MRI scan

[LauraJane2]

My GP is booking me in for an MRI scan of my head to investigate some weird symptoms. This is probably not B12 related but I find the idea of the scan a bit terrifying and thought some people on here might have had one and be able to reassure me? I’m only slightly claustrophobic so not entirely sure why I’m so worried about it. Obviously I’m mainly worried about what they may find 😬

[Wheat]

yes I ve had an mri head scan for possible brain tumour.

I advise you to say you are very claustrophobic. I did, because I am very claustrophobic. Instead of small, close fitting enclosure types, nhs sent me to private hospital they used so I had an open large circular bed and top type.

Some have chair like mri s and if I ever need mri again it will have to be one of those. My feelings are not logical.

Someone with you will help. The room was dimmed, Music was allowed but the machine was too noisy most of time.

It would be ok if i wasnt so claustrophobic!

By the way what are your weird symptoms? (Only if you wish to share). B12 I expect you know can cause neurological and psychiatric neurological symptoms.

All best wishes.

[LauraJane2 in reply to Wheat]

The symptoms are a few ‘funny turns’ I have had spread over the last few years.

It’s quite hard to describe but it includes the following:

- I feel like the blood is either rushing to my head or draining away from it (can’t tell which)

- I feel like I might faint if I stand up (but I don’t)

- my heart races

- I can’t really focus on what people are saying to me, although I can hear them

- noises and movements happening around me feel really overwhelming

- general sense of panic

It lasts about half an hour to an hour

I suppose it may be panic attacks but it is happening when I’m feeling quite relaxed.

[Wheat in reply to LauraJane2]

yes, puzzling symptoms. Some of it sounds like fluctuating blood pressure and postural hypotension. (My stress as crippling chest pain comes when I'm relaxed). I hope you have mri appointment asap to help diagnose what is happening. Very best wishes.

[Nackapan in reply to LauraJane2]

I was actually told I'd had a panic attack.I hadn't.

My daughter was also told shed had a panic attack in A and E.

She had not.

Both no history of anxiety

If your autonomic is affected it mimics anxiety feelings but it's a physical reaction from this.

BP changes on standing

Heartrate changes on standing .

Drinking eater before standing helps.

As does squeezing calf muscles

The autonomic function .

POTS can result

Also a vestibular disturbance.

Can give the symptoms you describe .

My daughter and I have had brain mris also my daughter several spine ones too .

I'm left with a vestibular disturbance from B12 deficiency.

My daughter POTS.

Different ages of onset

Different presentation of symptoms.

[jade_s]

I found the most difficult part was sitting still the whole time & the loud noises, so maybe bring some nonmetallic earplugs. I spent the time counting the buzzes it makes lol. I think mine took 30 minutes?

It was slightly claustrophobic but once it started up i was just bored more than anything.

For a brain mri they usually put this little (sorry to put it this way) cage thing over your head so it captures the mri signal. You can see through it and everything.

I'm sure it'll be fine & it'll be over before you know it. And if they find anything, we're here to listen and support you ❤️

[Nackapan]

I've had two now. I found it difficult just keeping still.

Was better if I kept my eyes shut.

Reassuring to havd s button you csn press if yoh need to get out.

I didn't, but wanted the option.

The report takes a while then you need s neurologist to explain it.

There always something to see and remark on.

Good to rule things out .

Hope you get on okay with it .

Just try snd relax as much aa you can.

My dsughter so relaxed she dozes off I The machine !!

If you can kerp still it's quicker i think .

They do talk in ear phones.

The clanking and banging quite loud .

That didn't bother me .

[Thrones12]

hi there ,yes I had a brain scan done recently and as you say you are only slightly claustrophobic you’ll manage fine,just keep positive and tell yourself for that 30 mins of your time it’ll save a lifetime of worry. I actually enjoyed the peace and quiet lol. Best of luck

[yorkshiregirl4]

Hello there. I had an MRI brain scan last year. I find the best thing to do is close your eyes, just as Nackapan suggested. You will then not see the interior of the scanner but still hear all your instructions in the headphones you will likely be wearing. I was provided with earplugs as well to reduce the noises. It is pretty loud and you may well slide in and out of the scanner. I found the staff very helpful and they gave updates about what to expect and how long until the finish. You will be given a button to press in case you need to stop the scan. The staff kept asking me if everything was okay and they do everything to explain what to expect throughout. Hope all goes well for you.

