My challenges with having MRI's

This afternoon I went to a radiology place because I had an appointment for two MRI’s, one for my left shoulder and one for my left knee.

I was very nervous about this appointment, so I had my friend go with me. When we first got to the building, I knew that we needed to go downstairs, but then I had to look around once we took the stairs. I found the door that said "Imaging." Then I realized that I had been there before, but as usual I forgot this little detail. Oh well, it just seems to happen!

After a short time, they called me into the other section where the MRI’s are done. She showed me where I could change into a johnny. First, I needed to use the ladies’ room and another patient pointed to where it was. I had no trouble finding it, but when I got out of the bathroom, I wasn’t quite sure which way to go. When nothing looked familiar to me, I realized that I had gone the wrong way. I just turned around and I walked slowly and I finally found my way back to where the room was that I had to get changed, remembering all of the instructions that I had been told.

I think that it was a nurse who asked me some questions, such as whether I was allergic to any medications. I remembered that there were three that I was allergic to. Then she asked about any medications that I take. I told her that this wasn’t something that I could remember, so I gave her an index card that had all my medications written down. She started explaining any bad side effects from the procedure. I told her that I probably wouldn’t remember this five minutes later. My friend also told her that I had some memory problems.

When she went to get the doctor, I felt very scared, almost like a child. I also remember that before I had a memory impairment, a procedure like this would probably have been a little easier for me to deal with. I think that fear of the unknown, being with strange people and just being afraid is difficult for me to deal with. My fear of needles doesn't really help the situation!

After both MCI's were completed, I told a nurse that I needed someone to go over the side effects with me again and she said that she would get someone for me. I was so happy to have this done!

After I was dressed, I sat next to my friend and I waited for someone to come talk to me. It was the nurse who had been in the room when I had the shoulder MRI done. I told her what I needed and she seemed to repeat what she told me earlier. I got out a piece of paper and I took some notes. I told her that I lived alone and I would be alone over the next two days, so I had to try to keep track of things on my own. I still don’t understand why they don’t have a piece of paper to hand out to the patient or their family. I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who would have appreciated that. I do remember that the last time that I had x-rays that it was also interesting for me to be there. I really hate how strange this all makes me feel! I wished that I felt normal!

It is very scary for me to do these things and I just didn't want to have these things done today. I am so thankful that overall, it went well, but I am so glad that it is done. I do okay when I go to my primary care, even if I see a different doctor because I'm used to going to their office. I also am okay seeing the orthopedic doctor. But x-rays etc. have become very difficult for me to deal with. Once the procedure was over, the nurse left me alone for a minute. I told her that I would be okay. I just held it together, but I felt like crying. It was just so overwhelming!! Too many things that were said to me. What I refer to as "data overload". Other than my friend, everyone who I saw today was a stranger to me and that is getting more difficult for me to deal with it. Right now, I don't remember if I have ever had MRI's done before.