i had two MRIs done

I did finally get to have the MRI.  It was delayed because I went to another doctor, my neurologist, Dr. Roy.  Dr. Roy is somebody I trust with my life.  Dr. Roy asked me to delay the MRI for a few days so he could give me a test first.  He wondered why Dr. Deitch, my orthopedic surgeon (shoulder doctor) who had ordered the MRI, wanted to operate on my shoulder withouth first finding out what was causing the shoulder injury.  Dr. Deitch is a new doctor of mine.  For several reasons, I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

 

Both doctors at this point believed that my rotator cuff injury had most likely healed, and I had another problem that was causing the frozen shoulder.  But Dr. Deitch wanted to treat only the shoulder, while Dr. Roy wanted to find out what the cause of the frozen shoulder was - whether it be a pinched nerve or something else - so that he could have the overall problem fixed, not just unfreeze the shoulder by cutting out scar tissue.  If the scar tissue was merely taken out, the same problem would reoccur. 

 

So Dr. Roy, the neurologist, did something called an EMG, to attempt to determine if I was having neck or back problems (which would determine why I was having problems with my shoulder/arm).  Keep in mind, that Dr. Roy is the doctor I like and trust, the one treating the WHOLE me.  He was going after the cause, not just to remove the scar tissue in my arm.  So he did an EMG.  If you have ever had one done, you will know that the neurologist needs to shock you a lot, then stick you with needles.  This will tell him if you have any problems.  

 

Immediately after this fun test, Dr.Roy told me there was definitely something wrong with my neck, and most likely my back also.  He told me this was the cause of my frozen shoulder.  It is also, most likely, the cause of my spasms in my back that I have had for awhile. 

 

He decided to confirm his suspected diagnosis with an MRI, but he believes it is probably a back condition which is degenerative.  It often effects a shoulder/arm.  I did get the MRI on Monday.  When I receive the results from the MRI, I will let you all know at that time what I am dealing with.  I am going to see Dr. Roy's Physician's Assistant today (Thursday), and was promised I would get a report of the results of the MRI at that time.  We'll see.  

 

So I went to Dr. Roy's MRI on Monday.  It wouldn't have been so bad, except...  Dr. Deitch (or was it his assistant?) phoned me, and then phoned the hospital, and insisted that I have HIS MRI at the same time as Dr. Roy's (on the same day, minutes before).  Dr. Deitch also scheduled me for a very painful procedure on the same day as the MRIs without telling me about it.  I didn't find out about it until I got to the hospital that afternoon, and was already lined up for two MRIs.

 

So I had this painful procedure and two MRIs all on Monday. 

 

The whole ordeal lasted about 5 hours.  During the first MRI alone, I was in the MRI machine for at least an hour and a half.  Maybe longer.  My arm was placed in such a way that made it hurt to hold in that position.  The needle that they had already jammed into my cartiledge in my shoulder to give me the dye was not helping any.  I was in allaround pain.  I had to have a shoulder cuff on, which required me to hold my arm up into the air in a position that I thought I would never be able to maintain, for over an hour and a half.  I do believe it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my life.

 

So how did I do?   

 

I think quite well!  You all's suggestions were such a blessing to me. 

 

Anxiety did not overtake me, like I thought it would!

 

Pain did though.  As I stated, I believe it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my life.

 

So what did I do? I moaned.  Kind of rythmically.  I didn't have a choice.  If I didn't I couldn't have held the position for an hour and fourty minutes (for the first MRI alone).  I was told I would have to start the whole time over if I moved.  So I moaned, as I could do nothing else.  Then after awhile I reached the point where I thought I would pass out from the pain.  So I cried.  For a long time.  Out loud.  I just cried.  Again, rhythmically, as to not ruin the pictures, because I was able to keep better control that way, and not move. 

 

So that's about it.  I don't know why I went into so much detail.  I could have just said - I will tell you the results to the two MRIs I had when I get them...  But I am glad I shared...   

 

Okay, I gotta run.  Love you all,

 

Krissy :)  

Tags: MRI, frozen shoulder, EMG, neck problems, spine problems, back spasms, pain, crying