Question about getting an MRI

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders » Anxiety Disorder » Question about getting an MRI

Question:

Jefe- No claustrophobia here, no problems with medical procedures either. Not even much of an anxiety disorder. I found it extremely strange as well. I’ve been racking my brain thinking about it, and cannot come up with a single reason which makes sense. Other than the fact that I’ve got alot of metal in my mouth. But as I said, that didn’t change significantly since last MR. I was also thinking about Tinel’s sign. It’s a method of testing whether a nerve is inflamed (agitated, hyperexcitable) by tapping the skin over it. If the tapping produces tingeling down in the distribution of the nerve, then it’s a "positive" tinel’s sign. Maybe the metal in my teeth coupled with "hyperexcitable’ nerves led to it. I dunno. Makes me wonder if there might not be some really strange (but legitimate) basis to this magnet therapy stuff. If it’s any help, Jefe, the techs said that they’ve heard of the same thing, but usually in Europe (something about different magnets or something.) let me know if oyu find anything. Spiggy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those are strange symptoms for an MRI, and I have been in the MRI for a long time and never heard of that. Are either of you claustraphobic or really afraid of medical procedures? i would like to invesigate this further–this is interesting. jefe I had the same region MRI’d and got similar reactions, as far as the nausea. I also started a panic attack, so I wrote all the symptoms off to that. Maybe it wasn’t all in my head. P Hey again, people. I’s gots a question that someone might be able to answer. And no, this one isn’t meant to stir up controversy. Kinda a survey of sorts I’d guess. Anyway…Friday afternoon I had an MRI of my cervical spine and brainstem done (and yes, fyi, I do have a brain. Even normal size) This was is the same machine I had a previous brainstem MRI done with about a year ago. This time a funny thing happened though. When the machine was doing the first few "buzzes" that it does before the longer one where they actually do the scan (and I have no clue what all the buzzes are…I just know there’s a few shorter ones, some clicks, and then longer buzzes for a few minutes.) Anyway, during the first buzzes, I got a series of electric type shocks going down both my arms into my fingers. My stomach also got slightly nauseated. And the shocks were in time with the buzzing. The first frequency was sorta bad, then the next one (higher pitched) was really bad into my fingers. The last one (even higher pitch) was less again. And during the long Buzz, I had the same tingling shooting down my arms (not pain) for the entire time….slowly decreasing as time went on…but still definately there. I do have lots of metal in my mouth, but not a significanty larger or different amount. I’ve never had brain surgery, and I don’t have any metal other than my fillings, caps, and bridge in my mouth. The tech said he’s heard of it happening on occasion, but didn’t know why, and I haven’t been in the hospital since then (had all of Saturday off) to go and check it out. Anyone else have similar experiences? Or ever hear of anything like this? Or know why it might happen? Any theories? It’s probably nothing, but if it might be a clue as to a cause or a treatment for my pain, I need to explore it. Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy

Response:

I had my MRI’s in part because I was already experiencing random electric-like shocks in my lower limbs.

I too have this. Did they say what it was from??? Thanks Bill

Response:

Might be the sciatic nerve…My brother-in-law used to get those before they did the surgery on his back. The Neuro said it was caused because of the disk pressing on the cord.

Response:

see my post to jefe, Spiggy. Also, you do need to ask politely for help, not just demand someone’s asssistance. AND I may add, I already posted to you and hoped you have Windows 95. That’s all I can do. Hope your "sparks" have all gone:-) ^^-^^Olivia^^-^^

Response:

Spig: Can’t help with the MRI puzzlement. But yup, they ARE spooky. I had my MRI’s in part because I was already experiencing random electric-like shocks in my lower limbs. In the 60’s people paid serious money seeking that kind of experience. Take a radiologist to lunch and ask her. But re the spel czek, what browser do you use? They each have their own way to access the function. I use a program called "Agent", and the "F7" button turns the trick. If you use Netscape or another browser, tell us and an expert will clue you in. –chips – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hey again, people. I’s gots a question that someone might be able to answer. And no, this one isn’t meant to stir up controversy(except to agree that they’re spooky). Kinda a survey of sorts I’d guess. Anyway…Friday afternoon I had an MRI of my cervical spine and brainstem done (and yes, fyi, I do have a brain. Even normal size) This was is the same machine I had a previous brainstem MRI done with about a year ago. This time a funny thing happened though. When the machine was doing the first few "buzzes" that it does before the longer one where they actually do the scan (and I have no clue what all the buzzes are…I just know there’s a few shorter ones, some clicks, and then longer buzzes for a few minutes.) Anyway, during the first buzzes, I got a series of electric type shocks going down both my arms into my fingers. My stomach also got slightly nauseated. And the shocks were in time with the buzzing. The first frequency was sorta bad, then the next one (higher pitched) was really bad into my fingers. The last one (even higher pitch) was less again. And during the long Buzz, I had the same tingling shooting down my arms (not pain) for the entire time….slowly decreasing as time went on…but still definately there. I do have lots of metal in my mouth, but not a significanty larger or different amount. I’ve never had brain surgery, and I don’t have any metal other than my fillings, caps, and bridge in my mouth. The tech said he’s heard of it happening on occasion, but didn’t know why, and I haven’t been in the hospital since then (had all of Saturday off) to go and check it out. Anyone else have similar experiences? Or ever hear of anything like this? Or know why it might happen? Any theories? It’s probably nothing, but if it might be a clue as to a cause or a treatment for my pain, I need to explore it. Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy

