The Heart MRI

I went to the Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI for the MRI of my heart.  The Dr. wanted me to have this test in an effort to determine why my heart showed extra muscle thickness in the upper part of the heart and maybe determine why I was having these off-timed contractions.  The hospital is about 20 miles away from my house and traffic at 6:00 a.m. was almost nonexistent.  Van Dyke, a six-lane avenue was almost empty and normally it is stop and go traffic at that time of the day. 

The first thing I faced at the South entrance of the hospital was an army of nurses asking me questions, spraying me with disinfectant and giving me anti-bacterial foam for my hands.  I then had to go to the information center where the desk clerk kept me at least six feet away as he asked me and I answered questions.  Another staff member came to get me and escorted me to the MRI facility all the time keeping at least six feet away from me.  I felt like someone who had the plague.  When I got to the MRI facility another staff member continued querying me trying to determine if I was a high risk of having been infected with the coronavirus.  Finally, after all the paperwork was filled and checked, another technician escorted me to a dressing room (in this case undressing room) and I was asked to take off al my clothes and get into a scrubs-like outfit.  I then proceed into the actual MRI machine and asked to lie down on the sliding table in front of this "tube."

She prepped me by inserting an IV, put something heavy over my chest, put a headset and the table moved into the "tube."  She provided instructions to me over the headset and told me that the software would give instructions on when to breathe and when to hold my breath.  the test took about 45 minutes with pictures being taken 8 to 20 seconds at a time.  If it wasn't for the constant instructions to "breathe normally," and take a breath and hold it." I would have fallen asleep in that tube.  In fact, I think I did a couple of times because the technician would interject herself in the programmed cycle and tell me that I did not hold my breath and she would have to take that "picture" over again.  It was annoying having to awaken.

When she was finished she disconnected me, asked me to get dressed and told me that I could go.  I asked her about the results and she said that my doctor would get in contact with me.  I told her the doctor's office was closed for a couple of weeks.  She said that the doctor had access to the computer files and that he would contact me when he evaluated the MRI.

I drove home about 9:30 in the morning and it was an eerie feeling with all shops, stores, gas stations, fast food places were all closed.  In the 20-mile ride on the busy avenues I did not see more than ten cars.  I got home and the first thing I did was to dip my hands in a bleach solution that I have in a deep dish in the sink and then washed my hands with soap.  I made some chile con queso and refried beans for brunch and about noon the doctor called me with the results of the MRI.  I told him I did not expect a call for two weeks.  He indicated that that the muscle build-up on the top of my heart did not seem as severe as it was indicated in the echocardiogram.  He did indicate that the MRI showed a lot of scarring if the heart similar to what it would show after heart attacks.  I told him that as far as I knew, I did not have any heart attacks.  So the scarring was not a mystery. 

He indicated that he still does not know what was causing the sensations of heart "flutter,"  But that he wanted me to add another medication to the regimen I was already taking.  This new medication, "Metropolol extended-release 25 mg" is supposed to eliminate the arrhythmia.  I went and got the medication and read through the description. DAMN!  After reading all the possible side effects, I don't think I want to take this.  It is worse than having what I have.  I may feel dizzy or pass out, it affects blood pressure and heart rate, may hide signs of low blood sugar, other medication such as cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen, and some natural product aids cannot be taken when taking this drug.  I cannot have alcohol and it may have an allergic reaction.  Taking this drug may result in a rash, hives, itching, red skin, swelling, blistering or peeling skin, fever, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, depression, chest pain, abnormal heartbeat, slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, big weight gain, swelling in the arms or legs, feeling tired, feeling dizzy and weak, diarrhea, upset stomach, and vomiting.  Although it all sounds horrible, the one that caught my eye was the "Big weight gain."  Hell, I'm already in the largest size clothes I have ever worn.  I don't want to buy larger ones. 

The doctor says that some people don't have any of these side effects and that drug companies have to put these for disclosure purposes.  I'll give it a try for a couple of weeks and see how it goes.  If it does not help or causes any of these side effects, the drug is out of here.