It helps to have lissome and friendly technicians running the show. (My first time in the tube.) My choice of music was reggae. They said that was a first.

It took a little longer than average because they were trying to rule out a ghost shadow from a previous ultrasound inaging session.

I thought the whole ride was ahoot and ahalf.

When it was over I asked if we could go again. They shooed me out and made me get back into my street clothes.

I was given a Pair of Slick Glasses with mirrors to allow me to see the back of the MRI Tube and a nice picture window. They really kept me distracted. Still a long 45 min.

Last MRI I had was due to a bulging disk and nerve pain. I had to have a Valium to relax my neck muscles. They wouldn’t let me take it w/o a driver(I had driven myself there) called a ride, gave the nurse the number in case I was asleep. And I took the pill. I fell asleep in the machine.

I’ve had four MRIs and I’ve fallen asleep in each one. The noise doesn’t bother me at all-in fact it’s relaxing to me. They used a neck brace for the last one bc I told them I’d fall asleep and they didn’t want me moving around.

WRT the Valium, it just made me super sleepy when I’ve had it (not just for the MRI), definitely will need someone to help get you up and moving around and drive you home. DONT drink beer/booze while taking them.

You guys that have taken the valium, how log did it take to have an affect, and how long did it last?

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
When I got lasik they also gave Valium.

When I got my Lasik done ('02), I was up in Toronto. While sitting in the waiting room waiting to go back, the nurse came in and said, "If you'd like something to relax you a little, there's some pills on the end table there. Feel free to take one before you go back".

I looked at the bottle and it was full to the top with 1mg alprazolam tabs...just sitting there on the table. Apparently their controlled substance laws were a little more lax than ours at the time.

Yeah, I grabbed a few extra.

^^^ That ophtho practice must be very busy. Lol.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
Shit, I just go to sleep. Doesn't bother me whatsoever. It's just a nice cozy place to nap to me except for the BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG.

Likewise. I have a brain scan every year and all I ask is that they wedge my head so it won’t move while I sleep.

A few years ago I had a head and neck MRI. I was in the tube for 2 1/2 hours with my head in the cage. Xanax got me through it.

quote:

Originally posted by Muddflap:
You guys that have taken the valium, how log did it take to have an affect, and how long did it last?

1999-Once for my jaw being locked up, IIRC it was like 5mg, the pharmacy mate asked me “where do you live” ( I thought she was hitting on me.) when I said Newport News she told me to go home, don’t drink and take it after I got inside. I said there’s only two pills in here, she looked at the script and said yup.

I got home, opened a beer, took the pill, laid on the couch, and woke up the next morning in the same position. Beer was there half full. Took the other pill about an hour later and woke up the next day, around lunch. My jaw was relaxed and I could open and close it.

So it affected me heavily/good?

FF to ten years ago, had the one for my MRI/neck issue. 2mg dose, I took it and w/i 15 minutes I was being slid into the machine and I woke up or became sentient four or five hours later with n idea how I got home or anything.

That’s good to hear.
Take the pill, and wake me up when you’re done.

Medical shows and movies take a great deal of "artistic license" with MRI machines, especially House. The bareheaded patient is run through it on a conveyor in about 15 seconds and it makes only a low hum. Actually, you have to wear ear muffs because they sound like being inside a steel drum with a dozen guys hitting it with sledgehammers, along with a deep, reverberating thrumming. I just grinned and bore it.

Only ever had one. They pulled me out about halfway through because I didn't respond when they asked if I was OK. Sound asleep. I asked them if they had a recording of the noise the thing makes. Best nap I've had in years. No drugs.

2nd try’s the charm.

My appointment was at 2:30, so I took 1 Valium at 12:45. It made me a little wobbly for 15 or 20 minutes, but that’s about it. I took the 2nd one at 2:00, and I couldn’t tell it did anything. I think I could’ve gotten just as relaxed with a couple shots of whiskey. But, this time I took along a white wash cloth. Had to tape it on, because I was face down, and make sure it didn’t cover my nose. But I think that’s what got me through. I can’t explain it, but I could open my eyes, see light, and I couldn’t see the tube. I knew I was in the tube, but my brain couldn’t see it so it didn’t care. I was in there about 20 minutes, and there was a couple times I had to take some deep breaths, but it went fairly easily. If I have to do another one, I’ll probably ask for Valium again, but I’ll make sure I take my wash cloth too.

