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Tips for MRI?

nala

nala

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
Messages
7,235
As some of you may recall, I went through a terrifying cancer scare in Feb. After 2 mri’s, both conclusions indicate focular nodular hyperplasia, benign masses. I have 2. Now, my liver specialist would
Like me to repeat the MRI to evaluate any changes. I am terrified. Of the tube. The angst. The waiting. I pleaded with him. 2 of my nieces have the same condition and after initial diagnosis, they were told all is well. Why do I have to go through this trauma again!
 
nala said:
Why do I have to go through this trauma again!
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Because you may need care that you'll never get if they & you don't know you need it.

I've done MRI's, no trauma, which means that the MRI itself is not traumatic.
The source of the trauma is you.
Look into how to not do that.

Talk to your doctors; tell them what you've told us.
Request/demand anti-anxiety meds.

Just do it.
It's the right thing to do.
Medical care is a good thing, be grateful you can get it.
So many can't.

I hope this goes well for you.
 
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I should add that after my first 2 Mri’s, he said that we were at 99.9 percent that all was well. He said only a biopsy could ensure 100. So when I said I liked the odds, no to biopsy, he said that he agreed but had to present me that option.
So this mri would be also for that reassurance. Am I wrong to think that 99.9 is good enough?!!!
 
@nala, I just wanted to offer my support for your anxiety over this. I get it because I experience the same for any medical procedure of this nature. Some anti-anxiety meds would probably be smart and although 99.9% is good enough for most, the added peace of mind to rule out that minuscule chance may be worth getting the MRI done.

Ultimately it is up to you whether it’s good enough or not though.
 
I would second Kenny's suggestion of an anxiety med prior to the MRI. I would also select some of your favorite calming music for the technicians to play, and consider scheduling a massage or other relaxing activity following the scan so you have something to look forward to that will also help with stress release.

I know procedures like this can be scary, but try to think of it as part of your comprehensive care plan. And the overwhelming likelihood is that there will be no changes and you will be able to move on with peace of mind.

I have MRIs routinely because I have both a benign brain tumor, as well as an aneurysm in my brain that I will actually be having surgery for next month. As stressful as it is, I'm so thankful I have good insurance that allows me to have all the necessary scans and tests and surgeries. I would much rather the stress than live in ignorance or denial.
 
When I had my eye surgery recently they offered aromatherapy.

Perhaps that's available.
I know people who swear by it.
 
I have had several MRIs over the years for a benign liver tumor that is similar to yours: I have a hepatic adenoma, we were hoping it would be a focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) instead. Adenomas have a chance of converting to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), so I get regular MRIs and ultrasounds to make sure it's behaving itself.

One of the reasons I had a repeat scan is that there's a specific contrast to help make the differentiation between FNH, hepatic adenoma, and HCC. That may be why the specialist wants you to repeat but your nieces didn't need to. I second the advice for calming music, anti-anxiety, and something nice scheduled for afterwards. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it's a confirmed FNH that is stable!
 
Also, you don't have to go through an MRI again if you don't want to.

You are able to tell your doctor, no MRI.

You can tell him, no MRI until next year.

You can tell him, unless you are able to provide a sound reason for another MRI at this time, I choose not to have one.

You can tell him, I am fine with 99.9%.

@nala you are the patient and in sound mind; therefore you are in charge of your medical and health care. You always have the right to object or withhold permission for any medical test/procedure/medication/treatment.

Your doctor/medical team is/should be your professional expert advisors. If you do not have trust in them, find other/better providers.
 
newtojewels said:
I have had several MRIs over the years for a benign liver tumor that is similar to yours: I have a hepatic adenoma, we were hoping it would be a focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) instead. Adenomas have a chance of converting to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), so I get regular MRIs and ultrasounds to make sure it's behaving itself.

One of the reasons I had a repeat scan is that there's a specific contrast to help make the differentiation between FNH, hepatic adenoma, and HCC. That may be why the specialist wants you to repeat but your nieces didn't need to. I second the advice for calming music, anti-anxiety, and something nice scheduled for afterwards. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it's a confirmed FNH that is stable!
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Hi. I had a regular one and then a specialized one with evoist. 2 different radiologists performed them and concluded them to be Focular nodular hyperplasia. My neice had one abdominal Mri and her dr dismissed the finding as conclusive.
I am sorry you have to constantly get monitored. Good luck and ty for your input.
 
marymm said:
Also, you don't have to go through an MRI again if you don't want to.