Response:

jefe, Hi! I do not know that the noises indicate the "machinery" in the MRI makes means it is calibrating or illuminating. My tech was good enough to allow me to sit in as my images came up on screens in his area. How exciting it was! I have a brain and…it works! Unfortuneatly, there was nothing on MRI which could explain my migraines. *You*, on the other hand sound like you are filled with metal shavings, poor sweetie. I have no ansswers. Since no one rushed you to the admitting office, assume the best for now:-)I am sure it was disconcerting tho’. This MRI was done for cervical pain or to dx something else? Let me know what kinds of readings they/MD/Radiologist get…good luck and hope that the tingles have vanished for good! Olivia ^^-^^Olivia^^-^^

Response:

I’m not usually claustrophobic, but I had a really bad headache that day and that seemed to trigger a panic attack. I’m not afraid of MRIs, as I’d had one before and I went to sleep during the procedure. I’m still unconvinced that what I felt was anything but my own nerves. P

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Those are strange symptoms for an MRI, and I have been in the MRI for a long time and never heard of that. Are either of you claustraphobic or really afraid of medical procedures? i would like to invesigate this further–this is interesting. jefe I had the same region MRI’d and got similar reactions, as far as the nausea. I also started a panic attack, so I wrote all the symptoms off to that. Maybe it wasn’t all in my head. P Hey again, people. I’s gots a question that someone might be able to answer. And no, this one isn’t meant to stir up controversy. Kinda a survey of sorts I’d guess. Anyway…Friday afternoon I had an MRI of my cervical spine and brainstem done (and yes, fyi, I do have a brain. Even normal size) This was is the same machine I had a previous brainstem MRI done with about a year ago. This time a funny thing happened though. When the machine was doing the first few "buzzes" that it does before the longer one where they actually do the scan (and I have no clue what all the buzzes are…I just know there’s a few shorter ones, some clicks, and then longer buzzes for a few minutes.) Anyway, during the first buzzes, I got a series of electric type shocks going down both my arms into my fingers. My stomach also got slightly nauseated. And the shocks were in time with the buzzing. The first frequency was sorta bad, then the next one (higher pitched) was really bad into my fingers. The last one (even higher pitch) was less again. And during the long Buzz, I had the same tingling shooting down my arms (not pain) for the entire time….slowly decreasing as time went on…but still definately there. I do have lots of metal in my mouth, but not a significanty larger or different amount. I’ve never had brain surgery, and I don’t have any metal other than my fillings, caps, and bridge in my mouth. The tech said he’s heard of it happening on occasion, but didn’t know why, and I haven’t been in the hospital since then (had all of Saturday off) to go and check it out. Anyone else have similar experiences? Or ever hear of anything like this? Or know why it might happen? Any theories? It’s probably nothing, but if it might be a clue as to a cause or a treatment for my pain, I need to explore it. Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy

Response:

Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy

You might ask Jefe our resident MRI techy. Ted

Response:

