. I’ve bee...Thanks for making me smile at work today. I’ve been in a few <a href="http://glendalemri.blogspot.com/2016/08/facts-on-blood-vessel-malformation-and.html" rel="nofollow">MRI</a>'s, myself. I’ll keep this story in mind in the future. In my last MRI, I was able to choose a radio station to listen to. I chose classical to relax. I didn't realize until the MRI started that they’re in the middle of a fund-raising drive.Kaceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00352506468130162041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-14649794437366421352016-08-24T10:00:52.854-06:002016-08-24T10:00:52.854-06:00Oh no, KeniA. And double oh no, Jeanne! Four hours...Oh no, KeniA. And double oh no, Jeanne! Four hours?! Yikes. That sets a record in my book.Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-81141059331745849312016-08-23T16:23:02.962-06:002016-08-23T16:23:02.962-06:00I once had a 4 hour MRI. I will never do that aga...I once had a 4 hour MRI. I will never do that again. I had to stop and go to the bathroom in the middle.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05909896440418594266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-57425624685320996952016-08-21T21:18:54.086-06:002016-08-21T21:18:54.086-06:00Pharma has been nixed as an option for me. Sigh, ...Pharma has been nixed as an option for me. Sigh, apparently when given Valium my already questionable "edit" broke and I was a bit to opinionated and vocal in the waiting room. I remember entertaining most of the people in the waiting room, but alas my ride was unimpressed. KeniAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-55910629755567696892016-08-03T14:39:00.459-06:002016-08-03T14:39:00.459-06:00Stevo, that swallowing thing is just strange (old ...Stevo, that swallowing thing is just strange (old school tech, maybe?). But good relaxation technique suggestion. I'll try that next time!Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-13369293452526952992016-08-03T10:19:29.871-06:002016-08-03T10:19:29.871-06:00I just had maybe my 20th mri in the last 10 years....I just had maybe my 20th mri in the last 10 years. This one was a neck and spine taking 1.5 hours. They don't have the option of music or anything. I wish! They told me I absolutely cannot swallow during each scan of 3-10 minutes or they have to start over. That's not usually a problem for me but when they told me I can't suddenly I need to! <br />Relaxing was hardest part and I realized my whole body was tense until I tried practicing this relaxation technique someone told me about long ago. Relaxing one body part at a time - my foot, leg, arm, back, focusing just on that part and I found that could actually dose off for a while. It still wasn't easy but at least survivable. Drugs weren't an option cause I had a 3 hour drive to get home afterward. Music would be awesome.Stevohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05466781885113387975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-56656701733563087212016-08-03T08:26:39.517-06:002016-08-03T08:26:39.517-06:00Steve, if that happened it me, I might prefer to b...Steve, if that happened it me, I might prefer to be stuck in the tube. Hate to miss a good Nats game. But what's up with Harp? Probably thinking too much. I've never done that, noooo.Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-65546116362352140032016-08-02T19:40:16.520-06:002016-08-02T19:40:16.520-06:00Ahh, the MRI. Always a good time to catch a nap. L...Ahh, the MRI. Always a good time to catch a nap. Last time I got one, wasn't too bad. Got to listen to a Nats game!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03883572618304617337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-30603384134272079882016-08-02T17:33:04.215-06:002016-08-02T17:33:04.215-06:00I should clarify in case I've panicked anyone,...I should clarify in case I've panicked anyone, they no longer tell you not to swallow during an MRI - or, at least no one has said that to me again after the first one.<br /><br />And, Debbie, thanks for the Vick's tip! I've got intense itching on the right side of my scalp and the outside of my upper right arm - keep thinking I have lice or shingles or plain old hives but there is nothing there. I've got Vick's on order! Thank you!MadisonSKSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-67624510954677808722016-07-25T11:09:43.749-06:002016-07-25T11:09:43.749-06:00Debbie, I can only imagine what the techs were thi...Debbie, I can only imagine what the techs were thinking when they got a whiff of your Vick's. Clever trick! Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-1938044826405960922016-07-23T11:46:43.477-06:002016-07-23T11:46:43.477-06:00I've had probably 12 MRIs in the past 4 years,...I've had probably 12 MRIs in the past 4 years, and I'm so claustrophobic I did the panic button thing for the first few of them. Now I make sure to drug myself out on 10mg of valium haha! Even then, I have to keep my eyes shut the ENTIRE time or I start to freak out. Mine are pretty long--always over an hour--but pharma definitely helps me. My worst relapse left the right side of my body almost paralyzed for a couple weeks, and my scalp was so numb/tingly that it was itching like CRAZY. Like as if I had chicken pox through my hair. I had no idea how I'd get through a long MRI with my head as itchy as it was, so I looked up solutions and found the most random one ever--vick's vapor rub. I tried it and it totally worked. I slathered my head and neck in it and it made the itch go away. I'm sure I disgusted the techs with all the menthol, but whatever, I was able to get through the MRI haha!debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720408596208964312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-10036935355489789022016-07-21T10:11:08.886-06:002016-07-21T10:11:08.886-06:00Susannah, once I asked for a cloth to put over my ...Susannah, once I asked for a cloth to put over my eyes just so I wouldn't accidentally open them and see that I was inches away from the machine. It worked!Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-51742446639509374062016-07-21T08:39:40.768-06:002016-07-21T08:39:40.768-06:00This is funny! I never open my eyes - from the min...This is funny! I never open my eyes - from the minute I lay down on the chute to the minute they pull me out of the machine. I did my first 15 or so MRIs sans drugs. "Gave in" and took Xanax for the past few years - best decision I've ever made, now I sleep thru the whole thing!Susannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18173055578054792274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-43819206566498402562016-07-20T08:47:49.636-06:002016-07-20T08:47:49.636-06:00Ha, Sarah, I've never been told to not swallow...Ha, Sarah, I've never been told to not swallow in all 20 of my MRIs. I wouldn't worry about it. Or worry about endlessly, OMG! ;)Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-76379731781731821842016-07-19T18:00:57.134-06:002016-07-19T18:00:57.134-06:00OMG, the bathroom advice is necessary... I can tel...OMG, the bathroom advice is necessary... I can tell a horror story about that... And pharma options are brilliant!!! Love my meds... But the swallowing thing has put me in to major panic mode...Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12587125181578567948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2838498765761167784.post-31217334128595126872016-07-19T17:22:15.240-06:002016-07-19T17:22:15.240-06:00Madison, math facts without swallowing?! You must ...Madison, math facts without swallowing?! You must be a superhero.Dave Bexfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09372910409976557944noreply@blogger.com