Advice please on MRI scan as part of a OHS research study

HiGot a call today ahead of preop on Thurs invited to take part in my surgeons research study, randomised, looking at effects of CO2 or medical air used during bypass, examining effects on yr brain after surgery, part of the postop research is to have an MRI scan of 30 mins duration

Now Ive recently had 3 contrast CT scans, brain, lungs, heart arteries

They were bad enough but the thought of the big MRI machine hole in the wall etc etc freaks me out, is it really that bad, in yr face, very narrow or am I catastrophing in advance ??

I dont have to take part, its anonymous randomised and I wont know my own results but be helping future patients, I shall find out more on Thurs after the preop but wld appreciate anyones input on what the scanners really like, dont mind abt the noises its just the claustrophobia!

[Tos92]

I don’t find them bad at all. I think they look smaller than what they actually are. I usually have enough space where I can comfortably move my legs or body if I need to. I suppose other factors would come into play here however, such as someone’s weight perhaps which might limit movement inside the scanner.

If you decide to go ahead with it, good luck! I hope others share their experiences too.

Tos x

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

thanks Tos it would take place only 3 to 5 days after my ohs op so I wouldn't be in top notch condition to deal with it, I'll ask the research nurse more abt it tmrw

thank you

[Yumz199725]

I have had a few MRIs and it's not the feeling of being claustrophobic that makes you anxious it's the heavy metal plate and other thing they put on chest that I didn't like and not being able to move my arms, are they putting any contrast in your arm or hand?? Only good thing was I had mine at children's hospital recently and was able to watch an entire film while it was happening that helped take my mind of what was happening and having to hold my breathe about 50 times lol. Hope your appointment goes well x

[kkatz]

Not right in you face.I really didn't like the experience but it is only 30 mins in your life and as far as I can remember there are short breaks .I volunteered for research back in 2008 and although I was not supposed to get results they sat me down afterwards and told I couldn't go on holiday & urgent appointment with cardiologist.Angiogram within 10 days and stents 2 month later.

I will always take any tests offered.

[EmmJayTea]

My last 2 MRI scans lasted for over an hour each (multiple functionality and morphology scans, plus I have an ICD, which affects the imaging).

I was initially concerned about going head-first into the machine (I hate tiny narrow crawl spaces), but it is actually a tube, rather than a hole. I could see out of the other end, approx 1 ft above my head. It is well-lit too, so you aren't shoved into a dark chamber. You also have a panic button and the ability to talk to the team - I've never needed to use these. Yes, you have a heavy-ish pad across your chest, but this contains the receiver coils which are essential for gathering the image signals. It was not at all claustrophobic, as I had originally thought.

I was very relaxed during my last scan; so much so, that I actually fell asleep. The team had to wake me as I wasn't responding to the breathing instructions. Whoops! 😳

Good luck and hope it all goes well.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I suffer mild claustrophobia in some situations. But I have also had several MRIs and they don't make me feel uncomfortable at all. In fact during the last one I had at the end of last year I dozed off just like EmmJayTea

[Yumz199725]

Forgot to mention my scan lasted 2 hours! 😳

[fishonabike]

first, remember that you have a choice, you don't need this scan like you needed the others so you won't be worried about the results

maybe if you tried a different perspective it would help you consider it in a more positive light - see it as an adventure, an opportunity to try something new, safely, with no negative health outcome for you - and then you will have found out what it's like in case you ever really need to have one, so it won't be so daunting

but it is optional, so if after asking questions at the pre-op you still feel wary you can say no thank-you

[Qualipop]

Just me personally with a badly damaged spine I can't lie flat long enough for an MRI. I also now get very claustrophobic and panic which is very odd because I had about 6 MRI scans in the past and I used to go potholing in my youth. The top wall of the machine is only about 4 inches from your face. I absolutely hate them now and have to be heavily sedated. You are given a buzzer to press if you need to get out although the two nurses totally ignored me pressing it saying they though I'd laid on it be accident. It's very noisy b ut you should be given headphones.

[Wanderinglady]

I’ve had a number of MRI scans because I have spinal problems. The modern scanners are far better than the old ones used to be, much quieter and more space. I always keep my eyes closed whilst it’s being done so that I can’t see how close I am to the machine. Also, there is usually a microphone so that you can ask them to stop if you feel panicky. They will speak to you during the procedure telling you what stage they are at and how much longer to go. Sometimes they will offer you a choice of music to listen to throughout.

[Hidden]

I must admit I would find it interesting and agree to be part of the research, but, I'm used to being a source of interest to medics over the years.

Have you asked what type of scanner they will be using as not all are the Closed Bore of the type I think you're visualising. I had an MRI a few months ago where they used an Open Scanner, which just came down and was placed around my chest, my head wasn't covered in any way.

Best wishes