I Survived My Two Hour MRI

I just had my MRI, 1/24/24. I panicked when they first tried to put me in the machine.

Let’s start in the beginning. I am having stomach issues on going since 2017.

I am not good with confined spaces, I get claustrophobic. I been to see a therapist to get me through it. What really help me was the medical cab guy. He was also a nurse. He do two jobs to support his family.

He told me his MRI story. He is a six footer and he is claustrophobic. He told me his wife had to support him by holding his hand before he was able to go in the machine.

Mike Singleton-Mikeydred, shared his MRI story resently, that give me some comfort, I will be all right.

My Facebook friends are the best compassionate and supportive people I know. They are always sending positive energy vibes with their prayers, encouraging and supportive words.

I have great neighbor friends as well. I did not tell a lot of people in my life what I am going through because I don’t want them to feel sorry or worry about me, especially my family.

I started my day with meditation and prayers. Meditation is very good for breathing exercises which, I found out was useful in my MRI procedure.

I took a bath and in my bath I did some holding my breath underwater. I knew my claustrophobia might get the best of me what better way to simulate confinement is by staying underwater for a time period where I am still in control. I did put my head under water for ten seconds in increments. I actually was able to stay underwater for over 45 seconds.

I had my meditation music on while I was in the bath doing breathing exercises in the water. I think that helped me through the two hour MRI.

My MRI was in the afternoon, I thought if I go out before my MRI appointment and get myself busy, I won’t fester in thinking of negative scenarios. I keep myself busy .

I read a book that was helpful two days before that was also helpful.

My adult pacifier is reading books to give me comfort. I read Bible verse as well to get me strength: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Jesus Christ which strengthened me.”

I arrived thirty minutes before my appointment. I had a conversation with the people in the waiting room about the Bills game with the Chief. There was an elderly man with his daughter who looked in her thirties and another lady. I love talking to people.

I was finally called in to get prepared for my MRI. A male nurse show me the changing room with a locker attached a key and a lock for my belongings. I Changed into the hospital gown with scrub pants and hospital socks. When I was changed, a female nurse came and got me and place an IVY on my left arm for the MRI Contrast Solution.

I had an hour MRI without the contrast and an hour with the contrast.

I was in a waiting area in front of the MRI room. It had one large chair in each of the four cubicles with a curtain for privacy. There were pamphlets on the front of the cubicles. I got one just to give me something to read.( I get comfort in just reading anything, because reading is something familiar to me.)

The lady next to me senses I was nervous because she spoke to me. She told me she had several MRI’s before. That give me another comfort. She was called in next. Before her, a lady came out of the MRI room and was surprised to see the other lady. They seem to be closed friends. She greeted me as well.

I was finally called in by the MRI operator. I told him, I kind of scared. He asked me if I was Claustrophobic? I answered him. He explain the procedure in a calm manner. He offered ear plugs and eye masked. I accepted them like a life line. I proceeded to get on the MRI bed in the proper placement. It was very comfortable. They put some plastic contraption on top of me. The Medical Operator offer me a blanket and place it on top of the contraption.

He talked to me step by step as they push me in the machine, I started to panic and did my wiggle. He told me not to move and don’t do the mermaid, that distracted me and got me to focus on positive self talk in my head. He held my shoulder to comfort me while I was being put in the machine. I am glad my eyes are covered, it would have been full blown panic attack. I started to cry silently for no reason.

The Medical Operator (MRI Technologist) and the nurse were there to check if I was secure properly for the machine reading. They asked, if I was ok and ready. They reassured me everything will be all right.

I breath when I was told to breath and held my breath when I was told to in a 12 to 22 second increments. I was so glad I did the underwater breathing excercise at home. I felt it was my guardian Angel who enlightened me to do the underwater breathing exercises before my MRI.

It was all done in exactly two hours. I had to move my fingers because my hands was getting numb. It was only numb during the first half of the MRI. I got comfortable closer to the end, I think I was falling asleep. It was painless. The ear plug was very helpful from the loud machine noises. The eye mask was great at preventing me from seeing the visual of the confinement of the machine.

They had a wonderful staff. It was a very pleasant experienced.

( I ate when I got home, I was not suppose to eat fours hours before the MRI. I was very tired, I fell asleep like a light.)

Notes: My vision was blurry for a few days now it’s back to normal

My Urine color change because of the Contrast Solution, I was told to drink a lot of liquid.