Has anyone had a small intestine MRI?

[Sonianin]

I have one scheduled this week, they told me nil by mouth for 6 hours prior to the MRI (not a problem as it's at 8.30am). I'm really asking because I looked online (stupidly!) so I was just wondering if anyone has first hand experience as I'd like to know what it was like....

[barny]

hiya its nothing to worry about i had one you can sip water though bit uncofertable but ok good luck with it

[ailsamary]

Haven't had an MRI of my small intestine, but have had them on other areas, you'll be lying on a table still, the MRI itself is very noisy and will last probably about 30 mins, remember not to have anything metal on as it will be pulled towards the machine , doesn't harm you at all

[Irene Administrator]

Hi Sonianin - here's a useful leaflet from South Tyneside NHS which set out what occurs during the MRI. It's usually a fairly quick procedure and they can check there and then whether they have the images they require and if not, they can extend the scan and do another set of pics.

information-leaflets.stft.n...

You will probably have some liquid to drink and they will fit a small cannula in your arm in order to pop in some dye to enhance the images.

The main thing is getting comfortable as you will have to keep still for the duration of the scan. You do get headphones as it's very noisy. Some hospitals also offer you a choice of music so you can listen to your favourites.

The staff are very experienced and will be able to answer any questions you have. Don't hesitate to ask about anything that's worrying you.

Please let us know how you get on.

[Sonianin in reply to Irene]

Thank you Irene, that's a good link.

[Sonianin]

Thank you all very much. The NHS are sending me to a private hospital for this - they were really quick on the booking side but haven't sent me any literature etc. so I was starting to get a bit worried....especially when reading some stuff on the net (special diet beforehand etc!).

I'm keeing my fingers crossed that it might at least show up something. Having had the colonoscopy, which suggested crohns disease, my consultant has pretty much batted that off as my blood tests were too good (show no signs of any inflammation or poor diet) despite my weight loss.

It's quite frustrating, obviously I don't want them to find anything too badly wrong but a diagnosis would be a good start right now

[Sonianin]

Just to update, it was fine. They give you a drink 20mins before, it's that kleanprep stuff but not too strong a dose (I only managed about half the jug as on an empty stomach it did may me feel pretty nautious). They MRI for 10 mins then pop in a canula with the muscle relaxant - I was very nervous about that as I'd normally have taken a loperamide but they assured me nodody had ever had any unfortunate side effects and it was another 10 mins once the canula was in.

I was quite giddy when I walked out and the mug of tea when I got home was the very best!!!

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Thanks for the update Sonianin it's always good for other readers to know how things go. Often people can feel claustrophobic in MRI scanners (keeping your eyes closed can help). When do you get the results?

[Sonianin in reply to FionaGFG]

Thanks Fiona.

I may have made it sound all too simple, as I think I was a rad on the giddy side for quite some time afterwards. Everything was fine til about 10 mins after I'd eaten my dinner and I had to rush to the loo, and several more times after that. I guess it was the prep stuff (which must have contained dye as everything's been a bit orange coloured for a few days after!)

Going back to your comments, the hospital said they'd write to my consultant within a week and the girl asked if I had another appt lined up. I said no so she suggested I call his secretary in 2 to 3 weeks if I don't hear anything.

The consultant did mention some other tests if this comes up clear but I have no real idea what they were, as I was a bit annoyed with him at the time, he kept saying there was nothing else to support it was Crohns (so ulcers on your colon are normal?!) LOL

I will update once the results are in and if there's any more tests to be done (something about some kind of salt absorptions I think?)

[Sonianin in reply to Sonianin]

Oh, and I went into the scanner feet first so I think that really helped in avoiding the claustrophobic side of things, not to mention I weigh very little so it was quite roomy in there for me!