Today was the 'day' I came home to a phone call from the Hospital. Could I come in for a cancellation? I went immediately to the hospital. The hospital is running all three of their MRI machines non-stop day and night. Such is the state of our medical system in Manitoba.

The nurse had difficulty finding a vein for the intravenous. She called in a higher up to 'do it'. He told me to turn my head and look the other way. I told him I am not scared of blood and he jammed in the needle. I almost fainted. Then I almost puked. But the intravenous was started for the contrast.

The actual MRI lasted a little over an hour. It had to be stopped once because I was moving too much. I was in awful pain in my hips and my neck was killing me. Made it back to find another call on my machine. I had missed an appointment so off I drove.

Wednesday is THE DAY I finally see the Rheumatologist. Sore hips and all.

They asked me once again if I was on blood thinners because once again they saw dark patches of blood or something on my images.

I hope I will finally get the answer to what the patches are.

Ger-Yer, that is horrible Magician. Reminds me of the time I had the nuclear bone scan. The nurse could not get the vein in my foot - point furthest away from shoulder, which they were scanning. She kept on and on stabbing into the bones in my foot - owie owe. Eventually called the doctor in, who was 'furious'. Told me that I could 'scream all I wanted to scream, as no pone would hear me'! Gawd elp us. Then he slammed the needle into my foot.

Waiting for the 'nuclear' bit to run through and do its 'thing' I had a spot of lunch in the canteen. There was Mr big doc, surrounded by his retinue, all 'hanging' onto his every word...revolting man.

Anyways, that was my experience of a nuclear bone scan - and never again, thanks!

Sorry you had such a vile time. Can appreciate the pain in neck and in hips. Always takes three people to haul me out of that bally tube. About time ALL hospitals had the FONAR UPright MRI scanner.

But at least you got the MRI done. Now to hope that they can DDx those patches and all the other stuff.

Positive hopes for a good outcome - gotta make the horrors of that MRI worth while...

Take care.

I am so happy that you got in early. Glad you jumped on the appt. but it didn't sound fun. It does hurt for us to just lay there for such a long time. It takes two people to lift little old me up slowly.

You are so close now, so close. Please let us know what they find out and we are hoping for some answers finally for you. Hang in there.

Hi Magician- it is no fun going to the doctor, especially when you get someone who doesn't know what they are doing. I can empathize with you on that one, as I didn't have a good experience at the dentist today, but I shouldn't complain because your day was much harder!

The hardest part is not knowing what is going on with our bodies. Once we know, we can fight whatever it is with our ammunition. I hope your vist goes well with your Rheumy and hope you get some answers soon.

Shari

Glad you got the MRI done earlier on the cancellation. Horrible story about the needle though. Think they should all have it done on themselves before they are allowed to do it to someone else.

I can't get off those tables by myself - always have to ask for help. And I have trouble staying still too - got told off for moving last time.

Good luck for Wednesday, and for finding out what those mysterious dark patches are.

it was quite painful having to remain still as your neck is screaming and you can feel your lower back yelling at you. they lifted me up because my hips locked on me. I think they should all have to remain still for an hour too. I know I was moving. It is called I was crying as the MRI was being done. I was sobbing.

Yes, remaining still is pure hell with AS. I have to keep moving a little bit or else I feel everything stiffen up.

Ask your Rheumy if he/she can prescribe pain pills or muscle relaxer to make it easier next time you have to be still for a procedure.

Hope you are better today.

Shari

I'd forgotten about the fact that I took a dose of diazepam before my last MRI - definitely made a difference for me, though still not pain or discomfort free. Means you might have to get someone else to drive you there though.

sorry you had to go through all of that.

like others have suggested, i always need my zanaflex for such procedures. definitely helps get me through them.

also, i take my own pillows, they're pretty kind about that. let me use what i need to.
the spine MRIs in some ways are easier cause i get to lay on my back with my pillows to support my neck properly, under my knees properly, not too much different than sleeping. so i can survive that. plus if its an MRI where they do it in bursts, let one wiggle a bit in between, if they know we must, that can help too. still a challenge, but these things help a bit.

the worst MRI i had, which was surprising, whas the one i had done on my wrist when i tore a ligament in the ulnar wrist. they put me in the worst contorted unnatural positions, made me hold the positions, no sympathy as to the pain. even with muscle relaxants, i suffered for weeks after that. so like most here, we can certainly sympathize. do all we can to prepare, but sometimes, even the best preparation isn't enough.

a lot too depends on the kindness and empathy of the technicians doing the exams.

huggs to you!

hope the results make it worth it!