Re: Update, Verticle MRI

[Guest guest]

I appreciate the comments. I have had a hard time describing them to others as

well. It was my gp that first said it sounded like spinal tap headaches. Of

course I was 55 years old when he said. I think I figured out that I get about

four different kinds of headaches. What I would describe as my SB headaches are

located on the top rear of my head. I picture the cap the Jewish people ware and

that's pretty much the location. My apology to our Jewish friends for not know

what the caps called.

I had heard about the vertical MRI a couple of years ago. Sometimes a horizontal

wont show a problem with back, particularly if the person back problems occur

when they are standing up. In there brochure that's the application they showed.

I wouldn't say it's easy by any standard. Sitting still for 20 min at a time

with short break, for someone who hardly ever sits still was difficult. My back

did start hurting and I wish I had taken a little more pain medicine before I

started. I did take it at the half way point. The machine is open and I was able

to watch TV on a big screen the whole time. They say it's not as noisy, but that

might be from the fact is more open. My opinion is, it's still noisy. I put the

headphones on for the second go round.

I sat down, with my back toward the MRI. The tech fasten a set belt, just to

make sure you don't fall asleep and fall out. The chair moves back and up into

the MRI. It's like being in very narrow hallway. The tech placed a bar across

the front for my arms to rest on. The second go round I had a padded bar for my

forehead. I wish I had used one on the first go round. It allowed me relax a

little more. They did both a lower and upper spine. This is the fist time my

upper spine had been MRIed. By the way that part was okay. I was glad to find

this out.

I think it took 20 to 30 minutes for each session. As I said, I would not say it

was " easier " , but is sure can be an option if a person as problems with the

horizontal. My problem is laying on my back. As I stated I get headaches and

other problems. It took almost 3 hr's before I could sit up without extreme pain

and the feeling I was going out, with my last MRI, which I would have if I

didn't lay right back down. I did not want to go through that again.

I don't think there are lot these machines around yet. But I would guess major

cities have them available.

Woody