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Original poster

So what is an mri like?

33 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/02/2009 20:24

Am being referred for one for sacroillitis - haven't got the foggiest about the waiting list, but its not urgent so I don't care really as long as it happens sometime.

Anyway, top tips and advice very welcome please.

OP posts:
SulliedYouth · 03/02/2009 20:29

Keep very still, else you might have to do it again. If you feel a bit panicky about being in there they usually have a mirror you can use so you can see out, might sound a bit odd but I found it really helpful.

wilkos · 03/02/2009 20:32

its ok, bit boring.

basically you have to lie in a tube with your head sticking out one end for ages (well a few minutes) and then you get out again

this was a while ago tho

IotasCat · 03/02/2009 20:34

noisey, boring, claustrophobic

wilkos · 03/02/2009 20:34

and i remember a knocking noise that was quite alarming at the time but was just the machine working

defo keep VERY still, otherwise the nurses will be cross!

Carmenere · 03/02/2009 20:38

i had one before Christmas and I'm sorry but I hated it. I had a panic attack as I am claustrophobic and the valium I had taken hadn't kicked in and I had to get out and calm down and neck another valium and wait until that worked before I could go back in. Iiwy and you are even slightly claustrophobic I would go to you gp and ask for some valium.

Cantandwont · 03/02/2009 20:38

I've had several. Make sure you take off any jewellery, or very bad things will happen (but they will most certainly remind you of that beforehand).

I got a bit panicky at one point (was having my head scanned) - felt quite claustrophobic. I found that deep breathing, and thinking of calm things worked quite well. The noise is a bit offputting, but no worse than someone doing building work in the room next to you would be.

NuttyTaff · 03/02/2009 20:40

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paolosgirl · 03/02/2009 20:43

I had my head scanned - hated it, which was weird as I didn't think it would bother me in the slightest. They couldn't get a fine enough cut, so I was in there for ages with a heavy pillow thing holding my head in one position and I couldn't see the woman because she was at the other end of this big room - found it difficult to hear what she was saying as I'm also partially deaf. It was the keeping still for so long I didn't like - sorry, this is probably not what you wanted to hear.

IotasCat · 03/02/2009 20:45

I am claustrophobic too and was having a head/neack scan so was right in it for about 40 mins. I kept my eyes tightly shut and recited poetry/songs (in my head not out loud) to keep my mind off what was happening.

wilkos · 03/02/2009 20:45

carmenere - thats not very helpful to op is it?

bad kitten you will be fine

NuttyTaff · 03/02/2009 20:48

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Carmenere · 03/02/2009 20:49

The question was what is an MRI like Wilko. I told her what it was like for me. I am being realistic about it as imo if you even slightly suffer from claustrophobia you need to be prepared. I was not sensationalizing my experience for entertainment value. I wouldn't have bothered posting unless I thought I could be helpful.

cmotdibbler · 03/02/2009 20:50

It's kind of cold and noisy. Depending on the hospital policy, you may have to wear a gown, but to be prepared, wear something soft and warm with no zips or metal buttons like a sweatshirt and joggers so that you have max chance of keeping your clothes on. Leave all jewellery at home as you'll only have to take it off.

The noise is just the way the magnets work - they clang as they go on and off

beansprout · 03/02/2009 20:51

I've got one soon (brain), so am interested in the answers here. Do you have to lie really still or is there no room to move anyway?

cmotdibbler · 03/02/2009 20:53

You have to lie really still - any movement will mess the image up. For a brain scan, your head will prob be in a special holder too

wilkos · 03/02/2009 20:53

fair enough carmenere

beansprout - there is room to move but not a lot. you HAVE to lie realy still anyway

GaspodTheWonderDog · 03/02/2009 20:54

I am a bit claustrophobic and I was ok with it. They played radio through the headphones which was good, also being able to look in the mirror and see people on the other side of the glass was helpful. They gave me a buzzer so if I felt I needed to get out I could buzz and they would get me out. Please don't worry, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be.

SulliedYouth · 03/02/2009 20:58

A bit of a hijack but just a quick one... Did any of you that have had the MRI have it due to cluste headaches?

Cantandwont · 03/02/2009 21:46

SulliedYouth - not cluster headaches, exactly, but for a period of a couple of months I was getting intensely painful localised headaches, together with some numbness in my hands. It was really really unpleasant and the doctors were quite worried at one point. But the MRI was clear and they stopped once I stopped taking the pill. Not sure if that's helpful...

SulliedYouth · 03/02/2009 21:54

Thank you cantandwont. Just wondered if there were any fellow chrs out there. sounds horrid though, scary the pill can affect people like that.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/02/2009 23:27

Thanks all - sorry - I had a rare trip to the pub

I do appreciate the honest replies. I've had two cataract surgeries without any sedatives so I reckon that this will be ok. I'm a bit scared that somehow I have accidentally got metal in me that I don't know about!! Must let them know about my eyes - I'm sure the implants are acrylic and silcon but theres that teeny bit of me that says what if they arent.....

I've got a really good relaxation cd - would that be ok?

cmotdibbler - I guess a sports bra would be ok?

I did read (bloody googling obsession) that fillings can tingle. Has anyone expericned that? was it horrid or ok?

OP posts:
Jux · 03/02/2009 23:51

MRI is OK. I've had two, the last one was spine as well as head. I asked them to turn the radio off at the first opportunity I had as the noise of the machine interfered and so the intermittent radio in the background was just annoying. I said my times tables a lot to keep me occupied!

You'll need to take off jewellery as well as clothes with zips etc. I had to wear a gown with knickers and sock/tights but nothing else - I guess they simply weren't taking chances (I would have forgotten the fastening in my bra so would have left it on if they hadn't told me to take pretty well everything off ).

Nothing happened to my fillings. I'm pretty sure you'd know about metal inside you!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/02/2009 09:30

Thanks Jux - bra fastenings hadn't occurred to me! I suspect I'll get a leaflet though saying what to expect.

I am fairly sure I've never been hit by shrapnel or anything else. not sure why its making me a bit irrational! I'm glad your fillings were fine

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cmotdibbler · 04/02/2009 09:38

Your lens implants will be OK - but they will send you a questionaire about all implanted devices etc, so remember to tell them there.

Wear a crop top or pull on non underwired sports bra, and you'll be able to keep it on

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/02/2009 09:41

cmotdibbler - thats fab reassurance - thank you

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