The Tests…

Posted on November 29, 2003 by Christine | 25 Comments

I went to the hospital this morning for my veneous and arterial doppler. I got there extra early, but fortunately they were able to move me through pretty fast. My first test was at 9:30, but I was ready for it by 9:05! When I went in to radialogy for the dopplers, I was informed that they can’t do both on the same day (insurance reasons), so I now I get to set up another appointment for the arterial doppler. Of course, the scheduling office is closed on Saturday, so I have to wait until Monday to do that.

Whenever I have blood drawn, the techs always comment on what small veins I have. I almost always end up having it drawn from my hand instead of my arm. I learned today that I also have small veins in my legs – she had a very hard time imaging them for the test. So small that even drinking a ton of water to make sure I am well hydrated doesn’t help.

Then I went over for the MRI. You are asked many times if you are claustrophobic, and I said no – I didn’t think I was. I can handle small rooms and small places just fine.

I can not handle the MRI machine.

The tech gave me earplugs and sent me in to the machine. She asked if I was ok, and at first I started to say that I was – and then I realized that I felt like I was trapped and I couldn’t breathe and my heart was racing and it was too tight and I couldn’t handle it ohmygodgetmeout! She brought me out, let me catch my breath, let me sit up so I felt better, and reassured me that it was ok and she would take as long as I needed. I decided to test it out with my eyes closed, and that did the trick for the most part. I didn’t like feeling the walls against my arms, but as long as I kept my eyes closed and breathed in and out slowly with long deep breaths, I was ok for the most part. I almost had her pull me out again before the last test, but decided to just stick it out through the last 4 minutes. The entire drive home I felt like my heart was racing though – not fun at all.

Next time I get to do an MRI, I think I’m going to get someone to drive me, and I’m going for the Xanax that she suggested.

They will be faxing the results to my doctor on Tuesday, if not sooner, so until then it’s just a matter of waiting. That, and trying to figure out where I’m going to come up with the money to cover my deductible. Ugh.

Mike’s parents came in to town on Wednesday, and we had dinner together that night at Josephine’s, then Thanksgiving Day was spent with them at my parent’s house, and yesterday we went to Galveston. Today they are visiting Rice and seeing some other sights while Jason and I are going to the downtown library to pick up books for his science fair project on catapults. Then we are all getting together this afternoon at the Museum of Natural Science to visit the butterfly exhibit. It’s been quite a nice holiday!

Category: BlahBlahBabble Comments: 25 Comments

Comments

25 Responses to “The Tests…”

jen (46 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 1:01 pm

what a beautiful day to go to the butterfly exhibit! have fun!
Matt (43 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 1:07 pm

I have small veins too. It must be related to spork adoration.
Chris (32 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 2:54 pm

Funny…you never hear anything good about MRIs. I miss Galveston!! Enjoy!
Heather
November 29th, 2003 @ 3:01 pm

Hey there Christine, word of advise for the MRI machine.. I have had like 6 MRI’s done so I have gotten used to it but take the Xanax like 30 min BEFORE the MRI time and you will be ok.. Make sure they put the ear plugs in right too and there are some machines that have head phones too that they have playing music in them. I was taking pain killers too when I first had them done.
chris (2 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 3:58 pm

The Xanax would probably help with the anxiety. I’ve never had one, but it sounds very strange. BTW, my veins are invisible.
Laserone (57 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 5:27 pm

I have troublesome veins, too. They always have to use my hands, too. I prefer it, cuz it hurts less, although my Dr. thinks I’m crazy cuz that’s supposed to hurt *more*, but not me. It hurts less, to me. When the blood bank made a new rule, “no blood from hands” I had to stop donating, it hurt too much.

Down here we have “open mri” machines, but not all places have them.
Sara
November 29th, 2003 @ 6:17 pm

I had an awful time with an OPEN MRI and I’m extremely claustrophobic. I had to have it done with and without dye so I was in there for almost an hour total. 30 minutes before the dye for the contrast and 30 minutes after. I told hubby I will have to either be stoned or severely drunk to do it again.

I drink tons of water before they try and find my veins. Mine hide and roll. I have had them popped a few times. I extend my arm straight out and downward at an angle holding a fist. Once the needle is in (a butterfly one, like they use on kids!) I relax my fist and it’s fine. I have to get it done every 6 months.

I hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving!
Jen (15 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 7:14 pm

Amen on the tiny veins. When I go in for my blood tests each week, they almost always have to take it out of my hand.

You might try asking for a butterfly needle, or seeing of a pediatric nurse can do the draw. Sometimes they’re better with little bitty veins.
Christine (1072 comments.)
November 29th, 2003 @ 9:26 pm

They almost always have to use the butterfly syringe on my hands when I have blood drawn. Today’s test didn’t involve drawing blood – it was imaging the veins in my legs to make sure I didn’t have a blood clot anywhere along the main veins. Problem was my veins are *so* small, she had to press REALLY hard to image some of them! Ouch, ouch, ouch!

Like Laserone, having bloodwork drawn from my hands normally hurts less. I think it might have to do with the fact that when they draw from my arm, they probably spend 5-10 minutes thumping on it trying to find a vein. They never like to admit defeat either and just draw it from the hand!
kathy (274 comments.)
November 30th, 2003 @ 12:18 am

the last time i ever had blood drawn on my veins, i think i was like 5 years old. i don’t even know what my blood type is.

i don’t think i’m clausterphobic, but i think i would get clausterphobic in that MRI machine simply because i’m conscious while they’re scanning me.
Rori
November 30th, 2003 @ 3:52 am

Go for Xanax whenever you can. Heck, make a day of it.

MRIs do not bother me, but I am with you on the small veins. They act like I did something bad… lol
tj
November 30th, 2003 @ 7:42 am

i don’t have tiny veins, but i have deep veins. *poke* *poke* *poke* *poke*

the next day i always look like a heroin addict or something. bruises, trackmarks, holes. ugh.

hope everything’s ok with your mri. *crosses fingers*
Crankydragon (20 comments.)
November 30th, 2003 @ 10:41 am

Ditto what other people have said on the Open MRI machines. I’ve had it done a few times and no problems for me. As for drawing blood, no help for you there. *plop* [Crankydragon hitting the flor in a dead faint]
ben (28 comments.)
November 30th, 2003 @ 5:54 pm

Hope everything’s OK.
abs (6 comments.)
December 1st, 2003 @ 3:52 am

I love LOVE lurve butterflies. It is a wing thing : )

abs x
Gordon (26 comments.)
December 1st, 2003 @ 4:02 am

Hmmm I’ve always wondered about those MRI machines, and thought I’d be fine but just your description got me all panicky!

And veins/needles… *shudder*

Yes, it’s official. I’m a big woose!
shortt (4 comments.)
December 1st, 2003 @ 9:13 am

hope all is well. MRI’s are tough. good work tho.
Mike (3 comments.)
December 1st, 2003 @ 9:52 am

If I’m feeling that way, closing my eyes only makes it worse. I can’t tell that the walls are really not getting closer to me, so I have to keep my eyes open. The open MRI machine was a lot better though.
syd (44 comments.)
December 1st, 2003 @ 5:31 pm

Oh my goodness. I am so clausterphobic I got panicky reading your account. I hope you are doing well.
jenblossom (8 comments.)
December 1st, 2003 @ 9:26 pm

UGH. MRIs are amazing things, but having them done is just horrid! Hope everything turns out well for you!
Katherine (22 comments.)
December 2nd, 2003 @ 12:08 am

i’ll be thinking of you!
don (59 comments.)
December 3rd, 2003 @ 12:24 am

I know what you mean!! I had to have a MRI done about 5 years ago. Even though the logical portion of your brain KNOWS that you’ll just lie there and nothing adverse will happen – it didn’t stop me from coming VERY close to freaking out!
Kate
December 3rd, 2003 @ 11:54 pm

I might be a little late on this, but the best advice I have gotten regarding MRI’s is to have the tech put a washcloth over your eyes. I am totally claustrophobic but for some reason I don’t panic if I can’t see how closed in I am although I ‘know’ that I am. Just don’t let your arms hit the sides and you will remain clueless. Good luck!
Teen
September 10th, 2004 @ 10:43 am

Hey, hope everything works out with your MRI, I’m having one done next week for the first time and I’m a little nervous about the needle part and being enclosed, even though I don’t think I’ve had any claustraphobic experiences! Advice would be greatly appreciated!
jayba
January 25th, 2006 @ 2:55 pm

I no how u feel i am very claustrophobic and cant even walk through the hallways of my high school aymore. I hope you feel better okay

The Tests…

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