Geroge Has to Have an MRI! He is Apprehensive, Big Time!

[George Costanza]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

 

[Pop23]

Had one, also a knee, turned out to be nothing. Just sit back and relax, no biggie.

Good luck on the knee rep on its way!

 

[George Costanza]

Had one, also a knee, turned out to be nothing. Just sit back and relax, no biggie.

Good luck on the knee rep on its way!

Thanks - and thanks for the knee reps as well. I found this very good Web site where this doc from N.Y. explains everything you need to know about meniscus tears. (I found the site by Googling: "What happens with a torn meniscus if you don't repair it?") The Web doc said that, about half the time, no repair is necessary, the pain lasts for a couple of weeks and then goes away. It may come back further on down the road, may not.

Now, wouldn't you know it - my knee is feeling much better today, with the damn MRI looming. But I'm committed. I'm going to go ahead with the MRI. After all, I don't even know if I have a torn meniscus yet; I suspect I do, and my doc feels strongly enough about it to schedule me for an MRI. But even if I do have it, the Web doc says that surgical repair isn't always indicated, in fact, more often than not, no surgery is required. Depends on the type of tear and the degree of the tear.

FYI - here's the Web site:

http://www.howardluksmd.com/sports-medicine/meniscus-tears-why-surgery-isnt-always-necessary/

 

[Pop23]

In the good old days the only way to know would have been a scope. This is way better!

 

[KissMy]

I wish an MRI was available when I trashed my knee. The X-ray showed nothing so they had to scope it. I went for years continuing to destroy it until I finally got the ACL replaced.

 

[legaleagle_45]

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

Yeah, 2 things.

1.) MRI's are easy, no pain no problem, you just lay still.

2.) You can look forward to turning 50 and enjoying a colonoscopy. If they tell you that they will give you a local and you wont feel a thing, they are LYING!

 

[George Costanza]

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

Yeah, 2 things.

1.) MRI's are easy, no pain no problem, you just lay still.

2.) You can look forward to turning 50 and enjoying a colonoscopy. If they tell you that they will give you a local and you wont feel a thing, they are LYING!

Thanks. I am considerably over 50 and have had five colonoscopies so far. I became conscious during the first four out of the five procedures. Imagine a red hot iron stuck up your ass and into your lower intestinal area. That's what it felt like, each time.

Why did I allow it to go on for four trips to the table?, I hear you cry . . . . Because I let the mothers talk me into it. "It'll be just fine. Don't know what happened last time, but it won't happen again." Bull shit. It happened - until finally, on the 5th time, I insisted on having an anesthesiologist present. No problem that time.

What gets me are the clowns (probably some of them will pop out of the woodwork in response to this post) who swear they have full colonoscopies without anything and "feel nothing." When someone tells you something like that, check their pants - they will be on fire.

The problem I had the first four times was Verced. For me, anyway, Verced seems to work until I am experiencing severe pain. Then it stops working.

Right now, however, I have other fish to fry . . . Thanks again for your kind comments and assurance.

 

[hortysir]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

The MRI is "skate".

Wait until you get one of those marvelous Cortisone shots in your joint.

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

I've never had an MRI, but I would be really worried about it because I have panic attacks. I think they would have to sedate me, I really do.

As for the colonoscopy, I had one five years ago. Not sure what kind of sedative they were giving me (intravenous), but at one point I did wake up and was experiencing some pretty extreme cramping. I hollered "Ouch...OUCH!!!" and the doc said just hold on, and the next thing I knew I was back asleep.

So, for me, the colonoscopy wasn't that bad at all except for that brief pain. The prep wasn't either. And there were no problems afterwards either,

The one thing I will want to research before having another colonoscopy is the prep (I used Fleet)...I'm a little concerned about possible kidney damage from that. I mean, I didn't experience any (that I know of) but I sure don't want to, either.

 

[George Costanza]

I've never had an MRI, but I would be really worried about it because I have panic attacks. I think they would have to sedate me, I really do.

As for the colonoscopy, I had one five years ago. Not sure what kind of sedative they were giving me (intravenous), but at one point I did wake up and was experiencing some pretty extreme cramping. I hollered "Ouch...OUCH!!!" and the doc said just hold on, and the next thing I knew I was back asleep.

So, for me, the colonoscopy wasn't that bad at all except for that brief pain. The prep wasn't either. And there were no problems afterwards either,

The one thing I will want to research before having another colonoscopy is the prep (I used Fleet)...I'm a little concerned about possible kidney damage from that. I mean, I didn't experience any (that I know of) but I sure don't want to, either.

