MRI scan

[Dodo21]

Hello. I will have my first MRI scan done on Thursday this week. They have to scan my whole spine and my hips, so I suppose it will take some time. Any advice/suggestion to make the experience less uncomfortable/unpleasant? I'm a bit scared.TIA

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

 They might be able to allow you to have music playing (last one I had, I was able to take a CD in too) - listening to my favourite music and also doing mindfulness /relaxation during it helped me

[rosewine]

They also said I coukd take my own music so chose the loudest 60's music I could find to try and blot out the sound of thr clanking. Make sure you go to the loo beforehand. I kept my eyes closed and just tried to relax. They will stop the machine if needed. Just think of it as a means to an end. Hope it all goes well.

[CM1EDSUK]

I've had a full brain & spine MRI twice, & it took about 30 mins. It's not uncomfortable, but the loud noise made by the scanner can be masked, as suggested, by listening to your own preferred music.

Again as mentioned, relax.....concentrate on your breathing by trying this: nbt.nhs.uk/sites/default/fi...

The technicians are lovely, & will look after you, so please don't worry.

[Blearyeyed]

Ive had three now , and a number of CT scans . Everyone feels unnerved by it the first time.

The staff on the scan machines realise this and I've found in each hospital that I got one they were the kindest and most gentle professionals I have been treated by

They talk to you through everything , they are very careful preparing you for the dye.

You will be offered the chance to have music . If you can see if you can choose it , or listen to your favourite radio station. Having that sound to concentrate on really helps you to be able to ignore the occasional loud sound from the machine. It also helps the time to pass quicker.

Jeep your eye closed all time from the point before you go inside the machine and do slow relaxed breathing and concentrate on the music . By doing this it helps your body relax and you don't feel uncomfortable in a way that makes you move and you don't think about being inside the space.

Keeping as still as possible is easier by doing this and if you are still they don't need to repeat anything so it is a lot quicker than you expect.

Take a big bottle of water with you and maybe some juice and a snack. You are likely not to feel like eating beforehand because of nerves and the effect of the dye can make you very thirsty. Eating after and drinking plenty of fluids for a few days including some with Vitamin C will help prevent you getting the Fatigue after all the Stress and prevent any potential sensitivity to the dye , especially if your Fibro causes you intolerances.

Wear layers that are easier to take off but that will keep you warm afterwards. I have always felt quite chilly afterwards , possibly in part because of the drop of nervous tension after its over.

I hope it all goes well and that you get the answers you need, take care , Bee

[Bikergal900]

It is very loud, so I listened to music and they gave me ear plugs to put in. I also laid with my eyes shut and just concerntrated on the music.

The technicians were amazing. They offered wedges and supports to make me feel as comfortable and supported as possible. They also give you a button to hold that you can press at any point if you need to stop the scan.

Try not to worry and wishing you all the best.

[AC2022]

Hi Dodo. Explain your fear to them, they're usually very helpful. This may help you too. As well as music I now ask to go in feet first and look backwards closing my eyes before getting to the opening. The music is on by then. You have a thing to squeeze to communicate in an emergency as well. Imagine it's your keys and you're somewhere nice. Integrate the MRI noises with awake dreaming eg now a train is passing/you're on a long train going to Scotland and imagine the people/scenery you pass. Or building site sounds next to a beautiful holiday resort etc. You'll find your own way. Good luck with your MRI Dodo! 🍀 They're super useful for going forward with treatment 😊👍 and hopingit all goes well for you. Best regards.

[Bonny1234]

i had one 2 weeks back , head and spine I was under it 50 minutes , they gave me a neck support and lumber cushion because of back pain , I asked for some music and also asked the lady doing it to tell me when I was half way through , I have 3 slipped disks in my back and neck and honestly didn't think I could do it but I managed , good luck hopefully you will be fine

[Dodo21 in reply to Bonny1234]

Hi, thank you for your reply. I am glad to hear they gave you support cushions. After a while l lie on my back on a flat surface I start to feel pain. I hope the cushions will help with that.

