Head MRI - has anyone had one? Questions.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

Has anyone had one? I have been referred due to buzzy, tingly feelings in my mouth and lips, following a difficult tooth extraction last year (lower molar). X-rays at maxillo facial were clear, so the consultant thinks ir’s nerve damage.

I am freaking out about the scan a bit, and wondered about the following:

Will only my head go in the machine, or my whole body?

The leaflet I was sent talks about an injection of dye, but the letter doesn’t say I am to have this. I am phobic about needles so this is really worrying.

The leaflet also says to wear loose, comfortable clothing, like a tracksuit. I own no such garment, and will be going to work after the appointment. Will I be okay to wear normal clothes - eg, a dress?

The appointment is on Tuesday, and the letter only came in yesterday,. I did try to call them but no-one picked up.

I've had two recently, one on my back and neck that took about 40 minutes, because they were looking at two areas. And one on my head because they discovered something in my head when they scanned my neck. That only took 20 minutes. They put a periscope mirror type thing over my face which gave me a blurry view into the scanning room. I had to listen to radio 2. I wore my usual clothes but took my dress off and wore grown over non wired bra knicks and black tights.

It went much quicker than i expected. Its pretty much as others described. I preferred it when my head was out of the machine whilst they scanned my back. Obvs you will have head in machine but you wont be in too long. I found it uncomfortable lying still but thats because i have bad back and neck and they made me as comfy as possible. The radiologists were very kind.

The worst part for me was worrying about the results. But its been fine. The pictures are cool. I tell myself we are very lucky to hsve access to expensive hi-tech healthcare and well traimed radiologists doctors to help us.

I’ve had an emergency ct scan before for 6 clots on my lung and they done the dye/contrast turns out I’m highly allergic to the dye /contrast and go into complete shock so when they done the mri they could do it without the dye. The whole job of the dye is it makes things easier to see

I finally got through to someone this afternoon. No dye. The lady said it would take 30 minutes. I’ve put leggings and a t-shirt in a bag, and will wear a vest under my dress as I don’t own any non-wired bras.

Thank you all so much for the helpful comments.

That is good to know about dye

Sure you will be fine - just imagine where the "train" is taking you on holiday when you hear the noises

I survived! Thanks to everyone again for such helpful posts.

That’s great news lovely