OT: Anybody ever have an MRI done on their head?

[robysue]

Way off topic, but I had both a brain MRI and a temporal bone CT done yesterday in part of a quest to find out what's causing my rather bothersome vertigo and tinnitus. [So far testing has shown that it is NOT BPPV. *sigh*]

It was, shall we say, an interesting experience. The CT didn't take much time, but the frequency of the noise made me feel like I was inside our front loading washer when it starts the spin cycle. Came out of that test a bit dizzy, but no worse for the wear. But the MRI was another thing altogehter. While I'm slightly claustrophobic, claustrophobia in the MRI was not the problem for me yesterday. It was the noise that got to me: The low, loud, buzzing, humming and banging noises made by the MRI managed to trigger a very severe bout of vertigo and tinnitus in spite of the earplugs they gave me to wear. I'm still dizzy today from all the pounding noise from the MRI. All in all, it really was a very painful and disorienting experience.

I wish I'd known that MRI's are sooooo noisy. And since "noises trigger my vertigo" was on my initial list of complaints about the vertigo AND since the ENT specifically ask on Tuesday, "Do loud or low noises make you dizzy?" with me quickly answering "YES", you'd think he might have mentioned that MRI's are really loud and make a lot of low frequency noises when he ordered the MRI to be done. *sigh*

[kteague]

I've had a few MRI's. Don't have noise issues so it was the claustrophobia doing me in. Initially I closed my eyes before it began, and got thru it by making up jingles in my head to the beat of the noises. When they announced it was almost over, wanting to get the full experience (Nutso!), I opened my eyes at the very end. What I didn't consider was that there might be a next time. Then they put me in and I panicked and they had to get me out quick. They were afraid we wouldn't be able to do it until I could come back medicated, but after taking a couple minutes to regroup, find a forced calm place, and praying a lot, I went back in and did it. Even slept a bit - it was my escape plan, as I could sleep anywhere or any time. Forget embracing the experience!

Glad your test is over. Hopefully nausea doesn't accompany your vertigo. That would be quite worrisome! Yes, being forewarned would have been nice. Sure hope the experience yields somes answers for you.

[robysue]

I've had a few MRI's. Don't have noise issues so it was the claustrophobia doing me in. Initially I closed my eyes before it began, and got thru it by making up jingles in my head to the beat of the noises. When they announced it was almost over, wanting to get the full experience (Nutso!), I opened my eyes at the very end.

I opened my eyes half way through---hoping that having something to focus my eyes on would help the vertigo. [Eyes closed during a vertigo spell for me ALWAYS seems to make the vertigo worse.] And I quickly learned that was a mistake for the claustrophobia. So I closed them right back and claustrophobia-wise was fine for the rest of the test. But I sure felt like the Grinch at the beginning of How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
Oh the noise, oh the noise, oh the noise. That's the one thing I can't stand is the noise, noise, noise, noise.

Glad your test is over. Hopefully nausea doesn't accompany your vertigo. That would be quite worrisome! Yes, being forewarned would have been nice. Sure hope the experience yields somes answers for you.

Fortunately for me, I don't get very nauseated with vertigo. But I do get disoriented and have trouble with telling where I am in relation to physical objects. So I'm bumping into things today alot more than normal.

If I ever need another done, I'm going to ask if I can take some Dramamine before hand. That would have helped quite a bit with taking the edge off the vertigo.

[rosacer]

Hi girls.

Robysue, I hope you are feeling well today. It's true the noise inside the MRI machine is very disturbing.

I had an MRI for my shoulders. They send me in head first they send me inside that cylinder until at least my waist

Inside it was a very bright white light. When I was going in I started feeling not comfortable (even if I don't consider I have claustrophobia problems) the space was so restricted (I have large shoulders), I understand you very well that should be a terrible experience.

When I saw myself inside that thing with my face at 12inches from the ceiling I closed my eyes and said to myself "OK, here it's so white with that powerful light, I will imagine I arrived to heaven " that was the only way I found to keep relaxed for those 30 minutes it toke for the 2 shoulders MRI. I need to say I had headsets with music playing, I imagine you can't have it for a head MRI .

