MRI - what can I expect

[Emmaja_ne]

hi, I’ve got an MRI next week as my consultant thinks I have endo stuck on my bowel. I’m at a specialist centre so have been told they will hopefully be able to see this if it’s there as I’m trying to hold off on surgery for now as currently my symptoms are quite well controlled on the pill I’m taking.

I’ve never had an MRI before. I’ve read about people inserting contrast into the vagina for a better view? Is this always the case? How long will the scan take?

Thanks!

[AllthatGlitters]

hi I had an MRI to look at my stomach for suspected adenomyosis, I was in the machine for around 20 minutes and they inserted die through a cannula in my hand.

I am 5’4” and my head didn’t go all the way in, which was good for me as I felt less in a panic about it.

Good luck x

[Emmaja_ne in reply to AllthatGlitters]

thanks for your reply. I’m about the same height so that makes me feel a bit better thank you!

[anonymousunicorn]

I had an MRI a few weeks ago. Panicked slightly as they decided to put my in head first (previously had with my head out) but with the ear plugs and music playing it was honestly quite relaxing with my eyes closed.

Contrast through cannula in my hand. I also read about things being put into vagina/rectum but not experienced that myself having had both pelvis recent and bowel a few years back.

Wishing you all the best! Xx

[Emmaja_ne in reply to anonymousunicorn]

thank you for the reply. I think I might ask for the ear plugs!

[anonymousunicorn in reply to Emmaja_ne]

I don’t think you get a choice as the machine is so loud they don’t want your ears damaged 😊

[SavageGold]

Hiya. I went in feet first I'm 5 ft 7 and I went all the way in. I was told it would take 25 minutes but I was in for an hour. I was given buscopan in my arm to stop my digestion for the scan. I had ear plugs and headphones and music of my choice. I was given a thing to squeeze to stop the machine if I needed it.The radiologist spoke to several times. I was getting quite uncomfortable lying on my back so long on the hard board my hands and feet were sore. It blows cold air at you too but after about 10 minutes it starts to warm up while it does its job.

I too was scared they'd give me the distension gel for my vagina or rectum as I have vaginismus. The whole scan would have needed cancelled and rebooked had they needed that. But there was no mention of it.

There were 2 people to help me get up slowly afterwards as I'd been lying down so long. They made me get dressed with needle still in my arm which was minging. I was worried it would poke out the skin on the other side but later it was explained its plastic.

I paid an extra £26 for a CD with my image results on, which is astonishing.

I think they'll probably be quick if you're only getting your bowel checked. I closed my eyes and focused on breathing. After a bit my breathing got a bit shallower and calmer.

Some of the noises reminded me of old dial up Internet 😊

[Emmaja_ne in reply to SavageGold]

thanks for the reply. Really helpful. It will just be good to know what might happen. I’ve had anxiety for the last year while I’ve been waiting for a diagnosis so I’ve got myself worked up about it all. I’m thankful things are getting looked into now though after years of GPs ignoring me!

[AlexaMac]

Hi my MRI took 24 minutes which seemed to pass quite quickly. I was placed feet first into the scanner and my head never went inside the tube. It is fairly noisy, at one point it sounded as though someone had tipped a container full of bricks on it, which actually made me giggle for a moment. Your head should not go inside the tube if that worries you, l am very claustrophobic and that was one of my worries. If you have a favourite CD of music you can take this with you and they will (mostly) be played for you.

I hope your tests come back with a good result, and you are soon on the road to good health.

Alexa 🌸🌸🤗