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Original poster

MRI Brain scan, anyone had one?

11 replies

alibubbles · 15/05/2008 17:23

Hi, I have to have a brain scan next month and I am wondering if anyone has had one and can tell me what to expect please.

OP posts:

Dottydot · 15/05/2008 17:25

Hi - yes I've had one. You lie down and go into a white dome shaped tunnel - it's not dark but the dome is very close to your face. You have to keep very still for about 20 minutes.

The machine chugs away and is noisy, so they often say you can bring a CD which they'll play for you.

It's fine - obviously not painful in any way - just a leetle bit claustrophobic but I found closing my eyes the best thing to do!

Good luck!!

brimfull · 15/05/2008 17:33

I had one about a month ago.

It's as dotty described,very noisy bangs and clattering,but other than that fine.

I had music playing but tbh the quality of the sound was crap and I could hardly hear it.

It is a slightly bizarre experience.

Issy · 15/05/2008 17:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

HLL · 18/05/2008 22:14

hi, I had one of these yesterday. I was totally bricking it but the actual experience was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. In fact, the scan itself was totally fine. It is over quicker than you think and I just closed my eyes before I went into the tunnel and zoned out so didn't even feel claustrophobic. I was spoken to during the scans (I think I had 3 separate scans of between 2 - 4 mins). But yes, it is so noisy - they played the radio for me through the headphones but I couldn't really hear it either. The only thing that I found quite unnerving was that I was told different things re how long it would take for the results to come back before the scan and then after it..which due to my heightened state of paranoia immidiately made me think that they had seen something but in hindsight, I don't think there was anything in it? Does anyone happen to know if there might be anything in that? Either way, if you are prone to anxiety or are particularly worried about it, I think it is good to ask any questions you might have so that you get clear answers.

welliemum · 18/05/2008 22:20

I've had a few. I agree about keeping your eyes closed. It's not bad, truly.

I can imagine that the time taken to get results reported might change, HLL, eg if the relevant person is off sick or on holiday, without any worry for you.

HLL · 19/05/2008 09:18

it was wierd, when i say the time taken to get the results changed, it was literally a change from about a minute before the scan started - I asked how long it would take and was told 3/4 weeks - and then as I was leaving afterwards I was told 2 weeks and that I needed to call my consultant. It put the fear of God into me as all that I could think was what have they just seen that has made them change their minds about how long it would take for the results to come through. But I have calmed down a bit and realised that sometimes people get told to tell patients different things so I am trying not to worry too much..easier said than done I am afraid!

cmotdibbler · 19/05/2008 09:23

HLL- that was prob because the standard time is 3/4 weeks, but that your particular consultant (they'd have looked at your referral stuff properly whilst the scan was going on, wheras before just your name and scan area would have been read) liked to do things differently.

HLL · 19/05/2008 10:07

thank you for the reassurance...not a fan of this wating game and I think that when you are nervous, you look to read things into everything - or at least, that is what I do!

Twinkie1 · 19/05/2008 10:12

I've had 2 for suspected strokes and they are fine- bit tight in there if you are claustrophobic but really nothing to worry about - I found the clicking of the machine quite relaxing!

Went and got the reults 3 days later but it was a private hospital!

marymoocow · 19/05/2008 10:14

I've got one coming up which will be my second one. Infact, I didn't make it through the first one as I had a major panic attack (think I might suffer from claustrophobia ). Wasn't expecting to be recalled to be honest, as it was my choice to go through with the first one - consultant wasn't worried about symptoms but said I could have one to take the worry away iyswim. Now I wish I had said no to the first.
Can I (or should I) refuse this second one? Sorry for hijack, but was about to post this anyway.

By the way i'm sure it really isn't as bad as i have made it sound, but i was really stupid and opened my eyes as "it didn't seem to bad, and i wanted to see what it looked like ", so moral of the story is to keep your eyes closed at all costs. . Hope it goes ok for you.

claricebeansmum · 19/05/2008 10:21

Definitely close your eyes - I opened mine, had a complete panic and tried to wriggle out. Absolute nightmare. So keep your eyes closed and your mind somewhere else!

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