Had my MRI with and without contrast. I actually have the films. Too bad I don't know how to read them. When I look at them I see a bulging or herniated disc. I remember what they look like from the old mri's. There is also white spots which I assume is fusion or scar tissue. But then again I don't know what I am looking at. I think I was in that tube for an hour. When the tech said I could sit up after it was over I couldn't move. The pain was unbearable. The guy who was half my size tried to help. I had to roll and he pushed. I would have been embarassed but after a while you surrender. The dr. can view them 10 minutes after the test is done. So I'll see if he does on Monday. The pain I've been having is a tiny bit better. But I've learned not to get excited. Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms.

Hessie, I pray that these test results can answer some questions for you and that you can get some much needed pain relief.

Hi Hessie,

Did you check all inside the envelope with the films? They usually put a copy of the MRI report in there. I never noticed it in there when I first had only x-rays done...when I picked up my first MRI, they told me a copy of the report is in the envelope & was also sent to my Rheumy. Even though I didnt understand what was on the report, I researched it myself and asked on the boards.

Oh Hessie where does it end huh? I'm so sorry that your going through yet another test and more pain. I remember going through what you just described. Trying to get up after laying on that flat, hurtful table. The tech's were like okay, you can get up now, and I was thinking....holy crap I'm dying.

Take care Hessie and please let us know what comes of all this.

Hi Hessie,
Good Luck! I hope you get answers tht will help stop your suffering soon.

God Bless

Carol

Happy Mother's Day to you Hessie, and I am so sorry you have to go throught all of this. I hope you feel better soon.

I had the same problem getting off the table each time for 4 MRIs. I also do not understand how they expect someone who can hardly walk into the room, can not lay down on their back w/o extreme pain, crying copiously, moaning and groaning by the end of the procedure; then miraculously be able to jump unassisted from the table.

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For starters, remember I am a big, emphasis, big, old, bald, fat, big, macho, red neck man. Remember this previous sentence.

Ok, I had just been thru MRI w/o contrast, approx. 25 minutes; they pull me out and inject me with contrast. They ask me several times if I am ok because I am groaning and moaning and some tears rolling down face after round 1. I respond NO, lets get this over with.

So we begin round 2, at about 3 minutes they say here we go. I try to ask a question and realize they are not listening in? Uh OH! Then, after about 5 minutes I feel allergic reaction beginning; hives, welts, redness . UH OH!! Now I already knew they were not listening, they were not responding to questions or groans/ moans; so why would they care about an allergic reaction! I just try to make it through it doing breathing drills knowing I need the MRI! Wife was sitting in room by the door so I did have a backup, if needed. Pain starts getting worse, copious tears just rolling constantly now, dizzy from reaction, heart racing, sweats, etc.

Finally, I get communication #2, "Ok, thats it. We'll be in in a minute.". Again I try to ask something; again ignored!

Couple minutes later, tech comes in, starts machine rolling me out, turns leaving room and saying "you get up now", and I go "I don't think so". My wife is still beside door stops tech and points back at me. Like if I could have stood up all that would have happened is I would have face slapped the floor. Finally bedlam ensues! Paramedics, doctors, IVs, gurneys, vitals, etc. And, I thought I had been feeling panicky.

Sometimes you would just think these people would get a clue! Maybe if I just would give them a symptom to go by?

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I also have my MRI films, mine are on CD. Does anyone have any links on how to read them?
Example: ID which disc is which?

Hi Ted: Boy your MRI sounds horrendous, I'm glad it's over now and hope you get some answers!!!

Did you check the CD for a report? On mine, I found the report after putting the CD into the computer. After the program starts, there's a screen with a bunch of different options and one of them is the report. I just double clicked the report icon and was able to read all the pages. You could check yours and see if it's there.

Good Luck, was your MRI an open one?? If not, ask if you can have that kind next time, it's a lot easier for them to hear you if you aren't in that long tunnel, plus it's not claustrophobic. Your problem sounds like a reaction to the dye plus unbelievable pain:eek:

Ted,

I am not computer savy enough to know how to copy or what program they use so you can read the disc. I did find out according to HIPPA the patient has a right to a copy of his or her films. I manage to get 90% of all my MRIs, CTs, and plain films of my back since all this mess started. One particular office person was giving me grief about getting copies of an MRI (not on a disc) until I started telling her I had a right to a copy. She finally agreed to give me a copy and put my doctor's name on the checkout form. She said return them when my back gets better. I told her I would love to be able to return them.

When I go for a consult, I let 'em know these are my films and I want 'em back after the visit.

