MRI head scan

[EndoTheRoad]

I'm going this Wednesday as I have a high prolactin level reading. I'm undergoing (in)fertility investigations.

How long will I be in the tube?
Do I need to de-robe and gown-up - will it just be my head that goes in?

I'm worried about what they'll find...

Many thanks in advance.

I haven't had my head done, but have had my lower back done. Most of my body was inside the tube.

I think you should have had a leaflet about what you can wear and what you can't - as long as you follow these instructions you should not have to change. But take as little as possible with you in the cards, keys line - they have to stay out of the room and you don't always get given a locker (and even if you do, you can't take the key in with you )

For the back it was about 10 minutes. I have to say that was plenty. If you are a bit claustrophobic I'd recommend a drop of Rescue Remedy just to keep you nice and relaxed. You'll be fine, don't worry, but by the end i found I was getting a bit stressed because I really panic when confined.

try not to worry, and I hope you turn out to be just fine.

I had my neck and shoulders done.
Only went in to my boobs. Just wore comfortable clothing.
About 15 mins or so.
They strapped me in and then started, and I had to stop them and ask them to take 1 of the head restraints off, because whilst I could cope with being in the tube, I couldn't cope with having so much stuff round my head. I had to promise to lay very very still!

They also wanted to be 100% sure I wasn't pregnant when it was done - so much so that they changed my original appt because it was the week before my period was due and was too early to test (and obv we were trying at the time).

What do you think they will find?

EndotheRoad
Firsly dont worry! I have had MRI scans a couple of times, more than once for a raised prolactin level.
Yes I did get pregnant eventually, PFB is now 15 ;-)
So as you can tell it was a long time ago, although I have been for checks ups since and for my knee. I had to wear like a scrub suit, it took about an hour, time varies for everyone and he did say to me it was quite a long time, so hopefully less. To be honest I didnt like it much but I spent a great deal of time concentrating so hard on keeping still it focused my mind away from everything else. Be prepared for the noise, the scanner clangs and bangs with different sounds for different amounts of times.
I agree with rescue remedy and not taking anything with you. Get whoever is going with you to take you for a nice coffee and some headache pills.
Honestly its all worth it in the end.
xxx

I have only had my head done under GA (not much help, I know).

Took an hour and a half maybe (and that was for in-depth planning of brain surgery, so yours should be quicker).

As everyone said, hopefully you should have some information beforehand - if not some hospitals put them on line, so may be worth googling 'hospital name' and information.

GOod luck!

I have have head + spine as well as head only.

For Head only I didn't have to get changed! Other times have worn my own PJs or hospital gown.

The only bit I found daunting was the frame they put over your head, so I found it easier to keep my eyes shut rather than try to focus on the framework.

Took about 15-20 mins for head only. Your head goes into the middle of the tube. Keep your socks on as the room is very air conditioned and my feet get cold

Sometimes, you can take your own CD, otherwise they normally have a choice of music, but it IS noisy in there. I pass time by counting the knocks & buzzes.

I have had just my head done and had to take my bra off as it had metal fastenings. Other than that I just ware a tshirt and jogging trousers. I think it took about 20 minutes. I found it easier to keep my eyes shut the whole time I was in there.

My dh has regular brain scans, he find them quite relaxing but he's not at all claustrophobic. His are really quick, if the clinic's running on time we're there less than an hour in total.

You'll probably meet a nurse first who will run through what will happen in advance.

Endo. I have this done for exactly the same reasons - it's so they can see how big your pituitary is and give you the correct dose of drugs to control it. Also, they need to be sure it's not pressing on your optical nerve.

(By the way, as a result of treatment have 2 DCs now)

oh yes, the noise can be quite disconcerting at first. really quite loud!

I've had my head done, was fine, was in the tube up to around my knees. Kept all my clothes on (came from work so just wore my suit minus my blazer). Didn't have to take my bra off. They played music to me but the machine is pretty loud and I couldn't hear it very well, I also had a button I could press if I needed to speak to someone. I would have happily gone to sleep if there was no noise :) This was back in July so not very long ago. I got to see the images taken two weeks later which was bizarre!

The scan lasted 15 mins, I kept my eyes closed when I went in but opened them in there sometimes as I was intrigued by the machine. I used to walk past the 'Magnetic Resonance Imaging' research centre at Uni and always wondered what it was, I thought it was pretty cool that I went to the same Uni as the person who invented MRI so the scan was actually quite fascinating.

I've had an MRI for high prolactin. It's specifically your pituitary gland they are scanning.

No need to remove any clothing or wear a gown. It's only your head that goes in but it will be held down in a plastic cage. It only takes 20 mins. They put a cannula in my arm before I went in as I needed contrast dye to be injected. So they scan you with and without it. The first scan took about 10 mins, they rolled me out, injected the dye, and pushed me back in for the second 10 minute scan.

No point taking a CD as you wont hear anything. They put ear defenders on you as your head is in the tube and it's very noisy.

Thanks for all the responses!

I'm not so worried now.

StarMummy, HuwEdwards, that's really wonderful to hear!! There's hope for me yet.

Thanks again, guys.