This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Any one know any tricks for holding still during an MRI?

I got a 6 month check up MRI yesterday. During a 5 minute sequence of the c-spine part, I gues I was moving too much, and the tech told me to hold really still for 5 more minutes, and I fell asleep (I didn't know she was re-shooting the 5 minute sequence) I guess I really moved around while asleep. She was a bit annoyed with me, said the second shot was "undiagnostic", and the first shot would have to do.

Part way through the head part of the MRI, she told me I was moving around a bit, and to be aware of it. Man, I was trying as hard as I could to hold still! I could swear I was rock still. I was starring at a spot in the tube and breathing as shallow as possible.

I didn't have any trouble like this with the MRI's I had 6 months ago.

Could this involuntary, unknown moving be a result of having a demyelinating disease?

Mike, I am in no way a medical expert but I know that myoclonic (involuntary) muscle twitches can be a result of MS. It sounds like you had a very crabby tech though. They should try staying completely still for hours and see how easy it is. Maybe your Dr. could prescribe muscle relaxers for you to take before your next MRI. I'm not sure how much that helps but maybe someone else will have a good suggestion.

I agree with Scoobyjude, definitely a crabby tech! I have heard of people taking something like Klonopin or Valium to relax before an MRI.

Do they stuff the foam on both sides of your head to stabilize it? They do that to me and I figured it was common practice.

Cat

SJ & CF, you're both right, she was very crabby! It was the end of the day on Friday, and I went back to find her to ask something a couple minutes after she cut me loose, and the MRI area was all locked up, it was 5 PM, quiting time I guess. Maybe she has med problems too...... maybe worse than mine.....I gotta give her the benefit of the doubt. I just hope the shots she got are good enough. It's a 2 & 1/2 hour trip for me each way.

I'm not sure if I had muscle spasms or something else, I didn't feel anything at all, didn't realize I was moving at all.

I wasn't nervous either, I have no clostraphobia (spelling?)at all. I'd have to make sure any drugs I take don't relax me too much, I wouldn't want to fall asleep again. Maybe a mild muscle relaxer would do the trick.

Yes Cat, I had the foam stuffed in the sides of my head, and for the spine part there was a double bar thing that went in front of my face and kinda pressed lightly on my chest. For the head shot there was a velcro strap accross my forhead.

Thanks you both for your responses. I will talk it over with my Doc.

Mike56 wrote:I got a 6 month check up MRI yesterday. During a 5 minute sequence of the c-spine part, I gues I was moving too much, and the tech told me to hold really still for 5 more minutes, and I fell asleep ...

OK, this is weird but I swear to god the MRI of the c-spine PUTS ME TO SLEEP. I don't fall asleep when they do my head. I don't when they do my lower spine.

But every time they try to scan my neck, I have toi try really hard not to move or breathe deeply ... but then I go into a trance almost, I cannot stay awake no matter how hard I try ... and then I get crabby techs complaining about the poor images they are getting.