MRI Experience

Hello All!

Yesterday I had my MRI, and while it was my 4th or 5th one or so….it was a little different experience for me. Maybe this type experience has been shared before with other members, but I wanted to share this, as it may help other members and visitors to understand what may go on while getting one.

First, the usual,…all clothing came off except a pair of shorts and a shirt, and socks…..all metal has to be removed. Since I had a "Stint" implant they had to make sure it was the type that could be allowed for the MRI. I also had on my paperwork that I had cancer at one time (Melanoma 2007)….so this in important as well.

Before I get into this too far, I did ask a question when I was signing in, and that was what was the cost without Insurance for the MRI's. The lady at the counter said she had the price list right there and shared that the "Cervical" MRI was $1865….and the Lumbar was $1985. For those of you with out Insurance, I thought this information might be of some value to you. Of course, this was here in a facility here in Wichita KS, and I'm sure the prices can vary from state to state, and facility to facility, but it should be close. Now, one thing that may affect the price, is the type of machine they use…Im not sure. Mine was done on a Tube type machine. There is also what they call an open machine, which looks like a giant press.

I was scheduled for both a cervical and a lumbar MRI here, and that was done for two reasons,…one,... I have pain in both areas, and two,….My Dr thought I may not be able to get another MRI ever again once the pain pump is implanted. After a little research on my own….I think he is wrong,…however, I believe I still needed both of the MRI's anyway. So no Biggy!

As I stepped into the room they showed me a bottle and said they would be injecting me with it. I asked why, and she said since I had had cancer before, that anytime I get an MRI,... I should always have it done with "Contrast" and without "Contrast" ….as it would show up any cancer if it was on the bones. That was news to me…but I understood it. I know there are other reasons they do both, but if you have a cancer history…that is one of the reasons.

Now comes the fun part!….as I laid down, the nurse strapped a plastic housing over my head and that in itself was unnerving to me. I had never had any problems before, but when they went to put me in…I sorta freaked out, and asked to be removed pronto! That's odd!…I had never felt that way before…and I was embarrassed and apologized over and over to the nurses. I thought for sure I could do this…and we tried three more times…only to be removed. I was at my wits end here, and stumped!

I will say the nurses were some of the best I have ever been around…were very understanding about it all. What they suggested was a shot of "Benadryl" ….but that I needed a driver, and approval from my DR….so a couple of phone calls and I was receiving 50mg of "Benadryl". Within 5min or so…I became very relaxed….almost to the point of falling asleep. I will have to say that the "Benadryl burned as it went in….but that quite a short time later. One more thing they did was to put a wash cloth over my eyes….and that in itself was a comfort as well. They also gave me a emergency button I could push if needed.

An hour later I was done, both lumbar and cervical, with contrast and without contrast. The wife was waiting in the reception area…..we were handed a copy of the images…and we were off to eat a early dinner.

I cannot tell you how ashamed and embarrassed I was after all of that….as I had never had it happen before. I have been in many a tight place in my life, so this surprised me to no end. However, I suppose it does happen…and lucky for me I happened to have some wonderful tech's there. I hope this experience will help someone here, and if not…well it's just another story here on the forum.

Take care,

SE

Well, SE so now you are claustaphobic, join the ranks, its awful especially when having MRI's and CT's. They have to give me 20mg of valium before I can stay in a scanner 5 minutes, lol. Do not be embarrassed about it ither, lots of us are that way. Oh, this was your first contrast scan, I have had more than my fair share of those things, get that warm feeling all over.

Just so you know, I was under the impression no more MRI's because of my pump, well we can still have MRI's with our pumps if they are Medtronic brand. I read it straight out of one of their books at a radiology facility I go to for scans. My prior PM dr is the one that told me this and surprisingly enough not many drs are aware of this. Now, granted sometimes the scanner can make your alarm go off and you have to go back to your dr so it can be reprogrammed, which they recommend you do even if the alarm does not go off. The technician was kind enough to show me the info about the pumps and MRI's.

The fees you quoted are pretty standard and in, line for the MRI. There is also a fee for the radiologist that reads the films, they used to charge $350 to $400 to read them.

I hope you get good news on the MRI's. Take care.

