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Original poster

I'm Scared! Has anyone had n MRI?

41 replies

hellymelly · 11/08/2009 22:26

I am due for an MRI this week and I am getting rather frightened.My fears (aside from the fear that they will find something hideous of course) Are a)that the MRI will somehow pull out my teeth as I have a metal retainer glued to my teeth post orthodontics.
b) that I will indeed be injected with the "contast medium " mentioned as sometimes neccessary in my letter.When is it needed?Does anyone know? I have been having problems with my neck,that is what the MRI is for.
of course C) is the possibility of them finding something,lord knows what.
So any advice very welcome,I am really frightened! (will I have to wear a buttock revealing gown thing? AAArghh..)

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 11/08/2009 23:11

You would have felt it pulling in the MRI if it was magnetic.

Original poster

hellymelly · 11/08/2009 23:11

Maybe I need to find a big magnet and put it near my teeth!

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 11/08/2009 23:13

Breathe, deep breath, in.....out.....in........out......

Original poster

hellymelly · 11/08/2009 23:16

I've had two c-sections, but there was a baby at the end of that!I am a wuss I know.

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 11/08/2009 23:18

Just see it as going to the dentist, they are just checking. As I said, 99% of people have nothing wrong with them, they use an MRI to say "it's not that then". It doesn't hurt, 20 minutes of your life to find out there's nothing wrong is a bargain really. You will get peace of mind out of it, there's nothing better then this.

Original poster

hellymelly · 11/08/2009 23:21

Yes that is good stuff to focus on fluffy,I will bear that in mind,thanks for the advice.I need to get my head round it and calm down.

OP posts:

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 11/08/2009 23:23

It will be OK.

RedLollyYellowLolly · 12/08/2009 09:25

I tried the zip with a fridge magnet and it was indeed non-magnetic, as were the buckles on my shoes.

The clips on my bra strap are though and I didn't feel that budget an inch. Bravissimo clearly know their stuff

Good luck Helly, you'll honestly be fine. When is it?

CMOTdibbler · 12/08/2009 09:32

Things like underwires and zips don't have enough iron in them to be much of a problem if they aren't in the area that is being scanned - and if they move slightly it isn't a problem.

But they will make a mess of the image if they are close to the bit of you they are looking at, so usually for a back scan, they ask you to wear a gown.

It's cold because the magnet has to be kept very cold so that the electricity just keeps going round - you do get some MRIs that aren't these superconducting magnets, but they are usually weaker.

You'll get a thorough check before you go in - some places use a metal detector to check if you have any iron containing metal. Any incident with metal objects moving in the scanner is reportable, and there are very, very few a year

Sugarmagnolia · 12/08/2009 14:19

I'm having one next week to try and figure out what's causing the pain in my hip. I had one years ago as part of a research study and it wasn't scary at all, just noisy. My letter told me they would give me music to listen to. Other than that you basically just have to lie still for 20 minutes or so. My letter also said that if I can wear clothing with no metal (ie joggers or leggings as opposed to jeans) I would probably be allowed to keep my own clothes on.

Good luck.

muddleduck · 12/08/2009 15:33

hi all
I've had loads of these - as a volunteer not as a patient. I must be weird cos I quite enjoy them . A good excuse to lie down as do nothing for a while. Obviously it is different as a patient and I don't mean to be flippant, but all I'm saying is that unless you are seriously claustrophobic then the physical side of things is nothing to worry about.

As others have said most of the relevant metals (zips, buttons, braces etc) are non magnetic so are completely safe to wear in. I'd avoid an underwired bra just because they are more likely to ask you to take it off - this is an image quality thing not a safety thing. I'd also leave all jewelery at home just to save the hassle. (I know someone who scanned someone who discovered that her wedding ring was magnetic... ie not gold

good luck

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 12/08/2009 15:49

I had a body scan a few years ago.

I had to wear one of those awful gowns unfortunately, an underwired bra was the culprit.

It was fine actually, you just have to try and imagine you are elsewhere. I can see why people do panic, it is a bit restrictive but I didn't feel out of control at any point.

Every now and again someone would speak to me and ask if I was ok. I listened to Radio 2 aswell which sort of grounded me a bit, it all felt very normal in a strange way.

Milliways · 12/08/2009 17:06

I have had 2 scans before (hips) and agree re the cold feet - wear a pair of socks!

I have got to have a brain and spinal cord scan on Monday and they reckon about 40 mins. Not sure if contrast needed yet either.

I am more worried about the "head guard" thingy causing claustrophobia than the spinal scan.

magso · 12/08/2009 17:14

I had an MRI of my head and neck and was told to wear tracksuit bottoms and tee(no metal parts) and was allowed to keep the bottoms on. Had to take my bra off as it was underwired! So I would suggest comfy clothes and nice pants just incase they insist on a gown!
The noise was a bit wearing (like living next door to a diy enthusiast!), but its not continuous - there are little breaks when they reset the machine and chat to you.
Hope all goes well.

ThingOne · 12/08/2009 22:20

I've had a few MRIs. I don't like them at all. I think I've always had to wear a gown and I (think) always have had some form of contrast.

I freaked out my third time and now take one valium an hour and a half before the scan to calm me down enough. I've now worked out that I can tolerate one of the three scanners I need to use (my local hospital one, fortunately) but the other two are unbearable as I can't see out of the head end at all.

The contrast is OK, honestly. I've had one that's unlicensed in the UK a few times, for a specialist scan, and even that has left me completely unscathed.

I hope it goes OK. If you are very scared do ring your GP and ask for one valium on prescription, and explain why.

HarlotOTara · 13/08/2009 17:00

My youngest has had loads as she had a brain tumour as a baby (benign). Final one was this year after 10 years of them. She also has contrasting dye.

Totally painless, watches, jewellery etc. removed, you may need to remove your bra because of the metal hooks and underwires but my daughter has never needed to change into a gown. Her MRIs were 45 minutes long and she had the dye injected halfway through. As they always just looked at her head she had her head held in a sort of cage. There is usually a buzzer to press if you find it stressful and the MRI can be halted, you can take a cd to play through the earphones. I have gone in with my DD for all the scans and if you are that worried I expect they would allow you to have someone in the room with you. I used to be able to touch my DD's leg and foot and did so to comfort her. Am very glad it is over (touch wood)!

Hope it goes well

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