I messed up my MRI's today.

[maxthecat43]

I should have known I couldn't handle having both the C-spine and the T-spine done in the same session.  I wasn't exactly asked about it, but I should found out more about it first.  It was on the 3T machine.  I've had other MRI's there, and wasn't worried about it at all.  

When I first got started, the tech told me that I during the different sequences- I wouldn't be allowed to swallow for about five  minutes at a time.  Sure enough, as time went by- I couldn't help it.  I swallowed.  Then I was upset about, and nervous.  Heart rate went up.  Breathing faster.  Again, I swallowed.  It wasn't even voluntary.  I couldn't reason myself around it.  The longer the test took- trying to redo lost sequences the hotter it got in the tube.

Finally, they moved on to the T-spine.  My heart was still beating too fast.  I was still breathing too fast.  It was getting hotter all the time.  The alarm they give you for when you need them to stop must not have been working.  I thought that if I could come out of the machine, and cool off, I'd be ok- but I guess they couldn't tell I needed help.  They didn't respond to my request to turn up the fan either, so I think it was because it was so loud they couldn't hear me.  

My left arm began to jerk around.  My left leg was twitching too, but not with as much force.  By the time it was over (more than two hours), I was unable to get off the table myself.  They transported me into a wheelchair, and waited for me to cool off enough to move.  I was finally able to get dressed, but it took me almost 30 minutes to cool down enough to stop feeling like a jellyfish.

I'm so upset with myself.  I wasted this opportunity.  There was so much motion distortion, that any T2 signal abnormality couldn't be seen.  They told me I am not a good candidate for this machine- although the other times went just fine...  I think maybe if I get some Xanax, and split them up- maybe I could do better.

Has anybody else had these problems?

[Lulu54]

It sounds like a real combination and the techs who do these tests are ultimately responsible to monitor the patient and assure the time in the machine is productive.  I am sorry it didn't work that way- but don't let them tell you they can't try it again.  And next time, insist on testing the button that it works before they start the tests.

feel better,
L

[maxthecat43]

Oh!  I forgot your other question.  The xanax would be for the racing heartbeat.  The limb jerking was due to excessive heat.  If I could do one test at a time, that shouldn't be a problem.  It wasn't in February...

I had an L-spine done then.  I got a little of the jerking problem, but I was sort of tied down with lots of pads.   Hmmm, no pads today either.  I think todays failure may have been a combination of my issues, and theirs after all.

[maxthecat43]

Thank you for your kind words.  I'm still pretty upset by it all.  A nice glass of wine would be lovely right now.  It wouldn't even matter that alcohol seems to take my legs away temporarily-since it's time for bed anyway.  Maybe I'll dream of a really nice bottle of wine, instead of this awful day!

Tammy

[doublevision1]

Sorry it didn't go well today.  They should reschedule you to have separate neck and thoracic MRIs on separate occasions, and ensure before they begin each procedure that THEIR equipment is working properly and  ensuring you can contact them if you are having trouble.   And of course the Xanax, yes!.  Would that just be to help you to be mellow so your heart doens't race or would this alway help with the limb jerking that was not in your control?

Rather than write you off as being a poor candidate for their machine, I think they should be willing to reschedule you since there are steps THEY can take to improve their processes which will improve their results.  This will benefit not just you but other patients who have had similar difficulties.  From a business model perspective, they should be all about continuous improvement of their operation, rather than just writing off patients (who are their CUSTOMERS).  Sorry, my corporate perspective creeping into my reaction to your post.  :)

Hope the next one(s) go better for you.