MRI

As you know, I've been having leg, butt, and lower back pain for a little over a year now. The pain varies but for the most part, it's a constant twang making lying down, standing up, and walking sometimes difficult. Not that you do much of any those things on any given day....

When I finally told my doctor about the problem, he sent me for a hip xray. That came back normal yet the pain continued. The next time I saw my doctor, I told him the pain was still there. He decided to send me for another xray, this time of my lower back. That xray too came back normal, but again, the pain continues. He decided that what he needed to diagnose the problem was an MRI.

Today was my MRI. My appointment was actually for yesterday but they called and asked me to come today instead. For starters, I'm claustophobic so I can't do the tube and had to go to an open MRI. I arrived 20 minutes early to do the required paperwork and at 8:10 (after having been there already for 30 minutes and 10 minutes after my scheduled appointment time) I was guided back to change and get ready. What caused the delay? It certainly wasn't patients! I was the only one in the waiting room. My appointment was for 8:00pm (that's just too late) and the place was deserted!

Finally, I entered the MRI room. After saddling up and being properly positioned, the testing began. The nice thing about an open MRI is that it's not quite as loud as a closed MRI. But noisy nonetheless. The doctor says the pictures are quite as clear either, but I really don't care. I hate being in the tube.

I can't be certain, but I do believe that I may have fallen asleep. Not snoring, sweet dreams sleep, but half way between reality and lala land sleep.

So I'm back to waiting for results. That will take 3-5 days before my doctor receives the results. Shortly after that I'll probably get a note from my doctor's office saying "everything looks normal". Ugh!