I will have to pass another at beginning of January

I wish you the best robysue

[LinkC]

I've had two. Both times they offered earplugs and both times I accepted.

I worked in an environment where we often wore plugs or muff, and had periodic hearing tests. I saw a significant loss one year and became a hearing fanatic. I now wear muffs to mow the lawn, work in my woodshop, etc.

I'm really surprised they didn't offer you hearing protection...

I did keep my eyes closed to prevent claustrophobia.

[chunkyfrog]

I had the choice of regular or 'open' MRI several years ago.
I chose 'open'. I can't imagine how much worse regular would have been.
It was a new machine; so probably not so noisy.
Even without significant phobias, it was quite unpleasant. You guys have guts!

[robysue]

I've had two. Both times they offered earplugs and both times I accepted.

I worked in an environment where we often wore plugs or muff, and had periodic hearing tests. I saw a significant loss one year and became a hearing fanatic. I now wear muffs to mow the lawn, work in my woodshop, etc.

I'm really surprised they didn't offer you hearing protection...

I did keep my eyes closed to prevent claustrophobia.

They did give me ear plugs and I did use them . But even with the ear plugs, the noise was definitely right at the correct frequency to trigger the vertigo and certainly loud enough to do so. Part of the problem is conductive noise is even more likely to trigger the vertigo than noise I hear through my middle ear. And I suspect there was a lot of conductive noise involved in the MRI.

[BlackSpinner]

I had one - it was like a large donut. I had to keep my eyes closed but I still ended up with floaters. I don't remember any unpleasant noises.

[Joe50]

My EX doctor sent me for one because I was having ear problems. I expected the fool to send me to an ENT doctor first but he didn't. Did I mention he NO LONGER "WORKS FOR ME". Don't be afraid to go to other doctors..they take classes in how to make us trust them..Trust no one, read, study, think, and then make a decision.

[Willtry]

I had my shoulder done 1 month ago head first into machine but they gave me headphones and pumped loud music through.

[flutterby]

I've had them. ( I have Arnold Chiari with syrinx.) They are loud and I've had to have a few of them. The last one they had ear phones with a radio station on to listen to but once the loud sounds started I couldnt hear the music and it stressed me out more. Your right, I would have thought they would have told you about the loud noise etc. At least now you have the experience and you'll be better prepared if you have to have another. Pray they find the problem and get you better real soon.

[Brenpbb11150]

Hello Robysue,
My son in law is head of the MRI at the hospital he works at. I have had three MRI's in the last two years. Upper back, Neck, and lower abodomen. He has done all three for me which has been a blessing. He tells me all the different sounds I will be hearing and all the things that I can do to prevent my feelings of confinement. YOU ARE THE PATIENT AND ASK THEM ALLTHE QUETIONS THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE THIS PROCEDURE>>>The tech's are the ones that know the most and the Dr the least. Tell the tech's your concerns and they will work with you.....Good Luck
Bren

[-SWS]

I also had a brain MRI. Aside from all the noise, I thought the MRI procedure was a piece of: http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp13 ... n_cake.jpg

I'd suggest asking the clinic who administered the MRI if you can have a copy of your MRI on DVD. That way you can rotate your own brain in 3D on your computer monitor. The extra DVD copy might even come in handy one day as a "years prior" baseline image. Additionally you can copy that DVD for any doctor from whom you'd like a second opinion.

Good luck, robysue!

[Jaylee]

I had four in a row a year and a half ago. I spent about an hour and a half in there total, I think. I was distracted by the reason I was having it, so the noise and tight space did not really bother me. The technician complimented me on how well I handled being in there so long, I guess most people aren't comfortable with it for that long of a time.

[LoQ]

But I sure felt like the Grinch at the beginning of How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
Oh the noise, oh the noise, oh the noise. That's the one thing I can't stand is the noise, noise, noise, noise.

I'm sorry for your suffering. I think you have a good sense of humor, though, and this was really funny! Humor is always a great way to get through something.