MRI IAMs has anyone had one?

[Goslowlysideways]

Just that really? I have hearing loss and vertigo. How long does it take? I'm very scared of having an MRI because I am very claustrophobic.
Thank you.

i've had a few head/neck MRI scans for a different reason. It's quite daunting but you get used to it. The one thing I didn't expect the first time I went was that they put like a cage type thing over my head (something to do with it providing reference points on the scan). I don't know if you'll have that but it's something to be prepared for as I really wasn't expecting it and it freaked me out a bit. They give you headphones and you can normally take your own music to play, or they'll provide it. They tend to do a number of different scans with pauses in between and tell you how long the next one will be, although once you've got your head in a tunnel with nothing but a white roof to stare at the different between 2 minutes and 4 minutes seems unmeasureble to me! If you've got music on then I guess you can judge it a bit by track length. It's really loud even with noise reducing headphones on, like someone hammering inside the machine. I always feel really sleepy and tired afterwards.

@emmathedilemma That sounds really scary. Thanks so replying. I'm trying to get a grip!

My daughter has had several. The worst being when we were abroad and she had one as an emergency and we weren't prepared, they just took her off and did it.

As long as you keep still it should only take as long as they need it to.

Let the technician know you are nervous and ask for some music or an audiobook to be piped in.

If being shut in is the stressful part keep your eyes closed and concentrate on your breathing.

Thanks @youdidask
Your poor daughter that must have been stressful for you both. X

I can understand your concern OP, I have at least one MRI a year, in fact I am having one on Monday, I find them OK if I keep my eyes closed. They are noisy, but they will talk to you throughout & usually you can have some music. I just try to think about something nice, and before you know it, it’s done. Good luck.

Thanks @Roselilly36 I hope it goes ok on Monday. X

Anyone else actually had this type of MRI?

I kept my eyes shut and thought of Jennie Bond when she was underground in that box in I'm a celebrity. I found really concentrating on relaxing helped.

@augustusglupe Excellent

I have regular MRI's as I have a brain tumour that has to be monitored. As pp mentioned your head is covered by a cage type thing and I'm wedged in with foam padding to make sure I don't move my head. It's noisy but not uncomfortable. I have headphones and listen to music but it doesn't drown out the sound of the machine. It takes about 40-50 mins for my scan but goes quite quickly as the operator interrupts with each part and tells me how long each section will take and checks I'm ok. I have a panic button I hold in case I get overwhelmed. I don't like them but I manage. Could you ask your go for something to help you relax to help you manage?

Explain to the radiographer that you are nervous and they will
Reassure you and take extra care . Have a wee before you go in, the scan itself will be around 20
Mins so bearable . You will have a panic bell so you are not stuck in, eyes closed and ponder your Christmas shopping list and you'll be done before you know it . Wear loose comfortable clothing with no underwired bra and you you can stay in your own clothes usually.
Remove piercings in the head area before going

@annonymousse Thanks. I need to get a grip! I'm sure I can cope and it really helps hearing other people's experiences.

@Carriemac 20 minutes seems ok. I need time to plan!!

Hearing peoples experience really helps thanks so much.

Let us know how you get on

I usually go to sleep, I've never been offered music or seen it offered to patients I've supported though.

@Carriemac I will. Xx
@Toddlerteaplease Im impressed you can be that relaxed X

Where I work, an IAMs takes 10 minutes.

You could ask your GP for a bit of sedation, but be aware, some sites won't scan you if you tell that as you're supposed to be monitored if you're sedated! Like 20% of the population aren't mildly sedated much of the time...!

Personally, I think that unless you're desperately claustrophobic, 10 mins of eyes closed, slowly walking your way around the supermarket in your head- is better than a day of grogginess!

@Miljea 10 minutes is absolutely fine. I'll cope. I'm going to plan my Christmas shopping and then just relax. I'm so grateful everyone has replied I feel so much better.

I finally had it done after having to cancel it because of having to self isolate twice!!
All good. The radiologist was amazing.