Failed Mri

[JadedGhost13]

Since June I have not been able to work not only because of my PTSD symptoms but because of a back and or neck problem as well. The pain in my neck and the other pain that goes along with it led my doctor to send me for an X=ray. That was in September, he said I showed signs of Degenerative Disk Disease and we would need a MRI to look further at what was affected and what we needed to do next.

I was given a time to be at a location for the MRI and I was informed that the doctors office had not sent the order. It took them 2 hours to get the order. By this time I was a mess already, but decided to give the MRI a try. I panicked, I had the absolute worst panic attack of my entire life. I was in shock at myself, it was like someone else was in my body doing that fighting to get the heck off that table and out of there, and mind you, I w only about a foot into the machine when I spazzed out.

It took me up until this week to get myself together enough to talk to the doctor about trying again as I have had a lonnnng 3 months of a lot of stress and triggers. My doctor sugggested an open MRI because he did not want to medicate as the first tech had asked me to discuss with my doctor.

The appointment was set, I was not even asked what days or times I would be available which pissed me of to start with. Mind you this testing center is 60 miles away so that is 120 mile round trip when A) I am not functioning too well at the moment and B) I have not worked in months and I have to plan my trips away very carefully to get the most out of the trip. Every Friday I have to go to a town that is only 20 minutes from the testing center so had I been presented with options I could have told them that Friday's are myy only option in order to conserve gasoline.


II went to the appointment even though I really could not afford to go, Once again I FAIL, I spazzed. Thhe tech asked me to call my doctors ofice and tell them that I was not able to go through with the testing and they suggest I take valium to sedate and if they would call it in I could still get my testing that day. It took me a good while to get my office on the phone and when I did I was told that sedation was not an option period. I could get a CT scan but that would not give the quality of picture that the MRI would and that I would need a MRI to get a referral to a specialist. So more or less I am screwed because I cannot make them understand that something is setting me off about the MRI and I cannot explain it, and this could all be resolved through a few little pills.


And here I am 12 hours later still reeling off the the emotions I had earlier and I cannot sleep because in my head I feel like I am being crushed. II do not know what to do next, my mother in law suggest that I go to another doctor, ttell them whats going on with me and see if they will help. But I do not feel comfortable going to a doctor I have never seen before and sayiing "Hey, I have this mental disorder and I want some pills to knock me out" We all know how that end... My pockets would be lighter on cash and I still wouldnt have the meds.


II just want to scream at the top of my lungs the ugliest words I can think of. PPlease tell me I am not the only one wwho has issues ggetting regular medical care.. I have really good private insurance,its not like I am un-insured or state insured.. I do not knww wwhy myy keys are sticking so I will end my rant now before I drive myself insane trying to fix my typing.

 

[franciemarnie]

I can't tell you how many people I have known who don't have PTSD and cannot handle an MRI. Those contraptions are awful.

I vote go to another doctor. You don't have to tell him or her you have PTSD. You could get another diagnosis first off, and then if an MRI is suggested, tell them you freak out in such a closed space - they are used to hearing that - and see if they will help with meds.

I'm sorry you had to go thru this.

 

[Barconian]

Try again ;)

 

[StarChild]

PPlease tell me I am not the only one wwho has issues ggetting regular medical care..

Dear @JadedGhost13, NO, you're not the only one. I do have such issues too. Before PTSD, I could easily go through an MRI, even without any meds, and one time I even was in a MRI-machine, that had no light in it. It was simply dark like hell! But I felt very fine and was relaxed. But now, with PTSD I'm no stable enough to do an MRI without medication. It's pure horror.

Did you know, that benzodiazepines, i.e. valium (Diazepam) can be injected? When I have to go to an MRI I have to be there one hour before the actual appointment time. Then there's a doc who will administer the injection. After that I really don't care about anything and almost don't realize the MRI. After the examination is over, they inject a reversal medication (Flumazenil). And a friend will bring me home by car. This is even more safe than with pills, for they need time to kick in, but also will need time to get out of your metabolism.

Do you know why your doctor doesn't want to give you medicaments for that scan? Would it be a possibility that this or another doctor would advise them to do like I described it to you, in the testing centre?

I was given a time to be at a location for the MRI and I was informed that the doctors office had not sent the order. It took them 2 hours to get the order.

Sorry for saying this, but in my opinion, your doctor is a poorly organized, arrogant a**h*le!!!:mad:

II do not know what to do next, my mother in law suggest that I go to another doctor, ttell them whats going on with me and see if they will help

Brilliant idea! I would do so if I were you. You deserve a doctor who treats you with care and respect. :tup:

Hope my post helps a little. I'm here if you need to talk. Good luck and it would be great to hear if you could get a comfortable solution to get an MRI.

 

[JadedGhost13]

Thanks everyone for the understanding, support and advise. I believe that we have, as a family made the decision to change doctors. My husbands work has priority at a walk in clinic and I was told the clinic see's people with back issues. And helps them get the proper testing and help. I have also decided since the doctor who does not

Seem to help also writes my meds, I will be changing doctors for my meds as well. There really is no one in my area that is versed in PTSD so I will be driving a good distance to accomplish this but I just feel it is for the best. All my doc ever wants to do so he up my dosage anyway and I am only on Wellbutrin and mini press. I only recently got the mini press because I asked for it by getting him to understand that I was killing people in my dreams.

I laid awake until 4am last night. I just couldn't shake my irritation. PTSD sucks!!

I am determined the have my MRI and someone will sedate me. Sweet lullaby I will for sure mention your method.

Hopefully right after the holidays I can get all this rolling again. We have a son coming home for the holidays on Wednesday and he will only be here for a few days then it will be 9 months before we see him again. So I need to just push through this time so he does not spend a second holiday in a row with me being medicated or incapacitated. (Last christmas I had surgery while he was home and I missed a lot of him being home because I was on some serious meds)