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Posted 4/7/2014 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, first brain MRI in my life today. The nurse tells me as she's lowering a plastic face guard around my head "Don't panic!" I hope someone tells her don't cry the next time she slams her finger in the door or the next time she falls (hopefully with a hot coffee in hand)!

I was super nervous and on edge for 35-40 minutes. Even with the earplugs and music in the headphones the sounds coming from the equipment are a bit daunting...a true claustrophobic's nightmare. I didn't really freak out though I got through it with a lot of deep breathing and distraction. Next time if I need one of those, I think I'll be better prepared. If you are claustrophobic you definitely will need to be sedated. The technician told me he passed out during an MRI he had to do in school. It's no easy task...

Apparently they found something needing a double-check which required them to inject me with contrast and re-scan. The hardest part was they moved me out of the tunnel and they are taking their time with the catheter, small talk blah blah and all I want to do is rip off the plastic head guard and run. Some more scanning, and voila....done! Clammy palms and all though I felt better after getting out of the hospital gown.

I won't know what the test results are until tomorrow so I feel a bit nervous about things...just the normal anxiety stuff.

Anyway there you go...get sedated if you need one of these MRI tests.
Posted 4/7/2014 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on getting through this. I did an MRI once, also without sedation. I thought it would be "no big deal." But I did not like it much. I think next time I would also probably get some sort of sedation -- at least light sedation, such as a valium. But it is hard to tell in advance. Some people seem to not mind the MRI at all. Others totally hate it.
Posted 4/7/2014 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Good job Joshua!!!

Yes, I would definitely need to be one of those who were sedated...(as in  The Ramone's style 'bam bam bam bam bam bam bam bam bam...I wanna be sedated'!!)

I do hope that the results are absolutely fine, and that you can try to stay in a calm and peaceful place while you await the results. No easy task, I know!

Keep talking with us, and let us know how you are doing when you hear back, okay?

S.C.
Posted 4/7/2014 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Terrific job Joshua!!!

Look at all the tools you used from your tool box to help you make it through.

They do make an open-ended MRI as some people cannot tolerate the closed end model. I will be waiting to hear the results of your scan.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 4/7/2014 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Nice job Joshua.

You're absolutely right,...those things can be mighty daunting for some.

Kitt beat me to it! Again! The open MRI units they have now may be something to look into if you find you ever need another MRI in the future for anything. My MIL will only go to the open ones, and yes, even then, she still takes Ativan beforehand. It helps her greatly.

Please let us know how you make out! :)






M.
Posted 4/8/2014 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there

Well we found something, better now than too late. The MRI showed my brain is on fantastic working order and the angiogram revealed an aneurysm in my corotid left artery. Not a great place to have one of those, though we did find it when it is small still about 1.5 to 1.8mm. Looks like blood pressure medication, and diet/exercise are in order to keep it from growing larger. Dr recommend a scan every 12 months to monitor. Typically the risk would be higher if the size was around 5mm.

Also the neurologist indicated most autopsies reveal most people die with an I ruptured aneurysm somewhere, though I'm fretting my life span maybe has some impact here as I'm only 34.

Oh well - I've already told myself if it looks like it's going to get bad I'm liquidating everything and renting a beach house in Maui to pass my final hours. A bit dramatic I know, but maybe this will help me to become more acceptant of death and less a slave to worries and stress.

Overall I feel good, I was expecting some inoperable cancer or tumor, and I'm glad this was caught. It's more of we lucked into finding this as a result of the MRI. Glad I had it. Now onto a follow up with my GP and see if I need a vascular specialist or where to go from here.

Joshua
Posted 4/8/2014 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I had it done last week but it was an open type MRI machine and it took only 15 minutes. And one of the staff was in the room with me. I had no anxiety and fell asleep. You should find a clinic where they have open MRIs. Makes a huge difference.
Posted 4/8/2014 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Joshua,

Like you mentioned...a lot of people have these their whole lives, and often these are undiscovered until they have passed of something else...in old age.

Listen to your doctors and let them assess the risk. It is their job afterall...let them do it, and let go of that burden.

Easier said than done, I know. You actually sound like you are doing amazingly well...

...but no more talk of passing your final hours...

...unless you just really want to live in Maui for the next 50 something years! :)

Keep us updated with what your doctors have to say at your upcoming appointments.

S.C.
Posted 4/9/2014 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi joush, I had one done before I retired, the tec said just normal clutter for someone my age, "normal clutter"?

Probably old pages from Victoria's Secret! You will be ok Peace

Larry ***
Posted 4/9/2014 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Lol Larry! :)
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