MRI Scan needed. Terrified!

[Seaguller]

Hi. Am in shock after learning that i will need ad MRI scan to look at my heart. Have felt generally well for 25 years after valve replacement (St Jude aortic), but have been informed that it may no longer be right size. Pretty devatstated really as was told that it should last for life. Anyone else have previous MRI experience and comments / advice? Would be much appreciated. Love to all.

[Fredders]

Hi Seaguller, sorry to hear things aren't going smoothly. I had an MRI scan before my first AVR and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I also had to have one before they decided to remove my spleen. It is quite a tight squeeze and noisy, when you are in there the top of the 'tube' is a matter of inches above your face. I meditate regularly so was able to keep myself calm doing breathing exercises, I also shut my eyes. Practice doing some breathing exercises to help you relax. One good thing is that you aren't inside the machine for very long. I'm sure you'll be fine.Wendy

[Seaguller in reply to Fredders]

Thanks. Very kind of you

[Hidden]

I've had a number of MRIs for different reasons and the heart one was one of the shortest - about 40 mins. It can be noisy, sounding rather like a spin drier that's off balance, but they usually give you soft ear plugs to muffle the sound. With the heart scan, you are told to hold your breath at intervals, which I found a little difficult. I suffer from mild claustrophobia, so it's a bit traumatic for me, but I've had to have scans that lasted over 2 hrs, and got through them. Most people don't have a problem with MRIs, and you'll probably be one of them, so try not to worry. I hope all goes well for you.

[Seaguller in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Appreciate it

[Magicfairy]

Hi there, I had one two weeks ago, I was expecting a doughnut shaped thing, now know that was a ct scan and mri is a tunnel, won’t lie, I was a bit panicked, but after a few in from the nose and out from the mouth breathing was absolutely fine, just think well this is another experience 🙂, nothing will hurt you, wishing you well x

[LMD1986]

I had one a few weeks ago. It was much better than I thought it would be and I was fixed up with a mirror contraption so I could see out of the end of the tube. I did keep my eyes shut most of the time though. Mine lasted about 40 minutes and the hardest part for me was holding my breath on expiration rather than breathing in. You are being asked to breathe and hold your breath many times throughout so time passes quickly. You do have a button to press if you need to speak or feel uncomfortable.

[FiftyNotOut]

I’ve had a few. They’re not my favourite way to spend time, but the best way of knowing what’s going on with my heart. You may have a cannula so they can inject a contrast agent to see things better. The contrast feels cold going in, but then you don’t feel it.

The scanner is quite a tight squeeze so tell them if you feel claustrophobic. You’ll have a squeezy buzzer to press if you’re finding it difficult. I find it best to close my eyes before being rolled into the scanner - and keeping them closed until it ends!

You’ll have headphones and they’ll probably give you the option of listening to music. Personally I prefer not to. The scanner is noisy, but strangely I quite like the noise.

It’ll probably take about 45 minutes, but can be shorter if they’ve got the pictures they need.

[Hidden]

You have some kind of a button you can push if you are having issues. But better to just get on with it knowing it will be over soon. As others have said, very noisy.

[Stonechick]

Hi, I did listen to the music and it was very soothing. It is also air conditioned so that helps you to feel less enclosed. I thought about my Grandchildren one by one. I knew someone was nearby if I became worried so relaxed as much as possible. Not too bad as these things go!

[Babsben]

Hi, I had an mri Feb this year, absolutely petrified as I'm claustrophobic. I asked gp for diazepam spoke to the hospital they were happy for me to take it. Closed my eyes tight shut (some wear an eye mask). They put earphones on you so you can hear the instructions when to breathe in etc....i was in for 80 mins but felt I was only in there for about 15 it went so fast the diazepam definitely helped. Good luck ❤️👍

[LBCdance]

You've had some good advice and comments, not my favourite way to spend time either, but I try to remind myself every time what a miracle these developments are and how they contribute to our diagnoses and treatments, so weighed up are worth the understandable anxiety. And staff are always so helpful, you can ask for diazepam. If you can consciously think of pleasant things, people, places, etc, that helps. I have a good memory for poetry too. The time goes surprisingly quickly so good luck

[WardijaWardija]

Along with some of the more positive postings above, and you dont have an issue in confined spaces, you'll be just fine. I've had 3 and there's nothing much to write home about, no pain, nothing. Lay in the tube, can be a bit of a tight fit, put your headphones on and zone out . . . 35-40 mins and you are done.Best of British, but you won't need it. 🙂

[Warm-heart]

Hi I had a cardiac MRI. I recommend also taking your own earplugs to put underneath theirs. Practice some deep breathing beforehand to do during the investigation. It helped me a lot.

Also, I was given a 'contrast dye/ agent' called gadolinium. Your GFR should be well above 60 for this to be given as you need good excretion. It is a toxic heavy metal. Please research at gadoliniumtoxicity.com I had a normal gfr above 60 but it changed my life to chronic nerve pain and a whole host of other chronic issues. Wish I'd known about the website to research it beforehand. A lot of people don't get side effects, but it is shown (scientific research) to stay in the brain, spinal cord, and tissues of everyone and accumulates with successive MRI's. I only had one Dotarem injection and that was sufficient to cause my neuropathy etc. I'd just say do your research so you can choose. They can see most of what they need without it. If you have it drink a lot of water afterwards for 24 hrs. Best wishes.

[Arnika]

Hi, you don't say what it is that frihtens you about MRI.

Is it the fact that you need to have it, or just fearof unknown. Perhaps you heard some stories about it and it scared you. Anyway, whatever it is, you seem scared and you want help in dealining with this issue.

You had some excellent responses and advice here already.

My experience is that I had few MRI experinces over the years: head, pelvic region, heart, and whole body MRI.

I was quite anxious before my first one, so I was very tense and could hardly breathe when I saw the tube in front of me because I am mildly claustrophobic, I was worried that I will panic.

My advice to you is, that if you feel like this, the best thing is to talk to the staff and explain exactly how you feel they will understand. They deal with this all the time.

In my case they were not only helpful and reassuring, but talking about it also gives you time to relax , so by the time I went inside I was not so tense.

The worst thing is that the noise inside is much, much louder than expected, so don't be startled. Be ready for it. This is normal.

Close your eyes and start breathing slwoly, deeply, slowly deeply....Keep repeatig it to yourself all the time again, and again, as soon as you start feeling anxious again.

Relax your stomach muscles, let your arms and legs flop by your side, concentrate on yourr body and think you are in some beautiful place, imagine you are there, and the time will pass quickly.

Remember MRI is not painful,

It is uncomfortable, but it is completely safe procedure.

I would have MRI anytime, rather then going to the dentist!

[Seaguller in reply to Arnika]

Thank you. Much appreciated