You are able to tell your doctor, no MRI.

You can tell him, no MRI until next year.

You can tell him, unless you are able to provide a sound reason for another MRI at this time, I choose not to have one.

You can tell him, I am fine with 99.9%.

@nala you are the patient and in sound mind; therefore you are in charge of your medical and health care. You always have the right to object or withhold permission for any medical test/procedure/medication/treatment.

Your doctor/medical team is/should be your professional expert advisors. If you do not have trust in them, find other/better providers.
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Omg. Can I tell you, that I did just that! But he put uncertainty into my mind! I was 100 percent satisfied with 99.9 but when I discuss this with my family members—none of which are in the medical field—I just get reminded how fortunate I am to have a great doctor and I am left feeling more insecure! You are the first person to echo my thoughts. Ty!
 
nala, I'd be okay with 99.9%, for a while. Maybe circle back next year for another scan.
I hate the tube, give me xanax. But a liver biopsy is not appealing either, when they take a syringe full of Barefoot Merlot out of my liver.
 
Ibrakeforpossums said:
nala, I'd be okay with 99.9%, for a while. Maybe circle back next year for another scan.
I hate the tube, give me xanax. But a liver biopsy is not appealing either, when they take a syringe full of Barefoot Merlot out of my liver.
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thats the thing—he never intended to do a liver biopsy! He said—it was smart of me to opt out of it. And I did try to postpone this mri for another 6 months but he was not having it!
 
then I'm in kenny's camp. Get it over with and off your mind.
 
How would you and the doctor feel about an ultrasound instead of the MRI? I alternate between the two: ultrasound to check for changes in size, MRI to check if it's converted to HCC. Do you get the sense that this is a one-and-done MRI or that this is part of continuous monitoring, because that also may impact what you ask to do. Obviously without knowing the goal of the MRI we can't know if an ultrasound would substitute, just throwing this idea out there...
 
Whenever I've had an MRI, and I've had several for my back, hip, and shoulder, I just close my eyes once the table moves me into the machine. I listen to music in the headphones that they offer - you get to pick the genre of music. I've never opened my eyes once in the machine because I know I would probably get very anxious. You can do it!
 
newtojewels said:
How would you and the doctor feel about an ultrasound instead of the MRI? I alternate between the two: ultrasound to check for changes in size, MRI to check if it's converted to HCC. Do you get the sense that this is a one-and-done MRI or that this is part of continuous monitoring, because that also may impact what you ask to do. Obviously without knowing the goal of the MRI we can't know if an ultrasound would substitute, just throwing this idea out there...
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He offered me an ultrasound, but given that it was after the ultrasound that they called and told me I had a malignant hepatoma—yup—it’s in writing—no way, no how do I want another ultrasound! And it makes me wonder why he would offer it if an ultrasound is not an exact science!
 
finerthings said:
Whenever I've had an MRI, and I've had several for my back, hip, and shoulder, I just close my eyes once the table moves me into the machine. I listen to music in the headphones that they offer - you get to pick the genre of music. I've never opened my eyes once in the machine because I know I would probably get very anxious. You can do
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I accidentally opened my eyes! Bc they were giving me breathing directions and I thought I had messed up and kept pressing the bubble to contact them and they didn’t stop and that is how I got PTSD!
 
I’ve had several MRIs over the years for neck/spine issues. All of them I had to also wear a cage around my head to hold it still. :eek2: found a way of “meditating” that worked for me…

I imagined my commute to work lol. It used to take me about 30 mins to get there and that’s about how long the MRIs would last. Essentially, I would keep my eyes closed, because seeing that cage would send me into a tail spin… and I would envision my drive in. From getting in my car, every turn, landmarks etc. my mind would of course drift, but I was able to redirect my thoughts back to that for most of the session.

It’s certainly not something that would work for everyone, but it may be helpful to practice something similar prior to the test so you have something to at least try when you are in there.
 
Along with anti anxiety medication, I’ve found earplugs to be more helpful than music or headphones.
I dread MRI’s every time too, I’m sorry you have to repeat one so soon ❤️
 
nala said:
He offered me an ultrasound, but given that it was after the ultrasound that they called and told me I had a malignant hepatoma—yup—it’s in writing—no way, no how do I want another ultrasound! And it makes me wonder why he would offer it if an ultrasound is not an exact science!
Click to expand...

