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Original poster

How Can I Prepare For My MRI?

21 replies

SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows · 28/08/2022 19:59

I haven’t got a date yet but hopefully will soon. The MRI is of my lower back ( lumbar) & pelvis. All I know is that you have to stay completely still, which I will find difficult as I’m a proper fidget! What else do I need to know?

OP posts:

Batshittery · 28/08/2022 20:07

Don't wear anything metallic in your clothing (under wired bra)
The MRI scanner is quite noisy. They usually provide some headphones with music (but I couldn't hear the music) It was nothing to worry about. I hope you get a date soon

BryceQuinlanTheFirst · 28/08/2022 20:11

I've had three MRIs of this area.

First took 45 mins
Second took 90 mins
Third took 75 mins

You will be dressed in a gown (no metal eg bra)

You need to try and get into a meditative state. Get as comfortable as you can at first, if they have blocks to go under your knees take them.

They will communicate with you during it, they tend to do a block of images for 5-10 mins, then there is a pause and the clunking will start a minute later. Try to fidget only in those moments.

Good luck

CoffeeBeansGalore · 28/08/2022 20:13

MRIs sound worse than they actually are. Don't wear any jewellery. Non underwired bra or don't wear one. Loose comfy clothes with no zips, buttons, metal decoration.

Sorry, you have to stay still. But someone will talk to you. Usually give time periods - this will take 3 minutes/ 5 minutes etc. When they talk to you is when you can shift/move quickly.& get comfortable again.

It's noisy. Not scary. Gets boring. Can be disorientating when you come out. But you will be fine.

Good luck!

Pebbles16 · 28/08/2022 20:19

Try to practise breathing in advance - and staying still. I am a proper fidget and it's not the most fun but think of it as a really noisy break from the world.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 28/08/2022 20:20

I had one a while ago. It was about an hour long, because it was done without and then with a contrast dye injection.

It was a bit loud and no offer of headphones or music. But it was fine without.

I was asked to strip and wear just a gown and was given a block under my knees which made lying on my back much more comfortable. And a blanket, which I was grateful for as there was a constant draught blowing.

The worst bit was the fact that my vein was rubbish and the dye popped my vein, squirting everywhere and giving me a very impressive bruise on the back of my hand.

I nearly dozed off in it once I got used to the patern of the loud knocking noise it made.

Theoriginalinvisiblewoman · 28/08/2022 20:22

I’m having an MRI on the same region this week. They will send you a questionnaire to fill in and give to the person doing your MRI, it asks things like your height and weight, previous operations, if you have any metal anywhere in your body etc. As @Batshittery said, make sure you are completely metal free before you go in. They usually give you earplugs and headphones to put on and a button to hold to alert them if you need a break for any reason (they speak to you through the headphones and can hear you when you speak back. Sometimes they will tell you you’re doing well, this is the last scan, or tell you how long you’ve got left etc.). In my experience the staff are always brilliant and are very reassuring and understanding if you find it a difficult experience. Hope you get your appointment soon! ☺️

DesMoulinsRouge · 28/08/2022 20:24

My advice is keep your eyes closed and concentrate on the music as much as you can. I had to give myself a bit of a talking to to keep myself calm and relaxed as it is a very confined space.
Mine was very long as I had to have dye contrast to show blood vessels in my brain (the dye felt cold really weird).
But it wasn't too bad. You will be ok.
Hope it goes well

Stopsnowing · 28/08/2022 20:26

Ask if they have a mirror. It helps with the claustrophobia

anotherpotoftea · 28/08/2022 20:27

I needed to remove all my clothes and change into a gown, and take any piercings out. Wear things you can take off easily!

Dragonskin · 28/08/2022 20:31

I fell asleep during the MRI of my lower body. It is noisy but I was given headphones and chose the music from a list, I wasn't in a gown (just my normal clothes so careful no metal rivets or underwires)

I kept my eyes closed or focused on the screen, as even though my top half wasn't in the tunnel, the machine loomed large just in front of my face so was still a little claustrophobic - I think a combo of the music and closed eyes meant I was snoring when she came to get me out. I was quite embarrassed but the said it isn't that uncommon

FuckFuckGo · 29/08/2022 10:15

I’ve had quite a few MRIs including one of my pelvis. They put a heavy sheet over my stomach and pelvis when they did mine. The top of the scanner hovered over my face. The first minute or so is the worst for me but after that I’m able to go into a meditative state and feel quite relaxed. I’d recommend closing your eyes. The machine is very loud but you get used to it, I’ve even fallen asleep during one. They will give you a buzzer to hold that you can press if you get into a panic and they’ll stop the scan, but I’m sure you won’t need it. They will talk to you between images and ask if you’re okay.

