It seems a scary, dangerous and frightening thing to go thru. The FIRST TIME.
For most of the folks here who've been around a while? It's old hat!
Here is one web site on MRI tests:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003335.htm
If you feel you need more info, web up: MRI tests.
IF you are anxious? It's kind of short notice to ask your doc for some pre-meds... so? Just remember to ask for ear plugs [the test IS noisy] and think good things as it shouldn't normally last more than 15-20 minutes...mostly trying to 'KEEP STILL'! I for one, always feel stiff and sore afterwards? But it wears off w/a couple of asperin or the like.
Don't worry if they use a contrast...they'll inject it into you to get a higher resolution and better pictures-thus test results. Depends on what your docs asked for w/the test. IF your doc gave you a copy of the 'orders' for the test? Make a copy and that can help you later learn more about where they mite be looking for the 'what?s'.
Some MRI places are good in that IF you ASK for a copy of the test results[In my case, I've got a bakers' dozen of docs] so I can get a copy, and bring a copy of my copy to each other doc I see. If they get squirrelly about that? Ask the doc who ordered the tests for a copy...tho they may want to charge you about $20, or so? It's really useful to get these results and look them up yourself - you can learn a LOT about YOU!
Yeah, most folks don't 'understand', others often are afraid to understand..do you get my drift? OR you get more than ten earsfull of THEIR complaints! Sometimes it's best to be cool about it? What I did w/my family [who didn't understand] was send them printed pages from NIH of what I finally got diagnosed with! Then they knew I wasn't 'inventing' something, And thus backed off- at least a bit. NIH is kind of hard to dispute.
I'll be crossing my fingers for you tomorrow! My toes don't work and my eyes don't cross tho! You'll do fine, and the better you get thru this test? There are always others! So don't be afraid to ask about them! 's!!-j

needed to hear it, thanks. test was ok. will get hard copy on thursday after i see neurosurgeon. had to make tough decision about work. this isnt in my head (made up) and i am just going to shut phone down and ignore job calling me. what calls, i didn't get any messages. they didn't put me on schedule yet and know i was having an apt with dr on thursday. they want it clarified return to work for 4 hour shifts and increase as tolerated. they haven't been very helpful in all this and at this time i can't even make it past 1 hr without bad pain. 4 hrs work yesterday and i am still so stiff, achy and sore. don't know what mri showed but i know my body. interested to see how dr will deal with my not being able to work. if she won't keep me out for now my pcp might or i quite. about time to be assertive with my health. sorry to rant but these were hard decisions to make, i'm normally passive when it comes to work issues. i'll let you know what dr says on thursday. and thanks for listening it helps

You get some written instructions/orders from the docs about you going back to work! MAKE a COPY FOR YOUR OWN RECORDS THO? So, if they try and take 'things' out of context? You KNOW what the real context was!
I've had bosses who tried to do that to me too - after a very bad concussion. IF they'd had me there F/T? It'd be a total waste of time in the short and long run!
Put your 'game face' on, and save the fangs for later! GET DIAGNOSED FIRST!
That is the most important short and long term thing you must do!
Good luck and 's - j

got a copy for my records. saw pcp when my husband had apt. today. guess what i didnt know i couldnt do- get up from the chair without using my hands. the doc told me if mri doest show whats wrong i need to go see a neurologist. don't know what he can do that the neurosurgeon can't do, but i trust my pcp. i told her about my attempt at work and she wrote a note not to work. we shall see what happens.

As on that neuroexam site I provided a couple of posts before. Thing is? Neurologists are trained in hundreds of various neruo problems... some of them essentially structural [as in spinal], others are environmental [as in where you work or live..some THINGS aren't safe tho you are there?] and others are hereditary or autoimmune responses..these can and do get squirreley as there are soo many things any one person has or could have?
Make an appt with a good neuro..ask the GP for three good names and then research the web out on them! Find what neuro seems to be most close to what problems you mite have? Of course, easier said than done. THEN Make the APPT.. and wait the 4-6 weeks for IT! Then? Wait for the next when tests will be set up...Then Wait for results.. But each step checks what IT's NOT off the possible list of AWFULS it could be! JUST? NEVER, EVER accept that it's 'ALL in your HEAD!'. Don't give up or give in on YOURSELF. YOU know somethings not right.. get tested out the wazoo and find out!
That way? You know you've done your durndest to try and find out!
's - j

I know what your going through although I went through surgery already I still have the tingling and numbness and now pain in left elbow 2nd nerve test confirmed I am still pinched in left arm. So I am scheduled to see my ortho who did surgery on the 21 st.

Try a ortho if you haven't already I don't know where you live but I live in Tennessee and if I can help don't feel shy ask for referrals from us

Dear Snookie, I have to tell you something, I didn't mind the MRI and the CT scans at all. I was so surrounded by this incredible machine, I actually paid attention to what each of them did. CT is quick as a rule. The MRI Loud. Even when I was in real pain, it went fast. I wanted the tests very much to figure out what was wrong, I was glad to be there. Good luck and do not be afraid of these tests. Even with contrast, not so bad. Ginnie