Open MRIs: A Comfortable Alternative
Recently I needed another MRI of the low back because of a lot of burning pain in the lower thoracic and lumbar areas of my back. I remembered the last experience I had getting an MRI of the back and I felt very apprehensive about needing and getting another. I remembered the anxiety of feeling so tight and unable to move. There was only a very few inches between my face and the top of the tube I was in. And I couldn't see the other end of the machine at all from the position I was in.
I also remembered fearing I would not be able to get out of the machine once I was pushed all the way into it - although I was told by the technicians that they never lost anyone in their machine before. Everyone that went in definitely came back out!!
Well since that last MRI, I had actually lost a little weight and I was trying to remain hopeful that I would feel easier about this one. However I noticed that padding was added to the sides of the MRI since the last one I had and the technician also placed pads between the side of my body and my arms. He said it was to keep me from feeling too warm. Well with all of this extra bulk around me, I was unable to move into the MRI machine at all, so the test was canceled that day. Luckily I was able to find an MRI site with an open MRI and obtain an appointment for the next afternoon.
The next day I arrived at my appointment a few minutes early. I tried to keep my anxiety down. I am not sure what I expected. I still had to enter a "tube," however this one was larger and less confining. The length of the machine was about 4 feet long so I could actually see out the other side of the machine if I tipped my head back a little. What a difference! I was able to manage the procedure much more comfortably. My anxiety dropped considerably. The machine was just as loud but I had ear plugs and there was also a radio playing that I could actually listen to during the whole time I was in the tube. I had to have an injection of contrast dye again, however I had no problems or reactions to it. I was very relieved.
From now on, if I have to have another MRI, I am going to opt for the open MRI. It is well worth it.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: MRI, anxiety, back pain, health and wellness
I also remembered fearing I would not be able to get out of the machine once I was pushed all the way into it - although I was told by the technicians that they never lost anyone in their machine before. Everyone that went in definitely came back out!!
Well since that last MRI, I had actually lost a little weight and I was trying to remain hopeful that I would feel easier about this one. However I noticed that padding was added to the sides of the MRI since the last one I had and the technician also placed pads between the side of my body and my arms. He said it was to keep me from feeling too warm. Well with all of this extra bulk around me, I was unable to move into the MRI machine at all, so the test was canceled that day. Luckily I was able to find an MRI site with an open MRI and obtain an appointment for the next afternoon.
The next day I arrived at my appointment a few minutes early. I tried to keep my anxiety down. I am not sure what I expected. I still had to enter a "tube," however this one was larger and less confining. The length of the machine was about 4 feet long so I could actually see out the other side of the machine if I tipped my head back a little. What a difference! I was able to manage the procedure much more comfortably. My anxiety dropped considerably. The machine was just as loud but I had ear plugs and there was also a radio playing that I could actually listen to during the whole time I was in the tube. I had to have an injection of contrast dye again, however I had no problems or reactions to it. I was very relieved.
From now on, if I have to have another MRI, I am going to opt for the open MRI. It is well worth it.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: MRI, anxiety, back pain, health and wellness
9 Comments:
Indie,
I have had a couple of MRI's. The last one was in a newer open MRI. I don't know if they are all the same or not. This was kind of a big round semi-circle instead of a tube. LOL. I don't get the Valium as you are not allowed to have the drugs if you are driving and I really don't have anyone to drive me. It seems that I am somewhat claustrophobic. At leas as far as going into that enclosed space.
However, I convinced myself that an open MRI would be better. Wrong! Lying on my back all I could see was the few inches above my head. I was lying on my back and they put a cage around my mid-section with arms outside. So, now I am uncomfortable in a number of ways, because there is really no place to put your arms. Finally I hooked my thumbs in the caging and that was the best I could do. I brought a CD along for music, but the attendant said that the earphones would just end up sitting on my cheeks and the CD player was acting up also. I did get earplugs.