I had a terrible itch on my leg during mine and someone kindly scratched it for me. I’m a proper fidget too but knowing that fidgeting would only prolong the experience helped me to stay still.

tonicwaters · 29/08/2022 20:25

I take xanax or equivalent (approved by consultant of course) about 45 minutes prior. Cannot do it otherwise as I feel suffocated and tend to panic.

Some people sail through it, some don't. If you are one who has problems, get a sedative beforehand. I actually insisted on it and said I would not go down for it (inpatient) without something to relax me. It was prescribed no problem and I got through it fine.

stopthescammers · 29/08/2022 20:37

I had one a few months ago. Removed bra and hair grips (totally forgot about those until reminded) and just wore my own metal-free clothes. No offer of headphones I'm afraid and they didn't speak to me either. I was there for 20 minutes and I was freezing! I found it best to just keep my eyes closed as when I did open them I felt very claustrophobic, but once they were closed I was trying to focus on the pattern of noise the machine itself was making.. sounds weird but it worked. The noises freaked me out at first, but you soon get used to them

stopthescammers · 29/08/2022 20:39

They also gave me a buzzer to press incase I needed it, but she did remind me that if they had to stop the scan, it would take longer to complete

Chewbecca · 29/08/2022 23:02

I’ve had a few and whilst they’re not the nicest way to spend an hour, they have all been fine & I have never used the buzzer!
I like to keep my eyes closed and just listen to the music. They do put foam holders in to hold the scanned part in position so it is quite hard to wriggle too much.
all the best.

SingingSands · 29/08/2022 23:21

I have to have them a couple of times a year on my brain - I was very nervous the first time I had one. I wear comfortable clothes, nothing bulky, something I can relax in (leggings, tshirt and soft unwired bra). Take my earrings and jewellery off beforehand.

The machine is really noisy, like lying inside a giant tumble dryer. After 10 mins I have zoned into the rhythm of it and after 20 mins I am almost asleep. I have to have a cannula and they stop after a while to administer a dye into my blood and restart. Having the cannula makes me more aware of lying still as I really don't like the feel of them so I just repeat to myself "cool, wet grass" (I don't know why this mantra calms me down, but it always has!) until I feel myself relax.

Good luck!

Toddlerteaplease · 29/08/2022 23:56

I always fall asleep when I have a scan. And her really annoyed eyebrows they keep waking me up to ask if I'm ok. Definitely take your bra off. I was told o did t need to for my last one. But the clips on the straps flipped over and dug in. It was uncomfortable and I could t do anything about it.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/08/2022 00:06

Metal free sports top with bra shelf, lycra leggings, warm socks and a last check on trainers, hairbands and for jewellery.

I was able to have a lower back and hip scan fully clothed because of the leggings and top.

Take the offer of a blanket and pads under your knees to tilt your pelvis forwards rather than overarching it and make sure your back is comfortable before they start.

Have a soft hoodie to put on afterwards because the aircon can mean you're cold.

Although some people say keep your eyes closed, imagination can make it worse than actually seeing the beige/white interior. But closing your eyes just as you go in is a good idea.

Have done loads. Most are boring, one was awful, some were OK but uncomfortable to be there in one position for so long.

abovedecknotbelow · 30/08/2022 00:33

I've had three, fell asleep in all of them. Yes it's noisy but repetitive like white noise, I listened to the radio. Mine were 45-60 mins.

Original poster

SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows · 31/08/2022 20:16

Well it’s done - bloody noisy but it helped listening to Blondie which they kindly found for me. The worst bit was when I was moved forward to scan a different part of me & then I felt a bit claustrophobic. Went on longer than I thought too. But I’ve been waiting since March & have struggled with pain for nearly 2 years so was thankful to get a cancellation

OP posts:

UnaOfStormhold · 31/08/2022 20:22

Glad it went ok OP. It is a weird experience and I found myself feeling a bit claustrophobic when it started but I closed my eyes and drifted into a very relaxed state - they were very good at letting me know how long it would take.

And thanks to PPs for comments on contrast dye as I will be having this on my next scan in October and it's good to know what to expect.

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