The MRI didn't work.....
By Katlady2
@Katlady2 (9904)
United States
August 23, 2007 10:26pm CST
As some of you know, I have been dealing with all of my lovely back and hip problems and have been going to the doctor quite steadily because of it. Well, tonight, my hubby drove me to an MRI office about 35 miles from home so that I could get that lovely procedure over and done with. So we get there, only have to wait about 10 minutes, and the technician came out and got me. I laid down on the table, and he tried about four times to get me situated in the tube. Well, for one, the tube is not made for people with...er....wider chassis....such as mine. So believe me when I tell you that "snug fit" doesn't even begin to describe how tight it was. No matter how we positioned my arms, it was just too snug, to the point that even with the Valium in my system I started getting panicky and freaking out. It even started my back to hurting again. So we gave up. The technician tried very hard to find a place nearby that had an open MRI machine that could take me right then. He even tried to call one of his friends that worked in one of the offices to try and get me in. But it didn't happen. So now I have to call my doctor tomorrow and we have to find another office that has the open machine so that I can get in and get this done. Why do people make those kind of machines that fit only teeny tiny people? Don't us larger sized human beings count anymore? Sorry...it just got to me a little bit tonight. I'll be ok after some sleep. I will keep you posted as to what happens next. Thank you my wonderful friends.
7 people like this
16 responses
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
24 Aug 07
i can't believe that happened.well i hope you get plenty of rest and get better little by little.keep me posted.nothing brings warmth to the heart like the sunshine of a friendly smile,wishing you brighter days and a great big get well..........pattie
@alamode (3071)
• United States
24 Aug 07
Oh!! How frustrating for you! I'm sorry you had to go thru all of that for nothing... when you need it so badly! You deserve to have a BIG long rant, if it'll make you feel better! I'd be going on for DAYS!!!
With all the wonders that are available for diagnoses and treatment, no one should be deprived of the opportunity to be healthy and pain-free!!Or have to wait one day longer than necessary!!
See--- I'm ranting FOR you!! Take care, hon!!
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
24 Aug 07
I think that if my doctor had realized that they didn't have the open machine, he would have sent me somewhere else. I'm sure he will be upset at himself for putting me through that. He really is an awesome doctor. Hopefully next time will go better. Keep your fingers crossed.
3 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I would of been really brassed off if that happened to me. I did have an MRI and even though I was able to fit into the machine, it was still a tight squeeze. I did not even know there was an open one available. I hope you are able to get this all sorted out and sorry to hear about this.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I know just how you feel. I had to have an MRI a few years ago and was a bit overweight and even though I had no problem fitting in there, I still had to do a lot of praying to stay calm in there. It's an uncomfortable place to be in for so long especially if one doesn't like tight places. I'm not claustrophobic (sp?) but I think anyone closed up in a small space where they aren't allowed to move for something like forty minutes would be uncomfortable.
I also agree that they need to make them large enough for heavier people. Especially since their weight often causes back, hip and knee problems. My friend is heavy and has been for about 30 years and because of it she just had to undergo knee replacement surgery that caused her to be paralyzed for several weeks and now she has to go through the physical therapy.
It's definitely making me more aware of keeping my weight down to alleviate a lot of the health problems that come with being overweight.
I hope you feel better, though. I'm sorry you're having to go through this but I'm glad you have such a supportive husband.
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Thank you so much hon. I've been thinking about it and I think I am going to have my doctor to ask the technician of the next place I go to if they can just go ahead and knock me out so I won't have to get all stressed out over it. I think that is going to be my best bet. I'll let you know what happens and what the doc says. Thanks for all of your support my friend.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
24 Aug 07
Okay that wasn't fun..I am very surprised your Doctor didn't suggest an Open MRI to begin with..I am hoping you didn't hurt yourself..Get some sleep and call me in the morning....
