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Has anyone had a prone (on stomach) MRI?

Posted by lessie @lessie, Aug 11 6:57am

I saw my original back surgeon. He had originally said I needed L3-4 laminectomy and that there'd be an 80% chance of success. Now he's saying 50% and wants a prone (on my stomach) MRI to decide if the nerves are bunched or free floating. I have an unusual spinal stenosis--instead of front to back it is side to side. Has anyone else had this or had a prone MRI?

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Aug 11 12:01pm

Hi @lessie - I had more or less a prone MRI just today, but it was for my hand and not my spine. They had me in a "Superman" position with my hand being MRIed in a padded box of sorts, and then they put all of me in the machine. Not terribly comfortable, but the techs were willing to put any pillows or cushions around me that would help. That would certainly be worth asking for, even if they do not initially offer.

I think it helped me to more or less relax like I was going to sleep, though I didn't technically sleep.

Do you do okay with MRIs in general, lessie? Do you have other concerns?

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lessie | @lessie | Aug 11 2:25pm
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi @lessie - I had more or less a prone MRI just today, but it was..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi @lessie - I had more or less a prone MRI just today, but it was for my hand and not my spine. They had me in a "Superman" position with my hand being MRIed in a padded box of sorts, and then they put all of me in the machine. Not terribly comfortable, but the techs were willing to put any pillows or cushions around me that would help. That would certainly be worth asking for, even if they do not initially offer.

I think it helped me to more or less relax like I was going to sleep, though I didn't technically sleep.

Do you do okay with MRIs in general, lessie? Do you have other concerns?

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@lisalucier
Hi. Yes, I do fine with MRI's in general. I've only had one that was excruciatingly painful and that was of my neck. Besides that one, I'm always able to zone out. It tell them ahead of time not to talk to me or ask me if I'm okay...
And I'm glad my doctor wants more imaging before making a "final" decision. The waiting is hard because I thought he had already made a decision to do the surgery. He's weighing all the options at this point.
My concern with the MRI is that it is still "static." I had a lumbosacral myelogram several years ago and it gave a ton of information. I guess they don't do those anymore?
Thanks for the tip about asking for pillows. As long as my face is in a cradle and not just resting on a pillow I will be fine. My neck isn't great and does not like turning to either side for any length of time.

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