[jackiesj in reply to Dodo21]

had an echo today and i had the same dread. didnt realize the pain and they were so kind. got me pillows and changed postions etc.....people dont know how to help if they dont know the situation..its good to share a bit. We all learn this way..even a doctor who is established can learn more.

[fibrogirl41]

hi don't worry about it. I had one last year and it is a bit loud due to the magnets but I listened to music 🎶 and that helped. The scan did not take long but I would wear long sleeves it was a bit cold but nothing to worry about x good luck x❤️😊

[Dodo21 in reply to fibrogirl41]

Hi, thank you for your advice. Can I wear my clothes during the procedure? Tnx.

[Al10 in reply to Dodo21]

They tell you to undress in a cubicle and put on a gown. Your clothes etc go in the basket. No jewellery, watch or metal in your undies, so maybe an Ahh type bra is the sort for such a day if you don't like feeling naked? I think I took my slippers too?

The only thing to fear is your own fear so, don't worry. MRI's are painless apart from any fibro discomfort you normally have lying still on a bench. And as a fibro, you can deal with that, I'm sure. They tell you what to do, get you settled, etc. They can talk to you in the tube and say, nearly there etc, so if you think updates to say how long will help I'm sure they will oblige. The will offer music and I think I was offered an eye mask too, to prevent me opening my eyes accidentally in the middle of the scan and then having a panic with how closed it feels. That was a good idea I think?

After any horrid medical stuff, I like to give myself a treat after. Something to relax me and say, well done for being brave. Obviously don't book something straight after in case your appt runs over, but a nice takeaway, bubble bath, or trip out on another day might be nice? Hope it goes well.

[Lulu_Lollipop]

Hi Dodo, all the best with the scan I hope you find it helpful. I had an MRI brain scan last Wednesday. The second MRI scan for my brain in 6 years. Thankful to say I have no worries with the scans themselves, I am worried about what may be the results, but that's another story. Both my scans were really loud. No chance of any music drowning out the clicks, clunks and bangs. I was given earplugs to help, but it was VERY LOUD! Glad to say this doesn't worry me at all, I just lie back and "zone out". Took about half an hour. I am waiting for the results.

My first scan was 6 years ago when ENT man was investigating my tinnitus, which I still have, but unexpectedly a large brain aneurysm was found and eventually operated on. Before surgery I did have a fair few CT scans and an angiogram before and after surgery.

My sister has MRI scans for her brain every year as she has a meningioma. She does get very anxious about MRIs so her doctor gives her Diazepam to help.

My worries are about what my results will be. Since my large aneurysm was clipped I've never been the same. I had a stroke 18 months later and I have issues including pain all over ever since. I've been referred to a Rheumatologist to investigate the pain and stiffness I have and my goodness I would be very pleased if that Rheumatologist gets me to have an all-over MRI scan to maybe establish the causes of the pains.

Again, good luck! Please let us know how you get on xx

[Dodo21 in reply to Lulu_Lollipop]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I really hope everything is fine with your MRI scan. 🤞🤞🤞How long do they take to give you the results?

[Lulu_Lollipop in reply to Dodo21]

Thank you. I don't know how long it'll take to get my results, but I will chase it up in a couple of weeks. Last time I had the MRI I heard nothing. As I was going through the horrors of my husband leaving me I chased up the results and was on a merry-go-round of phoning here, there and everywhere until the ENT man's secretary told me that he'd passed my scan on to a Neurosurgeon. Alarm bells rang and the very kind ENT man rang me back that afternoon to invite me in to see him in between patients the following week. He told me that he'd seen a brain aneurysm (22mm x 14mm) and passed the scan on. Shock! That scan got lost and I had to start all over again with a Neurovascular surgeon. Worrying times the six months before surgery. Glad that was done, but I'm very frustrated with the lack of follow-ups and these ongoing issues including a stroke. So I'm grateful to have had that scan last week, just a bit worried about what results might be xx

[BlackDogIndy]

I had one recently, there really is nothing to worry about. You literally just lie there, it is noisy but they provided me with headphones that played music. I know it can be scary but please don't worry, there is nothing unpleasant, just lie there and let the machine do it's thing. The people who did it were lovely, talked me through it and put me at ease. Good luck

[Maud-ie]

I have got my fourth one in 10 years on Sunday - whole spine and sacrum. The MRI results are so worth the grief as the rheumatologist has something concrete to diagnose and treat. They are odd - very noisy (you will have earplugs and ear defenders), a 'panic' button which I am sure you won't need. I just close my eyes and imagine a happy place/time. The technicians are very kind and know how you are feeling. Don't worry - try to think of it as a positive experience and advancing your diagnosis and pain relief. Good luck and love

[1whitestar]

hI I know these things can be scary. When I had something done like this I was scared. The nurses were really nice they spoke to me whilst I was having mine and that kept me at ease.

