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Original poster

How long for MRI results

94 replies

BrowneyedGirl2 · 22/08/2021 10:14

How long should I expect to wait for mri results? As far as I know it wasn't urgent. It's been 3 weeks and not heard anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrowneyedGirl2 · 07/09/2021 20:02

@Biglumpycustard
I rang the secretary of the consultant who requested the scan. I waited about 5 weeks for the actual MRI appointment but they said it had to be within 6 weeks and as far as I know it wasn't urgent.

@Roselilly36 thank you.

@Mammaaof how long have you been waiting for your results?

OP posts:
Biglumpycustard · 07/09/2021 20:15

@Mammaaof, no not urgent. I have something wrong with my left foot, it doesn’t want to work properly. Saw the neurologist back in June and she said I needed a brain & spine mri.

Biglumpycustard · 07/09/2021 20:17

@BrowneyedGirl2, I was referred by the neurologist, if I ring I would just be speaking to the main desk at outpatient at the hospital.

Mammaaof · 07/09/2021 20:25

@BrowneyedGirl2 I still haven't even had my appointment date yet! Actually it still hasn't even been vetted!! Supposed to be urgent but 2 weeks later still sitting in the system and God knows how far the appointment will be! I'm on lots of different things for my nerves and this isn't helping matters at all 😰 I had an all clear CT scan tho so I'm hoping that's positive, well it's keeping me from having a nervous breakdown at the moment!

@Biglumpycustard if you ring the hospital you can ask to be put through to Dr whoever's sectary and they'll put you straight through x

Biglumpycustard · 07/09/2021 20:29

@Mammaaof, I will do that. Thank you

Biglumpycustard · 07/09/2021 20:33

@Mammaaof, I hope you ain’t waiting long. It was very stressful waiting 9 weeks. I just want my resultsnow,so I know what wrong with me.

Mammaaof · 07/09/2021 20:55

@Biglumpycustard thank you, I'm phoning everyday to see if they have a cancellation, I understand there very busy but I find it so hard to deal with things like this and as the days go on im making myself unwell with stress even if there is nothing else wrong!! 😰

Original poster
BrowneyedGirl2 · 07/09/2021 21:01

I've been more stressed since having the scan and waiting for results than anything. I'm pretty sure all is going to be okay but the waiting and not knowing is awful. At one point I was considering calling GP to ask for something for my anxiety

OP posts:
Mammaaof · 07/09/2021 21:22

@BrowneyedGirl2 definitely do it if you feel like you need it! I've got beta blockers, sleeping tablets and depression tablets and still struggling x

Panicmode1 · 07/09/2021 21:25

This is all very depressing reading. I had an MRI yesterday, having had a barium swallow 2 weeks ago, and they said it would take two weeks for results to come back via the consultant.....sounds as though that may be wildly optimistic!!

Biglumpycustard · 07/09/2021 21:43

It helps talking to people in the same situation.

Biglumpycustard · 07/09/2021 21:46

@Panicmode1, I was told 2 weeks, its 3 weeks on Friday.

Mammaaof · 07/09/2021 21:47

@Panicmode1 you've had the scan so your one step closer 🙏

Kittii · 07/09/2021 21:50

Wow, these waiting times are so long. I'm not sure if it's helpful to say this or not but I had private treatment for cancer and had MRI results in less than 48hrs twice.

Mammaaof · 07/09/2021 22:02

@Kittii I'm glad you got the treatment you needed as I do fear that people aren't getting the treatment they need on the NHS fast enough! Luckily mine isn't life threatening ( I hope) but its still not nice to worry x

Roselilly36 · 08/09/2021 07:13

@Kittii

Wow, these waiting times are so long. I'm not sure if it's helpful to say this or not but I had private treatment for cancer and had MRI results in less than 48hrs twice.
I agree, my MS dx was private, also had MRI & results and the bad news within 48hrs, with both my first documented relapse and my second, so just shows it can be done quickly. My follow up routine MRI can take up to 12 weeks for the result, to check on disease progression. I really feel for people who are waiting for news it’s a very anxious time, but people who have private insurance are taking a strain off the NHS, less people on the list etc. Some neurological type symptoms can be caused by anxiety, so try to distract yourself, easier said than done I know.
Mammaaof · 08/09/2021 08:08

@Roselilly36 oh mine are definitely being caused by anxiety!! They only started after I was told I needed an MRI 😭 the only thing that is getting me through is knowing I had a clear CT x

Mammaaof · 08/09/2021 09:37

I've been fitted in today for scan at 1:15 they said may have a bit of a wait as I'm being fitted between two others but I'm happy to wait hours if that's what it takes. Just shows that they can fit people in it they want to x

NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 08/09/2021 09:45

Do you know, do they review the image straight away, so if it was something bad I would have heard by now? I'm kind of thinking (hoping) no news/good news

No, they aren't viewed straight away. They are added to the list to be reported by a radiologist (a doctor who specialises in medical imaging; distinct from a radiographer, who is the person who performs the scan). There will be an indication on this list of which are urgent, which have deadlines for reporting, etc. The radiologist's report is then sent to the consultant who requested the scan, who will look at the report in conjunction with other test results and their own notes on history/examination to work out next steps in management.

There's a good example of what an MRI report looks like at www.brainkey.ai/blog/how-read-brain-mri-radiology-report (NB this is an American example). The consultant has to interpret this in the light of what else they know about your symptoms, history, other investigations, etc. to build up an overall clinical picture.

Biglumpycustard · 09/09/2021 15:55

@BrowneyedGirl2, have you heard anything yet. I spoke to my neurologist secretary today and she said my results are still being processed, should be done in the next few days. It will then be sent to the neurologist to look at. Then I will receive a letter, hoping it’s not to long now.

Original poster
BrowneyedGirl2 · 09/09/2021 17:59

Hi @Biglumpycustard
Still no results for me but I've called the Gp and just explained that it's making my anxiety levels so high and GP is going to chase it for me. When I last spoke to consultants secretary she said it was processing but apparently it has now been reported and with the consultant waiting for them to write to me and GP. It's just so longwinded, and I do keep telling myself if anything was picked up I would babe heard by now. I'll keep you updated Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
BrowneyedGirl2 · 09/09/2021 18:01

Have not babe

OP posts:
Mammaaof · 09/09/2021 19:25

@BrowneyedGirl2 couldn't the GP see the results? I rang today after only having my scan yesterday and the lady was able to go into the hospital system and said it was 'processing" and to ring tomorrow after 4

Biglumpycustard · 10/09/2021 17:11

@Mammaaof did you ring your GP.

Mammaaof · 10/09/2021 18:10

@Biglumpycustard yes I rang today, receptionist said both scans were all normal 😅😅 so relieved x