MRI and Welding

[Mickmeister]

I am going in for a functional MRI in two weeks. I find it interesting that they asked me if I worked as a machinist. I told them no, but asked why. They said because if I was and welded, I would be ineligible for the MRI. I just bought a MIG welder three months ago to learn to weld. I have used it so far a max of 1 hour. They said that the danger of inhaling the gasses and deposits of metal in my lungs is what makes it dangerous. I didn't realize that metal fragmentations were in the gasses given off. Luckily, they said that a total of 1 hour of use was not sufficient to stop the fMRI. I will definitely be using a respirator in the future now.

[draqon]

wow, thank you for sharing us with this health information. I guess this is sort of like the dangers of mesothelioma.

[leopold99]

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=2DQ&q=welding+plumes+toxicity&btnG=Search

[cosmictraveler]

I'd think that with only 3 months of welding and only a few hours of welding you are not in danger. I use to weld with arc welders and they really threw off some sparks and gasses when I was running a bead. They never asked me about my past so I do not think it is that dangerous as you may think.

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos not metal so it isn't a cause for it when you weld.

[Orleander]

It would have to be a certain kind of welding right? Underwater welders wouldn't be part of the group. Plasma welders?

I would think a welder would always wear an mask.
http://cognews.com/1118353877/

[cosmictraveler]

It would have to be a certain kind of welding right? Underwater welders wouldn't be part of the group. Plasma welders?

I would think a welder would always wear an mask.
http://cognews.com/1118353877/

Oh, but the smell of that magnesium burning is very intoxicating and many welders know what I mean. In the old days masks weren't worn because they didn't know about the dangers involved.

[Orleander]

Oh, but the smell of that magnesium burning is very intoxicating and many welders know what I mean. In the old days masks weren't worn because they didn't know about the dangers involved.


Yeah, I love the smell as well. I used to stand outside my grandpa's garage just so I could smell it while he was working. Also liked collecting the little blobs of metal.

[cosmictraveler]

A good welder has no "blobs" of metal! They run a beautiful bead all the time!

[Orleander]

A good welder has no "blobs" of metal! They run a beautiful bead all the time!

He was in his 80s. Cut him some slack
And sometimes I think he did it just to make me happy.

[cosmictraveler]

He was in his 80s. Cut him some slack

Wow, 80's to learn welding, that's a new record to learn welding I'd think. You need very steady hands to weld with arc but with Heli Arc you don't. Was he Heli Arcing or do you know?

[Stryder]

I think there is more chance of welding splatter to drip down your gauntlet and sear your nerve endings so quick that you don't know you're being burnt. I've a few scares from that, Not fun to dig out the splatter either.

I would of suggested however that Grinding was actually more likely to be a threat, considering you create small "filings" that are made air born through grinding. Most of the time nowadays though people know to follow the health and safety protocols, unless your boss is too tight to get in the gear (in which case you are better off finding another job)

[cosmictraveler]

I always wore proper gloves and apron that was long enough to cover my entire body.

[Orleander]

Wow, 80's to learn welding, that's a new record to learn welding I'd think. You need very steady hands to weld with arc but with Heli Arc you don't. Was he Heli Arcing or do you know?

He had been welding as long as I can remember. But he was in his 80s when I started collecting the blobs.
He taught me to weld when I was 10, but I probably couldn't do it to save my life now. I just put on the glove, the helmet, and the rod in the clamp. Away I went.

[cosmictraveler]

Once my long sleeved shirt caught on fire and until I really felt the burning I didn't realize what was happening to my own body!

[Stryder]

Once my long sleeved shirt caught on fire and until I really felt the burning I didn't realize what was happening to my own body!

I had a similar incident, it wasn't until a co-worker pointed out that my overalls were on fire (and smouldering) that I realised I was a blaze. It was a really awkward position to pat myself out as well (around the crotch)

[Syzygys]

wow, thank you for sharing us with this health information. I guess this is sort of like the dangers of mesothelioma.

Studying to be a welder?

[shorty_37]

I had to go for an MRI last yr and the only thing I remember them being concerned with was tatoos. I have a little one on my shoulder blade but it was no problem since it contains no lead. I don't remember
a question about welding. :shrug:

I hope you aren't claustrophobic, I sometimes still have flashbacks and I feel my heart racing. It was a nightmare for me. I felt like I was in a coffin and the first time she put me in there she had to get me right back out because panic just came over me and I felt
like I couldn't breathe.

[draqon]

Studying to be a welder?

no...but I will have to weld sometime in my career.

[Orleander]

Studying to be a welder?

My son has been thinking about it. Most welders around here are retiring and its only a 4 month class at the local community college and then you're certified.

[cosmictraveler]

I had to go for an MRI last yr and the only thing I remember them being concerned with was tatoos. I have a little one on my shoulder blade but it was no problem since it contains no lead. I don't remember
a question about welding. :shrug:

I hope you aren't claustrophobic, I sometimes still have flashbacks and I feel my heart racing. It was a nightmare for me. I felt like I was in a coffin and the first time she put me in there she had to get me right back out because panic just came over me and I felt
like I couldn't breathe.

