Any radiologists able to answer a silly question?

[makemineadecaf]

I'm having a brain mri soon. (Terrified of the claustrophobia). I have an ear piercing I literally can't get out. Is it a dealbreaker?

Yes it is. You should visit a piercer who will be able to help remove it.

hope your scan goes well

What metal is it made of?

What metal is it?

Yes, if magnetic at all, it is potentially dangerous, in the sense that the forces involved could rip it out.

Could you try visiting a piercing parlour to see if they can get it out for you?

Absolutely no clue what it's made of! Good idea to visit a piercer. Bet I'll never manage to get it back in myself either!

Sorry I should have said, I've had a pelvic mri before and left it in. But obviouly this time round my head will be scanned so will follow advice to have it taken out by a piercer

No comment on the ear piercing, but I have to get yearly MRIs and am extremely claustrophobic. I'd recommend closing your eyes the entire time so you aren't aware of the small space. However, if they have a little mirror set up to help you see out (ask about this) then opening your eyes can help. Unlike MRIs of other parts of your body, they put a contraption around your head to keep it still and I don't really like being aware of this this so usually I keep my eyes closed. Ask for music if they have the ability to play it, and also ask for them to speak to you regularly (I find this helps me). Practice breathing exercises if you start feeling panicky. Brain MRIs are very short usually, so you should be perfectly fine even if you don't like the small space.

Piercer removal v sensible. Try not to worry too much about the MRI, I've had loads on brain and (as you'll remember from pelvic) they're noisy but harmless. Try to think happy quiet thoughts!x

Yes unless you know for sure it's not magnetic I'm afraid (don't chance it!). A piercing studio can remove it, put in a plastic retainer for you and replace it.

They usually put music on the headphones and it's not uncomfortable, just breathe steadily and relax! Hope it goes well

If not just for safety, it may cause a load of artifact on the scan that prevents it from being interpeted fully.

Thank you all.

My pelvic mri felt like it was endless. I think 40mins. Hated every single second and I was foot first for that one.

How long does a brain one take?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5199147-mri-help

This thread helped me - lots of good tips and advice. My head scan was 1 1/2 hours long! I think it comprised of three scans - head, neck and eyes (my concerns).

It depends what they need to do, but my monitoring brain ones for MS only take about 15-20 mins.