Question about MRI's and larger people..

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ladybugcyndi
ladybugcyndi Member Posts: 87
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Question about MRI's and larger people..
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  • ladybugcyndi
    ladybugcyndi Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2008

    After I got my diagnosis on 1/31/08, they ordered a breast mri and chest x-ray, along with lab work.  The MRI was first on my list for the day, which it turned out could not be done.  I have a big butt, so it wouldn't fit through the machine.  Very embarrassing, believe me.  I was mortified.  I went ahead and had the x-ray and labwork done, then went up to visit my radiologist.  She felt that since my breasts are not dense, she was confident in going with the x-ray and labwork.  I got a call later in the day that something showed on 1 rib, so they ordered a bone scan first thing next morning.  I had that done and was called into the doctors office who reads them.  She asked if I had problems with my feet, specifically my heels. Yes, I do, bad problems with then, have for years.  Apparrantly I have arthritis in them, no surprise.  Any who... I asked about the rest of the scan, she said it looked clear.  I asked about the ribs specifically, so we did another scan specifically of them.  I have not heard anything and haven't worried about it since she told me at the time it was clear.  My question is, has anyone else not been able to have the mri, for any reason?  I mean, what do they do if you need it and can't have it?  I'm a large person, but I know there are people larger than me that have had to have one. So what do they do in this case? 

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited March 2008

    You should be able to have a open mri done.  They don't put you in a tube because of the way it is built.  You should request that they send you to a place that has one.

    Teresa

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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited March 2008

    Your nearest large city, teaching hospital, university medical center, regional cancer center, etc. should have an MRI to accomodate you. Believe me, when a 300lb offensive lineman with a $14mill. contract needs to fit his broad shoulders in for an MRI scan, they don't just 'skip it' because his dimensions are beyond that of their machine. You shouldn't either.

    JMHO.

    Lisa

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  • ladybugcyndi
    ladybugcyndi Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2008

    The thing that just killed me was that they need to see you breasts in the machine, right?  So why do they load you in butt first?  I have put in for a referral to the University hospital in our town, since the military hospital I use is about 125 miles each way.  I should know if it was approved tomorrow.  Thanks ladies.

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  • Sadie-Rose
    Sadie-Rose Member Posts: 222
    edited March 2008

    Hi Ladybugcindi,

    I don't understand why this happens to women in this day and age. It seems they should have had information about your weight ahead of time. They could have prevented you a wasted trip, embarrassment, and the anxiety of another wait for a new appointment. I am sorry that happened for you.

    Just a note, when I have my MRIs I enter the tube head first, face down. You do have to go all the way in the tube though.

    Warmly,

    Sadie

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  • ladybugcyndi
    ladybugcyndi Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2008

    Thanks Sadie .. I was hopeful that it would just be my breasts. The good thing is that the university I am hoping to transfer too, treats the UVA football players, and they have some big ole boys, so hopefully they will have the ability to accommodate me.  Thanks!

    Cyndi

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