Open MRI have been around now for over 20 years!

http://www.auburnopenmri.com/images/1.jpg

[clusteringflux]

I don't understand the OP. My co-worker (Machinist-welder) had an MRI a month ago. What's the risk?


They said that the danger of inhaling the gasses and deposits of metal in my lungs is what makes it dangerous

What's dangerous, the welding or the MRI?

[Orleander]

Open MRI have been around now for over 20 years!

http://www.auburnopenmri.com/images/1.jpg


Yes, but they use the closed one for people who enjoy complaining.

[leopold99]

I had to go for an MRI last yr and the only thing I remember them being concerned with was tatoos. I have a little one on my shoulder blade but it was no problem since it contains no lead. I don't remember
a question about welding. :shrug:

I hope you aren't claustrophobic, I sometimes still have flashbacks and I feel my heart racing. It was a nightmare for me. I felt like I was in a coffin and the first time she put me in there she had to get me right back out because panic just came over me and I felt
like I couldn't breathe.
wait till you have some thyroid scans.
they lay you on that table and tell don't move while they slowly lower that 2 ton machine directly onto your throat. :eek:

[Orleander]

wait till you have some thyroid scans.
they lay you on that table and tell don't move while they slowly lower that 2 ton machine directly onto your throat. :eek:


You've obviously never had a mammogram. ;)

[John99]

I don't understand the OP. My co-worker (Machinist-welder) had an MRI a month ago. What's the risk?

What's dangerous, the welding or the MRI?

never heard of that before either but maybe because they have an exhaust fan and wear rspirators. apparantly it is due to the smoke. welding is so much fun though. picking out the right rod, selecting the right heat to use. its the best.:D

[visceral_instinct]

Also liked collecting the little blobs of metal.

I love those! They look really cool.

[shorty_37]

Open MRI have been around now for over 20 years!

http://www.auburnopenmri.com/images/1.jpg

Unfortunately not here in Ont..Canada. Believe me if there was an open one around here I wouldn't have gone in that coffin. :eek:

[visceral_instinct]

Those closed ones look horrible. I would hyperventilate for sure...

[shorty_37]

wait till you have some thyroid scans.
they lay you on that table and tell don't move while they slowly lower that 2 ton machine directly onto your throat. :eek:

Is this machine open though?

[Orleander]

Those closed ones look horrible. I would hyperventilate for sure...

That's why you ask for a valium :D I got 2 of them, but only used 1. I'm saving the other one for a special occasion.

[shorty_37]

Those closed ones look horrible. I would hyperventilate for sure...

I started the first time she sent me in there. Then I came out and said, " I don't think I can do this. She said relax and I will leave you alone here for a bit.
I just layed there thinking No Fucking way can I go in that thing for 30+ minutes. Then I kept thinking ok, You have to do this to find out what is wrong with your spine, if you don't it will never get fixed. I went in the second time and started breathing rapidly but calmed myself down, because I focused just on the music playing in my headphones. Ohhhhh and did I mention the noise? Holy shit! once it got going I could barely hear the music over all the banging in there.:eek: I kept my eyes closed the entire time and just kept saying in my head.....You can do this! You have to do this. I was in there for 40 mins and I couldn't believe I actually did it because I talked about this machine being my nightmare even in my teens when I first saw it on TV.

[visceral_instinct]

Ugh. That sounds like a fucking horrible experience.

I hope they have open MRI machines in Ireland.

[Mickmeister]

MRIs are not that bad. I have had countless numbers of them in the past. You just close your eyes and zone out while it is going on.

[Orleander]

MRIs are not that bad. I have had countless numbers of them in the past. You just close your eyes and zone out while it is going on.

agreed! It can be loud, but that's why they give you ear plugs. If you close your eyes, you don't even notice you're in a tube.

VI, you could do it no problem. They aren't that tight, unless you are obese. Then I suppose it would be uncomfortable.
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/fmri-2.jpg

[Orleander]

MRIs are not that bad. I have had countless numbers of them in the past. You just close your eyes and zone out while it is going on.

me too. Ever had a CT scat

[Mickmeister]

me too. Ever had a CT scat

Yes. I have had 13 CT scans with and without resolution, 1 PET Scan, and 1 SPECT Scan. The PET was very relaxing. I was expecting much more from it like the CT and MRI.

[Orleander]

Yes. I have had 13 CT scans with and without resolution, 1 PET Scan, and 1 SPECT Scan. The PET was very relaxing. I was expecting much more from it like the CT and MRI.

all that and this is the first time you ever got the welding question??

[Mickmeister]

Nope. It has been many years since I have had any of the scans, so I assume this is something they have recently discovered.

[leopold99]

Is this machine open though?
it vaguely resembles a punch press.
they lay you on the table and the machine is supported from the ceiling.
there is nothing surrounding you.
the machine itself is HUGE, like two refrigerators strapped back to back.

[cosmictraveler]

That's why you ask for a valium :D I got 2 of them, but only used 1. I'm saving the other one for a special occasion.

What kind of "special " occasion? Sexual in nature I presume? :shrug:

[Orleander]

What kind of "special " occasion? Sexual in nature I presume? :shrug:

No! LOL, when my Mom comes to visit. She stresses me out.