Re: more tests

[Guest guest]

Maureen wrote:

>>Has any of you had the Abdominal MRI done?? What am I to

expect this time??

Maureen,

Snackwell cookies are my favorites! I allow myself one or two

each day! And now that I can't have any sugar, I practically live on

Diet Pepsi!

I have had an abdominal and pelvic MRCP, which I believe is

very similar to an MRI. I was required to fast for 8 hours prior to

the procedure. Once at the hospital, I was put in a gown and

given two bottles of a horrid tasting potion to drink. I don't believe

you have to drink this for the MRI, but I may be mistaken. It was

supposed to be chocolate flavored, but to me it had a charcoally

flavor, and was absolutely vile. After drinking the liquid, there

was a 30 minute wait for it to get into my system.

Then the technician came and took me to the MRCP room. I had

already been instructed not to wear any jewelry to the hospital,

but they did permit me to keep my wedding bands on. At the

hospital I went to, the machine was a tube-like aparatus, but I

understand some hospital have an " open " MRI where you are

not all enclosed like the one I was in. I was placed on a sliding

table, similar to that for a CT-scan, and strapped in at waist and

lower legs, and covered with a blanket. My head was exposed,

but they placed a light cloth over my face to protect my nose and

from the blasts of cold air that hit the face area once the exam

starts. The table then goes into the tube with you lying on top.

My test took 45 minutes. You have to hold your breath for long

portions of the test while they get their images, this was difficult

at some of the times, it was for a much longer duration than for a

CT-scan. The MRCP machine also makes a noxious loud

clicking sound while you're in there, that because of the

claustrophobia I experienced, really drove me batty and made

me anxious and nervous.

Some advice - I was freezing, even in long pants and socks

(which they let me wear under the gown), so if cold temperatures

and cold air on you bothers you, dress warmly. I also found out

that I am claustrophobic and being enclosed in this machine for

that length of time nearly did me in. It was very difficult at the end,

and if I ever have to have it done again, I will ask for sedation.

They offered it to me when they called a couple days ahead of

time, but I didn't think I'd have any problems, but I really did, and

was horribly uncomfortable because of it. If there's a next time,

they'll need to sedate me. If the machine had not been an

enclosed tube, but one of the open donut shaped scanners, I

would have been okay.

I've posted a website here for you that tells you all about the

procedure:

http:ww/gihealth.com/html/education/mri.html

Post again if you have any more questions.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC and SE Regional Representative

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Just to chime in, I too have had an MRCP which for me was exactly as

Heidi describes it. I never considered myself clausterphobic but I

too got anxious in the tube. It is an unusually tight space to be in

and that is why it will impact those of us who do not normally have

problems with tight enclosed spaces.

Luckily I managed ok because I was in the hospital at the time for

an attack of pancreatitis and I was on a high dose of demerol and

phenergan. I would speak to them about sedation if I were you.

Otherwise the test ain't so bad. Yes, you do have to hold your

breath forever, but you just do the best you can.

hope this helps,

Bert