Yuck- Neurologist visit

[Miranda]

Hun, I'm sorry you're having to get back in the tube of doom. It is a test that shows a lot of stuff that no other does.

I have been in there serveral times with my neuro junk and other stuff. I am claustrophobia. I need sedation and a driver, though last time I did make it without. Even though the claustrophobia is technically an imagined fear, it causes me emotional upset. Which emotional upset is one of my asthma triggers. Not being able to breath due to an asthma attack, and being stuck in the tube, gets to be a real problem. I think the brain is the worst. They clamp that awful cage over your face in addition the the tube.

For me... eyes closed, washcloth over my eyes, the tech wraps me up in a blanket tight, no music--talk to me instead... asthma meds before, happy drugs. Plus, I go scope the place out before the test. If I don't like the faciltiy, I shop another one. See the room. Meet the tech. "Hello... I'm Miranda and I think I may die on your watch, can we make a plan for that not to happen? I know you don't want to use your cpr skills...". It's amazing how nice people can be when you ask them "right" . Actually, I have my own techs memorized by name now and check when they are working. How high maintenance drama is that?

On the DH, well, I'm married to his brother and then some. I've had my 80yr half-blind mother take me before, kids screaming in the parking lot w/g-ma, and drive us all home with me laid out on drugs. Sounds safe, eh? Actually, my other thought at times was to employ an aid from a home health agency as a driver. Or take a taxi. I know that sounds a bit cold, but really you just need reliable wheels at a minimum. I know such services exists. Maybe the docs office, or MRI center might have a tip?

Mom in her age and wisdom says, where there's a will, there's a way... women are very resourceful creatures. Spirits of positive wishes will be with you from your cyber sisters when the test time comes.

EDIT: IVs... did you know there is also a topical numbing cream they can apply before the stick to take care of the pain of the needle? If you are getting sedated and have to be there ahead of test time anyways is no big deal. Just check ahead to make sure they have it on hand. It's like a thick white skin lotion. Btw, the lab I used to work at did some major university sports teams... the football linebackers were the ones that always fainted the hardest at the sight of a needle.