MRI what to expect?

[BaconAndAvocado]

Having a head MRI in a few weeks. Feeling a little anxious.....

Its easiest to wear clothing with no metal bits - hoody (its always cold in the room as the magnet is super cooled), leggings, crop top bra, and trainers are ideal otherwise you'll need to change into a gown. No makeup or jewellery.
They'll get you to lie on the bed, and then put a sort of cage over your head - its close , but not touching. Then you'll be slid into the machine. I think its easiest just to keep your eyes closed and listen to the music. If at any time you need them, you can raise your hand or squeeze the switch to let the radiographers know.
Its really noisy and makes banging noises - this is the scanner doing its job and is normal

I felt anxious for my first one too. You might feel a bit claustrophobic, especially if it is a closed (doughnut) shaped scanner. You will have to have a cage over your head, and they will put headphones on you, because the scanner makes lots of loud noises. You can listen to the radio if you like but I never do. They will give you a buzzer that you can squeeze if you feel uncomfortable and they will pull you straight out. Obviously if they do that though, they will have to restart the scan. You have to lie very still so they can get good images.

You can't wear or have anything containing metal (piercings, bra wires etc), due to the strong magnets, so I always wear an outfit with no metal at all (T shirt, jogging bottoms, non underwired bra), and I have never been asked to change into a hospital gown, which makes me feel a bit more in control.

It is unlikely that the MRI technicians will give anything away about what they find on the scan, but the ones I have met (many!) have all been lovely and reassuring. Your results should either be given to you via the consultant who requested them or your GP. Sorry for the essay! Hope the results give you some answers and all goes well with the scan.

Thanks all.

Had no idea about the bra element! Don't think I own a non-underwired one!

I've had several and I've always had to change into a gown, just keeping my knickers on.

If you're at all claustrophobic, keep your eyes shut and just enjoy having a lie down. I had one last week and was starting to nod off by the time it finished.

You can just slip your bra off just before you go in for the scan if you need to. They will most likely run a metal detector over you to ensure there is no other metal accidentally on you anyway. Remember to remove all piercings, bra with hooks, jewellery, wedding rings.

Also anything with loops - even if they are cloth. I've had to cut off people's festival bands, ask them to remove scrunchies, etc from hands before going in.

Try to stay as still as possible, and take the headphones offered. It does get quite noisy I'm afraid, but stay calm it's all expected noise - it just sounds like a continuous hum interspersed with thud thud thud. Good luck and I hope you get an all-clear very soon.

You just lay there and hold still. No pain, no nothing. It's a breeze and it will be done before you know it.

I just take off my bra under my clothes before I go in and wear a tightish vest. Never had a metal detector and they say you can keep wedding rings on. In fact they've let me wear jeans more than once. Guess it's different for each trust.

Had one a few weeks ago. Had requested radio 2 but didn't get it and just had the noises. It was absolutely fine and I found the noises quite amusing, but I have a strange sense of humour at times (traumatic brain injury) 😜. It will be fine op I enjoyed the time to have a nice relax.

I had one last week and I started naming the American states in alphabetical order so I could pass the time! It's noisy and a bit claustrophobic but just close your eyes and zone out.