Serious MRI discomfort: is it normal or could they do better?

I thought the MRI was much worse than any of the rest including the lumpectomy. At least I got knocked out for that. If I ever have to have another breast MRI, I will insist on enough time to find the most tolerable position, plus the super-strong pills prescribed for major dental procedures.

Hi Bluefootbooby

That frame is horrible. I bring my own pieces of memory foam to put on it otherwise I couldn’t stand the pain in my rib cage and back.

I didn't have too much pain from the frame but during my MRI-guided biopsy I had my left arm bent in such a way that holding it in that position for an hour made my pinky and ring fingers go numb, along with part of my palm. I thought about squeezing the panic button but assumed the feeling would come back once it was done and I could shake it out; I was right, but it took longer than I thought and the radiologist wasn't thrilled because she thought my fingers looked blue. Lesson learned for next time. It didn't happen during the previous MRI but the biopsy is 3x longer so I'm guessing either I put myself in a bad position the second time or it just wasn't sustainable for an hour vs. 20 minutes.

Your MRI team doesn't sound so warm and fuzzy, though. The techs frequently checked in with me via the headphones and reassured me from the start that even if I felt alone in the room, they could see me at all times and were always monitoring how I was. The MRI procedure isn't fun by the basic nature of the thing and there's not much to be done about that except grin and bear it, IMO, but the people involved can definitely make a difference.

I found out I was claustrophobic with my first attempt at a breast MRI after a panic attack. I had to reschedule when they could sedate me. When I needed a brain MRI (not cancer related) I told the tech that I needed Versed first, but he insisted I get on the table. I did and he left the room. By the time he came back my blood pressure had shot up and I got up and told them I was refusing the test. Ended up with a CT instead. Years later when I needed a breast MRI after diagnosis, I went to a different facility in a larger city and they actually put in an IV and I have no memory of it. It was wonderful and they also treated me with respect instead of a bother. My most recent MRI was at the small, local hospital and they said I could take an Ativan if I had it, but would not provide sedation. I did take one and managed to make it through. I hope I never have to do another one.

Your experience sounds identical to mine, bluefootbooby. I have GERD and simply could not breathe in that position. I told the tech we either had to reliieve that pressure on my diaphragm or stop the test.

She brought out a small pillow. Nope, not gonna do it. I pointed to the large wedge they normally put under your knees when you're on your back and said let's try that one". She rolled her eyes before handing it to me. I shoved it under my hips. It worked like a charm. No more discomfort. Don't know why they don't just do that to begin with.

2nd MRI biopsy today and I managed to position my arms to avoid the finger numbness I got last time, but oohhhh my shoulders.

I think part of it is just the unpleasant nature of the machine and the procedure. The position you think is comfortable when you start may not be 20 minutes later but there's no opportunity for trial and error because thanks to how the machine takes images, you can't move. Hopefully they will invent an imaging machine that is just as accurate but not as finicky in the future.

The MRI and the stereotactic biopsy account for the worst 60 min I’ve ever experienced. I have told my doctors that I cannot handle 2 more face down procedure. By the time the MRI was done I could see in the little mirror under my face anymore from crying and my nose dripping on it. I also discovered my right arm was completely asleep when I tried to squeeze the panic button but couldn’t feel my hand.

For me the worst pain was actually the block that was between my breasts pressing into my sternum. This was my first MRI though so don’t have anything to compare it to. Both setups absolutely had to have been designed by a man!

Wow, Spency, that's terrible. We appreciate you sharing your experience, and hope that your pain and lung changes reverse soon.

Keep us posted!

These experiences are so important. I get so mad when this happens, I got a PTSD-like syndrome after my wire insertion. (I am NOT trying to compare our situations.).

I think one reason why they don't respond is because in order to give you something sedating IV like a benzodiazepine or narcotic is they would have to have an RN in attendance, which would be more costly.

What I should have done was to complain and walk out if they couldn't get my pain score below X. The wire insertion required a mammogram, and the next time I required a mammogram-guided biopsy, I instinctively pulled out of the mammogram machine _while my breast was compressed_. That hurt.

Painful procedures make it less likely that people will go and get them done. It gets me so angry when people have experiences like this.