So my repeat ultrasounds are just to show how big it is, not what kind of tumor it is. I actually have a previous CT saying mine was a hemangioma which is the most benign thing in the universe -- so I had the opposite of you where I was originally told it was nothing to worry about and now I need to pay attention. That must have been so scary, though!

If the doctor just wants to know if it has grown and is confident it's an FNH, an ultrasound is great for that and is maybe less scary than an MRI, depending on how you feel going back for an ultrasound after that terrible experience.
 
I too would go down the route of requesting for anti-anxiety med(s) prior to the MRI scan.

Good luck!

DK :))
 
Scanxiety is real but manageable. Have them order you an anti-anxiety med. A lot of people are claustrophobic and anxious and need some help getting into those machines.
All decisions are yours of course. However, follow up with MRI is a pretty easy noninvasive way to watch for changes and confirm stability. You can do this!
 
I sympathize, although my MRI is the dentist. I take half a Valium and it goes much better now, since I'm not actively crying through the appointment.

Embrace better living through chemistry if you want. I fought it for years, but hey, half a Valium every several months is a price I'm willing to pay for not being utterly miserable.
 
I'm another who unfortunately has to have repeat MRIs for various reasons. My formula is:
1. Ativan/Xanax/Valium - even if it means someone has to drive you there and pick you up.
2. Eyes Shut!! This is a must, even if it means an eye mask.
3. Headphones and music, or books on tape if possible. Even so, it does not block out the sound, so
4. I count. I count each sequence of sounds and when they change, I start over again. I find that pretty soon, I start to lose track (e.g., "was that 6 or 7?") but it means I'm calming down the slightest bit as my mind wanders...

Ultimately, whatever works for you. No shame, do whatever it is you need to do! When I first started having them 20+ years ago, I had this "I don't need any medication, I can handle this" attitude. Now I believe do whatever it takes to get through, as I deserve it, as do you!
 
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empliau said:
I sympathize, although my MRI is the dentist. I take half a Valium and it goes much better now, since I'm not actively crying through the appointment.

Embrace better living through chemistry if you want. I fought it for years, but hey, half a Valium every several months is a price I'm willing to pay for not being utterly miserable.
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I'm another crying baby in the dentist chair when the drill is brutally molesting my mouth.
Before I was nine years, I had a terrible dental experience.

That was so long ago, I don't' remember whether he used anesthesia or not.
He hit a nerve, and I hit the ceiling.
I'll never recover from the anxiety I feel in the chair.
In spite of that I see my dentist religiously 4x a year, but usually for just a cleaning.
Hey Wow! I guess I do do religion.

Valium is my go-to for visits with the drill.
Narcotics, properly used, are a wonderful thing.
Praise be to science! :pray:
But getting narcotics, even wimpy Valium from a dentist, can be like pulling teeth.
 
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@nala, My mom has the same reaction to MRI’s that you do. The doctor prescribes Xanax before she has to have one now and she says it makes a huge difference. Can you ask your doctor if he can prescribe a Xanax to take before the test and have someone drive you to and from the medical center?
 
Calliecake said:
@nala, My mom has the same reaction to MRI’s that you do. The doctor prescribes Xanax before she has to have one now and she says it makes a huge difference. Can you ask your doctor if he can prescribe a Xanax to take before the test and have someone drive you to and from the medical center?
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After all these tips, there is no way I plan to undergo another MrI without these happy pills!! Ty all!
 
There is also something called an Open MRI where you don't have to go into a closed tube. You can google "Open MRI near me" to see if there's one and if it might work in your case? Wishing you courage & good luck!
 
Take the meds! My dear sister is absolutely phobic about MRI's and they now nicely prescribe a RX and she blithely goes through the procedure. It's a great result for her and the MRI Tech, he doesn't have to keep backing her out of the machine.

I also suggest the meds if you are doing open-sided MRI. They are an improvement but she still can't tolerate them.
 
Hello all! I wanted to update this thread. I finally got around to scheduling my MRI and called my specialist’s office to request anti anxiety medication so she relayed the message to my specialist. He called me back personally and told me that he would rather I do an ultrasound than to put me through all that emotional turmoil. He reassured me that my two MRI’s were highly specialized and that I am only doing a follow up to measure any growth so an ultrasound would do the job. He also added that I can do bloodwork. So I am very relieved. Although, coming back from Chi this weekend, sitting in economy, lol, I realized the similarities between an MRI tube and an American Airlines plane, lol.
 
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