hospital appointment on a saturday

Person_one

aliasojo wrote: »

Btw...did anyone take their own jammies or joggers or whatever or did everyone just use the hospital gowns. I've got the option of choosing.

I went in in my own clothes, didn't get changed at all. Go with what you feel most comfortable in.

You'll be able to take deep breaths, and that's a good thing to focus on when you're in there. Meditate!

custardy

aliasojo wrote: »

Like custardy mentioned above, I was expecting a large machine (as in 'House') but I saw an actual scanner on the news the other night and was surprised at how small it was. Clearly we haven't reached US proportions yet. However, I'm a bit concerned as my @ss is of US proportions. (Ok I exaggerate slightly but I am kinda thinking I might be squashed as well as trapped. :rotfl:

I can't say the cage is something I'm looking forward to. I tend to want to take much deeper breaths than usual when I'm feeling a tad anxious and I'm concerned I will only be able to 'shallow' breath for some reason.

Ach for 40 minutes I'm sure I shall endure.



Good grief, I've not seen that one written anywhere. I'm glad you mentioned it. If I feel anything along those lines I'll know not to be concerned. Thanks.

(I might have been worried my face was melting. :D)

Thanks both.


Btw...did anyone take their own jammies or joggers or whatever or did everyone just use the hospital gowns. I've got the option of choosing.

most seemed incapable of reading the letter when i went in
most were wearing clothes with metal and had to put gowns on
I was wearing suitable clothes so went straight in
I think they prefer you in your own clothes as its quicker for them

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I wore track bottoms, fabric sports bra and T shirt, because everything has to be metal free (including any drawstring/laces). Far more comfortable than a gown that doesn't do up properly. Warmer, too, just in case the heating isn't up high enough in the area. Oh, and seeing as I couldn't wear my glasses into the room, I had a fairly good chance of going a--- over ---, so didn't fancy displaying everything to all and sundry in the process

So trackies won.


One MRI was worse, but I was probably more stressed due to other factors on that occasion, so was finding it harder to concentrate on my breathing as I was thinking too much.

The face thing isn't something I've heard from anyone else, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. And that was a different machine to the one I found worse.

System

I wore a gown last time, with a vest-top underneath. The gowns seemed to be all one size and the neck-hole was slipping off my shoulders! It is quite hard to find clothes which have absolutely no metal in them. Skirts tend to have zips or fasteners, as do undergarments, and shoes.

Person_one

I went in wearing jeans, I asked if the metal bits would be a problem and was told no. My groin didn't attach itself to the machine either thankfully!

aliasojo

I'm surprised at that P_o, all the advice stuff I've read says not to wear jeans or less obvious things like an underwired bra. Not that that would be much of an issue for custardy.

I've just committed the cardinal sin of googling symptoms and and I think I now realise why the consultant asked certain things and why he said he wanted to rule something out as well as perhaps ruling something in, via the MRI and other thing I can't remember the name of.

I'm hoping I'm wrong.

I wish I could just stay off the internet. :rotfl:

lostinrates

I had a head MRI last summer.


I took diazepam as though I am normally calm about proceedures last summer was very difficult and I found I was reacting emotionally.

The head cage is fine, it's a little claustrophobic, but it's ok. What it does mean is that you don't get music the machine is quite loud and instead you have to pass the time trying to hear what it's 'trying to say' (like trains say 'I think I can, I think I can)

I wore my own clothes (a long jersey dress that was soft and comfortable, but covered me everywhere) in preference to hospital wear.


They spent a long time arranging mirrors, a long time.

Then going in I realised how small it was, and as my arm brushed the side I started to panic (has anyone seen the you tube cat that says, 'oh no no no no no no) ...that was me. They pulled me out immediately and though I was very embarrassed at my babyish behaviour and said I was ok to go back in, they were kind and wanted me to take some time to relax. If you need to do this, do it. It helped me a lot.

This time, once in they did a mirror check and mine was totally worng. But.....I didn't care. Going in and out is, for me, the worst bit, and I asked to be left in with the mirror angle wrong and just to get on with it. This was a better choice for me.

Second time in I was better prepared and knew it was only for however long and Just braced myself. It's warm but not hot, I actually liked the temperature, it was pleasant.

Keeping still I find hard. I found it hard not to tap my toe to the banging and clunking of the machine, but you mustn't.


The things to remember is it is not in any way painful. It's difficult because you are not in control and you are 'trapped' but it's quite comfortable. Also, of you need help take a relaxant. For me it's worth it.

Regarding the breathing, there is no problem whatsoever breathing. You might be asked not to wriggle when it only feels like you are breathing deeply though, so remember for short bursts you need to stay very, very still.

I hope everyone's results are good.

aliasojo

lostinrates wrote: »

They spent a long time arranging mirrors, a long time.

What are the mirrors for?

lostinrates

aliasojo wrote: »

What are the mirrors for?

Oh, sorry. The mirrors are so you can see out, to the medical team, so you have some view, and some 'eyecontact' and feel safer. A bit like a rear view mirror in a car, or using a periscope.

Tbh, I just kept my eyes shut. Seeing people doesn't really help me. If they relax too much I think 'take my health seriously, don't do a little jig while I am stuck in here!' and if they are too serious I thnk ' that's it, it's the worst news.

:o

Dramatic, me?:o

aliasojo

I don't want mirrors. I don't want to see people either. My eyes will be firmly shut the whole time and should they peep open for a second, the last thing I want to see is someone staring back at me. :rotfl:

Thanks.