Pain during MRI
 

so I went for an MRI of lower spine and Im laying down.(i was at pain level 8)
the machine starts taking images and all of a sudden my whole body (More so the RSD affected areas) starts screaming in pain .(levels increased to way past 10) it felt as if my insides were being slowly pulled out my pores using tiny piping hot needles while my bones were shattering at the same time. has this happened to any one.. ? I still have more MRI,s that My spine specialist wants done and Im scared to do them now.. I never cried in pain due to an MRI before.. I then had an EMG at my neurologists 2 days ago. And I still feel like those damn needles are being twisted inside my legs and the shocker is still zinging me…

I had an MRI before my oopherectomy and the only time it made my rsd flare up was when they injected my (at the time) non rsd arm with dye for the images to be taken. I hope you don't have this problem again and feel better soon. Take care.

Dear painman,

Did you have a contrast MRI? Were your prior MRI's contrast?

My first MRI was NOT with contrast and I had some wierd and unexpected feelings and they were a bit frightening. Did not happen with my 2nd or 3rd MRI. But my 4th MRI did the same thing as my 1st one. First and fourth gave me burning sensations, also.

I have NO idea why they were different. None were with contrast so it was not an allergic reaction to the dye since there was none.

Wish I had an answer for you.

Brutal!
 

Yikes!! Oh wow painman, how brutal! I am so sorry this happened to you! As I was reading your post I could imagine exactly the scenario. Made me hurt for you. Were you able to get them to at least stop the machine?

I have spinal issues and have had more MRI's than I can count or remember, but I have not had what you experienced, happen to me. I wish I had some profound words of wisdom. The only thing that it makes me think of is energy. Perhaps the energy of the machine was latching onto the energy in you? Were you unusually stressed before the MRI? Heck, I'm reaching... I really have no idea just thinking as I type. I sure hope someone else here has some ideas for you.

I know how important these tests are. I hope that your feeling better now.

MRIs effected my wife profoundly. Flares every time. What she did was she searched for an Open MRI. No tube but a chair like thing instead. She was able to tolerate the MRIs. I attached a site that describes these kind of MRIs.

http://www.washingtonopenmri.com/

I have issues with MRIs flaring up my RSD pain. I'm very sensitive to sounds like that and even the slightest vibrations though...so I assume that's why I have issues with the MRIs.

I have had many, many MRI's in the past (prior to SCS's) and never had a problem other than the discomfort of the positions. This is very interesting and something to keep in mind seeing that many have had problems with them. Now, the EMGs I had were awful, that pain lingered each time!

So sorry you had such a hard time with it painman, hope you get relief soon!!
Nanc
:hug:

upright mri
 

MRI's affect me also that is why when I need one Iam fully sedated and given ketamine while under and then given iv pain meds when done which helps alot. So when you go in II would ask if they could do it with sedation.

Oh man I really feel badly for your experience! I have enough of those types of symptoms at times but I cannot imagine having them amlified to that degree.
Thanks for sharing, I've never had an MRI yet but now I know to be prepared in case I have a similar reaction.
If there's a next time I'd insist on sedation!