new appreciation for water torture
Mar. 16th, 2007 10:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
indigo_rose99Af first when she straps you down, it doesn't hurt.
The table moves you into position. There is a pillow under your head. Music in your ears. Even the rhythmic grinding sound isn't too bad. Sometimes it even vibrates the table, so you can pretend it is a relaxing massage. You try not to look at the solid wall 6 inches from your nose, or notice the fact that both of your elbows are touching walls.
You could not sit up if you wanted. You are strapped down, truly trapped.
When the pain starts, it is just a gentle nagging. But it increases in intensity until you would do practically ANYTHING to move. Just to make the pain stop.
Yes, this is just the first 4 minutes.
When she asks how you are doing, you say, "Could I shift just a bit?" "As long as it isn't your spine." Of course. That would be the problem area.
When she pulls you out at last, you shift in relief and ask delaying questions. "What exactly is this machine doing?" "Oh, it is sending magnetic radio waves through your body to excite the water molecules. Then we take pictures as the molecules shift back into position." ....Um... Is this a good thing or a really bad thing?
You shift your legs into a new position. Ah, relief! And the table slides you back in...
Two minutes later the pain is back. More loud grinding noises. Five minutes after that you are wondering if this is doing permanent damage to your spine. You wish desperately that both of your legs had started this session in at least symmetric positions. Aaaaah, the pain! Don't move, because if you move, you will have to do this All Over Again.
Your left arm tingles, then goes dead. At first you are cold, grateful for the blanket... then you get very warm. You pant through the pain and try to think about other things... Like, where is the fresh air coming from? Oh, yes, the vents 6 inches from your nose.
Pain, pain, painpainpainpain....
...
My spinal MRI lasted an hour today. A really, really long hour. The bright spot in the day was getting a new prescription for painkillers. Drugs, now!
Later note: The experience cost me $520 out of my pocket. Yes, after insurance. Why did I do this again?
The table moves you into position. There is a pillow under your head. Music in your ears. Even the rhythmic grinding sound isn't too bad. Sometimes it even vibrates the table, so you can pretend it is a relaxing massage. You try not to look at the solid wall 6 inches from your nose, or notice the fact that both of your elbows are touching walls.
You could not sit up if you wanted. You are strapped down, truly trapped.
When the pain starts, it is just a gentle nagging. But it increases in intensity until you would do practically ANYTHING to move. Just to make the pain stop.
Yes, this is just the first 4 minutes.
When she asks how you are doing, you say, "Could I shift just a bit?" "As long as it isn't your spine." Of course. That would be the problem area.
When she pulls you out at last, you shift in relief and ask delaying questions. "What exactly is this machine doing?" "Oh, it is sending magnetic radio waves through your body to excite the water molecules. Then we take pictures as the molecules shift back into position." ....Um... Is this a good thing or a really bad thing?
You shift your legs into a new position. Ah, relief! And the table slides you back in...
Two minutes later the pain is back. More loud grinding noises. Five minutes after that you are wondering if this is doing permanent damage to your spine. You wish desperately that both of your legs had started this session in at least symmetric positions. Aaaaah, the pain! Don't move, because if you move, you will have to do this All Over Again.
Your left arm tingles, then goes dead. At first you are cold, grateful for the blanket... then you get very warm. You pant through the pain and try to think about other things... Like, where is the fresh air coming from? Oh, yes, the vents 6 inches from your nose.
Pain, pain, painpainpainpain....
...
My spinal MRI lasted an hour today. A really, really long hour. The bright spot in the day was getting a new prescription for painkillers. Drugs, now!
Later note: The experience cost me $520 out of my pocket. Yes, after insurance. Why did I do this again?
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no subject
Date: 2007-03-20 06:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-20 04:02 pm (UTC)On one hand, I'm slightly comforted that my case is so minor as to be brushed off in this manner, but still left with a feeling of "So what DO you know?!"