Scared for the MRI

[Laura221]

Hi,`

After the ultrasound (which didn’t show anything) I’m having an MRI Tomorrow. I read online that they put all kinds of fluids inside of you for it. Does this hurt? Is it safe? Getting kinda worried now!

Thanks in advance!

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi Laura221 I got an injection, it’s not bad & once you stand up afterwards it makes you feel a bit woosy but that’s it. I was in the machine for 20 minutes, it’s noisy but you can be seen at all times by the nurses/doctors. They asked me to lie on my back & pit hands down by my side and for me this was too claustrophobic, I asked to put my hands above my head which they allowed. Your face doesn’t go in the machine either. Deep breath as this test is worth it x

[Hazel173]

Hey, I had an MRI to check for endo a few months ago but I never got injected with any dye. Not sure what the normal is tbh, my docs dont believe me even though I had a lap which diagnosed endo so I wouldnt of put it past them to "forget" the dye. The MRI was pretty claustrophobic but you are allowed to bring a cd of your own music to listen to if that would help you x

[Emma511983]

Hi Laura,

When I had my MRI they rang dye through my cannula that I had. The dye was very cold and it did initially sting for all of a few seconds when they were putting the dye in me. They will give you a cannula and to be honest having the cannula I always find to be the worst part of anything. I had my lap last Wednesday and again it was the cannula that I was more worried about than the actual op. The machine is noisy, they will give you headphones and may play you music. You will be fine! It does take about 20mins. The staff will be talking to you whilst you have the MRI.

Good luck!

[applebird in reply to Emma511983]

Agree on cannula lol I have dodgy veins. After it’s in they could put anything in and I don’t care. X

[vmagpie]

Hi I had an mri recently, they injected me with a type of muscle relaxant that was for slowing down movement in the pelvic region (bowel etc) to get a clearer image/result. Just went through a cannula and they took it out after the scan.

Think it took 30-35 mins in the scanner. It wasn’t an unpleasant experience, just different.

Hopefully I’ll get some results soon.

Don’t be scared.

All the best

[Angellouise]

I have had four MRI’s done and have never had anything put in me. I did for an abdominal CT scan. Hope all is well and they figure out what is wrong with you

[gemarthur23]

Hi I had mine a month ago. Was in 40 mins I had something for my bowel through a cannula it made my eye sight a bit strange but was fine. I drove myself and went home. It started wirh just the bottom half of my body in there and slowly my head went in to. But it really was ok x good luck x

[Char411]

I had an MRI in January and as I was experiencing a lot of bowel symptoms they put busopan through my cannula and a contrast dye. Just felt a bit cold. I was in for about 40 minutes, after 20 minutes they brought me out then put in the busopan and dye and then put me back for 20 minutes. I told them I was claustrophobic so they left my head out and let me put my arms above my head. Honestly don’t worry about the dye and busopan it just feels cold

Big hugs x

[Hidden]

Of all the hospital processes endo puts you through the MRI is really nothing to worry about. The dye had no side effects for me apart from an initial brief cold feeling in the hand, and although I’m not normally a fan of enclosed spaces the MRI rooms are so calm and the staff so relaxed and used to it that you end up just emptying your mind and daydreaming/counting sheep for about 20 mins then it’s over. You’ll be absolutely fine and good luck!

[applebird]

Hi, you only need a contrast agent in certain circumstances to show things up more clearly, it’s very straightforward. I didn’t have one, you just lie there. You may be in a tunnel or have one that moves down your body gradually. It’ll be your abdomen they do not the whole body (the more they do the more expensive it is so they will want you in and out ASAP). It will be all done in less than half hr. It’s a bit noisy so they give you headphones and you pick the music to listen to. X

[am94]

I trained as a radiographer so spent a bit of time in MRI (it has been several years though and I am far from an expert) - please don’t worry yourself about it! Explain your worries to the radiographers/assistants and they will be able to explain what will happen. It’s nice to take your own music if they’ve got the facility to play it as this can help calm you down, but be prepared for the scanner to be noisy. And they should explain everything about giving any buscopan or contrast before they do it so ask any questions if you have them! They will always be keeping an eye on you, especially if contrast is involved - there will be a camera and a two-way speaker. It’s really important to stay still - if you move they may have to repeat a part of the scan so it means you’ll be in there longer. Just remember that this can be really helpful in diagnosing so it is worth it for that! I hope that all goes okay for you and you have a positive experience. Good luck! xx

[JT98]

Hey Laura! Nothing to worry about what so ever! I was the same as you, absolutely shitting myself as I hate confined spaces! But after talking it through with the people doing my MRI they allowed me to lie on my stomach looking out the way! I ended up with the yellow dye at the bottom of my spine, this is a little uncomfortable but it helps show them if there is any nerve/tendon damage within. With out they may not be able to do a diagnosis! I had 8 pictures taken .. It took over 30 mins but before you know it is done! I hope this helps? Good luck today! Xx

[Bitch1]

I have had numerous MRI scans for my pelvis and had the dye injected too it is not sore at all you maybe feel a slight cold sensation in your arm as the dye goes in they said but I didn’t even feel that. They tell u to wait in the waiting room for half an hour after just incase you feel dizzy which I didn’t either. I am the biggest worrier ever when it comes to procedure but believe me it is not sore in the slightest you have nothing to worry about. I have even had the dye when they say you will feel as if you are passing urine it is the most weirded feeling as you are not passing urine it just feels as if you are doing the toilet. You will be absolutely fine.

[HJD82]

Hi Laura

MRI's are nice. They make me go to sleep. It's like deep binaurial beat meditation music. Why are you having an MRI? to look for endo??? seems odd. Why not just have a Lap? MRI and ultrasound don't show anything. So I have been told.

[poppy75]

Hi Laura. When I had an MRI I couldn't have the dye as it can exacerbate asthma. Just make sure you have a good chat with them before the MRI, explain you may feel claustrophobic. I had one where it was whole body, head first as they were checking my kidneys too. There's a 2 way speaker so if at any time it feels too much for you they can bring you out for a break. That's what I did. I'm going for one soon and I'm going to request feet first. Give them a ring and ask if you can bring your own music. I didn't but I concentrated on the loud clanging and beats of the machine and amused myself by making music in my head from it. MRI can be useful for seeing deep infiltrated endo, pelvic adhesions and endometriomas so def worth having. It can be a bit hit and miss like an ultrasound but def worth having seen as it's painless. I'd far rather have it than a painful for me internal ultrasound up my ya ya and they can often see more with MRI. Best thing to do - keep the conversation going, phone them and see if you can maybe take a diazepam before the MRI (that's what I'll be asking), as if you can bring your own music and tell them you're claustrophobic so if possible you'd prefer not to have your head in. The other thing is I was in the 1% (lucky me!) where for the rest of the day after I could feel (hard to describe) odd zingy energy under my skin and was very tired. Nothing to worry about. Months later I was told a very tiny percentage of people react this way with MRI - something to do with the magnetic fields. Wasn't painful at all just 'eh? What's this?' so I thought I'd mention as I'd have preferred to know in advance! So I'd prepare yourself for going home after for a good snooze but the majority of people don't get that reaction and they're straight back to work/continuing with their day xx

[Dreamboat78]

Hi Laura,

I had an MRI on my pelvis about 2 months ago and its absolutely fine. No fluids where put inside me, it was a little noisy but you have headphones on playing music to distract you. A little uncomfortable lying on my back with a weight on my stomach and pelvic area to take pics but nothing really to worry about and lasts about 20-30 mins. Good luck 😊