Ways to Keep Your Cool During Diagnostic Testing

Posted by Jennifer Gerics Sep 4, 2006

I'm amazed how many MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests I've had in the past few years. The two years before I was correctly diagnosed with MS, I underwent two 45-minute MRIs (brain and partial spinal cord) two times a year. When finally diagnosed, that thankfully became an annual thing, but it doesn't make enduring them any easier, especially if feeling under the weather AND being in a closed MRI machine. Some simple tips to keep your sanity, regardless of what test you're enduring, can help you get through these annoying times:

• Schedule one long, frustrating test per day (unless you have the patience and willpower of a saint!)
• Have someone else bring you to the test and bring you home, in case you are too tired or disoriented afterwards.
• Make sure you find out about authorizations/copays/referrals before the test(s), so you don't get sent home without service.
• Meditating, thinking of something pleasant, or occupying your mind with a to-do task can help you forget about what's going on around you.
• You can request tranquilizing medication from your doctor to take prior to testing.
• Remember that these tests can help your general health in the long run, because they can determine the problem and continually monitor the progress and/or remission of your neurological disorder.
• Above all, hang in there!.....