[Orchard33]

Close your eyes and keep them closed. Breathe. Don't be alarmed by the noise.

[Bez2]

Hi

I had an MRI last year and I’m quite claustrophobic too. I let them know I was. I was reassured it’s the quickest of the scans on your brain, and would take about 15 minutes. So I’m thinking, right, I can do this it’s only 15 mins. I was relieved when she said I’m only in the scan up to my waist, not whole of my body. I struggled with full body previously. While I was in it, I found it easier with my eyes shut and tapping my fingers to distract myself. Hope all goes well for you.

[LWhelan]

yes and for very similar symptoms and all was well. It’s not pleasant but only takes 15 mins and if you ask they will play music for you which helped me greatly.

I once had a spine and pelvic one which lasted over an hour and a quarter - honestly close your eyes and focus on the music and it’s fine.

[Flintfootfilly]

Had a head and neck MRI last year.

I'm not sure anyone is keen on being in an enclosed space for any length of time, so it's all mind over matter, and knowing how you will psych yourself up for it ahead of time. The following is what worked for me:

Big positives to remember throughout:

- there is no pain from it! Fantastic!

- we're so lucky to be able to have an MRI to look exactly what's going on inside

- it's an expensive procedure and we are even luckier to get it free on the NHS

- and maybe most importantly, we've chosen to have the procedure, and we're going to make the most of that opportunity

I chose to close my eyes from the moment I lay on the couch that slides into the machine. That way, my eyes couldn't freak the rest of me out if they didn't like what they saw! There was a kind of visir placed over my face, and I could feel my breath bouncing back off that, qhich was unusual but absolutely fine.

And then I focussed on gentle slow smooth breathing throughout to help keep me calm throughout.

And thought positively about how great it was to have chance to lie down and do absolutely nothing for an hour in (relative) peace and quiet. OK, the machine makes funny noises, but it's still a lovely relaxing space.

They gave me a remote control button that I could press to stop and get me out of there at any time, and just knowing I had that was quite empowering.

The scan was done in quite a few different sections, each being anywhere between around a minute or two and up to around eight minutes, and so that helped make it seem less daunting than possibly just one long continuous scan.

So all down to positive thinking in whatever way works best for you. Hope it goes well .

[JanCymru]

All the info in the replies is totally relevant and supportive. I had one just last Saturday (yes, Saturday!), again for similar reasons as yourself, strange goings-on and feelings etc., It is quite claustrophobic if you have the usual machine, but the reassurance of the buzzer in your hand to press is empowering. Close your eyes, definitely - you are less likely to move about then. Practice some breathing beforehand, and often they will play music although it competes with the banging and clicks of the MRI machine! Usually they supply earplugs to lessen the noise and they do keep in touch with you during the procedure. It only lasts a short while compared to the worry about having the procedure and at least you will have answers after. Good Luck! And breathe.....😍

[LauraJane2]

Thanks everyone for the reassuring replies, I really appreciate it.

[rogergee]

My top tips:Close your eyes before you move into the tunnel if you're the slightest bit prone to motion sickness

Take yourself somewhere else mentally while you're being scanned - plan a scenario in advance so you can just move yourself into it

Good luck!

[Budsa]

I have had several full body MRIs and also a brain MRI. One of the full body MRIs and the brain MRI were voluntary and were due to my participation in the UK Biobank study. I'm not claustrophobic and I found the MRIs quite easy to cope with, once I was used to the noise. I'm sure I almost fell to sleep at one point. Try not to worry and you will be fine.

Your symptoms sound very similar to those that my daughter sometimes gets. Initially, they tried to say that it was panic attacks, though she always insisted that she was usualky totally relaxed when these attacks started. She ended up in hospital on more than one occasion and eventualky diagnosed "inappropriate tachycardia". She now carries a small inhaler which she uses if she ferls it coming on. Seems to help usually.

[LauraJane2 in reply to Budsa]

that’s really useful to know about your daughter, thank you.

[LauraJane2]

I had my MRI today and coped fine, although it was very weird! Thanks for all the advice, it really helped me.

Now to worry about the results!