2 people like this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
24 Aug 07
He better or I will be down there in no seconds flat....LOL
2 people like this
@TheCatzMeow1 (579)
• United States
24 Aug 07
How aweful! I agree they should make them for everyone. You would think with all the talk on the news about a % of America being a little "thick", someone would of thought of using all open machines, or make bigger tubes. Good luck getting your MRI and figuring out what exactly is going on with your back and hip problems.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
25 Aug 07
Awww Sweetie I am so sorry
I would personally say if that is the case then they should enforce it that when they have to do these Scans they need to give the Persons Weight so that this does not happen and the right Machine is there and I agree with you these Machines should be made so that they are suitable for all
Hugs to you Sweet and I do hope you feel better now xxx
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I am so sorry I missed this. I feel bad for you. At least the technician tried everything he could to help you.
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Oh Katlady I feel bad for you. I just had an MRI a couple of days ago. And I was wishing I had some valium.LOL I have had them before but this time I start to feel how really small it is in there. I got myself thinking of something good and that was the only way I made it through. I honestly thought I was going to have to get out of that thing.LOL I hope you get yours done soon and you dont have any more problems. Hang in there.Be tough!
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Thanks hon. I honestly don't think that an entire bottle of valium would help me to deal with that thing! I hate the feeling of being held down. I get really panicky and start screaming if it lasts too long. So I think it's a good thing that it didn't work out. I'm hoping my doc can find another clinic this next week. I'll let you know when I find out.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
24 Aug 07
What an awful experience for you! I do hope that you can find a machine that works for you soon! I was so hoping you would get some answers to your back problems.
Wishing you luck with all this! I'll keep you in my prayers. :)
2 people like this
@ldybgsgma99 (798)
• United States
24 Aug 07
They definitely didn't have us large people in mind when they designed that stupid machine. I have been through the same thing so I know exactly how you feel. I hope everything works out for you and I will keep you in my prayers.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Aug 07
Oh, crap!! That's terrible--here you got yourself all psyched up for your MRI and then this had to happen--I think in general all MRI's should be replaced with the open kind...Thank God I've never had an occassion to be in one myself but I've heard from people who have whether petite or with uh,...wider chassis --LOL--every single person I've talked to said they had level ten panic attacks in those da** things since they said they felt they were being buried alive--you can't move a muscle in those things--so who knows...maybe it was good that you didn't go into that one--and have the advantage of the open air one
2 people like this
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I am sorry to hear that you had to go through that.
1 person likes this
@RobinJ (2501)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Hi So sorry this happened to you and you are so right the chamber or tube is very small I did not realize that there was such a thing as an open machine, it makes more sense than what they have now, I would imagine it being like a large circle that moves slowly past the area that needs to be imaged. how awful I know the only way I can go into those tubes if if i have a blindfold on because I swear if I stuck my tongue out it would hit the top of tube. I didn't know I was claustrophobic until then and i was only in for 15 minutes the lady be for me was in for a full body scan, all I could hear was her screaming get me out. The lady was a dark skin person but it wasn't the beautiful black or brown she was grey no kidding, the technician said it was very rough on her, the only way she was able to keep on going was they would have to start all over again as they needed one continues MRI. I do not understand why she was not given any thing to put her to sleep, but I am not sure how that works. I do hope you have better luck next time. I have heard of technicians being very rude and screaming at patients if they move. they need to spend some time in one to understand the concept.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I am hoping that they can give me something so that I sleep through it the next time, because I don't think I will be able to handle even the open tube. I might, but I think I'd rather just be knocked out to be safe. And if I got a rude technician, and I was awake, I think I would end up stuffing him or her into the tube myself and then running away! LOL
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Geez, fate/life should cut ya a break! Yea we are here, and we'll be here for quite a bit. Yes the larger sized people do count (though I remember one that couldn't fit in an ambulance or double doors make a ruckus.), don't worry I saw you profile plenty of times, lookin fine ^^!!
I hope you are able to get through all of this.
Um, make sure to keep heat on the back at times. Be sure to spoil yourself with a hot bath too :) And yea it'd be great if you had the MRI so we could pinpoint the problem. Either way, just keep the potassium, calcium, iron(careful here) intake up. Pro here, wishing you the best! Have a good night Kat.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Pro, you're the best! Thanks for keeping me cheered up through all of this. I'm going to dig out my old faithful heating pad and put it to use tonight. Maybe it will help my back to relax. Thanks also for all of your wonderful advice. You are an awesome friend.