^^^*

Good for you, Muddflap.

No fan of MRI's here, reading about them isn't comfortable.

My two cents for others who are nervous. Don't open your eyes. No need to, nothing to see, keep 'em shut. Make it a test of will power if necessary, don't look.

Glad the 2 valium and the washcloth worked

As for me, I'm fine with MRIs as long as my head is outside the tube. Let's just say it wasn't my finest moment the last time my head was in the tube for an abdominal MRI. Valium is in my future if I ever need to have my head in the tube again.

yes, any sedative they give you for the yips is gtg. the benefits of an MRI greatly outweigh any perceived evilness of meds, which imho are for the most part completely bogus. I used to take them to get through an MRI, but of late I substituted some Yoda mind control, basically deep breathing and self relaxation, concentrating on my body instead of the machine, and it works for me. But if I didn't want to do that the meds always work. If they don't ask for a larger dose.

I’ve had to do so many for injuries the past 5-6 years.

Here is what I do every time.

1. I bring my own ear plugs. Pink foamies. These are what I use when I ride my motorcycles.

2. I ask them about the music choices. Basically which streaming app do you have? Whatever they have I tell them what channel I want and to not fuck it up or they’ll have to pull me out 3 times and this will take all day.

3. Before I go I’ll make a mental check list. Things to go over and keep my mind busy. I had two this year alone. Each time I thought about the rural land I own. What it looks like, and where I want my Morton to go, how I want it built out, finished out, etc. Then I’ll flip to each off-road vehicle I want to add to the fleet from the powersports store. Keep my mind on positive things. Like maybe a firearm you want, a vacation you want to do, etc.

4. Most importantly, I shut my eyes, keep them closed during the entire thing. If I open my eyes and see that machine they may have to pull me out. I don’t have claustrophobia but that MRI machine is a got damn coffin and I hate it. They slide you in and I’m a tall drink a water with a lot of muscle so my shoulders, arms, will rub/drag through the machine. Once they push the button to slide me in, every other time I have to have them immediately pull me out, reset my mind, close my eyes firmly, and then I give them the OK to slide me back into the coffin.

5. Breathing like wrightd said. In the beginning I’m fine. The last 10 minutes in there when I’m worn out..I do the breathing like my master (sensei) taught me. Similar to going to your PCP and he puts that metal thing on your back and tells you to breathe real deep. In/out, over and over and over until it’s finished.

It’s more mental than anything and it’s something you need to master. I’ve worked hard on it over the years to set my mind, and reset if necessary. No drugs, no boos, nothing. Face down or laying on my stomach I’m good 100%. If they slide me on my back, I have to really focus. And I always stretch prior. People will stare in the waiting room, zero fucks given. I use my martial arts training, gym training, everything I got, because that fucking machine “mep mep mep. Zzzzzzzz. Zzzzzz.” The fucking noise irritates the shit out of me hence using my own earplugs, then the headphones they give you, and music.

Glad you got through it. They have one now where you stand up, it has tons more room but my ortho said it’s much more expensive so I’ll continue to use the coffin and mental prep it.

 
I have had maybe a dozen MRIs. At first it was 2mg lorazepam and a folded washcloth over my eyes. As the years have ticked away, so has the lorazepam, but I still keep the eye cover.

Now I have a pacemaker and the local MRI cannot do it. They searched, in vain, for a valley unit that would do it, but gave up and just ordered a CT scan instead.

Thanks guys. I do appreciate all the conversation, tricks, tips, and techniques used to get through one of these procedures.

I think for me, not looking at the machine helps. I ignore it as much as possible. I cannot close my eyes. I don’t know why, but having them open is the only way I can make it, hence the washcloth. Having my eyes covered as soon as possible helps. Once I see the event horizon, I cant unsee it.

I have helped people with this issue. It is very treatable. Music helps and just talking to the technican can be beneficial. Of course Americans like drugs paricularly benzodiazapine. I have had over 20 MRIs over the years.