OT SCARY, MY WORST NIGHTMARE BUT I DID IT!!!

Long story short, Ive had increased neck pain over the last few years, I got to go to physical therapy, tens units, lotions, potions, massage, injenctions ect ect. This all started last year and they told me I neede a MRI, I went to the Naval hospital and saw the little tiny tube and got half way in and went in to full panic mode, I am claustrophobic and they got me out. what they should of done is gave me some valium. They booked me in the *open* unit in Wilmington, I take a day off of work only to go all the way down there and the *open* tube was not a open tube at all but a larger version of the small tube... I got on and tried and then panicked.. the tech said they should of arranged a valium sedation and it was a total waist of my time and gas. Soooo I go and have a mylorgram which turns into a nightmare but i got through it and I see a neurosurgeon in Greenville, I did not like what he had to say or the way he was talking to me so I went much closer to home for a second opinion. My new doctor is very nice and has a great bedside manner. He told me that the mylogram was great for my nerves to see but not my bones. Jacksonville JUST got a new open MRI machine and I have been scope locked on all the photos of it psyching myself up for it. This morning I woke up and took my Ativan, it totally relaxed me, I saw the big blue monster and didnt feel afraid because it was not a tube. The put a sheet over my eyes and told me the test would begin. I lay very still and had to redo two of them because I swallowed, the ladies were VERY nice and kept telling me *ok that part is done now the next part will be 3 minutes* I had ear plugs in and found all the noises to be very funny and a bit loud but nothing horrifiyng like the tube would of been. I even fell asleep a few times and they had to readjust my head LOL it seems it was over in a flash. The open unit is very nice and spacious and is open on all three sides.. no more shoved up in a tube and I finished my test and Im SOOOOOOO happy that I had my ativan with me because that saved the day!!! I cant beleve I did it because I hate being in small spaces and Im glad someone invented this machine!!! thanks for listening everyone for my rah rah rah for the day!!

Darcie
no afraid of MRIs anymore as long as they are OPEN!!

I'm with you on this - I'm terrified of CAT scans and the like.  My Aunt had some problems a few years ago and after her surgery she had to have an MRI done once a month Well she scheduled them for the first Monday and after she got off work she'd pop her Valium and my Uncle would drive her to the hospital. Well one really stressful Monday she popped her valium and got to the hospital only to realize that it was the wrong week.  We still tease her about it. - Iris

(((((Darcie))))),

I'm so sorry to hear that this has been such a difficult ordeal, but I'm glad that you finally got a Dr. that listens to you and communicates with you. It's great that you were able to get the test done without having to drive out of the way and better yet, without having to endure the issues that surround the claustrophobia... no pun intended.

I hope that they will be able to diagnose and treat the cause of your pain soon.

Take care,

Barb

Thank you Barbara, you always know what to say and how to make me feel better Im glad it was a positive experience and its over with and hopefully on Friday I can see whats going on with my back on my follow up appointment.

Thanks again for your friendship,

Darcie

Hi Darcie,

I'm sorry, but I had to jump in on this one. I can so relate to being freaked out by the "tubes". When I was in 5th grade, I was run over by a car and messed up a bit. I was unconscious when they took me to the hospital and while I was out, I was dreaming that I had died and was being cremated. !!! Well of course, I came to just as I was being scooted into the machine and just absolutely went nutso! I'm still petrified to this day. (such a wuss!) It'll be open for me or I'll have to really be on some GOOD drugs!

Anyway.....

Caveman

Caveman
Thanks for your post, that would be super scary to be that young and have that happen. I have tried twice to get in the tubes and actually tore up broke the first one jumping out of it, and the second one I got halfway in and said NO WAY!!! the open one was 1000000 times less claustrophobic and I dont care that they say the photos are not as good as in the tubes... it will be open from now on!!! The Ativan helped too! LOL

Darcie

Darcie, I am glad you survived your much needed test. The ativan helped you which is a good thing. I am also glad the staff was nice and was keeping you informed as they were doing the test.                                 Annie