Pelvic gynae MRI - what to expect?

[SweatyyBettyy]

I am having one soon and would really like to hear about other people's experiences. The one thing I am concerned is about is does my head go in the scanner as I am reading mixed messages online. It also says I will have a dye put in?
Thank you x

The dye is given through a drip in your arm or hand. My head wasn't inside the scanner for any of the pelvic MRIs I have had.

I've had one and my head was mostly if not completely in the scanner. If I looked straight up, I could see only the inside of the scanner, but if I tilted my head back just a little, I could see the room's ceiling above and behind me, so not right in there and feeling fully enclosed. I am quite claustrophobic but found it was manageable.

My experience was like flourellas, my head was in the scanner.

Thank you so much for your replies, they are very helpful. I'm sure it will be okay 😊 x

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My head was In the scanner. Try asking them if its possible for you to be outside if it worries you

i had one last month - went in feet first, so head wasn't in scanner, but was up to shoulders.

Dye / contrast goes in through a canula in your hand (i'm shit with needles so that was the worst bit for me). They put that in before the scan, get you to put your belongings in a locker. take off any jewellery.

You can remain clothed as long as those clothes have no metal, so like a crop top bra, leggings, jumper. I think one I kept my shoes on, one without.

They will do the scans without the contrast, then inject it and do them again.
Scans feel like nothing, they are quite boring tbh - very noisy but you are given earplugs and headphones. Some times you are given the option of listening to music but i said no as not good with different contrasting noises all at once.

There are sort of sets of scans, so one might be 5 mins then the machine stops, moves a little, starts again.

You have a beeper you hold in case you want them to stop at any point

The table thing you are on will move a little between scans, you just keep still, arms by your side. Made me jump a little when the table moved but its like 2cm movement.

You can still hear the machine even with earplugs, longs of bangs and whirring. Imagine being next to a slightly unbalanced washing machine at a 90s rave, but in a way its quite relaxing, I nearly dozed off.

I've also had some head first (for my head) and there is a little mirror where you can see the "outside"

It is V cold in the room (has to be because of the machine) so be prepared for that. Wear socks, and a jumper / cardy

Oh and they put like a grey matt thing over my pelvic area - thats a coil array to get a better picture, about the size and weight of a doormat with holes in, it clips in the side.

@ItchyKondera has given a fab thorough account of what it's like, I had one in August and I was terrified but it wasn't as bad as I thought and the nurses were lovely

My head was very slightly in the scanner but as PP said if you tilt your head back you can see the ceiling/room.

My experience was:

Went in, asked to fill out a form/answer questions. Taken through to have cannula put in (for the dye). Told them I was nervous about the whole thing, esp the dye, they said my DH could sit next to my head as long as he removed all the metal on his person

Got sent to changing room to remove underwired bra and anything else metal I had, put that in a locker

Taken into the room, laid down on the bed. Got given ear plugs (in ear) and ear defenders. Handed me the squeeze thing you can press if you want them to stop for any reason. Had something strapped over my pelvic area and a pillow placed under my head. Nurses explained what was going to happen and lovely one said she'd come and stand with me when the dye went in. They told DH he could stroke my head if he wanted to (he wasn't bloody listening and didn't touch me - twit)

The bed then moved into the machine, head was only just in - there was a sign above me on the machine that said 'do not look directly into laser' which I kept reading and trying to make different words out of the letters

The MRI tech said through the headphone things she was going to start and then it got noisy and clunky. Different noises for about 45 mins, very loud and repetitive. The bed will move a little for slightly different angles.

After 40 mins the nurse appeared and it was dye time. Felt cold going in, had a metallic taste in my mouth. 5 mins later it was done, the bed retracted and I was allowed to get up.

I went back to th changing room and put my bra back on/got my stuff.

Then I had to sit in the waiting area for 15 mins to ensure no reaction to the dye. They gave me a glass of water and I sat and chatted to DH.

15 mins later they called me back in to remove the cannula and asked me to fill out a patient satisfaction survey.

That was that. I'm not belittling it, I was nervous all the way through but they really put me at ease and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Good luck OP, you will be absolutely fine

Experience pretty much as described by others.

I've had quite a few MRIs and the one constant has been regarding the dye.

Whenever it is injected I experience an immediate and urgent desire to urinate. I mentioned it the first time and the nurse told me that was a normal reaction experienced by many people. I do not actually need to urinate but the sensation is strong.

Just mentioning this in case you experience this too!!

Haha I had that with a CT Scan! Got all warm and felt I'd weed myself - its more like how a heated seat in a car makes you feel

Thanks so much. I feel so much more prepared now. I was thinking I'd be in there 5 minutes. I need to have it done, so it is so much better that I know what is happening. Fingers crossed my head isn't in the scanner 🙏