MRI question

[hdugger]

My son is scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday. I was pretty much prepared for what to expect until, while scheduling, they told me that it would take 3 hours!?!

Is that really the normal amount of time! I expected more like one hour. What she said is that they need to look at the entire spine, so it was in three parts. He has a history of pretty extreme anxiety, although it's been much better recently. I'm not sure he'll last through three hours.

Edit: (Not that his spine is in three parts )

[mamandcrm]

Hi hdugger,

I infer from your post that he will not be put under for the scan. If he is being put under than 3 hours does not sound unusual. My daughter had a full spine MRI and the actual MRI procedure took less than 1 hour. But she was sedated so maybe that allows the scan to proceed more quickly (and she was smaller)?

[Pooka1]

Hdugger's son is an adult though if he wants to be put under then they should do that in my opinion!

My one kid had an MRI and it did not last 3 hours. I think it was more like an hour. She was not put under as she was 13. She fell asleep as I recall. They played music as I recall.

[joyfull]

I've never heard of sedation for an MRI! Is this is make the time go faster and prevent anxiety?

[LindaRacine]

Your son should definitely talk to the MRI facility and/or the referring physician. They can at least prescribe some valium.

[sccrm08]

I had 3 MRIs the first one lasted about 1 hour....and the machine started malfunctioning so I was told I would need to come back and have the cervical part of the spine re-done. I went back for this it took about 30 minutes and I freaked out and panicked I begged to come out the they kept telling me just another minute or two. Well after seeing the Dr. again he told me I had to go back and get the Lumbar spine done and I said NO WAY!!! So he perscribed something that knocked me out while they did the MRI and I slept the whole time my husband said it took about 30 minutes and then he took me home and I slept for hours. I for one don't ever want to have another one done.

[krbreezin]

I have located an MRI designed specifically for scoliosis patients. The patient sits between two "unfinished" walls, if you will, and can view television while the MRI is taking place. See number 4. on the following link. http://www.fonar.com/patient/ I have not yet taken my daughter for this procedure so I'm not sure how long it takes, but I intend to take her when it's time for her first 6 month follow-up. Has anyone tried this machine? BTW wishing you all a Happy Healthy New Year with good news!!!

[sccrm08]

I noticed on the link that there is an increased risk of Breast Cancer for people who were x-rayed every few months as a child. I am one of those people as my scoliosis was discovered in the late 70's. Although I don't think i have Breast Cancer, does anyone know if there is also an increased risk for Ovarian Cancer going through all these x-rays as a child or were our ovaries not in the x-rays. I don't remember having a lead shield put in place until I was an adult. I am going in for surgery 2 weeks from today to have a solid mass removed from my Ovary and Abdamon. I pray this is not cancer.

[hdugger]

So, it turns out that, while my son sometimes experiences generalized anxiety, he doesn't suffer from claustrophobia. 2 hours in the MRI and totally fine (although he did say he got pretty hot in there.)

The problem the Dr. was looking for (tethered spinal cord) turned out not to be an issues. So, now he's just a kid with a big curve (and, as I posted in another thread, a small syrinx).