[fibrogirl41]

yes you don't have to get undressed just wear light clothing and nothing with wires or metal in. x

[S11511]

Hi I have had lots of MRI Scans and still claustrophobic. I usually use a blind fold and think of a summer destination. Hope all goes well.

[Gaballetto]

I spent 1.5 hours in an MRI machine recently. All I can say is do not open your eyes from when you feel the table carry you in till you feel it carry you out again.

If you are allowed music, I would take a talking book because you have to concentrate hard or you miss stuff. You can't let your mind drift to where you are and concentrate on a book.

Yes, the MRI is loud, but not so loud you wont hear your book at volume.

And .. everyone else is right, the techs are really gentle and reassuring.

Also, I had the amazing experience of feeling pain free for some days after I had a spinal MRI years ago. Not sure why, but the effects of strong magnetic fields are not fully understood yet. I wasn't expecting it at all, so it wasn't the placebo effect.

[CheetieCat]

I keep my eyes closed from start to finish though there is usually a mirror that lets you see the people doing the scan. You have a panic button too if it gets too much but just knowing you have it makes all the difference. It is really loud so be prepared but they usually tell you this one lasts for X amount of time, how well you're doing and next one is X amount. Concentrate on your breathing and its over in no time at all. Last one I had was in a mobile scanner, only had to take bra off whereas first one years ago it was hospital gown - they told me to bring warm socks! It was bloomin freezing 🥶

[JayCeon]

I'm regularly in a tube, first cos of focal seizures, now cos of a spinal tumour, that needs to be checked in case it starts growing.

First time was difficult, and when I forget to go to loo before (OAB). But when I realized the clanking is like industrial techno I now love it, cos I "dance to the rhythm" - as well as doing Yoga Nidra relaxation. Yes, I do love techno & house etc. & dancing, but my wife doesn't and she likes the "music" too. Her problem with it now would be her severe tinnitus. If that were my problem I'd take ear plugs with me. But I like my music loud - for that sort of time (pre-fibro used to love it loud longer...).

I've never been offered real music here yet. My main problem is the draught in the air, which I've gotten sore throat and a bit of a cold from, so I now make sure I'm dressed appropriately. The other one, claustrophobia, I avoid by never opening my eyes and never allowing myself to think of exactly where I am, or rather to reframe it as being a cozy place where people are doing something for me. So I don't get increased back pain I do exercises before or at least after and make sure I take a bit of time to get into a good position.

Now they know exactly what they're looking at I usually get the result here orally directly afterwards. As the tumour's not budging, I'm now increasing the periods from 12 months to 18.

[Dodo21 in reply to JayCeon]

Thank you for sharing your experience and I am sorry for what you are going through. I had the scan done and it was better than I thought. It was helpful to have all the info all the kind people shared answering my question and I am very grateful for that. I could keep all my clothes on except my zipped hoodie for obvious reasons. The provided me with a gown. It wasn't cold at all, they also give me a leg support so I was comfortable all the time. I used my rubber ear plugs plus the ear protections provided by them. The noise was bearable,even if I don't usually stand loud noises/music. I kept my eyes closed for the first few minutes in order to get used to the environment and then for the remaining time I watched in a mirror above my face where they were projecting relaxing images like nature and tropical islands; also the light was relaxing, changing colours from purple to blue to green. The nurse spoke to me regularly and there was also a computer voice explaining what was happening every few minutes. The room and all the building was in pristine condition and the scan machine as well. The scan took 45 minutes but I felt like it was 20. I can't complain at all. Now waiting for the results. 🤞