MRI tomorrow - bit worried

[superbagpuss]

I have a MRI tomorrow to take a look at my heart. They are going to need to put dye in my blood.

I have been told to take a dressing gown and a music CD

What else do I need to know? This is all completely new to me so I have no idea what to expect apart from watching house. I don't like the feeling of being penned it but its just a general unrest, not a panic feeling.

It is boring,and a bit noisy. Don't worry

It's very noisy! It's a magnet or magnets whizzing around a big metal tube, hence the clunking. To me, it almost sounded like I was in a pinball machine or a old school video game. It's very odd.

If you get cold feet, wear your socks, or ask for a blanket.
Not sure what contrast you're having, but I had one for a CT scan where it felt like I was wetting g myself. They warned me about this, and said it will fee, like it, but I won't actually be wetting myself, no one evwr does, but still I was convinced that I was the exception and I was actually pissing away.

I wasn't.

I prpromise you that I did write AN old school, but my tablet hates me and wants me to look like a fool.

Ahem, promise

I've had two heart MRIs. You will be fine. I think it took about 30 minutes or so. They are quite tiring as you will be asked to hold your breath every so often. The first time I had one I felt like I'd run a marathon but I'm not very fit

spottedzebra I agree about feeling like you've wet yourself in the CT scan, such a weird feeling. The dye for the MRI didn't have that effect though. I don't remember feeling anything.

I second the keeping your eyes closed and imagining yourself on a beach idea - that's exactly what I did. I opened my eyes briefly once and the "ceiling" was a bit close for comfort. I had mine for my heart too, and had to breathe out and not breathe in for a few seconds several times and I found that quite hard as felt like a really long time before they'd say you could breathe in again. It's not much fun, but honestly it's perfectly bearable. Good luck

Yy noisy.

And flipping cold. I was really freaked out beforehand but actually its quite relaxing.

There you go, bagpuss - you probably won't be lying there thinking you've pissed yourself, and that can only be a good thing!

Erm, what else? You know it's a sort of metal tunnel that you go into, probably headfirst on a bed stretcher thing, right? The medics have to clear the room but you will see them past your feet through a window, and they will talk to you through a speaker. You'll probably have a panic button thing tho you won't need it.

thank you all

I'm worried about the metal thing - I will leave my rings and jewelly at home but what happens if I have something metal in me and I never knew and it comes flying out, turning it into a blood bath

Note: must stop watching house and zombie films!

I was told my wedding ring was ok. I've also got a metal tooth crown, which was fine, so I don't think it's too much of a problem.

I had the dye for an MRI of my bowel. It was all ok at the time, but it did give me an awful headache afterwards. They did warn me about this.

Hope it goes ok.

I have had a heart and a brain MRI. It is noisy and I felt claustrophobic. Luckily, the second time, I told the nurse this and she suggested wearing an eye mask which they provided, and made it much better. You also get a panic button so if you feel unwell you can press that. It isn't the nicest experience in the world but don't be afraid to tell the staff if you are worried. Good luck!

Once you get used to the noise it is strangely relaxing in a way.
I actually fell asleep when having mine! They woke me up when it was done and it felt like it had taken 5 minutes. I had actually been in the scanner for 50 minutes. Hope it goes well tomorrow!

"It's very noisy! It's a magnet or magnets whizzing around a big metal tube, hence the clunking."

The magnets don't actually move. The noise is caused by vibrations as the magnetic fields increase and decrease in strength.

I had a heart one too OP - feels like we should start some sort of club! I second closing your eyes and thinking of lying next to a pool with a trolley of cocktails being whizzed round every now and then. Also, drink plenty for the rest of the day (water, not cocktails, alas) and even some nettle tea if you can stand it. My sister told me to do this as it helps flush out the dye from your system apparently, though no idea if it really does.

Good luck!

Did they tell you to avoid caffeine tonight and in the morning?

OP you are just like me! I had an MRI a couple of weeks ago and was worrying about imaginary pacemakers and metal rods tearing out of me. Could I have forgotten about some major surgery?

I hadn't obvs and all was fine. Very noisy (reminded me of an awful trance club I wandered into once) but that's as scary as it got. I was in there about 40 mins to check on a back injury.

Walking Dead is on right now, btw. Enjoy and don't worry about the MRI

Yeah what they all said - noisy, have to keep v still, cold so wear socks, no metal externally that you know about, doesn't hurt (that's the main one for me lol), takes longer than you think. The staff will most likely be really lovely in my experience.

My DS is applying to uni to do Radiography and he LOVES all this stuff!

thanks everyone

I don't remember them saying anything about caffine (she says as she is drinking tea) but I do remember it said have a light lunch as its this afternoon.

update : I survived

Hurrah! How was it?

small, unpleasant and they didn't let me listen to music

lots of holding breath and coughing on demand

good news is they didn't see a issue

Ah, good that there was good news.
Shame about the music. Did they ask you what you'd brought before they vetoed it?

So glad you survived in good health super xx