A problem I had each time I came to was an inability to speak! I kid you not. I tried to let the doc know I was experiencing pain, but couldn't get the words out. That's a horrible feeling.

Almost certain they were giving you Verced. It is more of a memory blocking drug than anything else - you appear to be conscious and awake, and you are; you just don't remember what happened. That's when it works properly. But, as I said, it doesn't always work properly with all people. Then you have to add in the fact that there's usually only one doctor in there, and we all know what he's doing, so he doesn't have time to pay attention to the status of his patient awareness-wise.

I have found the best prep is one of those two-quart bottles of pineapple flavored juice. Once you are sure you're not going to be aware of any portion of the procedure, it's the prep that's the worst part, but we live through it . . . .

 

[George Costanza]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

The MRI is "skate".

Wait until you get one of those marvelous Cortisone shots in your joint.

Yeah, I have heard those are a little uncomfortable, as the doc likes to say. Any time a doc tells you something is going to be a "little uncomfortable," be prepared to start screaming.

 

[Zoom-boing]

Close your eyes and keep them closed and you won't know you're in a tunnel-like device. I do that at the dentist... close 'em and don't open them until he's done.

 

[hortysir]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

The MRI is "skate".

Wait until you get one of those marvelous Cortisone shots in your joint.

Yeah, I have heard those are a little uncomfortable, as the doc likes to say. Any time a doc tells you something is going to be a "little uncomfortable," be prepared to start screaming.

I called my Doc a LOT of colorful names

"Guess there was more scar tissue in there than I thought"

 

[George Costanza]

The MRI is "skate".

Wait until you get one of those marvelous Cortisone shots in your joint.

Yeah, I have heard those are a little uncomfortable, as the doc likes to say. Any time a doc tells you something is going to be a "little uncomfortable," be prepared to start screaming.

I called my Doc a LOT of colorful names

"Guess there was more scar tissue in there than I thought"

Here is a list of (allegedly) actual comments made by colonoscopy patients to their doctors:

1."Take it easy Doc, you're boldly going where no man has gone before!"
2."Find Amelia Earhart yet?"
3."Can you hear me NOW?"
4."Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
5."You know in Arkansas we're now legally married."
6."Any sign of the trapped miners yet, Doc?"
7."You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."
8."Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"
9."If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!"
10."Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."
11."You used to be an executive at Enron didn't you?"
12."God, Now I know why I am not gay."
13."Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is in fact not up there." (our favorite)

My favorite is No. 6: ."Any sign of the trapped miners yet, Doc?"

Well, 9 hours to go until the MRI. But I'm not nervous . . . .

 

[Zoom-boing]

Yeah, I have heard those are a little uncomfortable, as the doc likes to say. Any time a doc tells you something is going to be a "little uncomfortable," be prepared to start screaming.

I called my Doc a LOT of colorful names

"Guess there was more scar tissue in there than I thought"

Here is a list of (allegedly) actual comments made by colonoscopy patients to their doctors:

1."Take it easy Doc, you're boldly going where no man has gone before!"
2."Find Amelia Earhart yet?"
3."Can you hear me NOW?"
4."Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
5."You know in Arkansas we're now legally married."
6."Any sign of the trapped miners yet, Doc?"
7."You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."
8."Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"
9."If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!"
10."Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."
11."You used to be an executive at Enron didn't you?"
12."God, Now I know why I am not gay."
13."Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is in fact not up there." (our favorite)

My favorite is No. 6: ."Any sign of the trapped miners yet, Doc?"

Well, 9 hours to go until the MRI. But I'm not nervous . . . .

Some of those are hilarious!

George, it sounds like you're much more nervous about being in the machine, rather than the actual 'scan' part. I'm telling you, when you lay down on the table - close your eyes and just don't open them. I think they give you earplugs (make sure they're new and not used -- ewww). Use them. If your eyes are closed you won't get that claustrophobic sense. I used this trick when we were driving down the Skyline drive. I get motion sick and on this trip I wasn't driving I was in the back seat. When the constant circling motion started getting to me I closed my eyes and it helped immensely. Hopefully it will do the same when you're having your test.

 

[Sarah G]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

Get a Xanax from your doc. You'll be amazed how much it helps.

 

[George Costanza]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

Get a Xanax from your doc. You'll be amazed how much it helps.

I took two Xanax tablets prior to a little "procedure" I had to have a couple of years ago. I was told to take one four hours before the procedure and then the other one just before the procedure. I took both of them just before the procedure. Badda-BOOM! Those bad boys are POWERFUL.

