Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

MRI today - hand hold needed!

33 replies

aNonnyMouse1511 · 10/01/2020 08:08

Sorry to post on here but I only have a couple of hours and wanted the traffic.

Have a brain MRI today and I am not looking forward to the tight space and all the noise... I’m nervous anyway about what’s wrong with me, so I’m scared it’s going to tip me over the edge and I freak out and can’t have it done.

Also worrying about waiting for the results in case they find something, but definitely need a virtual hand hold and any tips / tricks for the MRI itself this morning.

OP posts:

Wearenotyourkind · 10/01/2020 08:12

Hi there - sorry I've never had an MRI so no tips or advice to offer, but there's a handhold here for you. Do you ever practice meditation or mindfulness? Just thinking something like that might distract you during the scan? Or can you have music playing? Really hope it goes well for you

Goldensunnydays81 · 10/01/2020 08:12

Sending a big hand hold, I have had to have a few mri and they have always been better than I thought they would be! Just quite noisy! Will they give you music to help?
I have always just tried to imagine I was on the beach or plan a holiday in my head so that I wasn’t thinking of what was going on! Big hugs for you tho x

hairygodmother · 10/01/2020 08:13

If you can, take a CD or if you're lucky they'll have Spotify or something. Try and focus on your breathing and do not open your eyes! Best of luck. Are they doing a contrast as well?

FairytaleofBykerGrove · 10/01/2020 08:13

I was in your shoes a few days ago. I got xanax before I went in due to a previous panic attack. Could you ask for something to calm you down first? I kept my eyes shut and recited song lyrics to myself to keep distracted and it was ok.

Make sure you tell them how nervous you are so they can be patient with you. I also looked through the machine before I went in to see how long it is - and seeing the hole in the back helped. Also the noise wasn’t as described. It was less mechanical than I expected and more like loud humming and beeping. Best of luck.

BugMcBug · 10/01/2020 08:14

I hate MRI's. I've had many over the years (MS). I've found it's best to be tired, and close your eyes when your in there, so as mad as it sounds you can sort of doze, but awake doze iykwim. Also have something to think about. My last one I was mentally going through my wardrobe and each piece of clothing as I had an event to go to, deciding what to wear.

Good lucl

CactusAndCacti · 10/01/2020 08:16

I hope it goes ok.

The noise - it is a kind of banging sound, you get given ear plugs which dulls the sound.

They can set a mirror up so you can see out, but the tube is quite close and you will need a bracket thing over your head.

I generally just try to keep my eyes shut. As it is the brain you will need to keep very still.

Is someone going with you?

Soontobe60 · 10/01/2020 08:20

I panic when I have had MRI scans but the last time I had one done for my jaw, they game me some special glasses that have mirrors attached, so that when you look up you can actually see the staff behind the window so it doesn't feel quite so claustrophobic. I actually didn't panic at all!
If they don't have them available, my advice is, when you're going in, close your eyes beforehand, and keep them closed! If you do open them, you'll see how close the machine is and get panicky.
Good luck, Op.

violetgrey · 10/01/2020 08:24

Both times I had MRI I closed my eyes and didn’t open them untilI was out.
First time I imagined that I was hiking in the mountains and got to the top to admire the view. Might sound strange but I love hiking and it did seem to keep me calm. My second MRI was before last Christmas and I was compiling a shopping list for Christmas presents and Christmas cards while I was in. Best of luck!

MSNeevie · 10/01/2020 08:26

I have had several for MS too and I am not a fan, but going against the grain here, I find it easier with my eyes open.

For some reason keeping them closed makes me feel more claustrophobic- I guess I end up feeling trapped in the dark and very conscious of "I must keep my eyes shut"

I think it is fine to open them half way through if you need to - maybe ask if you are unsure.

I also distract myself by counting down the number of songs they play "5 songs will do it" "one down, 4 to go" etc.

TheClaws · 10/01/2020 08:36

It can be helpful to remember that actually much of your body isn’t in the machine - you’re sticking out from the hips down. It can just feel like the machine is enveloping you, but it really isn’t. It’s just a noisy box you need to lie in for a bit (very still).

