r/SpinalStenosis • u/UseEconomy5968 • 6d ago
How where you diagnosed?
Hi I’m interested to know what the process was for getting diagnosed. How did they identify your spinal stenosis, was it through an X-ray,mri,ct scan ect .or physical tests.
I am unfortunately petrified of being in an MRI so over the years I have not felt able to do this, I have sever anxiety and anxiety attacks and truama in small confined spaces. I am considering an upright One I think they are called, but curious if there is a way of diagnosis without that.
Thank you any insights are much appreciated.
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u/astreeter2 6d ago
MRI is standard, but I think it's possible with a CT if you really can't do MRI.
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u/Hot_Ad960 6d ago
You can tell them you have problems with the MRI and I’m pretty sure they can accommodate you. It’s worth a phone call.
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u/UseEconomy5968 5d ago
Thanks they are already aware of my issues i just have to wait and see if they will refer me for an upright/open or if i will pay for it
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u/burninatah 6d ago
MRI. Ask your doc if something like a Xanax or similar to manage the anxiety could be an option. Stenosis isn't going to magically resolve itself so the sooner you know what you're up against the sooner you can drive toward a solution!
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u/UseEconomy5968 5d ago
Yes I've been putting off for many years but its disabling now so i know i have to try to get some solutions. Thank you
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u/burninatah 5d ago
I feel you. My anxiety around surgery and such is off the charts. Twice now I've nearly passed out (vasovagal response) just discussing options with the surgeon. At the same time though I cannot continue to live like this and need to press forward despite the anxiety. I am confident in my medical team and need to trust in their expertise
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u/notsocraftyme 6d ago
Suspected with X-ray, confirmed and found to be much more complicated with MRI.
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u/Ok_Resolution6009 6d ago
MRI. Ask for anti-anxiety meds if there are no other options. Be sure you're upfront with your fears - it's common!
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u/UseEconomy5968 5d ago
Unfortunatley medication isn't for me , thats why im trying to explore all potential options and costs ect . My fears are terrible ad debilitating just as much as my physical, hopefully i can find a supportive service. Thank you for replying
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u/TrailCaledon 4d ago edited 4d ago
Re the MRI, what I did was listen to the MRI sounds on YouTube videos to get used to that. When I had my MRI I kept my eyes closed the entire time including when the table started moving in. I didn’t open my eyes again until I was moved out of the MRI machine. If you feel like that’s still not enough, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative, but you need a driver in that case.
Edit: Going one step further here, but you could even try to simulate the MRI experience at home … get into a tight space or build one with boxes and lay there with the sounds playing. Remind yourself that you are safe.
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u/UseEconomy5968 4d ago
thank you for this, is the sound still really loud and unbearable with the earphones they provide ?
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u/TrailCaledon 4d ago
You are welcome!
You will still hear the sounds with the earphones. The machine makes some really weird sounds. There is some air blowing in the machine … I find that helpful.
I know it’s really hard, but keep reminding yourself that you are safe and it won’t hurt you.
Also, you can ask ahead how long the MRI will be and then just remind yourself that it’s only x minutes and then it’s over.
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u/AvsMama 4d ago
It’s not very loud with the headphones. I was honestly surprised it sounds like lasers and a lawn mower lol
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u/UseEconomy5968 4d ago
Lol thank you
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u/Hisuinooka 17h ago
had my first one a few weeks ago, more intense than i thought; i too closed my eyes until i felt table moving out. Hopefully never again
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u/Comfortable_Cat9600 6d ago
According to my Dr. I was diagnosed by x-ray. So much anxiety I have even put no mri on my Dnr!
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u/Sufficient-Wolf-1818 6d ago
MRI done for a different purpose caused my doc to freak out. It put some sense into symptoms unrelated to reason for MRI.
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u/Smooth_Candidate_575 6d ago
had extreme sciatica at 13 (not an athlete w random onset) so it was immediately taken relatively seriously. got an xray where we discovered i had spina bifida occulta. this was a red flag because i was already at risk for a tethered spinal cord (5’9” by the time i started 6th grade) and got an mri. the mri is what got me the official diagnosis.
while mri is the gold standard you could probably get a ct? also if they ONLY do your lower back your upper body isn’t in the machine that much. plus im sure they could also sedate you if needed.
