MRI-The Experience

OK, so I am back from the MRI. I am surprised at how intense the whole process turned out to be. I started to realize that as I was presented with a waiver to sign.

The machine in the white room was reminiscent of the movie, "Space Odyssey 2000". It was a tube with a very narrow width; I imagine even smaller than a coffin made to fit me. (Although that could have been because someone recorded my weight incorrectly when scheduling the appointment.) I was lying on a table slightly longer than an ironing board. An IV and syringe was taped to my hand and leg so as to inject a substance later on in the imaging sequence. Two camera panels which were thinner than floatation foam were placed on me. I was given an emergency cord that had an end which looked like the end of a turkey baster. With my arms strait, I was strapped in with two seat belt-like restraints. I was instructed with what was about to take place as a shower cap was placed on my head. Noise reducing ear muffs were placed on my ears which would allow me to hear verbal cues during the test.

The table slowly moved into the tiny tube. My muscles contracted involuntarily. I quickly understood that closing my eyes did make the experience more bearable. After several minutes, the table moved back out of the tube. I was informed that the machine had failed (the gate was stuck or something like that). I would have to wait until the machine rebooted. It seemed like I waiting for a long time. After a while I called out for someone to help me because the room was cold I was shaking. The trembling continued even after a blanket was placed on me.

Upon re-entry into the tube, I started to become nervous. I was trying to think of things to calm myself down as I was still shaking. As the loud clanking sounds of the magnetic switches clicked on and off, I was able to fit a Queen song to its beat. Imagining that song with the loud MRI percussion section seemed to help me to remain calm.

I had a hard time holding my breath as I was cold, nervous, and twitchy. I counted seconds and the average number of seconds I needed to hold my breath was 17-20. I should have practiced at home before the test. I bet that would have increased my ability to hold my breath that long as well as reduced my stress about it.

About 15 minutes before the end of my session, the syringe was pressed. I felt a fiery sensation through the left half of my body. (I wonder why I didn't feel it on the right side.) I was able to stay somewhat calm but I am glad I don't have to do that again any time soon. (I hope!)

I was so shocked that it was such a struggle to not freak out. I had been counting the days to get that test done. I expected the whole thing to be no big deal...just another test. Maybe the stress comes from being strapped onto the table and knowing if something were to go wrong you can't help yourself. Maybe it comes from being inside a tube with a light at the end of the tunnel.

From the moment I entered the building til the time I left, it was about an hour.

I will find out the results on March 20th, 2009.