Yuck- Neurologist visit

[snapdragen]

And what is a "central disc osteophyte complex at the C4-5 level?" I've got some research to do during my insomnia until that ultrasound.

Hello! Bone spurs in your neck. Welcome to my world...... From what I understand, developing these is common. I just happened to grow lots of them in jumbo size.

[SadieKate]

Fabulous. I knew you were my role model in many ways.

The report also says "minimally indents the anterior thecal sac. No central canal narrowing."

[snapdragen]

Fabulous. I knew you were my role model in many ways.

Wanna borrow my collar.......

[SadieKate]

Ah, just like a big sister . . . .

[Dogmama]

My DH is cruising for a bruisin on the MRI I swear. He basically told me I was being a drama queen about it and it was no big deal and why on earth would I even consider asking about Xanax.

Tell him to stuff it. They put me completely out for MRI's. I'm claustrophobic & I last about 2 seconds in that machine. And I hate drama.

OTOH, I have a friend who is a construction supervisor. He loves MRI's. He says the racket in the machine makes him think he's at a construction site.

[Tuckervill]

Ama, your husband crossed into the realm of non-supportive with that one. It doesn't matter how HE feels about it. It matters how YOU feel, and he should take those feeling seriously. If he can't, then leave him home, but I wouldn't let him get away without knowing he crossed the line (if he was mine).

I'm sure it will be tense for you, but you will get through it.

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

Ama, your husband crossed into the realm of non-supportive with that one. It doesn't matter how HE feels about it. It matters how YOU feel, and he should take those feeling seriously. If he can't, then leave him home, but I wouldn't let him get away without knowing he crossed the line (if he was mine).

Oh he knows. First of all I told him I had a right to be a drama queen and gave him my more than two cents on why I could be scared and didn't appreciate him thinking less of me for it. Second I told him my mother would accompany me because she thinks taking Xanax to avoid a panic attack is perfectly reasonable because I tend to be a little over excited about things even though she herself wouldn't need it. She is cool as a cucumber, Dad would need Xanax. I think he was a little hurt that I put my foot down with him taking me after I asked him to do it but it was all good after that. Still waiting on the imaging center to schedule it, I hate waiting. The doctor told me to call if they don't be this afternoon.

Xanax doesn't do much to me, just makes me mellow. It is a weird state since I am usually a worry wart, I am rarely calm. My former doctor thought I was so high strung that my tremors would be cured with xanax or valium but it didn't work.

On another note the Inderol did not work last night but I am still giving it a chance. It didn't make me sleepy, light headed or anything. I have a mild tremor this morning, so I will take one. Hopefully I won't spend the rest of the day at work feeling dumb. My doctor thinks I am older than last time I had it (true by 5 years) so maybe I will not have side effects like I did before. I guess older people generally tolerate it better?

[OakLeaf]

Aw, Amanda, I'm sorry your H is giving you so much grief. Hope the techs treat you sympathetically and that you get through your MRI without too much anxiety.

And SK... bummer you too.

Big hugs to everyone.

[Aggie_Ama]

Aw, Amanda, I'm sorry your H is giving you so much grief. Hope the techs treat you sympathetically and that you get through your MRI without too much anxiety.

Aww thanks. I am used to him. I am a drama queen and he just doesn't get it, heck half the time I don't get me. After 11 years together I just roll with it and rant a bit when he annoys me. I am sure I will report back that the MRI was nothing and I was being a big ol' baby about it.

[SadieKate]

Xanax doesn't do much to me, just makes me mellow. It is a weird state since I am usually a worry wart, I am rarely calm.

That's really all they want it to do since it's an anti-anxiety med. They prefer you didn't fall asleep as you might involuntarily move and sometimes they will talk to you to tell you the next steps. Like snap said, "This series will take x minutes." Or they may ask if you're warm enough or need a pillow under your knees or whatever. They keep blankets in a warmer that can make it quite cozy.

Give your DH a slap upside the head from all of us, m'kay? You're right that it isn't just the stress of the MRI but also the entire quandary about why you're getting the MRI.

Hang tough. You'll get through it fine.

[Aggie_Ama]

Since I am impatiently waiting, I wonder what it means that my doctor checked off scan head with and without brain? Maybe I can look that up. It sounds like I get to do two scans. Off to google and see what I can find.

[Aggie_Ama]

Okay I got the answer, yes to contrast. Yes it is enclosed. It will take about 40-60 minutes Friday afternoon. No one seems to be able to take me so I might have to go drug free. What I am more terrified of is getting my first IV. The first one I ever saw put in was an absolutely horrible experience when DH had his appendectomy. I don't think women scream as shrilly during child birth and 7 years later the incident is still haunting me. DH has IVs every 8 weeks and thinks no big deal. They usually have trouble finding my veins to draw blood so IVs sound horrible. I am getting all worked up just thinking about it. And when I had my wisdom teeth pulled I told them novacaine only since they weren't compacted and I would not have an IV unless they were cutting. At least I can get it over with and be done. My doctor thinks this is a one and done thing on a MRI since I just have a tremor. Ugh, I have made myself sick. I think it is time for some deep breathing at lunch, I am such a baby.

[bmccasland]

Aggie-Ama - calm, think calm. Deeeeeep breath in, slooowwwllyy let it out. Breathe in....... out....... in ...... out...

is there any chance you could drop by the MRI dept just to see the silly thing? Maybe if you saw the machine you wouldn't be quite so nervous.

I admit when I was having the CT and then the MRI for my migraine issues - to rule out anything "organic" I was terrified (Organic = tumor). I remember my Mom sent me flowers to cheer me up. But the tech folks were great. After my MRI, the tech told me that he didn't see anything unusual - and that he wasn't supposed to tell me, but thought I'd like to know, and I'd be hearing from my doc in a couple of days. In my head I heard Arnie S's voice - "it's not a tumor".

It's OK to be scared, your feelings are valid. But try to slow down just a bit, and maybe it won't feel quite so scary. Cup of camomile tea with honey? A cuppa tea cures all evil frights, right?

Got to admit - i like the "with and without brain" part. If I only had a brain!

[Aggie_Ama]

Thanks Beth. My mom gave me a swift kick in the butt via phone at lunch. It is now the IV really bugging me, the machine is just weird. DH told me he has probably had 25 IVs since that one in 2001 and that is the only one he ever recalls hurting. Besides this test will put the rest so many doubts I have had, like why they keep asking me if I had one but never sent me for one. I think a nice run, followed by a warm bubble bath and later tea will bring me back to earth this evening. I am such a drama queen I swear.

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Amanda,

IVs are not fun but are nothing to get too worked up about. I have problems giving blood normally (small veins in my inner elbow area), but they have no problems finding a nice fat vein in my hand to stick an IV in. Yeah, it stings a bit for sure, but it's not worth losing sleep over. Believe me, I am a pain wimp, have to have sedation for dental work, etc., so if I can handle an unmedicated IV, I guarantee that you can. Just grit your teeth and don't watch!

Best of luck with all of this....