[Ghostofmyself]

Hi everyone. I have been dx with generalized anxiety disorder, major depression and PTSD. But today's fear and panic are brought to you by the letters MRI- specifically, an MRI on my knee. I am 45yrs old- and an ex smoker. My fear circles around lung cancer. My Dad was dx with stage 4 nsclc in 2012 and passed away that same year. My twin brother was dx with stage 4 nsclc in 2016 and is still fighting it. They are not the only 2 people with this same dx in my family. Dad's was dx'ed during an MRI on his hip- they saw a tumor and did a biopsy and found the lung cancer that way. Needless to say- I am terrified. My MRI is tomorrow and I think I probably won't sleep until after it's over.
How do you push through this without fainting? How do you make yourself "do the right thing" and have the test done even though you are terrified? My whole life might change in the blink of an eye. I just don't know what is better... knowing or not knowing.

[mote.of.soul]

Just put one foot in front of the other and face the MRI with great courage Ghostofmyself, it'll be okay. I'm a very intuitive person and, yes, I can tell you're going to be fine. I'm sorry it's been a difficult path you're facing, though.

[TishaBuv]

I just had an MRI and I fell asleep during it.

Just because you worry doesn’t mean you can control your body and health. You must take the MRI to help your health. Not taking it would make matters worse, should you really have something that could be caught and treated.

Best wishes, T

[Travelinglady]

Are you worried it will show cancer? If by a slim chance, it does, then you could get it treated and dealt with. MRIs do not cause cancer. If they did, then I'd be dead a long time ago! I think I've about paid for one machine.

You'll just need to stick your leg in. Your head will be out. It's just sort of noisy, sounding like someone's tearing up a street with a jack hammer sometimes. I've usually been given earphones, so I can listen to music, at least when I've had to stick my whole body into the thing.

It'll be okay. I have GAD and sailed through. You will, too!

[IrisBloom]

A few years ago I went to ER with what I thought was appendicitis. They x-rayed me and found no appendicitis, but did find a large tumor on my left kidney. I had to have the kidney removed and have been fine ever since. Yes, I was scared to death and worried if it was cancer and had spread. Luckily it was cancer but not spread beyond the kidney. My main point is, I have been suicidal many times and thought I really wanted to check out. But when it came right down to it, I discovered I would do whatever it took to keep living and would go thru whatever treatment I had to to keep living.

Worrying helps nothing and usually things are not as bad as you imagine they are. BTW, your whole body probably won't be put into the MRI machine if it is your knee. But, whatever they find can be dealt with.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm an ex-smoker too, and one side of my family tree is riddled with cancer-caused deaths (including both of my parents). I found out, though, that I was more concerned with claustrophobia than finding anything on an MRI. If it's just your knee they may not put you in above your waist.

I hope your appt. went well and you can get help for your knee.