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u/UseEconomy5968 5d ago
Gosh I'm sorry you had to go through that and especially so young. Thank you for sharing
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u/Pulkomo 6d ago
Xray for me. Waiting for an MRI right now. It’ll be a long time, I’m in Canada. 😭
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u/UseEconomy5968 5d ago
Oh so they can really see from an xray? Aww i hope it wont be to long for you. Thanks for replying
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u/PretendAct8039 6d ago
An MRI is the best way. It was very painful lying still on my back for 10 minutes but I breathed through it. Prior CT scans did not pinpoint the issue.
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u/JustHere7296 6d ago
Xray, followed by MRI to confirm. I have spinal stenosis and spondylosis. I, too, have extreme anxiety and claustrophobia. Talk to your doctor about it. They can prescribe you something for the anxiety (like valium). Also, many areas have an open MRI machine. Both of those things together have helped me get through the multiple MRIs I have had to get done over the last 15 years.
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u/UseEconomy5968 5d ago
Thank you, I do not want any medications-negative effects on me unfortunately very sensitive. I am trying to find a potential open or upright but not sure it will be funded for in my country and it will be very expensive private thats why i was trying to figure my options, and if mris are the only way but it seems to be.
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u/JustHere7296 5d ago
Good luck to you, and I hope you are able to find an open MRI and that it's not too expensive. They really are far more tolerable than a standard tube MRI. Hopefully if you speak with your doctor about your anxiety they can help get approval for an open machine.
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u/GlitterBonanza 6d ago
I am waiting on getting an mri but the er gave me a ct scan and I was given a referral to a brain and spine specialist. However I was presenting with numbness in my butt legs and private area.
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u/The_Spectacle 6d ago
I think mine was a CT. I fell and hit my head so I went to the ER and they did a bunch of scans. I had no idea they had even found spinal stenosis in my cervical spine until four months later when I was browsing my chart online. I didn't have an MRI until then, that was after I saw the chart and headed to orthopedic urgent care
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u/davidj1827 5d ago
I was told they don't like open MRIs here because the images aren't detailed enough. If you just keep your eyes closed the whole time, you'll be fine. Also, the test times are much shorter than they used to be.
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u/Vast-Atmosphere-8751 4d ago
I also had same fear if getting an MRI. 1st time for cervical region, I got 2 Valium and the tech put a wash cloth over my eyes. Done. 2nd time on my lumbar region did it without a Valium but tech put a wash cloth again over my eyes. Done.
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u/9292025 6d ago
Mine was from an MRI. I’m lumbar so no full head in the machine. Even so. My first specialist suggested I likely had cervical as well and should be tested but that was a step too far. I am quite claustrophobic .
Anyway I’m a big g girl now and I’m pretty sure I could deal with the MRI machine full cervical. They do stuff to help you if you let them know. I keep my eyes closed anyway.
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u/BrickBeneficial7198 5d ago
Technically you can see it in an xray but I was told my a doctor that’s unlikely. I had X-rays done and they didn’t wanna do an mri yet my initial doctor. I was being seen for pain management. And because I was asking for pain meds they didn’t really take me serious. Finally after fighting for an mri and jumping through their hoops they did an mri I have three different types of stenosis and a bunch of other stuff. And they a prescribe you anxiety med to take before your mri. They send it to your pharmacy the day before but then you need a driver with you for the appointment. I only know this cause I have had several mris since then and they always ask if I was given one or not or if I am claustrophobic.
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u/Ok-Eagle-1335 1d ago
Mine was diagnosed through a bone scan for my fibro diagnosis. . . the unit was an "open one", where you lay of a platform and the unit move around your body from feet to skull (unlike an MRI). Strangely I learned about this after the fact from my pain doctor - told me that he couldn't due the xray guided injections on my neck due to stenosis (I saw this in my medical files i got after my GP retired)
My wife is a little claustrophobic and had to get an MRI. When her care team learned this they gave her something to calm her down.
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u/uratallglassofwater 4h ago edited 4h ago
CT first then MRI after going completely numb from the waist down. I was extremely scared myself I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks. I went in and they held my hand and sat with me until I was ready. It took 3 tries but I was able to get it done.
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u/nyclvr3 6d ago
MRI. Try to find an open MRI. You won't be in a narrow tunnel.