MRI scan anyone ?

[Evizza]

Just wondered if anyone had had an MRI scan and how it was for them? I have one on monday and am nervous.

Also, how long does it take to hear back for the results?

Thanks guys

I had one done on my lumbar spine and pelvis a year or so ago.

It is very noisy. Other than that and having to lay very still, it was OK. A little claustrophobic, but I just concentrated on the music (I was given headphones with a CD playing, where the person operating the scanner also talks to you) and focused on keeping my breathing steady. You might be able to take your own CD to listen to. I think I was in the scanner for about 15 - 20 minutes.

My results were back within a couple of weeks - my MRI was done in a mobile scanner, not sure if it would have been quicker if it was the hospital one.

Good luck :)

I've had one...if your in any way claustaphobic go to your GP and get some valium to take. The 1st time I had my appointment I couldn't go through with it as I freaked out in the confined space. They were really nice and re-booked me, apparently it's quite common. Unless there are any serious abnormalities, in which case your consultant will contact you immediately, the results letter takes about 6 weeks

If you are very claustrophobic there are such things as open MRI scanners - although I'm not sure if the NHS use them.

It's VERY noisy. Like a loud metally thumping noise. You'll get ear plugs or headphones.
Don't panic. It doesn't hurt.

I had a sedated one in march. After failed attempts. My consultant had the results in 13 days but took 8 weeks to give me an appointment . But if you can manage it falling asleep is good

The open MRI scanners are available on the NHS, but i believe they have long waiting lists.

Thanks for the replies guys

I'm not brilliant with confined spaces but don't think I will freak out. I am really good at falling asleep though, but snore terribly - hopefully the noises of the MRI will be loud enough to hide that

It is for my head so will it be just my head or my whole body ?

Depends if they are just looking at the brain or the whole nerve system which means entire spine.

A head scan lasts around 20 minutes but you have a cage type thing over your head and then go in the scanner. I kept my eyes shut for that one as they couldn't focus on the bars around my head. They take that off and then go neck to tail bone in sections - another 20-30 minutes.

I found counting the knocks and beeps quite good at passing the time, and they give you headphones and music. DS took his own CD in and he had that when his back was scanned.

I've had three. I was a bit apprehensive before the first as with any new experience but there was really nothing to worry about.

Claustrophobia has been mentioned. This didn't affect me, but the radiologist gave me a device to hold in my hand which I could press to alert her if I was panicking - so don't worry, your finger is on the button - literally!

It is very noisy - it sounds like a washing machine on its final spin, but amplified. I'd chosen the classical tape from several on offer (as mentioned you can take your own). I thought it would be soothing stuff, like the pastoral symphony, but it was all very rousing - the 1812 overture came on just as the machine reached its climax so we had cannons joining in the general cacophony!

Don't know if yours will involve this but the most difficult part for me was holding my breath - felt myself going blue in the face waiting for her to say 'Breathe normally'.

I got the results of the first after a couple of weeks, but this was because my consultant suspected cancer (it wasn't). Less urgent results take longer.

You'll be fine

I have MRI's on my hea
d every 6 months, your feet will hang out. It is noisy so will drone out your snoring, but with me they put a frame over head that has a mirror on which is angled so you can see them. It also helps keeps your head still.
Just concentrate on the music and it will be over before you know it.

I've had 3 done on my head.

Think of it as being in a huge smarties tube. It's quite loud a sort of elecrtic banging noise for around 10-20 seconds. Then silence for 4-5 minutes
then noise again etc.

You will need to have a shield mask thing on your face. I think it has a mirror so yu can see out.

No jewellery so if you have stud earrings etc take em out before you go.
There is an intercomm which they will keep you informed on how things are going.

The main thing is keeping your head still- as it will take longer to get the required images.

They may inject a contrast dye via back of your hand.

TBH I've been more nervous going to the dentist.

I had one on my gallbladder and biliary tree - called an mrcp. I had to go right in but the end of the scanner where my head was had a hole so effectively open. The radiologist talks to you as the scan progresses and you get a button to press. He said to me if you start to feel panicky, press the button and we'll have your out of there. I didn't get the results as such but he did say he got some good images and that he could see what the problem was. Stone stuck in bile duct in my case. If is really loud, but I found that distracted me from the situation. It was over in a jiffy, and I wouldn't feel frightened to have another.

I had one last year and it was fine. Noisy but actually was kinda nice as life had been so hectic at the time that it was the 1st I had 30mins lie down in the day for ages .
Seriously the staff were all lovely and very reassuring, told me everything that was going to happen.
And at ours because it's the hospitals shiny new expensive toy its in a nice shiny new bit of the hospital which was really nice.
Good thing really as i've just been to see my consultant and I have to have another one for something else - god my body is just knackered.

I had one on my head (examining jaw); it was less claustrophobic that I expected because I knew that my legs were outside. It's an odd experience, as the noises are loud, seem quite random and aren't like anything else. I had no sense of time while I was in, but overall the experience was fine. For some reason I felt very tired afterwards, but that was maybe because I'd been tense beforehand and relaxed afterwards.

I had MRI for lumbar area two weeks ago, and it was lovely! 20 mins of hypnotic 'hmm hmm hmm hmm' and no children jumping over me, all by myself

the radiographer said she has heard that a lot from mums of young children!

I did not find it claustrophopic and the radiographer said she had worked with a client the day before who prefered to walk down the stairs in pain than get in a lift she is so afraid of confined spaces and she was absolutely fine in the 'chamber'. it really is ok, and they talk to you while you are in there, and there is a button to press if you are not ok.

oh and re waiting for results. I was told 10 days, and I called the osteo who referred me yesterday and they were still waiting but said they normally have them back by now so will chase for me.

I've had 3. To be honest, I found the first a bit claustrophobic. The second and third were much better as I felt more prepared for them. Also, before the second one, the radiographer said to me if you really cant bear it, just let me know and get yourself out. Knowing that I could clamber out made it fine and there really wasnt any sense of claustrophobia from that moment on.

Thanks for the messages guys

Scan went fine - bit of a small space and VERY noisy but I kept my eyes shut and was given some music to listen to.

Nothing to worry about, so thanks for easing my nerves x