Hey again, people. I’s gots a question that someone might be able to answer. And no, this one isn’t meant to stir up controversy. Kinda a survey of sorts I’d guess. Anyway…Friday afternoon I had an MRI of my cervical spine and brainstem done (and yes, fyi, I do have a brain. Even normal size) This was is the same machine I had a previous brainstem MRI done with about a year ago. This time a funny thing happened though. When the machine was doing the first few "buzzes" that it does before the longer one where they actually do the scan (and I have no clue what all the buzzes are…I just know there’s a few shorter ones, some clicks, and then longer buzzes for a few minutes.) Anyway, during the first buzzes, I got a series of electric type shocks going down both my arms into my fingers. My stomach also got slightly nauseated. And the shocks were in time with the buzzing. The first frequency was sorta bad, then the next one (higher pitched) was really bad into my fingers. The last one (even higher pitch) was less again. And during the long Buzz, I had the same tingling shooting down my arms (not pain) for the entire time….slowly decreasing as time went on…but still definately there. I do have lots of metal in my mouth, but not a significanty larger or different amount. I’ve never had brain surgery, and I don’t have any metal other than my fillings, caps, and bridge in my mouth. The tech said he’s heard of it happening on occasion, but didn’t know why, and I haven’t been in the hospital since then (had all of Saturday off) to go and check it out. Anyone else have similar experiences? Or ever hear of anything like this? Or know why it might happen? Any theories? It’s probably nothing, but if it might be a clue as to a cause or a treatment for my pain, I need to explore it. Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy

Response:

Those are strange symptoms for an MRI, and I have been in the MRI for a long time and never heard of that. Are either of you claustraphobic or really afraid of medical procedures? i would like to invesigate this further–this is interesting. jefe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had the same region MRI’d and got similar reactions, as far as the nausea. I also started a panic attack, so I wrote all the symptoms off to that. Maybe it wasn’t all in my head. P Hey again, people. I’s gots a question that someone might be able to answer. And no, this one isn’t meant to stir up controversy. Kinda a survey of sorts I’d guess. Anyway…Friday afternoon I had an MRI of my cervical spine and brainstem done (and yes, fyi, I do have a brain. Even normal size) This was is the same machine I had a previous brainstem MRI done with about a year ago. This time a funny thing happened though. When the machine was doing the first few "buzzes" that it does before the longer one where they actually do the scan (and I have no clue what all the buzzes are…I just know there’s a few shorter ones, some clicks, and then longer buzzes for a few minutes.) Anyway, during the first buzzes, I got a series of electric type shocks going down both my arms into my fingers. My stomach also got slightly nauseated. And the shocks were in time with the buzzing. The first frequency was sorta bad, then the next one (higher pitched) was really bad into my fingers. The last one (even higher pitch) was less again. And during the long Buzz, I had the same tingling shooting down my arms (not pain) for the entire time….slowly decreasing as time went on…but still definately there. I do have lots of metal in my mouth, but not a significanty larger or different amount. I’ve never had brain surgery, and I don’t have any metal other than my fillings, caps, and bridge in my mouth. The tech said he’s heard of it happening on occasion, but didn’t know why, and I haven’t been in the hospital since then (had all of Saturday off) to go and check it out. Anyone else have similar experiences? Or ever hear of anything like this? Or know why it might happen? Any theories? It’s probably nothing, but if it might be a clue as to a cause or a treatment for my pain, I need to explore it. Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy

Response:

I had the same region MRI’d and got similar reactions, as far as the nausea. I also started a panic attack, so I wrote all the symptoms off to that. Maybe it wasn’t all in my head. P – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey again, people. I’s gots a question that someone might be able to answer. And no, this one isn’t meant to stir up controversy. Kinda a survey of sorts I’d guess. Anyway…Friday afternoon I had an MRI of my cervical spine and brainstem done (and yes, fyi, I do have a brain. Even normal size) This was is the same machine I had a previous brainstem MRI done with about a year ago. This time a funny thing happened though. When the machine was doing the first few "buzzes" that it does before the longer one where they actually do the scan (and I have no clue what all the buzzes are…I just know there’s a few shorter ones, some clicks, and then longer buzzes for a few minutes.) Anyway, during the first buzzes, I got a series of electric type shocks going down both my arms into my fingers. My stomach also got slightly nauseated. And the shocks were in time with the buzzing. The first frequency was sorta bad, then the next one (higher pitched) was really bad into my fingers. The last one (even higher pitch) was less again. And during the long Buzz, I had the same tingling shooting down my arms (not pain) for the entire time….slowly decreasing as time went on…but still definately there. I do have lots of metal in my mouth, but not a significanty larger or different amount. I’ve never had brain surgery, and I don’t have any metal other than my fillings, caps, and bridge in my mouth. The tech said he’s heard of it happening on occasion, but didn’t know why, and I haven’t been in the hospital since then (had all of Saturday off) to go and check it out. Anyone else have similar experiences? Or ever hear of anything like this? Or know why it might happen? Any theories? It’s probably nothing, but if it might be a clue as to a cause or a treatment for my pain, I need to explore it. Constructive comments / opinions / advice are appreciated. (Still waiting on how to do a spellcheck thing) Spiggy