Sciatica?

[Linda0818]

PT did't help me at all, either.

I've had a few MRIs, and they are not a big deal. Yes, it is noisy in the tunnel, but they can give you earplugs. It is cramped in there, too, but I don't find it claustrophobic at all. The worst part is having to lie perfectly still and hold your breath while the scan is actually happening. I always feel an itch somewhere at that time, and can't scratch it.

The image they make is amazing. Imagine an x-ray, but ten-times clearer and more detailed. Your neurologist/neurosurgeon will know exactly what is going on with an MRI.

A small dose of Ativan should make it a breeze.

CD

Ahh yes, the itch. It always comes when both hands are full as well

Hold your breath?!?!?!? Do you have to do that the whole time????

 

[caseydog]

Ahh yes, the itch. It always comes when both hands are full as well

Hold your breath?!?!?!? Do you have to do that the whole time????

No, an audible and visual signal inside the tunnel will tell to take a deep breath, and hold it. It's maybe 15 seconds??? Then it will tell you to breathe again. I have found that a medium breath is easier to hold, at least for me. I take a deep breath, and let some out.

CD

 

[Linda0818]

No, an audible and visual signal inside the tunnel will tell to take a deep breath, and hold it. It's maybe 15 seconds??? Then it will tell you to breathe again. I have found that a medium breath is easier to hold, at least for me. I take a deep breath, and let some out.

CD

Sheesh, I was gonna say! I'll be dead by the time they bring me out of that thing, LOL.

I recently had a mammogram and you always have to hold your breath during the actual scan, but it's only about 6 or 7 seconds.

Yep. Definitely taking my Ativan for this one

 

[caseydog]

Sheesh, I was gonna say! I'll be dead by the time they bring me out of that thing, LOL.

I recently had a mammogram and you always have to hold your breath during the actual scan, but it's only about 6 or 7 seconds.

Yep. Definitely taking my Ativan for this one

It is really not a terrible experience. It is a little uncomfortable, but I'd put the discomfort level below the same amount of time in a dentist's office. A lot lower.

CD

 

[Linda0818]

It is really not a terrible experience. It is a little uncomfortable, but I'd put the discomfort level below the same amount of time in a dentist's office. A lot lower.

CD

That's very good to know. As long as they give me a fluffy pillow for my head because I can't lay straight back without head support.

 

[taxlady]

I'm glad she's pain-free. I would give anything for just one day of being able to walk normally. It's been almost 5 months now of literally just hobbling around. Most nights I can't get comfortable in bed, either. Sometimes I break down in tears because I'm so tired of living this way.

Oh Linda, that sounds horrible. I hope this MRI gives your medical team the info to get you healed quickly and effectively. (((Hugs)))

 

[caseydog]

That's very good to know. As long as they give me a fluffy pillow for my head because I can't lay straight back without head support.

They will make you as comfortable as possible, so yes, you will have a pillow for your head.

CD

 

[Linda0818]

Oh Linda, that sounds horrible. I hope this MRI gives your medical team the info to get you healed quickly and effectively. (((Hugs)))

Thank you, taxy. I hope so too.

 

[Linda0818]

They will make you as comfortable as possible, so yes, you will have a pillow for your head.

CD

I may need two pillows, if the pillows are too flat.

Something else that occurred to me... they've asked me if I have any metal in my body. I said no, because I do not. However, I wear an upper partial (due to having several teeth pulled over the years) that once cracked and I had to send it to my dentist for repair. It appears they used some sort of a mesh to reinforce the partial and, I can't tell for certain, but it looks like it may be made of some sort of metal?

I'm wondering if I need to worry about that for a lumbar spine MRI. I'll tell them about it, but it would be awkward for me to have to take my partial out for the scan. I will, of course, if they recommend it. But, again, I can't tell if the mesh is metal or some other type of material. I should probably call my dentist today to find out.

 

[Andy M.]

I'm sad you have to go through all this. Let's hope the solution is quick and effective.

 

[Linda0818]

I'm sad you have to go through all this. Let's hope the solution is quick and effective.

Thank you, Andy. I hope so too.

 

[caseydog]

I may need two pillows, if the pillows are too flat.

