Had an MRI

[Analog]

I had an MRI of my spine due to some back pain, I've never been in such a huge apparatus. They had me put on earplugs - didn't realize it would be so noisy in there. It is quite cramped, I'm 5'-9" 140 lbs., couldn't imagine a 300 lb person in there..


It took 20 minutes total which seemed like a long time. I could feel my fillings "buzz", and one was sensitive to temperature afterward, but seems to be fine now.

They even gave me a CD with all my images on it, haven't looked at it yet though.

Anyone else experience the "tunnel"?

 

[hypn0tik]

I've had an MRI before. Boring as hell and the machine kept making loud buzzing and clicking sounds.

 

[BoomerD]

I've had numerous MRI's. One place gives earplugs like you had, another place gives you sound deadening earphones and your choice of music...and you can bring your own CD's if you want...I usually plug in classical music and sleep through the procedure. (as long as I don't move, they don't care)

 

[aesthetics]

I had one because of my heart, it was about four or five years ago... honestly I can only vaguely remember it. I don't remember strange noises, or it being cramped. But I'm a tiny person anyway.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I've had numerous MRI's. One place gives earplugs like you had, another place gives you sound deadening earphones and your choice of music...and you can bring your own CD's if you want...I usually plug in classical music and sleep through the procedure. (as long as I don't move, they don't care)

Hmm interesting, the headphones dont screw with the picture at all?

 

[BoomerD]

apparently not.

 

[dennilfloss]

My sister suffers from hemiplegic migraines and she got some kind of noise-induced seizure in the MRI.

 

[StevenYoo]

I did a few for some research studies.

Yeah, it's tight in there. I'm 6' tall and 215 lbs. I was snug, but not super uncomfortable

 

[eits]

did you see a chiropractor about your back pain? i'm just a little confused... normally, people don't just get an mri for regular old back pain... especially younger people who aren't obese.

i've had an mri done before... no big deal for me.

 

[marvdmartian]

Not as long as it's not your head they're doing the MRI of!

Had one about a dozen or so years ago, and yes, they're noisy. You'd think anything that noisy would be broken!

Cat-scans are much quieter, but more expensive. From what I understand, MRI's are better at seeing some things, cat-scans better at seeing other things, but damned if I know which is which. I've had MRI on my knee, and cat-scan on my shoulder (with a pre-scan with a fluoroscope beforehand, so they could inject the contrasting fluid into my shoulder). You can fall asleep with a cat.......don't know how you'd do so with an MRI.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: eits
did you see a chiropractor about your back pain? i'm just a little confused... normally, people don't just get an mri for regular old back pain... especially younger people who aren't obese.

i've had an mri done before... no big deal for me.

I had an xray the week before which showed some of the spinal bones impinging on one another, so the doctor ordered an MRI for a closer look. It started with back pain and tingling at times in my left hand so my doctor wants to see if there is a pinched nerve or something.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: Analog

Originally posted by: eits
did you see a chiropractor about your back pain? i'm just a little confused... normally, people don't just get an mri for regular old back pain... especially younger people who aren't obese.

i've had an mri done before... no big deal for me.

I had an xray the week before which showed some of the spinal bones impinging on one another, so the doctor ordered an MRI for a closer look. It started with back pain and tingling at times in my left hand so my doctor wants to see if there is a pinched nerve or something.

it would have been a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to just go get checked out by a chiropractor rather than get an mri. it doesn't sound like your doctor even did any orthopedic tests in order to warrant an mri. how many x-rays of your neck did they take?

there are simple orthopedic tests that can be done in order to tell whether or not you've got nerve root impingement or facet jamming. ordering an mri rather than doing the tests in order to confirm what you're looking for is a waste of money, time, energy, and health. it's kinda like using a sledge hammer to drive a regular nail into drywall... it's pointless and overkill.

 

[BoomerD]

Most docs won't refer to a chiro. Many neuro's will however accept referrals from them.

I don't see the problem with having an MRI to see what's wrong in this case. Even if it's something that might get relief from chiropractic treatment, KNOWING what the problem is shouldn't be an issue.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Most docs won't refer to a chiro. Many neuro's will however accept referrals from them.

I don't see the problem with having an MRI to see what's wrong in this case. Even if it's something that might get relief from chiropractic treatment, KNOWING what the problem is shouldn't be an issue.

it's not the fact that chiropractic would be the best treatment for him or anything... it's the fact that a chiropractor would be able to tell spot on what the problem was by having the patient go through a couple orthopedic tests and by looking at the x-rays. there's really no need for an mri unless there was a red flag. it doesn't sound like there were any red flags.

you can KNOW the problem without having to put the patient through some bullshit like an mri when it's not necessary.

 

[Kung Lau]

On my health plan, a chiropractor isn't covered. That's the main reason why I dont see a chiropractor for my back problems. Maybe his plan doesn't cover it also.

 

[slpaulson]

I had one on my back once. I was in that thing for a couple hours. Man did that suck.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I've had numerous MRI's. One place gives earplugs like you had, another place gives you sound deadening earphones and your choice of music...and you can bring your own CD's if you want...I usually plug in classical music and sleep through the procedure. (as long as I don't move, they don't care)

Hmm interesting, the headphones dont screw with the picture at all?

Even if the headphones weren't ripped off your head, I don't see how they would function properly. Speakers are magnets after all.

 

[waggy]

yeap get one done every now and then for my hips and lower back. i hate them.

the last one i had i used headphones and tried to sleep.

 

[Wheezer]

I have had 2, and that was some of the most relaxing sleep I have ever had......I loved it.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I've had numerous MRI's. One place gives earplugs like you had, another place gives you sound deadening earphones and your choice of music...and you can bring your own CD's if you want...I usually plug in classical music and sleep through the procedure. (as long as I don't move, they don't care)

Hmm interesting, the headphones dont screw with the picture at all?

They probably aren't that worried since they were looking at his back, might be different if they were examining his head.

 

[KK]

If I ever have to go thru one of those, I better be sedated.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: KK
If I ever have to go thru one of those, I better be sedated.

oh its not that bad.

 

[IGBT]

..they fluxed you.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: KK
If I ever have to go thru one of those, I better be sedated.

oh its not that bad.

I imagine it is if you are claustrophobic.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: KK
If I ever have to go thru one of those, I better be sedated.

oh its not that bad.

I imagine it is if you are claustrophobic.

I am mildly claustrophobic. But they have mirror/headphones etc so you can see and hear fine.

Also the new MRI's are very open