[jaynedough]

My doctors have told me a few times that I'm going to need an MRI of my spine soon. I've had a couple of MRIs in the past. I've been on antipsychotics for a long time and have some akathisia. The last time I had an MRI, it was just for a torn Achilles. The longer I was in there, the harder it became to hold still. I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen and if so, how did you handle it?

(Mods.... Not sure if this is the best place to post this. Please feel free to move it. )

[healingme4me]

I did have trouble my last spine mri, i twitched a bit in discomfort. Of course those are the lovely hour plus long ones, glad brain isn't as lengthy.
Is a mild sedative an option? With this movement disorder, is your doctor or the technician advising what can be done?

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[jaynedough]

Thanx for responding, Healing. I should've thought of asking you. Did the tech complain when you moved? If I can have brief times when I can move even a tiny bit, it'd be helpful. They've always said not to move at all and I've been embarrassed to ask. I didn't really know why I was having issues before. Didn't even realize I was in constant motion until I was in group therapy and someone got mad b/c I wouldn't sit still. And a couple years later, my dad was watching me nap and when I woke up, he said, "You even twitch in your sleep." When my docs brought up the MRI issue, I just said, "You're gonna have to knock me out for that." They didn't ask why and dropped the issue. I think they may've assumed I was trying to be difficult.

Since my mom died, I don't really have anyone I can ask for help with stuff. I might be able to ask my brother if he knows far enough in advance when he'll be in the area for his job. Hmmm.... Now I'm wondering if there are any volunteers around here who do transports.

Thanx, Healing.... You've given me some hope on this.

[healingme4me]

The tech didn't notice, but the doctor stated a couple of the pics were a little fuzzy. Each round of pics goes a couple minutes at a time. Maybe the tech and you can work something out so you can adjust between segments?? I'm now feeling to used to mri machines. Had my first in '00. Then '07-'14 had one or two a year. Might have missed a year.

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[jaynedough]

Thanks! That's funny about what your friend said.

With my dad, i think that was the first time he realized that even my sleep is affected by my issues.

Also, thanx for explaining about each series is a couple of minutes. I kept thinking that if I moved at all, I'd screw up the whole thing.

[healingme4me]

You're welcome. My techs have given time frames each step of the way. Plus there's that button that they give. Haven't used it, but it's there.

It's almost like which came first, the chicken or the egg where is sleep the causation or the effect?

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[pinkflower17]

Originally Posted by jaynedough

My doctors have told me a few times that I'm going to need an MRI of my spine soon. I've had a couple of MRIs in the past. I've been on antipsychotics for a long time and have some akathisia. The last time I had an MRI, it was just for a torn Achilles. The longer I was in there, the harder it became to hold still. I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen and if so, how did you handle it?

(Mods.... Not sure if this is the best place to post this. Please feel free to move it. )

I have myoclonus from brain stem damage (essentially involuntary repetitive twitches) and have to have fairly frequent brain and neck MRIs. They actually have to intubate me and use general anesthesia because I twitch so much it interferes with the picture quality. Have you ever tried taking Cogentin or Benadryl? Does that control the akathisia?

[jaynedough]

Hi Pinkflower17,
Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry that you have to go through that. I definitely don't have strong twitches like that. I take Benadryl every night and it does help keep the "walkies" at bay.

Healing, thanks (yet again ) I never would've thought of asking the techs to give me time frames. The sleep thing definitely impacts my health, mental and physical.

[healingme4me]

I'll be a pocket rider, when you do have to go.

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[HALLIEBETH87]

I had one recently on brain, neck and spine. I took valium before I went and it helped A LOT! But...lol it made me tired and I would doze off and start breathing weird or jerk waking back up and she had to retake some. It seemed to last forever! (2 hours.) I had it with and without contrast.

Hope it all goes well!!!!