Something else that occurred to me... they've asked me if I have any metal in my body. I said no, because I do not. However, I wear an upper partial (due to having several teeth pulled over the years) that once cracked and I had to send it to my dentist for repair. It appears they used some sort of a mesh to reinforce the partial and, I can't tell for certain, but it looks like it may be made of some sort of metal?

I'm wondering if I need to worry about that for a lumbar spine MRI. I'll tell them about it, but it would be awkward for me to have to take my partial out for the scan. I will, of course, if they recommend it. But, again, I can't tell if the mesh is metal or some other type of material. I should probably call my dentist today to find out.

I don't know about that. Just ask. I'm sure you won't be the first person they've encountered with metal dental work. I know my two metal fillings didn't matter.

You are thinking too much about this. It is a very routine procedure. Like I mentioned, I'll take an MRI over any dental appointment any day.

CD

 

[Linda0818]

I don't know about that. Just ask. I'm sure you won't be the first person they've encountered with metal dental work. I know my two metal fillings didn't matter.

You are thinking too much about this. It is a very routine procedure. Like I mentioned, I'll take an MRI over any dental appointment any day.

CD

I know. But I'm just asking what experiences are like and I'm always worried I'm going to do something to screw the whole thing up. That's my anxiety kicking in full gear when I have to go through something I've never been through before.

<----- rolling my eyes at myself

 

[Linda0818]

For anyone who may be interested, the MRI showed a synovial cyst, located along the right facet joint. Didn't know what a facet joint was, but I looked it up, along with what a synovial cyst exactly is and how it can be treated. Now I just wait to hear from my doctor to see how she wants to proceed.

The MRI went fine. Had no problems. In fact, I practically fell asleep inside the little chamber. They gave me headphones (as well as the ear plugs) and asked me what type of music I wanted to listen to. I told them classical, since it's relaxing to me. I'm a metalhead by nature, but I don't think that would have relaxed me very well

Thanks, everyone, for the tips and advice and comforting words.

 

[blissful]

I'm so glad that went well for you @Linda0818 ! And you'll have a solution soon! yay

 

[Linda0818]

I'm so glad that went well for you @Linda0818 ! And you'll have a solution soon! yay

I sure hope so!

 

[Kathleen]

@Linda0818 I hope your MRI is comfortable. I have heard it's loud, but it's just noise and like @dcSaute said, nothing is going to happen.

I good friend was having pain, she could barely walk, get up or sit down, sleep, from stenosis of the spine, both legs. She didn't want to have back surgery which is understandable, back surgery sometimes doesn't work. Sometimes problems get worse. She was at a point where life was getting unlivable for her, job wise, home living, sleeping. They gave her pain medication and PT. She finally went to have one side done, it was a great success and she took PT to walk correctly, she could sleep on that side at last. She then had the second side done, PT, now she is pain free and gets a good night sleep every night, no medications. It took her about 2 years from when she decided to go with the first surgery until now. She is so glad it is all done age 59.

I am 99.9999% certain that surgery will be on my horizon for the sciatica pain. Shots help, but do not last.

 

[caseydog]

I am 99.9999% certain that surgery will be on my horizon for the sciatica pain. Shots help, but do not last.

Sorry to hear that. If you have to go that route, get the best neurosurgeon you can.

CD

 

[Linda0818]

Yeah. That's what I'm afraid of.

My PCP got back with me about the MRI results and told me that I not only have that one cyst, but a few bulging disks at various areas of my spine.

I like was "Oh great. More good news."

November 15th is my initial consultation with the spine specialist. So we'll see what's going to happen. More than likely they'll try the shots and/or more physical therapy before resorting to surgery.

 

[caseydog]

Yeah. That's what I'm afraid of.

My PCP got back with me about the MRI results and told me that I not only have that one cyst, but a few bulging disks at various areas of my spine.

I like was "Oh great. More good news."

November 15th is my initial consultation with the spine specialist. So we'll see what's going to happen. More than likely they'll try the shots and/or more physical therapy before resorting to surgery.

Do not let your PCP diagnose and treat you. They are not qualified for this kind of thing. I have degenerative disk disease, and stenosis on L4 and L5. My neurologist/neurosurgeon is one of the best in Dallas. He told me that surgery is the option of last resort. Sometimes it has to be done, but when it comes to the spine, you need to go for the best doctor.

CD