No way to get them today, alas - not enough time. (Maybe I can get a couple from one of my clients . . . . )

But I think I'm OK. As I may have mentioned, I THINK my eyes will be actually outside of the tube. This is, after all, a knee MRI. My doc said I won't have to go all the way in and I am also fairly tall (dark and handsome, as well, of course), so I am hopeful that I won't be sucked entirely into this enlarged piece of PVC pipe.

I will be glad when this is over. George Costanza never was very brave . . .

Edit Note: This just in! I had forgotten that my primary care physician is also a pal of mine. I have his iPhone number and can, therefore, send him a text message. I have done so. I may be able to pop a Xanax or two yet . . . .

 

[George Costanza]

I called my Doc a LOT of colorful names

"Guess there was more scar tissue in there than I thought"

Here is a list of (allegedly) actual comments made by colonoscopy patients to their doctors:

1."Take it easy Doc, you're boldly going where no man has gone before!"
2."Find Amelia Earhart yet?"
3."Can you hear me NOW?"
4."Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
5."You know in Arkansas we're now legally married."
6."Any sign of the trapped miners yet, Doc?"
7."You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out..."
8."Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"
9."If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!"
10."Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."
11."You used to be an executive at Enron didn't you?"
12."God, Now I know why I am not gay."
13."Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is in fact not up there." (our favorite)

My favorite is No. 6: ."Any sign of the trapped miners yet, Doc?"

Well, 9 hours to go until the MRI. But I'm not nervous . . . .

Some of those are hilarious!

George, it sounds like you're much more nervous about being in the machine, rather than the actual 'scan' part. I'm telling you, when you lay down on the table - close your eyes and just don't open them. I think they give you earplugs (make sure they're new and not used -- ewww). Use them. If your eyes are closed you won't get that claustrophobic sense. I used this trick when we were driving down the Skyline drive. I get motion sick and on this trip I wasn't driving I was in the back seat. When the constant circling motion started getting to me I closed my eyes and it helped immensely. Hopefully it will do the same when you're having your test.

Yup - the scan (noise, etc.) part doesn't bother me or, at least, I don't think it will. My only problem (prosepectively) is simply being in that damn tube. I am not a little person, which means it's going to be that much more confining for me than a smaller person. I will try to keep my eyes closed. Hopefully, as mentioned above, my eyes will be outside of the tube.

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

George, we will be anxiously awaiting an update on how it went!

 

[Sarah G]

Possible torn meniscus - right knee, lateral. Doc: "Can't tell without an MRI."

Oh, SHIT! Ever since they invented those things, I have lived in dread of having to go into one. It's scheduled for tomorrow at six p.m. (isn't that when they execute people in some countries?).

They let me take a look at it yesterday when I got the bad news from the doc. A woman was inside of it, also having a knee imaged. The only bright spot is, that this is a knee, not a spine, which means I may not have to go all the way in. The woman's nose was directly below the opening. MRI guy pointed out to me that I am significantly taller than the woman, so my nose (and more importatnly, my eyes) will probably be well out of the machine. God, I hope so.

I have never experienced claustrophobia, but that doesn't mean I can't have it when shoved into something like an MRI machine. I have never experienced panic from not being able to breathe, but I suspect such panic would come on real fast if I was being water boarded.

Anyway - anyone got an good news for me? Something to make me feel better as they slowly shove me in?

Get a Xanax from your doc. You'll be amazed how much it helps.

I took two Xanax tablets prior to a little "procedure" I had to have a couple of years ago. I was told to take one four hours before the procedure and then the other one just before the procedure. I took both of them just before the procedure. Badda-BOOM! Those bad boys are POWERFUL.

No way to get them today, alas - not enough time. (Maybe I can get a couple from one of my clients . . . . )

But I think I'm OK. As I may have mentioned, I THINK my eyes will be actually outside of the tube. This is, after all, a knee MRI. My doc said I won't have to go all the way in and I am also fairly tall (dark and handsome, as well, of course), so I am hopeful that I won't be sucked entirely into this enlarged piece of PVC pipe.

I will be glad when this is over. George Costanza never was very brave . . .

Edit Note: This just in! I had forgotten that my primary care physician is also a pal of mine. I have his iPhone number and can, therefore, send him a text message. I have done so. I may be able to pop a Xanax or two yet . . . .

They will do everything they can to make you more comfortable. Tell them to put a warm washcloth over your eyes, maybe turn a fan on, pillows under your arms, etc. I know, I get claustrophobic in those things too.

In fact, I won't go into an enclosed tube. Wide open mri for me only.