MRI ?s

[admin]

Hi everyone,
Ella is over due for her MRI. We were waiting until after her adenoid and tonsil surgery and that follow up since there were complications from surgery. It is safe for her to get an MRI now since her breathing issues have resolved. My problem is that I am putting it off b/c I am deathly afraid to see her go through this again. All of the sedation issues are pretty severe and we have done it a few times with mostly the same results. I feel that I shouldn't be putting her through it since it isn't a life or death situation. I keep putting it off for my own comfort and I guess I am being selfish. I just get anxiety attacks just thinking of what it is like. I am afraid for Ella's well being actually! It gets that bad! I guess my question is:
What age do they normally stop sedating the child to let them "try" to stay still in the MRI? I know, the word try says it all!
Thanks for any advice or info...
~Krista~

[claudia]

Krista:
I think a lot it depends on the child. We have never sedated Juliana (even when she was little) because she could always stay still. She seemed to have this strange understanding that she had to just be still. I don't know why. She's an active kid, too.

I can't remember how old Ella is, but have you tried talking to her? I had to convince the techs that Juliana could stay still. We have some sedation issues in our family too (Juliana, my son Andrew and I all try to sleep forever when put under general).

I would talk to the facility. Maybe just some benadryl and she'll be sleepy enough to be still and strapped in.

Good luck,
claudia

[admin]

Ella will be 6 in September. How old was Juliana when she did it without sedating her?
~Krista~

[admin]

What about just being afraid of going in it though? I mean, we can prepare her...but I even request open MRIs b/c I cannot deal with being in that small space. Wouldn't a child get nervous and maybe freak out even with prior explaination? I know it depends on how our children are...but what were your experiences and anyone else? Thanks.
-K

[marieke]

You'd have to explain to her what she will see (bright light, ceiling close to her head/face) and hear, (sounds like a jackhammer at times, loud pops, not continuous for 20 min but like 30 seconds on, 15 seconds... on and off). If you could get her an open MRI it might be easier for her to stay still and not get scared, but if she is well preped then maybe she can do it.
Maybe go to the library or look on the net for pictures to show her... use google images.
Marieke (31, LOBPI)

[marieke]

Also.. YouTube has a few neat videos where you can hear what it sounds like, looks like...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... &plindex=3

This one is for kids...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... &plindex=3

Take a look.. Maybe if she sees/hears it before it'd be easier for her to not get scared..
Marieke


Message was edited by: marieke

[AngieD]

Kayla is now 11 and I don't think she was sedated for the MRI since she was about 3 or 4. We talked about it and she said she did not want a needle so I explained that she had to lay still then.

I have always stayed in the room with her and she used to want me to hold her foot so she knew I was there but now she is ok with just knowing I am in the room.

You could always try without sedation and then use the sedation if needed.

Best of luck,
Angie

[claudia]

Krista:
I would think you could talk to her about it now. It is quite noisy, but they usually put earphones on the kids. I was able to sit in the room with her (they gave me ear plugs).
The techs don't want a kid having a bad response to anesthesia, either, so they might be willing to give it a go.

good luck,
claudia

ps. Juliana was 4ish when we stopped anesthesia.

[admin]

Thanks so much guys. Claudia, I am going to ask about her having the MRI with no sedation! I prefer to try that and go from there. Thanks so much for your response! It gives me some hope!
~Krista~

[Tanya in NY]

Amber will be having her follow-up MRI in December, and Dr. Kozin mentioned at her last appointment that he thought she may be able to do this one without anesthesia. I was surprised, as I just couldn't imagine a child at age 5 staying still (she'll have just turned 5 at the time she will be getting the MRI), but he said many kids have no problem with staying still at age 5. The MRI's are quite loud, but they do use earplugs. Educating her prior to the MRI will work well. Have a back-up plan that you are comfortable with, even if it is not doing MRI that day because it's obvious that she won't stay still and you still don't want to do the anesthesia. Good luck.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 4 1/2 years old