Hessie28,

I am not sure my earlier post came across this way, but it was an attempt to say yes I understand. The tests can be a real bear at times. Sorry if it came across otherwise.


DesertBloom, Jack24,

And, that was not the worst one.

Yes, the CD has the reports; I just want to be able to traverse the actual images. The CD has a program to display the images; but does not include markers - like L1, S1, etc.

And, yes I am allergic to the dye; apparently a near statistical impossibility. The next MRI, I took meds to prevent the allergic reaction; had the the same reactions again - apparently a virtually impossible statistical impossibility with the meds. Paramedic warned me to never allow anyone to inject that contrast in me again; kinda like it might kill me?

The MRI was not an open one but is a larger one - kinda looks more like a CT machine. I do not think the type of machine made a difference - I think the techs did not care enough to listen.

As far as the unbelievable pain; it must be unbelievable; because the doc's won't start to offer anything for relief for it.

Hi Jack: Sorry for jumping in here, but the CD comes with a plug and play program, so you don't need anything special to look at the images, rotate, enlarge them etc and to read the report. All you need to have is a CD/CDR drive, or a DVR drive to play it, when it loads the images it installs a temporary program first without any prompts. I never tried to copy it, but I would imagine you could copy and paste the report only to Word or whatever word processing program you have. I believe there was a print icon on the page that had the report so you should be able to print it unless it's a "read only" program.

I've been having trouble getting reports, but never any problem getting the films. When I had my last MRI and CT scan, they came on CD for the first time, that I've ever seen, and I was thrilled that the typed report was included on the CD, so I could read it. When ever I want to get reports, I have to get copies from the Dr, because the hospital, imaging places won't give out the reports where I live. I suppose they think that giving out the films are harmless, since they figure most people can't read them anyway. My surgeons won't even look at a report, unless it's from a test that "only" produces a report i.e. emg, myelogram etc. so they could care less if I ask for a copy of it, they don't want them anyway, now Drs other than surgeons, treat reports completely differently, because they can't read the films:eek:

Good luck to all on your various treatments-surgeries:angel:

Hi Ted: Sorry I posted above without reading your additional post:eek: You're right the CD doesn't have any markers to identify any particular disc/vertebra so they're hard to figure out especially MRI's. CT scans are a little easier to look at and identify things, but that 3d image on MRI's throws me, the only thing I could tell on mine was that a portion of my spinal canal was clear with no evidence of stenosis.

Every time I have a scan, my Dr asked about allergies to radioactive dye, so maybe you should wear one of those med alert bracelets for it, because from what I've heard, they have to send you to a level 2 trauma center, if you aren't already at one, when you have a reaction to the dye. Where I live they don't have one of those hospitals, so my Dr mentioned to me that if I ever had a allergic reaction to the dye they would have to helicopter me to the hospital she's at because of it's trauma rating, so be real careful with this!! Luckily I've never had any trouble with the contrast dye and have had several dozen scans over the last 28 years.

Good Luck...

Hessie, I hope your doctor responds in a resonable amount of time. You are in my thoughts. I hope you have a wonderful mothers day. I am very lucky to be spending it with my daughter. It is the first one since she went to college 3 years ago. I had to get out of the house so I made the trip. I hope all goes well and they find out what is causing you all of this pain.
Take care,
Barbara

Hessie, I was so happy to read that you're having even a teensy bit less pain. Yea!!!! I hope that continues.

Let us know what the MRI says.

How's your elbow? Is that surgery scheduled yet?

Take care,
Emily :wave:

Hi Hessie,

Did you check all inside the envelope with the films? They usually put a copy of the MRI report in there. I never noticed it in there when I first had only x-rays done...when I picked up my first MRI, they told me a copy of the report is in the envelope & was also sent to my Rheumy. Even though I didnt understand what was on the report, I researched it myself and asked on the boards.

They printed the films right after the test so no report. The Radiologist did not read them yet. I could probably call the hospital in a few days for the report. I always get them anyway. I have copies of almost every test I ever had and there were many.

Hessie28,

I am not sure my earlier post came across this way, but it was an attempt to say yes I understand. The tests can be a real bear at times. Sorry if it came across otherwise.


DesertBloom, Jack24,

And, that was not the worst one.

Yes, the CD has the reports; I just want to be able to traverse the actual images. The CD has a program to display the images; but does not include markers - like L1, S1, etc.

And, yes I am allergic to the dye; apparently a near statistical impossibility. The next MRI, I took meds to prevent the allergic reaction; had the the same reactions again - apparently a virtually impossible statistical impossibility with the meds. Paramedic warned me to never allow anyone to inject that contrast in me again; kinda like it might kill me?

