To ask about your MRI brain?

Great op, best of luck with results!!! Well done!

I fully appreciate OP that you are also worried about the results but try and take the view that knowledge is power, once you have a diagnosis you and your doctors can work out where you go from here, I hope in the long run you’ll feel better once you know.

That’s brilliant to went good for you. Best of luck with the results

I’ve had numerous brain scans and at a guess I would say I usually go into the tunnel to the point where my knees are level with the entrance hole (for want of a better term).

I don’t like having the cage thing closed over my face and I definitely don’t like being in enclosed spaces, so as soon as I lie down on the scanner, even before the radiographers do anything to me, I close my eyes and I do not open them again until I’m out the scanner and it’s all over.

That way I can’t see the cage over
my face, I can’t see the fact I’m lying in a tiny tunnel and I can’t see exactly how far inside the tunnel I am.

Ignorance is definitely bliss in my experience 😂

Really relaxing, like white noise. Almost fell asleep in mine. They said lots of parents said that 🤔.

I had a little mirror over my head so I could see the people at the control desk.

You can imagine techno music into the noise of the machine which I found entertaining. When I had one they accidentally kept the communication button pressed while talking among themselves and said something that had me completely paranoid for weeks, and repeated the scan with contrast, but then it all turned out fine, so worth remembering that them doing their job thoroughly doesn’t mean bad news about the results.

I was anxious too but it turned out to be unexpectedly good and sort of like a going back to the womb style experience. It's so noisy that ironically it's a bit like a sensory deprivation and I felt really rested. The important thing is they give you a thing you can squeeze if you need help so you know you always have that emergency option there.

Dont think anyone has mentioned but you should be able to ask for an eye mask. The first MRI I had, I was terrified to open my eyes and the claustrophobia was getting to me (Im a larger lady and feel the sides on my hands.)

The second one with a head brace, they gave me an eye mask which took that risk away and I could just relax knowing I could open my eyes and still not see anything.

I've never been offered headphones but could hear the music behind the noise of the machine.

Both times were in a mobile MRI unit which may make a difference.

No it wasn’t. They did an MRI because I couldn’t have a CT as they would have needed contrast and I’m allergic to it so I had to wait 12 hours in A&E for an MRI instead.

I’ve had three MRIs in the last ten years and I’ve never been in one that’s covered my entire body, only head/upper body.

I had one about 2 years ago, they let me keep my own clothes on (I made sure I wore a non underwires bra etc). I went in up to my shoulders so it wasn't too bad, the top of the machine felt quite close but I closed my eyes and it was okay. I could have taken a cd with me but forgot because I was anxious. It wasn't too bad all told though xxx

Also I do think it gives me a weird but very mild sensation at points but maybe that's just me? It's only during certain cycles. It's not uncomfortable or painful at all. Just a weird sensation

I had one this morning (my third). This one was with contrast and took about thirty minutes in total. It felt like I was in to around my waist.
I lay on the trolley and shut my eyes, didn't open them again at all until it was all done. They give you earplugs and headphones but it is noisy. A frame thing over your face to keep your head still.
I'm a bit of a wuss and I tolerate them fine. I just don't look.

You go all the way in..it takes about 15 minutes and very noisy. The noises change a lot so be prepaired for that. It runs in different sounding cycles. I have had a few and it's best to just space out if you can. I normally think the washing machines spin cycle is playing up. It's fine. It's clostraphobic but there's a camera inside so you could ask to come out at any time, but then you have to start again so best not to. But you could. Keep your eyes closed is best but there's a mirror to see out to the scanner at the desk.

Looking at my brain imagine after ( at consultant app) was really interesting

You can contact the hospital to see if they are a wider bore scanner (one built specifically for larger patients). You will still go in to it up to your waist or so but it will feel slightly less claustrophobic.

It is a tube. A CT scan is the one you are describing.

I've had loads. It is a bit claustrophobic, but I just lie with my eyes shut and usually go to sleep. Really annoys me when they talk to me and wake me up!!

I think it depends on what they are scanning for and exactly what your consultant has requested (thinner slices of image means more detail and longer in the machine).

I’ve had six brain mri’s and have gone all the way in for all of them and several scans of other body areas where I was in up to my chest. The operators tend to be really lovely and understanding and for me they take me all the way through first, then back in. (I was highly sceptical when they suggested it, but it honestly does help.)

You will have a sort of plastic cradle/cage like thing called a coil placed over your head. This is nowhere as bad as it sounds (there are lots of images of them if you google) and it’s not to hold you still, it’s to help the machine direct the signal, as essentially it’s just radio-frequencies and magnets, which isn’t scary at all when you think about it.

At one hospital I was able to bring a cd and listened to an audiobook, which was really good for distracting me, but that was a long time ago and for more recent scans at our local hospital they just play music through the headphones. For my ds they let him pick his own music from a list.

You can see out and see the operator via the periscope/mirror. They are lovely if you ever do have to press the button to stop the scan. (I had to once when in a great deal of pain during the scan of an injury.)

