Re: MRI Help

["Bonnie Cunningham, R.N." <bcunning@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Debbie:

I can see that a lot of people have offered advice, however, I believe the
point of your question was not claustrophobia, but your mother not being
able to lie flat for more than a couple of minutes because of extreme pain.
I think you were seeking information to determine if there  was there
another test or method of getting this test done.

As far as I am aware, there is not an MRI that will allow a person to sit
or stand.  A person must be lying down and remain perfectly still during
the test.  Most scans, be it MRI, CT scan, PET scan, etc., require that the
person lie flat for a period of time. Unfortunately too, the surface is
usually quite hard.

As others indicated, many people have difficulty being enclosed in this
tubular like device and added to that, is a tremedous noise level.  This
causes many people to become anxious.  Sometimes, a mild anti-anxiety
medication, such as the mentioned Xanax, is given to help relax the person.

In severe situations, there is something called an "open MRI" in which the
person is not totally enclosed.  It is still noisy, but the person will be
able to see, periperally, outside of the machine. Availability of open MRI
is somewhat limited.  I believe the actual machines are much more expensive
than the regualr MRI and I do not know how they compare in accuracy.

Bonnie Cunningham, R.N.
Patient Services Director
NPF



Date:    Thu, 27 Aug 1998 20:05:18 -0400
From:    Debbie White <dwhite@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: MRI Help

My mother Joyce (69/1 year) is seeing a new movement disorder specialist
who happens to be an osteopath. He wants to get an MRI of her neck and
spine. When I asked her why he was ordering this test, she said that he
wanted to check out the way her neck and back were functioning. I am hoping
that this is just something an osteopath would order (i.e., I hope he
doesn't suspect something worse than PD).

In any case, my mother is unable to lie on her back for even two minutes.
She called to set up the test and asked whether a pillow can be used, but
the center said that it couldn't. My mother is convinced (I agree with her
on this one) that she cannot take this test.

Has anyone had a similiar experience and come up with a solution? Thanks.


Debbie White
dwhite@xxxxxxxxxxxx