NeuroTalk Support Groups - My MRI and what I have learned! part 1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by seiko (Post 413533)

Hi Lynlee:
Here is an interesting data:
"in a poll of 105 organizations participating in a dial in seminar organized by a non profit health service research firm(ECRI) in September found nearly 60 percent have had MRI "incidents" including projectiles, burns, interference with implants. Most such incidents are not reported to food and drug administration, because reporting is voluntary and varies.(nuclear medicine news NOV 13, 2005)

We really do not clear picture of incidents in regard to MRI as they do not all get reported.
It is so important to report all incidents.

I did extensive research on what to expect from my MRI before the procedure, so the noise was expected.

I would like to know if there are any laws out there which says when a patient press the distress call... respond to them immediately???

(I called my state health department and there are no set laws in regard to response time for patients distress call, the MRI facility that I went to operates like a doctor's office so they are self regulated)

hi

one CT scan is equal to 3 years background radiation but if we need to have them done what other options do we have

I have yet to find a single article on..

I have yet to find a single article on the effect of too much radio frequency on the body.

If radio frequency is so safe why does FDA has limits on it?

and if it is not, why do incidents of overexposure are still happening??

What is being done to prevent human error?

Covering incidents by lack of information is no longer acceptable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vini (Post 414061)

hi

one CT scan is equal to 3 years background radiation but if we need to have them done what other options do we have

Hi vini, I think it is safe to say that most of us are aware of effect of too much radiation on the body.But how many of us are aware of effect of too much radio frequency on the body?? ......

I've had many mri's

Hi seiko,

Sorry to hear that you had such a scary incident with MRI. I've had so many MRI's, I can't even count them - seriously! More than 7 brain MRI's, and 2 back MRI's. I haven't *ever* had an experience like that.

The MRI machines are typically a big tube, like a straw. You must have been given a poor description of what an open MRI machine is like. No machine is just a big bed, without sides. They all have sides to get a more clear picture of the anatomy. I think it's pretty amazing that they could get imaging of your brain without a top above you!

Anyway, onto the burning sensation. You are told to lie completely still, to get a clear image. As you lay there, the sides of the machine move back and forth, rotates, click and "wah-wah" away. Perhaps the MRI machine without the top has a different way of getting the image of the top. I don't know.

Just thought I'd share my knowledge & experience - hope it makes you feel a teeny bit better. Maybe not.
Hugs 2u,
Shez

Quote:

Originally Posted by shezbut (Post 424356)

Hi Shez, the MRI was supposed to be an open MRI. I looked like a closed MRI except the sides were open.I still went through the tube. This was not a "true open MRI".
I talked to some people who said that this MRI was not an open MRI. I asked them so if it is not open what was it? He said it was a regular MRI , and false advertising.

I received an email from a lady a few weeks ago...she had the same experience as I did. She also tried making a complain to the facility and the doctor, but they all made her feel that it was her problem.

I am glad that you did not have any incidents, and yes it was very traumatic being stuck in the machine with the heat sensation and unresponsive technician.Here is some more data:

Pennsylvania is the only state that requires mandatory reporting of all MRI incidents (under Pennsylvania Act 13 of 2003). "Over a 10 year period the FDA cataloged a total of 389 incidents in MRI facilities across the US (an average rate of less than one incident per state per year). Contrast this with the data from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority which, over just a 16-month period, tallied 88 MRI incidents from those facilities which are subject to mandatory state reporting".