I am having a MRI tomorrow and wanted to ask for advice please

[FabIsGoingToGetFit]

I think it is my whole body that is going in the tunnel so do I need to take off my jewellery? Will I stay in my clothes or will I have to wear a hospital gown? Will I be okay to drive myself home afterwards?

TIA.

Hi

Yes you'll need to take off your jewelery as it's a magnetic field you are put into. I had to wear a gown but it was a bit chilly so you might want to ask for a blanket if you feel cold when you get in there.
Unless you require sedation such as diazepam (unlikely unless you are very claustrophobic) then it's totally non invasive & you will be fine to drive afterwards.

It doesn't hurt but it is quite noisy- like someone hammering a metal tube that you are inside. You'll probably be offered music (or perhaps take your own CD) to listen to. You have to lie incredibly still for quite a while but if you stay calm, you'll be fine. You may even drift off to sleep with the repetetive banging!

Honestly, it's fine. Hope your results are what you hope for.

jewellery off and probably a gown on . agree it is VERY loud, even with head phones on, it gets kinda musical after a while tho.
Depending on which bot the MRI is off you may have the relevant limb strapped to a board kind of thing to keep it still.

best bet with jewellery is to leave it at home. There will probably be a small locker for your personals, like phone and wallet.

Banging? Eek.

Jewwllery at home sounds best.

Why would I need to be in a gown? Can it not see through clothes?

it's in case you have metal poppers etc on the clothes. I wore leggings and a tunic (no bra) with no metal (zips/buttons/hooks etc) and stayed dressed. It was actually really relaxing - moments of intense 'digger outside your window' noise followed by silence and tannoy comments like 'are you ok?'

dd8 had to have one the other week. just leave jewellery at home. I went in the room with dd, had to leave mine in a locker.

Prob have to wear a gown, unless they allow you to wear your own clothes with no metal on.

if it's a whole body scan it's going to take ages! DD had from tummy to knees done and it took 20 mins. It's noisy yes, but they will play music to you thru the headphones. Take a cd, the ones they have aren't great!! DD had to endure kids party hits, and was most upset by that more than anything!!!

I don't think it's as strong as a normal
x ray & it's easier to manouvre you if they need you at a certain angle- certainly nothing to worry about.

You will be alone in the room with an intercom connection to the machine operator. It is quite a lengthy process too. My hips took about 40 minutes so don't be worried if you seem to be there for ages.

The staff will talk through any worries prior to starting too & if they are doing your whole body or several different scans, you may get a few minutes break between each scan.

it's different from an xray isn't it, its magnetic resonance imaging. I have had one myself yrs back , just came out with a headache!!

When I have mine I compare it to being right next to the speaker at some Eastern Eurpoean techno rave. Very, VERY loud banging. They offer headphones, if you like Heart FM then you should be fine!

No metal at all, I had to take hairgrips and hairbands out, aswell as all the usual such as jewellery and underwired bra.

Hope it all goes well!

I've had to have a few and now know what clothing I have that I can wear without needing the gown, I tend to wear normal knickers and socks but a bikini top with a plastic clasp and on top of those jogging bottoms and a t-shirt.

It is loud and some of the sounds are rather odd but it can be relaxing. Some will play music/radio but some just have ear defenders.

I always ask for a wedge pillow under my knees as it's more comfy but it depends on the reason for the scan if that would be possible.

When I had one, the machine blew cold air onto my face. It really helped quell any incipient claustrophobia.

I am more upset about not being able to bra than anything else .

I wore my own Pyjamas

You can wear your own clothes as long as no metal zips or fasteners. I got fed up with the hospital gowns and they said PJs are fine.

You can keep your wedding ring on - gold is OK apparently.

You acn also sometimes take your own CD's or pick from their selection - or choose a radio station. I tended to just keep counting the beeps & knocks.

Oh, and keep your socks on. They are heavily air-conditioned rooms to keep the equipment cool & my feet FROZE the first time, so I always keep my socks on now too.

I was not claustrophibic, but having brain scans you have a cage thingy over your face that was annoying, trying to focus eyes etc, so I just shut my eyes.

Fuck. Things over my face is not going to be good for me.

Only if you need a brain scan, and it doesn't touch your face. I was really freaked at the thought, but have now had 2 and they are fine.

look at the Video in this news report which shows exactly what I had.

I am having a brain scan.

I am thinking of taking Dh's t-shirt and jogging bottoms to wear but not keen on going braless .

I too am booked to have an MRI scan of my head next month so this thread is very useful. Was aware not to wear metal fasteners on clothing but didn't think about the bra aspect - not too impressed with going bra less either - urgh.

It says on my letter from the hosp that some patients need to be injected with dye to get clearer scans ?? Has anyone had that and is it likely with a head scan ??

I am going in half an hour. Not looking forward to it.

sparkle, i had an injection with dye when i had mine (was having a brain scan to look for MS plaques)...it made me feel like i was having a hot flush for a few seconds and then i felt ok..hth

good luck Fab...i bet even your brain is good looking {smile]

That would be good as I aren 't.

I've had 3 brain MRIs. I am a bit claustraphobic. My top tip is to get comfy on the bed, shove your earplugs in and then, before they put the cage over your face, shut your eyes and keep them closed. For the whole thing.

Also ask the staff to chat to you and tell you how long is left, etc. They're pretty good at this and it really helps.

I had the dye thing. They did most of the brain scan and then someone popped in and I was partially brought out of the tube, and then they stuck the needle in my hand, I think. I had an allergic reaction to this (got itchy and scratchy) but this is very rare, apparently.

I always think the noise sounds like Franz Ferdinand

sorry...might be muddled..are you not the lush lady whose hubby drew some gorgeous pics of her...

it's annoying at the beginning having to keep still but i found that i just drifted away after a while..it wasn't as difficult as i thougt it might be..hth

Hi fab hope it goes well. I had a brain scan and wore normal clothes, it is noisy but shut your eyes and zone it out. Must have been 15 mins, they were only interest in my brain

polly - no, I am not lush, nor does my husband draw.

Can I keep my knickers on?

You will have an injection of dye or not depending on the reason for the scan. It is useful in highlighting blood vessels, MS plaques and a variety of other things.

If you are having a head scan it will not be your whole body that is in the scanner, just your head. I wouldn't worry about going bra-less, you'll be on your own in the scan room, you'll be covered up by the gown or your top, you can wear one until you need to get changed, and put it straight back on after the scan.

Hope it goes well!

fab...as long as you don't have bits of metal in them, you can