You may remember I was having pretty severe lower back problems a couple of months ago. My back was aching in ways I had never experienced before -- a combination of dull ache when I was motionless and sharp, stabbing pain when I moved, accompanied by an overall feeling of unwellness. As far as I know, I hadn't injured it at all, so I was mystified about the source of the problem.
In late March I went to a doctor and got a referral to get an MRI. My insurance declined to cover it (of course), but the doctor knew a clinic that did them relatively inexpensively, so on Monday I had it done on my own dime.
I had a CAT scan about 33 years ago, when I was having some severe headaches in college. (They weren't from drinking, I swear!) But I'd never had an MRI. They're not the most fun -- lying inside a surprisingly small tube, surrounded by a huge piece of machinery that buzzed and clanked and beeped. I don't know yet what was revealed, if anything -- the clinic gave me a CD containing images from the scan, but my computer can't open the files so I haven't seen them. A separate set of images were sent to a radiologist for interpretation, and at some point a report will be sent to my doctor.
My guess is it won't show anything of note. (Here's hoping, anyway.) Since just before I got the referral the pain has been much better. I suspect whatever was bothering me has mostly healed up on its own. I still get twinges, but nothing like before.
Anyway, I will report back, if I learn anything more.
Dave and I have been watching the new "Lost in Space" on Netflix. In January we went through a brief flirtation with the old '60s series in reruns -- until we just couldn't stand it any more because it was so bad. The new one, on the other hand, is really good. There's a darkness to the characters that the earlier show didn't even begin to explore, the women finally have more to do than serve coffee, and the robot is fantastic. It's a very effective reboot!
(Photo: A fire hydrant cover in a sidewalk in Hampstead.)
Glad you got the MRI. It’s good you feel much better, and you’re certainly waking far afield. But better to be safe. I’ll need to check out the new lost in space! I watched that appallingly bad first version as a child and it terrified me.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they gave you the CD if you can't open it. You could have shared images of your insides with your blog visitors... On second thoughts, I am glad it didn't work!
ReplyDeleteWe just started watching the Lost in Space remake, too! I love the robot....and "Dr. Smith" is creepy!
ReplyDeleteOh god. I hated that show so much. I still get the creeps when I think about it. The original one- that is. Haven't checked out the new one. I doubt I will. The original ruined me forever. Plus the very concept of being lost in space is terrifying.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the MRI. It'll probably show something due to the fact that almost all of us have some sort of problem going on with our spines by a certain age. But hopefully nothing requiring any sort of intervention.
I was 10 when the original Lost in Space aired and I loved it. But I also loved My Mother the Car, and I mean that -- I'm not making a joke. I thought it was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI had to have an MRI on my broken knee and I lasted all of three minutes intuit tube. I am not one to make a scene and I tend to stiffen the upper lip in unpleasant situations but the panic kept mounting that I was going to suffocate (and I was only two-thirds the way inside) until I started yelling GET ME OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW.
I will never, ever let anyone put me into another MRI unless I am drunk or heavily sedated.
I hope you get a clean bill of health.
ReplyDeleteI've put off having an MRI because just the thought of that small space and all the clanging and beeping seems so claustrophobic and weird. I hope your results are fine, and that all is well.
ReplyDeleteglad your back pain had diminished. after working months on a job comprised of 10 complex 5' x 6' panels, a week after I finished the work and had completely relaxed my back hurt so bad, like what you described. maybe even worse as I couldn't do anything without pain. it was months before it got even a little better but only went away completely when I started working out at the gym strengthening the opposing damaged muscles. of course I never went to the doctor about it having no insurance at all.
ReplyDeleteI hope they are able to find what caused all that pain. I didn't even know there was a new Lost in Space show. I'll have to look for it if it's even available here. I recently joined Amazon Prime so I've been on a discovery quest there to see what is available.
ReplyDeleteI've had a couple of MRI's and I didn't care for the experience either. I hope they find nothing. I'd suggest perhaps some "event" on one of your walks may have caused your back pain.
ReplyDeleteI just read another blog with a review of the new Lost in Space - he liked it too. He was very impressed with Dr. Smith.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad you went ahead & got the MRI - that will put any niggling doubts to rest (at least for your readers - ha!).
I hope I never need an MRI because I do not do well in small spaces . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope your MRI shows nothing but the usual wear and tear that Ms Moon speaks of, if anything. I've always found that my aches and pains go away approximately two days after I get an X-ray, no matter how long I had 'em before.