MRI Question...

[gitterdun]

Umm.. I have had several (read many) MRI'S. I have also had the dye a couple of times. Not painful at all... Just noisy.

The only reason that they would normally give you a sedative (usually Valium) is if you are claustrophobic. And since you dive, I doubt that you are claustrophobic.

Therefore, ask them specifically WHY they are giving you a sedative. More than likely you would have no need for it.

Jeff

Hmmm... no, I am not claustrophobic..... I will look into this. Thanks, Jeff.

 

[slingshot]

Gitterdun:

Most MRIs can be performed without sedation provided the patient is cooperative and can hold still during the image acquisition. This can be a rather long time, depending on the exam being done, on the order of 30 minutes or more. As stated previously, sedatives are often used for people who have difficulty being in the bore of the MRI machine, which is rather like being in a torpedo tube (open MRIs tend not to provide the same image quality as a conventional MRI). Children are often sedated, for obvious reasons. If sedative medications are necessary for your exam, then you should refrain from diving as instructed.

The "dye" mentioned is also called a "contrast agent" and generally consists of gadolinium. Depending on the type of MRI being done, it can greatly improve the diagnostic utility of the examination. This is usually given as an intravenous injection, although on occasion it is injected in other forms, for instance as a liquid into a joint space for a joint MRI.

Discuss your concerns with your doctor, and ask them to verify any persistent concerns with the radiologist responsible for your MRI. And don't forget to leave any metal items and credit cards in the locker they'll provide for you!

 

[perche]

Hmmm... no, I am not claustrophobic..... I will look into this. Thanks, Jeff.

If the patient is claustrophobic we give a high sedation (a drug with short 1/2 life - NOT Valium, at least in Europe!)

If the patient is restless due to pain we also give a "strong analgesic".

After this kind of medication you cannot drive back.

MR-arthrography is another reason not to take your car.

The contrast medium does not alter your mental faculties.(Period!)

(Don't forget your metal items inside your body - lol)

Regards

François

 

[gitterdun]

Slingshot and Perche... Thank you both for your info.... Helps me to understand a bit better what to expect. I fully intend on listening to the doctor when he says not to dive... I just wanted to know why I would be sedated for this. Oh well, I guess what needs to happen, needs to happen, and I am just looking forward to getting it done Friday night, and into the water on Sunday!!

Thanks again!




[/QUOTE](Don't forget your metal items inside your body - lol)[/QUOTE]

You did mean to say metal, and not "mental," right? LOL

 

[BigJetDriver]

The worst part was having to listen to Willie Nelson for 45 minutes during the MRI!

You some kinda Communist? You slip into East Tejas by way of Berkely, son?

They is a stage leaving town at noon. Be under it!!

 

[freediver]

You some kinda Communist? You slip into East Tejas by way of Berkely, son?

They is a stage leaving town at noon. Be under it!!

Sorry potna, no offense meant thar. Funny story though. When i lived in Austin, i went to a club one night because Don Johnson (yes of Miami Vice fame) was making an appearance. Well, actually, me and a friend were outside waiting to see. Don Johnson arrived, waved and actually shook my hand (!) and went inside, we looked through the window a couple more minutes and decided to leave. As I turned down the walkway, I literally collided with.....Willie Nelson! Knocked him down! I laughed, he laughed. I was embarassed, he laughed. I apologized incessantly, he laughed.
Maybe I am so overcome with shame and embarrasment that I can't bear to listen to Willie?

 

[gitterdun]

Sooooo.......... update....

I just got the results from my MRI.. Apparently, there are 5 discs in the lower back...I only have 4. Two of them are bulging~ One only mildly, and the other moderate. Also, the "holes" that the nerves come through have narrowed, thus causing my back pain. My doctor said that the only thing I can do to relieve the pain, other than drugs, is to keep my weight down, and exercise... which I already do... I do have the drugs, too, but I only take them when absolutely necessary... I had the prescription filled about 6 weeks ago, and have yet to take any. The surgery isn't much of an option, as it would remove two of my discs, with one already missing. Remaining would need to be fused, and would ultimately bulge again. Sooooo..... He tells me that I am ok to dive, but just to be careful with tanks... My riding, well that's another story, but I'm taking it one day at a time. The analogy the doc used, was that I have a basement full of old dynamite, just waiting to go off...

So....... that is the story......... I guess those years of breaking race horses has come back to haunt me... Time to start taking it easy... and perhaps go diving?

 

[slingshot]

Did they end up giving you any medications during or before your MRI? A lumbar spine MRI does not generally require contrast if it is "routine", e.g. not looking for something like a tumor or for an area of infection, assuming you've had no prior operations on your back.

The dynamite in the basement analogy isn't exactly the smoothest way of putting it, now is it?

 

[gitterdun]

Did they end up giving you any medications during or before your MRI? A lumbar spine MRI does not generally require contrast if it is "routine", e.g. not looking for something like a tumor or for an area of infection, assuming you've had no prior operations on your back.

The dynamite in the basement analogy isn't exactly the smoothest way of putting it, now is it?

Yes, they did end up giving me medication.. I will have to check what it was, as I don't remember right now... I have not had prior operations on my back, but I have had many injuries (not sure if that makes a difference, or not).

Yeah, the whole basement thing was a little bumpy... I think my doctor's intention was to get it through my head that I have to stop riding the "goofy" horses...He knows that I am stubborn!

Oh yeah... and I had 80's tunes on the headphones, no Willie....lol