Anyhow I found the open MRI even more freaky, if possible, than the tube. As I wear glasses normally, and you cannot have them in the MRI, I could not see any opening. And visually, the thing looked even bigger and more imposing than the old style! I never could see any open part. LOL.
Well, I got through it somehow. I actually found the noises the thing makes somewhat entertaining. Nothing much else to do but listen. Occasionally,the tech would tell me how long one set had taken and how long the next set would take, so that I could get some approximation of time passing. YEA!
Do you know anything about the new, I think, vertical or sitting MRI's? I don't quite remember what they are called. I am wondering if that might allow me to see the light instead of only the closed-in space of a few inches from my eyes.
Thanks for recounting your experience. I am not alone in disliking these machines.
orangetabby
If doctors would use their brains nowadays and a few xrays, this would not be necessary. But hospitals make a load of money off of these scans...
I;ve had 5 MRIs, 2 for shoulders, 3 for knees. The first time my doctor wanted me to have one, he asked me if I was at all claustrophobic.I was slightly so I said yes and he had his office arrange for me to have the MRI at a faciity with an open machine. Since then, I've returned to the same place. I still sometimes get a little antsy while the scan is being done but I would never have been able to get scans done in a closed machine. There is now an MRI for limbs only that the radiology practice I go to has but I wasn;t offered this for some reason with my last MRI about a month ago (I am now 9 days past knee surgery when this last MRI showed cartilage tears). It's possible it couldn't be used because if you have had previous knee surgeries (which I've had), they have to do extra scans that this newest machine might not be able to do.
So no there are 2 alternatives to a closed MRI machine.
I had to have a MRI of the head. I am claustrophobic. First, the nurse put a Ativan drip via the top of the hand and it relaxed me. But what worked for me? the nurse put a tube in the small space that gave me oxygen.
I am extremely claustrophobic and can't stand the thought of getting into an MRI machine. I would also like to know where the standing or sitting machines are. I feel I could do one of them, but I don't know where one is.
I'm big man 350 lbs. Also very claustrophobic. A closed tube MRI doesn't fit me. An open MRI does. But they take longer. I've had 3 so far. Here is a trick that works for me. As soon as you lay down close your eyes and don't open them until it's over. It may take 45 minutes, but what you don't see can't make you claustrophobic. Take slow deep breaths, think of anything different than the MRI. Good luck!
I have had several MRI's on several different areas,including the brain. Being just a "little bit claustrophobic" if I think about it". I begin putting myself in a relaxed/meditative state as soon as the procedure begins. I do this by closing my eyes,focusing on my breathing rhythm, and the colors and patterns that my closed eyes percieve, to get myself to a relaxed state.Although it may sound silly, I visulize that the MRI machine is not a diagnostic tool, but a high-tech rejuvinating machine that stimulates my body to kick in it's healing powers.
The thing that raises my anxiety level in the MRI is not knowing how long each segment of the scan will last in duration as they sometime seem endless. The noise the machine makes rattles my nerves every time. Earplugs seem to be of little help to me. I've had several different technicians perform the MRI's and the ones who take just a few extra minutes to keep you well-informed and confortable have been the best. There Should be a major emphasis in their training to learn how important it is to the patient to fully explain the process of what is going on during the scan. I now know to ask!
I have a little secret for those of us who fear closed-in MRI's. Ask the attendant to give you a wash rag or a towel and put it over your eyes as you enter the MRI for your procedure. This will help you all who are Claustrophobic. It sure does work for me. You will pleasantly be surprised.
I was scheduled for an MRI, but when I saw the tube they were going to put me in I said no way. Then I was scheduled for an open MRI and my husband came in with me. After about 5 minutes he had to push the button so I could get out. I finally went to a private testing place instead of the hospital, where they had an open MRI and the machine was next to a window where I could look outside at some trees. With 3 valiums this seemed to work fine and I was able to have the test. The open MRI's do not show as much detail as the regular machines, but this was good enough for me. I hope I never have to have another one.
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