The MRI was not an open one but is a larger one - kinda looks more like a CT machine. I do not think the type of machine made a difference - I think the techs did not care enough to listen.

As far as the unbelievable pain; it must be unbelievable; because the doc's won't start to offer anything for relief for it.

Kit, I'm not that sensitive. LOL I knew what you were saying. I agree. That is horrible to get an allergic reation to the dye. I'm not a small person and my MRI machine felt kind of tight. Don't big people have tests done?

Thanks Emily. Have not scheduled the elbow surgery yet. It is only a 20 minute surgery with a 2 month recovery. That is no problem since I'm not working. I have a few issues. Do I get the elbow done while having bad back pain? Then again I'm in pain anyway so what is one more? I don't know what to do. I have a comp lawsuit for the elbow too. The insurance co said they would not pay anything related to the elbow. So I have to see what is up with that. My other elbow is bad now. They want to do therapy once I am done with neck therapy. Hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day.

Happy Mothers Day Hessie,

I'm hoping that you are having a better day today with less pain!!

Take care and let us know what you find out about your Mri. I can usually pick up my reports within 24-72 hours. Hopefully you can get yours soon.

Thanks. I just called and made an appt. for Wednesday with the Neurosurgeon. I was going to just talk to him but I think it is better to go in with my films. He will show me what is what. Also I'll need more pain meds and I'm sick of going through the receptionist with the accusing voice.

Thats a good idea Hessie, to just go in. That way you can be shown on the films, whats going on. Make sure that the films are gonna be there, and if not, pick them up and take them with you.

Good luck at your appointment and let us know.

DessertBloom,

Thanks for the info on the disc. I haven't had much to do with medical stuff in 14 years. The human body hasn't changed much in that time period but the technology sure has.

In the future, I won't be such a hard nose insisting on films.

Thanks. I just called and made an appt. for Wednesday with the Neurosurgeon. I was going to just talk to him but I think it is better to go in with my films. He will show me what is what. Also I'll need more pain meds and I'm sick of going through the receptionist with the accusing voice.

This worked pretty good for me as well. Went in with my films in hand, we had a good productive discussion.
He pointed to the "white spot(s)" mentioned earlier in this thread and said it was a small tear in the disc.

Today I went to schedule new MRI's and the receptionist girl was NOT in a mood to help me. It was like running into a brick wall. She gave me resistance at every turn, but finally my insisting paid off and I got my MRI session for the 26th.

Do you ever wonder why those people take those jobs. If a person is not people friendly they need to be working in a closet or something. They should be bending over backwards to be helpful. It's sad. I had a very good tech. He told me if I waited after the MRI he would print the films. He said this way I would not have to pay for them. There are about 12 pages. So I will have them when I walk in. The surgeon can access them on his computer for 30 days too. I just like him to put on the light box and show me everything. My main reason for going in is so he can give me a script for more pain meds. I only have a few days left. I hate going through the receptionist who last time felt she needed to tell me I should look into pain management. I told her I would rather look into what is causing the pain instead. I want to complain about her to the surgeon but then again you have to stay on their good side or you will never get through to the dr. again. Good luck with your MRI

Hessie
I had the same problem with the women working in my Dr's office. Way back before my surgery my Dr had increased my meds to the 7.5 and I kept asking them to go back to the 5's because I was so scared of the meds. I called and asked one time if they could call me in the script for the 7.5 as I had the nerve burning and was experiencing increased pain after. She told me very snotty that if they have down graded my meds they won't increase it. I explained they did not I was the one that had downgraded myself. She tried to argue with me and I got firm and said just ask my Dr. please. She called back about 2 hours later apologizing and said they called it in.

They don't know what is really going on and wish they would just be nice and pass on the messages.

Sorry I got carried away but I felt strong about this. After my surgery my hubby took care of the med thing for the first 2 weeks and he did go to the Dr and complain and everything changed.

Unfortunately sometimes the only way to be heard is to make noise. The squeaky wheel gets heard.

Somedays no matter where I go, it will seem that anyone having to do with customer service........needs a new job!!!

I like the closet suggestion..LOL

Yea and I am good at being the one to keep my mouth shut and just taking it. Not my husband he won't tolerate it.

I'm like you Clover. I suck it up and don't say anything. Although the past year or so I've been a little better with it. I'm starting to lose patience with some of these people. My husband is the opposite of me. He comes across nasty sometimes. Although people seem to respond better to that.