They will speak to you through the headphones too for reassurance and to let you know what’s coming next and how long you have left.

I am claustrophobic and requested an open scan for my last brain MRI. To be honest it didn’t feel all that much different and ended up having to be done again, as the weighting was wrong for what my consultant needed to see.

Longest I have been in the machine for a brain scan was half an hour, but that was actually brain and neck/cervical spine.

I usually wear a pull on/over the head type sports bra with no metal in, yoga pans and a cosy top and slip on pumps, as that way I don’t need to change before I go in. As others have said, no metal/jewellery.

Be prepared for a wait/delay, as the clinic can start to run quite late if previous patients are anxious and stop the scan a lot.

I have a yearly boob MRI when I go in face down, all the way in and I've had brain ones too. I just always focus on my breathing and then just let my thoughts wander. I actually started to drift off in my last one. I agree eyes open on the way in work out your surroundings and then eyes closed and focus on slow breaths. Have a nice treat planned for after (like cake!). Good luck x

My biggest tip is. If you feel claustrophobic then go into the machine with your eyes open. That way you then know what space is around you. I'm not claustrophobic but went in with my eyes shut and then panicked when I opened them. I then stupidly didn't dare close them again. The second time I had one done I made sure my eyes were open and then just closed them once I'd been in there for about 15 mins. Partially out of boredom. It's also as noisy as fuck once they start doing the images and feels rather shaky as well. The biggest thing I've found after each of mine was it gave me a huge migraine and zapped my energy completely for a good 24- 48 hours to the point I literally just had to sleep pretty much the entire time

I've recently had a series of brain scans and I've never gone all the way in. Just to my shoulders. Really nothing to worry about. It's not loud either with ear defenders on.

And lots of luck for the results xx

I had one when I was also crippled with anxiety and having multiple panic attacks a day. I was OK.

The top of the machine is much closer to your face (if lying on back) then I'd expected and it is very noisy- it's easy to see how the experience can be overwhelming.

You're mic'd up so you can talk to the operators throughout and they'll play music into your headphones to help. Close your eyes and focus on calm breathing. When I went into the machine I thought it was going to be worse than it was, and I made it through pretty comfortably (which was a miracle given my state of mind at the time).

The box breathing technique would probably be really helpful.

Pressed send too soon - you'll be fine, as a pp said you'd be able to move (though dont) and if you find it too much at any point you can just tell them. Sharing any worries you have when you get there is helpful so that they can reassure you and explain things.

I'm not going to lie and say it was my favourite experience ever but I wouldn't be worried about it if I had to have another one, it's unpleasant but OK if that makes sense.

Just to confirm, as PPs have said as I know multiple experiences might help!

I had my hands crossed above my belly button and they were out of the machine, so I'd say I was in just past my shoulders-maybe to my bust but not much further than that. I had the radio on in the headphones they gave me, and was able to focus on that. Had a foam block around my head and ears- it's more so you remember to keep your head still, not holding you firmly in place.

Definitely wear your own clothes- no metal at all so no underwires/clasps. I wore a big thick jumper and leggings and just took my shoes off to go in. Bring fluffy socks if you run cold as they're usually chilly rooms. And obviously while lying still you might get chilly. Wearing thick layers won't affect the scan of your head so bundle up!
The order of events:
Main desk/waiting area- confirmed I'd arrived, asked to sit down.
Someone called me in to the MRI room/area. You'll be taken into a sort of foyer where the scan people will sit at computers, there'll be a room for you to get changed if needed, and I was offered a locker for my handbag and shoes. (I just left mine in the room unlocked). Pop your phone in there too, and make sure your pockets are empty. There'll be a hook for your coat too. Take your time- don't rush to yank your shoes off or anything.
Then one of the guys doing the scan took me into the MRI room which is seperate, asked me to lie on the table and offered me a foam block for under my knees (relieves pressure on your back from lying so flat). then when I was settled, gave me the headphones and the block around my head. I was given a panic button to hold in case I need to stop- I did at one point as I needed to cough and they didn't mind at all.
Then they speak to you through the headphones (they're in the other room, behind a glass panel). Tell you the scan is about to start, how long it'll take etc and then the radio started.
20 ish minutes, it felt like much less but 20 mins is about 4 songs on the radio- so you can count songs to see how long you're in there. Then they told me the scan was over, I sat up, got dressed and left.

They're used to anxious people, and know most people don't do it everyday! Ask questions, take your time, know they're there to help and guide you. Take breaks, take deep breaths and keep distracted. Do your shopping list in your head, or find something you can do after the MRI to look forward to. Plan your route to get there etc as distraction.

The tube is white and the rooms are very bright, so that may be easier for you. And although the tube isn't huge, it's not small enough for you to get stuck in, you could probably lift up onto your elbows in it, and you can even pull yourself out if needed. The table you're on moves you into it, so it's gradual and you can get used to it. It won't hurt, or go wrong.

Best of luck, I hope the results are positive for you x