Anyone able to tell me about an MRA Scan please?

[HappyDiamonds]

Im booked in for an MRA Scan in a couple of weeks time arranged by Rheumatology to check my blood vessels. I understand this is slightly different to an MRI as dye is used but wondered if anyone has had one and can tell me a little bit about it please. I did ring the Hospital this morning and they said it would take about 20 minutes.

[YuliK]

myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/...

[YuliK in reply to YuliK]

Happy Diamonds, good morning.

I have posted an explanation of the difference and reasons between MRA and MRI scan. Both are extremely easy to receive.

Wish you luck with the MRA.

Please keep us informed how you get on.

YuliK 😷

[HappyDiamonds in reply to YuliK]

Thank you Yulik, must say Im not looking forward to it as I suffer from claustrophobia but needs must as they say.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HappyDiamonds]

An MRI machine is just a doughnut shape - not a tunnel.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I thought that was a CT machine?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Oops - should have said more modern ones are less claustrophobic. I didn't find the one I was in too bad at all, just noisy. But I just close my eyes and keep them closed

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

My consultant said just close your eyes!

[YuliK in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Happy Diamonds again Hi there

I also don’t feel comfortable when passing these tests. It’s not only you.

As soon as I sit down on the bed before I am going into the machine, I just close my eyes.

I do that at the dentist as well. During gyny check up too.

It does help.

Yulik 😷

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It's just using a contrast that highlights the blood vessels on the scan - an MRI shows structures, the dye just shows them up more clearly, even the tiny ones.

[Maisie1958]

Hello HappyDiamonds I had a plain MRI/MRA of head and neck -no contrast though- a couple of years back and was dreading it as thought I would be claustrophobic, but I was pleasantly surprised- kept my eyes closed going in and operator chatted away to me explaining the machine noises and when to stay really still. Said I could pause if needed but didn’t. Apologies if you’re an old hand at MRIs, I wasn’t sure if you had one before and it was just the contrast part you were enquiring about. I also just wore a pull on sports vest under a loose top and elastic waisted trousers so no need for a hospital gown. Felt less vulnerable! Hopefully looked smarter than it sounds but pretty much what I’ve been wearing since lockdown now. I was told it could take 45+ minutes but was I out in less than 30. Hope all goes well, best wishes.

[piglette]

You also have an out of this world robot voice saying “hold your breath”