Imagine your head inside a snare drum for 1 1/4 hrs.

[cmd]

That's what it is like having an MRI of the head. It's bad enough having to lie perfectly still for 5 - 12 minutes at a time, but the noise was something else! You do get a few seconds break between each cycle. Then you get to wiggle your extremities, but your head still has to stay in the same position.

The sweet lady who was running the machine kept reminding me to lie still or she would have to start all over. My thoughts were, "like hell she will". I did make it through the whole series, but never want to do it again!

The reason for the test? A possible TIA (mini-stroke) or an optical migraine. I'll find out the results on Thursday.

[skygazer]

1. I've had an MRI

It wasn't so bad - the CAT scan with dye was worse. The dye makes your blood feel hot - you can feel it coursing through your body and especially in your head but you have to stay perfectly still. Very odd indeed.

I hope your results show good news. :hug:

[cmd]

2. I had dye for the second half

but didn't notice it at all.

[SmokingJacket]

3. I get optical migraines. What was your thing like?

Mine last about twenty minutes and they're like an expanding circle of glittery light. No pain. When they're gone I feel foggy and crappy and have a vague headache.

I never had an MRI, though. Sounds awful!

[cmd]

8. It was over in less than a minute

I could no focus my eyes. They were darting everywhere. It began with a warm flush from my shoulders up, then the vision thing started. I didn't have a headache, but felt nauseous for quite a while afterward. I think the computer triggered it. It was the day the guy ran down the crosses in Crawford. I was scrolling rapidly through the posts when it hit. I've had several moments since then when I've felt that something was going to happen. I quickly look away from the screen when the feeling comes on.

[trof]

12. Opthalmic migraines. Me too. they're called "flashers".

Like prisms in your peripheral vision.
Rarely goes to the headache stage.
Stress is a major cause.

[graywarrior]

4. How does an optical migraine differ from a migraine?

[cmd]

9. No big headache

vision is affected

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Every six months.

And you never get used to them. Sorry you had to go through that.

[cmd]

6. Sorry about that

Every six months is far too often.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Every 6 months? Yikes!

[Jamastiene]

10. I don't envy you. That sounds like torture. Hope you are

well though. I'd hate to think you are having ministrokes or migraines. I've had the migraines. They make you want to crawl under a rock and die just to get relief from the pain.

[AVulgarianHue]

11. The only way to handle an MRI..

earplugs and Xanax.

[trof]

13. First time it happened I thought I had a brain tumor.

I still get them from time to time, but not nearly as much as when I was flying. Lots of stress.

[Politically_Wrong]

14. I have had about 20 MRI's...

Sitting completely still for 30-45 minutes is not fun...plus that noise is soooooo annoying...but about 20 minutes into you can kind of make a rhythm into it...which helps...kinda...