Sewrainbow · 10/01/2020 08:44

I keep my eyes shut, do slow deep breathing and think of something nice. Having active thoughts you have to concentrate on like the poster who went through her wardrobe mentally might be a good idea, or something like doing all your times tables! They usually give music but it can be hard to hear over the noise, which is banging.

Thelaughinggnome123 · 10/01/2020 08:53

I found it easier to keep my eyes open too. What also really helped me was thinking I could wriggle out if I wanted to. The worse moment is when you go in it does get easier and I wouldn't be worried about another one. Good luck and I hope you get good news.

PandancerandRabbitoplh · 10/01/2020 09:02

Hope it goes well.

I had a brain MRI in June and a spine MRI on New Year's Eve. The brain one was 15-20 mins and spine one 30 minutes. If you were leggings for the brain one at least you can keep your own clothes on and not have to change into hospital gown.

My brain one was in a reasonably wide scanner and open at both ends so not bad at all. They give you ear plugs but the noise in mine was like a deafening drill in each ear both times. In brain one you have to put kind of a face mask on which looks like some space age invention - its fine but was glad I was prewarned. In the wider scanner I kept eyes open. Not bad at all for me other than deaf after and half blind from change of light so very wobbly on getting out but that goes after 30 minutes and think most people don't have that. My spine one was in a much tighter MRI, in those best keep eyes shut. You do have a buzzer to ask for help though would try not to press it as it makes it longer - I just pressed mine once as I was overheating in spine one.

It's not too bad and its good to have results.

MatildaTheCat · 10/01/2020 09:02

It’s actually quite hypnotic. You can communicate with the operator as well. Just relax, close your eyes and float.

Best wishes.

Jenny70 · 10/01/2020 09:11

My son quite likes them, the noise has a rhythm and he makes music to the "beat". Each scan (within the scan) has its own music.

Use some guided thinking to think of something you like - hiking, swimming etc.

BugMcBug · 10/01/2020 09:13

Oh just remembered something that might help. I had one MRI in one that the technician said was for overweight people. I'm not overweight and it had more space so didn't feel so closed in. The technician said to ask for the bigger one next time. It made it so much better.

Inforthelonghaul · 10/01/2020 09:14

I’ve had a few of these and they’re really not bad at all. Quite noisy but not awful and I just sort of day dream. The first time they put a radio on for me but I could only hear it when the machine was quiet so that was more irritating than helpful.

NoSauce · 10/01/2020 09:40

I’ve had a few MRIs and was a bit worried the first time too OP.

I closed my eyes and just concentrated on my breathing and nothing else. It really helped me. Good luck hope it goes ok.

nonetcurtains · 10/01/2020 10:07

Maybe a bit strange but I really enjoy and look forward to my MRI's (MS). The longest time I've been in was 1hr 40mins, which admittedly was more than plenty.

Try to prepare yourself first, make sure you are absolutely comfortable when lying down, ask for a support for your legs so you're not lying flat. You'll be offered ear plugs so make sure they are in properly. Ask for music to be played and make sure it's the type you enjoy listening too, or maybe an audio book if they have a player.

Imaging the 'tunnel' is a safe haven protecting you from harm.

I like to hear the magnets lining up (which is what the noise is all about). Also I asked for a copy of the images on CD so I could show family pictures of my brain!, it's really interesting and I fully intended to have some coasters printed up with one of the pictures just for fun lol, never have got round to that though.

Hope it all goes well and you get the results you expect.

Original poster

aNonnyMouse1511 · 10/01/2020 12:03

Thank you everybody. All done. Luckily it was a short one, I kept my eyes shut so I never had to deal with the head cage or the machine itself although I did sneak a look on the way out. I didn’t like it!

I have the images on a disc but won’t look at them until I’ve had the results in case I see something and obviously not knowing what it is, am liable to freak out!

Really appreciate you all taking the time to support me x

OP posts:

CactusAndCacti · 10/01/2020 13:19

Pleased it went well, how you don't have to wait too long for the results.

CactusAndCacti · 10/01/2020 13:31

*hope

Original poster

aNonnyMouse1511 · 10/01/2020 17:20

Just got my results. All clear. Celebrating tonight! Thanks everyone xxx

OP posts:

violetgrey · 10/01/2020 17:29

Wonderful news!

Firstawake · 10/01/2020 17:43

Flip

1 2