MRI Scans

[rinkins]

Off for an MRI on my neck tomorrow, never been for one before, been told no make up and no clothes with zips or metal but I was just wondering if there is anything else I ought to know? I have not been told much at all about it

[Teleph0ne]

just try your hardest to keep still, they have to keep doing it if you move! apart from that a piece of cake

[rinkins]

oh bu99ar LOL how long have I got to keep still for?!!

[Teleph0ne]

depends on the scan, only a couple of minutes but got to be absolutely still or it doesn't work. You will probably have to undress and put one of those gowns on that show everyone your backside and as you said no jewellery or makeup. It isn't bad though just like a big noisey xray really

[jackthehat]

I had to have an MRI scan on my lumbar discs (but this still meant complete insertion into the machine). I was in there quite some time and, like you, had no idea what to expect.

Are you in the least bit claustrophobic ? Because to be brutally honest if you are you'll freak out.
Apparently, you can request a mild sedative if you feel that you'll panic once inside the machine...........a fact about which I was ignorant until afterwards.

I can scare you some more, if you like................

However, the results are impressive and aid a much better diagnosis.

[wolf63]

Go for a wee first.

I got my brain scanned once - it wasn't nearly as unpleasant an experience as I had anticipated.

Good luck.

[Old_Geezer]

When I had one it made my hand tingle, noticeably, but the staff didn't seem to know why. Doesn't seem to have been a problem.

If you are a little claustrophobic it can be a little unnerving being slid into a tube, but you can shut your eyes if you like, and it doesn't take that long. Can be a bit noisy too, but otherwise no big deal.

[jackthehat]

^ OG - My scan took approximately 25 minutes. I was anxiously counting down the time, trying not to panic, when after about 10 minutes a voice came over the ear-phones saying "scan starting now"..............and then it DID get noisy. :o(

[Old_Geezer]

Oh dear. Maybe the lumber region is a larger area than the head/neck ?
Bit off though to keep you waiting for 10 minutes before they started !

[marval]

I had one a while back, it wasn't as bad as I expected. It does get a bit noisy at one point, but it doesn't last. I was in there for some minutes, but it didn't feel too claustrophobic. The person who did mine talked to me, to put me at ease.

[rinkins]

aww thanks guys, much appreciated. I am not claustrophobic, which I thought if I was it would be worse but you never know how you are going to react to these things do you?!! I get the shakes sometimes so for me I think the staying still bit it a worry but hopefully I won't be in long.

Scare away Jack LOL

Thanks Wolf x

Didn't know about the noisy part so thanks! It all helps me know what to expect!

[Eve]

I've had a couple and the one on my head was far shorter than the one I had on my lumbar spine.

It is noisy, they usually give you earplugs though, just a lot of banging really. Make sure you get them in properly as mine fell out last time and once you are in the tube you won't be able to move to put them back in again.

Just relax, keep still and all will be fine :)

[ladyalex]

It's a bit like being the plunger in a huge syringe.
It's totally and completely painless, but a bit noisy . It is, however, quite light inside, so although there is nothing to see, it isn't dark.
They gave me headphones to cut down the noise.
I tried counting to make the time pass which worked for me. I'd advise thinking of something like that , that you can think of whilst you're in there, otherwise what is quite a short time really (a few minutes) seems endless.
Hope all goes well with you. It did for me.

[sara3]

close your eyes and sing something in your head. you'll have time for a couple of songs!

I've had 2 MRI's on my neck some time ago. it's a bit scary but only because it's the unknown. you'll be fine x

[jackthehat]

They gave me earphones through which a local Liverpool radio station was playing; doing some mental calculations I reckoned that 10 x songs (@2.5 minutes per song) with a bit of banter and advertising thrown in would see me pulled out, blinking into the daylight, again, 25 minutes later.............Song no.4 had just started when the controller informed me that the scan was about to commence.
The noise of the machine prevented me hearing the radio (no loss, actually). FinalIy, was rudely pulled out of the tube with no warning and caught my elbow on an internal seam of the machine raising a painful lump.
I couldn't decide what was worse whilst I was 'entombed', opening my eyes when all there was to see was the air-grille four inches or so away from my nose.............or keeping them shut..............

[carmalee]

I'm very claustrophobic and had no idea what an mri scan involved - when I walked in the room and saw the tube I had to go in (lower back scan so the whole caboodle for me - right in) flatly stated I wasn't going in there. The staff were brilliant and made sure I knew where the panic button was and assured me if I pressed it they would remove me immediately. They really must deal with this all the time - I just kept my eyes closed, breathed deeply and tried to work out the pattern of strange (although not in any way frightening) noises I could hear - guess it took about 20/25 mins - was glad to be out but also very pleased I managed not to bottle it. As you aren't claustrophobic it'll be a doddle. Good luck

[regulo]

Old Geezer, When my pal went to have his head MRI'd, they asked him if he'd ever had any metal splinters in his eyes, as they would be dragged round by the magnetic field, maybe causing all sorts of nastiness. (He thought he might have some from working on car exhausts when younger, they sent him for an X-ray to be sure he was clear). Just wondered if the tingling you felt might have been summat similar. Got any shrapnel in that area?

[Jemisa]

My experience was more or less the same as everyone elses but I was given the choice to listen to music through the headphones, either a Matt Monroe CD or a soundtrack from South Pacific, I chose Matt. and do close your eyes otherwise you get the sensation you've been burried alive. (sorry)
Aunty Jem.

[ayabrea38]

I also had one in Liverpool,bloomin adverts on the radio did nothing to cover up the noise.Although scan painless,I had to have a contrast dye injection,that was a bit sore.I thought the Dr was joking when he asked if I was claustophobic when booking...found out I am and made a t*T of myself!Panic button provided made me feel more in control though.
Good luck

[lucca]

Had one on my brain - 25 minutes. I am v. claustrophobic and they suggested closing my eyes before I was moved into the machine and I concentrated on keeping them shut! Had headphones but it was still VERY noisy. Not too bad overall as it didn't hurt - just felt a bit wappy and blinky afterwards.