Lower back MRI Scan, nerves and piercing

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Merry Christmas all.

Please could someone help settle my mind about an upcoming mri scan I have on my lower back please?

I've not had one before and am very nervous. Will my head be in the scanner? I also had my nose pierced last month. I don't think the material of the piercing is magnetic but would I have to remove it anyway? I have other ear piercings too, which I can remove.

Am I able to call the centre before hand (it's a Spire one) and ask about the MRI scanner? Will they let me see it before hand? I'd like to see it and also get them to explain the process, whether my head will be in there and if I need to take a piercing out. I hope I don't have to.

Thanks all and have a great Christmas x

I recommend wearing a soft pull-on bra (if you would prefer to remain supported). I usually wear an outfit with no metal, which means I don't have to strip and wear their medical robe thing. I wear socks, leggings and a pull on dress/bra. No piercings or bobbles with metal.

I also really recommend taking an eye mask. I struggled with panic when I opened my eyes but with the mask on I could disassociate and relax more. Some people mind them more than others. They can actually be oddly relaxing!

Iv had lower spinal scans as I have herniated discs.
They give you a button to press if you need help and they do talk to you via a speaker.
It's noisy but not unbearable

Hi, I had the MRI scan in January and they found a herniated disc and degenerative disc disease.

This is for anyone who might be having a lower back MRI at a Spire hospital. Hope it helps:

I didn't get any paperwork or advice before going on the process, clothing or piercings. I just turned up.

I wore jogging bottoms and a t shirt. No bra. I did wear socks.

I kept all my titanium piercings in. The man checked them with a magnet and said they were fine to keep in (nose piercing and various cartilage and lobe piercings)

It lasted 15 minutes.

I had a hand held button in case I wanted to stop the process.

I had big headphones that they supplied and they had Heart Radio playing in them (same as the waiting room).

I asked for an eye mask. They said they didn't have one I could use and I couldn't use my own either.

Results through in one week exactly.

It didn't hurt and it wasn't scary or noisy at all really. It was loud but no more than when you're in a plane and it's taking off.

Hope this helps someone and Good Luck x

Oh and I did go all the way in the scanner but I opened my eyes at one point and my head was barely in it really.