Breast MRI ???

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jessie123
jessie123 Member Posts: 532
edited December 2018 in Just Diagnosed

I was just diagnosed with Lobular via biopsy but the hospital messed up so I've gone to a different teaching hospital and all the tests will be repeated. One test I will have next week is a breast MRI. I am 70 yrs old with stiff sore joints. My question is "how will I get on the table to lay on my stomach" If I had to lay on my back there would be no problem --- but I can't get on my knees to lay on my stomach on a hard table. I had a ruptured cervical disc when I was in my 40's and haven't laid on my stomach since then. I just hope I'm not totally embarrassed because I can't even get on my stomach to lay down. Can you tell me how it has worked for you.

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  • Vera66
    Vera66 Member Posts: 54
    edited December 2018

    I just had an MRI, and it was not as difficult as I thought. They lower the machine to below your knees and then you lay on it. The table itself is fairly thin, and there are numerous areas to hold on to. They can also help you I'm sure. When I was in the room, there were three techs there helping. I'm sure they have encountered this problem before. They could possibly have you lay on your back, and then they could turn you, as I said the table is thin. You are supported by a strip that runs across your breast bone and then another support on your forehead. Maybe call the hospital and explain the problem so they can be prepared to have extra help on hand. Also, maybe your doctor could prescribe a painkiller. I was only in the machine for about 20 minutes. I wish you all the best.

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited December 2018

    I had one too. Not to be a downer but I found it incredibly uncomfortable. I suppose part of my issue is that I'm short (5'2") and the table was built for the average woman (taller) I really had to stretch...

    jessie123 the best advise I can give you is once they get you rolled over PLEASE make sure your breastbone is centered on the support. Mine wasn't and I had very sore ribs for about 3 days. You'll be laying face down with your arms stretched forward (like laying on your belly while reaching for the headboard) . Your forehead has a support but your face is looking in a clear bin that has a small mirror in it. It really isn't too long 20-30 minutes. It does get hot to don't panic...they really need to place a small fan in there

    Good luck! Let us know how you did

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  • borogirl
    borogirl Member Posts: 86
    edited December 2018

    The issue for me was having my arms up over my head (like I was ready to dive) for the hour it took for my MRI, and then 3 days later I had an MRI guided needle biopsy that took hour and a half. I did a number on my shoulder and I ended up having arthroscopic surgery on that shoulder 3 months later (although orthopedic dr. said I already had issues building up in that shoulder and the MRI was just the straw that "broke the camel's back"). I'm sure they have some ways to alter or adjust positions some for patient comfort while still getting good pictures with the MRI, which of course it the point of the MRI. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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  • Mystic18
    Mystic18 Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2018

    Hi Jessie,

    I've had multiple MRI's. I do find them painful, but as others have also done, here's what I found helpful after learning the hard way the first time:

    Take your time getting situated on the table. Move the face plate around to where you can breathe as comfortably as possible. If you have the ability to have one valium or something to calm down ahead of time, that eases the process also. I had an MRI last week and really wish I'd have had a pillow under my lower tummy. I found the positioning to put tremendous strain on my lower back and I think a pillow would have helped. Ask the techs for whatever you need to be comfortable.

    Sending you love from Pennsylvania.

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  • Mystic18
    Mystic18 Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2018

    Hi Jessie,

    I've had multiple MRI's. I do find them painful, but as others have also done, here's what I found helpful after learning the hard way the first time:

    Take your time getting situated on the table. Move the face plate around to where you can breathe as comfortably as possible. If you have the ability to have one valium or something to calm down ahead of time, that eases the process also. I had an MRI last week and really wish I'd have had a pillow under my lower tummy. I found the positioning to put tremendous strain on my lower back and I think a pillow would have helped. Ask the techs for whatever you need to be comfortable.

    Sending you love from Pennsylvania.

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited December 2018

    Thanks to everyone for the good information. I don't know how people manage without this board. Vera -- that lower table really relieves my mind - I might be able to bend down onto it while holding onto the supports. Nanette -- that breast bone position worries me because sometimes mine is sore for no reason. I'll make sure I'm positioned correctly. Borogirl --- no, no, no to arms overhead. When I was in my 40's I ruptured a disc in my cervical spine and haven't been able to lift my arms over my head since then --- also hurt my right rotator cuff a couple years ago while trying to pull my mom up from the bed. The arm thing is a real concern. Mytic - I did ask the doctor for medicine and she gave me 5 valium -- I WILL take it. And now that I'm old and really don't care as much about pleasing people I will in a nice way ask the people to help me until I'm comfortable. I do really have to have this MRI because my cancer is Lobular which does not show up on MRI's -- so they need to do this. However, since they screwed up my first biopsy at another hospital it seems it would be best to do my second biopsy to confirm cancer before they put me through all this. I'm also having a bone scan before the biopsy --- guess the doctor really does think it's cancer. I can't believe this is happening --- still in shock.

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