Thanks both of you! Claustrophobia runs in my family big time….but it had never bothered me before. At least I know something can be done to help a person get through it. I was worried about radiation, but the Tech said there is none involved. I too was worried about getting hot in it after reading some of the other members experience's. They assured me I would be fine, however I was worried about the screws in the plates for the fusion. I think all these little worries built up, and the fact that they had my head tied down firmly added to the trauma. Once in you cannot move, even if you wanted to.

I wanted to make it clear, that my experience was not what I considered a bad one, because of poor nursing skills. They were the best Tech's I have come across to date. The facility was rather new as well, in a great part of town.

I did ask the Tech's about the pumps, and she said they have them turned off prior to the MRI, and then have them turned back on and the programming checked before you leave. I'm not sure how they go about that, …Im guessing they must have someone certified to do this there?

I dont want anyone to think this is a post,…making the procedure of mine a complaint or one of great drama, because it wasn't. It was just a different experience for me, and I wanted to share for those who may be getting ready to have an MRI done in the near future.

I couldn't have been more pleased with how I was treated there, and it is really a simple process to go through. The reports should take a few days to hit my Dr's office, and I did get a copy of it, and have viewed them on my home computer. Now, I myself do not know how to read the images, and I can only wonder what all the information means, but I can see how a person may worry if all areas of the spine do not look uniform. At the double fusion area…it looks like a big mess to me, but again…I'm not a Tech that knows how to read them. All I know is that I'm in a lot of pain in that area, and my shoulder as well.

The sooner I can get the test done for the pump the better, as I'm eager to see if I can get some relief there.

SE

Oh SE

I am glad that you persurvered through the MRI. You did indeed have understanding techs.

I new the scans were expensive but that would wipe out our savings. I dont have insurance but everything was covered by W/C over the last 1 1/2 years from my work accident.

In another year I will get Medicare then I have to by supplemental insurance.

Please let us know what your results of your scans.

I hope you get relief from your pain soon.

Soft Hugs
betsey

Oh Michael.....samething happened to me, the two I had I was fine but by the end of the second I was starting to freak out but the third was the worse they also had to medicate me...hope I never need another! I had never concidered myself claustrophobic but my mom is and I guess I am too. So no need to feel embarassed I am sure it happens all the time.

Thanks for sharing, Amy

Again, Thank you all for your comments!

Retiredmom, I think the wash-cloth over the eyes was key in my ability to stick with it. If I had tried it the first time around, I might not have needed the injection. I also heard one of the Tech's mention that they were going to turn on the air as high as it would go….and I never realized this was a possibility or that it even existed.

This is the reason, I brought this to the forum here. All of these comments may help others with these suggestions, and personal experience's by you members.

Again, Thanks!

SE

Sorry you had to experience that Michael but glad you were able to get all the pics done.

Myself I have had a number of MRI's and did fine. I always close my eyes and of course use the earplugs, which really don't do much i find. The problem for me is the noise level of the machine as i suffer from severe headaches to begin with, so by the time i get done i am almost in tears and my head feels like it is going to blow up.

Suzane

One thing I was wondering about. Did they check your kidney function with a blood test before the MRI? The contrast can be very harmful to people with kidney problems so whenever I've had an MRI with contrast they always check my kidney function first.

       Jag...I'm not aware of any Kidney problems, and did not know that it should be done. I did,.. just donate urine a couple of months ago...to check everything out, since I take statins.

   I'm only guessing if my Dr thought there was cause for it,.. he would have ordered it.

 Thanks, Mom!...really!....I did not freak out to the point of screaming or hollering...I just asked them to pull me out, as I knew I was not going to make it through it. Between the Benadryl and the cloth over the eyes...it then went well.

 I'm thankful for all the comments, as I believe this helps other members who may be facing one of these. The more informed we all are, then so much the better.

  SE           

       ...thats good information, and I will ask about it the next time I have one done.

         Thanks!

        SE

After reading all this I am beginning to wonder if I have lost a large portion of my memory or the equipment at our hospital is actually just a box with an MRI label and some random person standing out of site making motor noises. Or it was the dilaudid drip. I had it done after the left colectomy I think. Makes me wonder :) just a little humor. I am glad you made it through and the information is great. Thank you so much for sharing it.