MRI Hints and tips

[Coco]

My mother is going in for an MRI scan tomorrow, but is a bit unsure of what to expect. Any 'experts' or 'scannees' on this forum?

 

[rh100]

My mother is going in for an MRI scan tomorrow, but is a bit unsure of what to expect. Any 'experts' or 'scannees' on this forum?

Not an expert but was scanned once.

Was given a robe to change into, then taken into the room with the machine.
Lay on a bed type thing, had some headphones put on which masks the noises and allows them to talk to you, and are also given a squeezy thing, in case you want to get their attention.

the machine I went in was like being inserted into a smarties tube,head first, but i think there are different types which are less claustrophobic. But i just closed my eyes and relaxed as best as possible.
The staff were really good.

Nothing to worry about really, best of luck.

 

[4F]

Yep thats sounds about right, smarties tube is a good anology.

 

[andytheflyer]

Hi,

Exactly as the previous replies have said, except that it can be very noisy! I think it's because there are some big magnets moving around during the scan and the whole machine feels as though it's knocking itself to bits sometimes. I've had 4 (or 5?) scans and the machines seem to vary, some are very tight and others a bit more roomy - but they are all claustrophobic.

The biggest problem I've had is staying rock-still for 20 minutes!

Other than that, it's nothing to be concerned about.

Andy

 

[TheDoctor]

Just to confirm what others have said - it's noisy and a bit claustrophobic. But it's not anything to worry about.
Hope it all goes OK.

 

[Scoosh]

Had a wee scan on my wrist but the thing I remember most is the eternal checking to ensure I had nothing, no nothing, really nothing, absolutely nothing - metal, on or in my person. I guess the magnets would have been very attracted to anything metal

Otherwise no problems, except for the keeping still

 

[Scoosh]

My mother is going in for an MRI scan tomorrow, but is a bit unsure of what to expect. Any 'experts' or 'scannees' on this forum?

I think our own Magnatom is your man here

 

[MrRidley]

I've had two and enjoyed neither, but that's because i'm very claustrophobic, as mentioned earlier you get headphones to play music, you can take your own if you wish.

 

[zacklaws]

As the others have said, its quite noisy, also ensure your as comfortable and as relaxed as possible so that you can keep still without getting edgy, I spent almost half an hour in the tube. I've had a couple of them, one on my brain and one on my knee where they did not stick me in all the way but the worst part on that one was they gave me some headphones to listen to music too and drown out the noise, but the music was bloody awfull and there was nothing I could do about it. It would have been an ideal advert for WKD

And as it has been mentioned you get well checked for metallic objects, but even so you can easily forget things, as I was going into the tube I had a sudden panic, I had left my great big copper bracelet on, made from a lightning strip which I had hammered round my wrist and no one had noticed, but as it was non magnetic they were not bothered about it.

 

[fossyant]

Maggers is the man..............

But I had one a few months ago....

I was expecting some massive noise from word go....i.e...scared to jump/move....

Just make sure the ear plugs are in. It is a tight smarty tube...... if you are bigger than average it is a tight squeeze..... even at 12 stone and male shoulders it was tight.

As the scan starts, you'll sort of hear a voice from the operator - very echo'y as you've got plugs in.....

The machine goes (quietly) clunk, clunk clunk....... then GDDDDR...GDDDDR..GDDDR ( VERY LOUDLY) and on for a minute or so..... then it's quiet, then you get told again, then the little clunks.....and.....GDDDDR

The noise varies, but it's a bit like playing a shoot 'em up on a computer with a big machine gun......

You don't jump out of your skin, as you get the warnings...no-one tells you this, or the little click...clicks (magnet's) so after the first 'shock' it's OK.....ish....

If you are scared of confined spaces then it might be none too funny.....it's very tight - you have a few inches over your head once in.....

Looks like I may be off for a second one with my shoulder....ah well. First time it certainly put the 'willies' up me, but no-one told me what it was like..... it's not to bad - told it's starting...click..click...click....wait.. GDDDR...GDDDR...etc...

 

[fossyant]

PS I hope she is OK - not the most pleasant thing, but if you get the chance to watch the images of the patient in front of you coming through the computer.......good god, they are awesome to see................

 

[semislickstick]

I've had a couple, they offered ear plugs and head phones, it is quite noisy, and let me take in a cd to play while in it, worth taking one.
I got a mirror placed in the frame around my head so I could still see outside the machine so it didn't feel as closed in as others have said.
If your mum would like to keep a bra on under the open flappy gown they get you to wear, you've got to wear a non metal hook or wired one, it can be a little embarrassing if you're a bit shy, but they all seemed lovely at the hospital I was at.
I got to see the images a few weeks later, amazing.

 

[ufkacbln]

BMJ site explaining scans

Worth a play if nothing else

Includes a sound file of the scanner!

 

[Coco]

you get headphones to play music, you can take your own if you wish.

Can't do that, I won't hear my mother scream when she's in the scanner

I'm not the one getting the scan, I just want to re-assure her before she goes in.

Cheers

 

[Coco]

BMJ site explaining scans

Worth a play if nothing else

Includes a sound file of the scanner!

That's a good wee page. Much better than the leaflet she got from the hospital.