MRI advice

[tommothytompkins]

Hi,

Finally got my audiology phone call today after 4 months of tinnitus and the lady said I would need an MRI as its only in one ear. Has anyone had one and can advise me what to expect? Thanks 😊

[MOLKO1972]

Hi there,You might want to read my post on ‘Advice on MRI Scan’. There’s some great advice if you read through the replies.

All the best. Hope it goes ok, which I’m sure it will

[tommothytompkins in reply to MOLKO1972]

Thanks, I'll do that. I appreciate your reply x

[waterfalls123456]

I have similar symptoms but have an 82 week wait to see ENT. i would go to the appointment to rule out neurological causes of Tinnitus. Ive been waiting just over 4 months too.

[doglover1973 in reply to waterfalls123456]

I sympathise waterfalls123456 I waited 16 months for ENT and a further 4 months for audiology (so far) . It's frustrating. If you can go private ENT they can refer you back to nhs audiology. If I'd known at the time I'd have done it . The backlog is with ENT .

[tommothytompkins in reply to doglover1973]

I've thought of going private but I'm not sure what it would achieve other than being seen quicker. The audiologist has t and she said she has just accepted it now. Of course I want it gone but sometimes I just think it could be so much worse than this.

[tommothytompkins in reply to waterfalls123456]

I have no idea how long I'll wait for ENT, she's putting it as urgent but that's just for the MRI. She said audiolgy can do everything else. I hope they get your appointment soon. Its awful waiting isn't it x

[Graham-E]

Hello and that is a good thing to do which can rule out any other issues, allowing the audiologist to focus on helping your condition. When my T started after a virus I was given a CT and an MRI scan. The CT felt quicker and more silent. The MRI was painless and if you closed your eyes you could think you were on a bench in the park. Nothing intrusive apart from the loud clanking noise. Sounded like a brick in a cloth inside a tumble dryer. Like a loud thudding as the machine revolves around you. Keeping still is all I focused on and it was soon over. They gave me headphones and so take them for the noise. Your T could be a little louder afterwards but I guess that is how much you feel stressed by it. Having had one, I’d do it again and not think twice. You will be fine and they monitor you carefully and can stop if needed.

Take care.

Disclaimer I’ve never wrapped a brick in a tea towel and put one in a tumble dryer.

😊

[Hidden in reply to Graham-E]

That is a very accurate description of the sound 👍😊

[tommothytompkins in reply to Graham-E]

Lol that last bit made me laugh thanks so much for your reply. It's so kind of people to describe what will happen. I didn't want to Google anything in case it put me off!

[Hylda2]

I was so lucky saw ENT after a short wait and now have a long wait for CT scan as I have pulsatile tinnitus. I have claustrophobia so am glad it’s not an mri.

[Hidden in reply to Hylda2]

Yes. I have claustrophobia and was given a small pack of diazepam and took one the night before and one before going into the MRI scanner. If I have another MRI I think I could go in unmedicated next time. In Scotland at that time there were no upright MRIs, nearest was in Leeds. They are great for claustrophobia and obviously for mobility issues too. xx

[Hylda2 in reply to Hidden]

Needed one for ovarian scan so drove 150 miles and paid for private scan in large American machine with openings in the sides! 👍

[Hidden in reply to Hylda2]

Wow. I was tempted. xx

[tommothytompkins in reply to Hylda2]

I hope you get sorted quickly. I am so impatient, I hate waiting but it's what happens to everyone I guess. I don't have claustrophobia but I think I might develop it, just the thought of going in the machine makes me come out in hives

[Sunbeams8]

Hi, my experience of the MRI scan was not a good one .I was given no warning of the noise level which upon research afterwards

which can be as much as 120 decibels until I was laying down ready for the scan .

I was only offered poor quality ear plugs and they said that the headphones were for staff and not me .

My tinnitus is now louder than it was thanks to poor care .

My advice is to take good quality ear plugs and insist on the large ear defenders too and you should be ok .

[tommothytompkins in reply to Sunbeams8]

That's awful. I'm so sorry you had to go through this. With this in mind if there's any issue I'm not happy with I'll reschedule it. I can only just cope and the t level now. Could not imagine it being worse

[Poppycat1234 in reply to tommothytompkins]

Unfortunately my experience is exactly the same as Sumbeams8 with the exception that my tinnitus didn't change but I developed hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound). This was for a much longer full brain and cervical spine scan (for a health complaint unrelated to the tinnitus) so that in combination with just ear plugs was the problem. I'd previously had a MRI to check for acoustic neuroma and that was quick and I had no issues.

Personally if I was you I'd insist on wearing ear plugs as well as the over ear headphones that they should provide and I'm sure with that you'll be absolutely fine. Don't be concerned to ask them to stop if you are not happy.

[tommothytompkins in reply to Poppycat1234]

Thanks for your reply. In the past I've not spoken up but this is such an awful condition it's really important to not take the risk of making it worse. I asked the audiologist what would happen if it was a benign cyst and she said nothing, it would just be monitored. Maybe I'm being naive, because I refuse to look into it further for now but it seems an almost pointless exercise doing an MRI if it doesn't change anything. Maybe she just didn't want to say what would happen, who knows.

[Poppycat1234 in reply to tommothytompkins]

Obviously I don't know your medical history but I believe the chances of anything of concern showing on the scan is pretty low. It's standard procedure to do the scan for unilateral tinnitus which in itself is quite a common condition. If it was me I'd go ahead with the scan but just make sure you have both plugs and headphones. If you're uncomfortable when it starts don't be afraid to press the emergency buzzer which they give you to hold throughout. All the best.

[tommothytompkins in reply to Poppycat1234]

Thanks so much. I'm sure I'll be OK, sometimes the thought is worse than the actual procedure.

[bantams]

Hi, I had a MRI scan last year to rule out any serious conditions as I had Tinnitus in just one ear, It was very loud and I used ear plugs and was given headphones, all done in about 10 minutes and thankfully no serious conditions were found and it did not make my Tinnitus any worse. I now have Tinnitus in both ears but this was nothing to do with having the MRI scan.

[tommothytompkins in reply to bantams]

Thanks for your reply bantams, sorry to hear you have it in both ears now. The waiting lists in Wales are shocking, we're way behind England so I'd be surprised if I hear quickly about the MRI but I'm keeping a record of all the advice for when the time comes. Thanks 😊

[Travelrid13]

Please don't worry I had an MRI at Gobowen hospital a couple of weeks ago, I did pay .Their machines are open ended so I could raise my eyes and just see some brightness from the end of the tunnel. I was worried as I am claustrophobic I was only in there 10/15 minutes. I had good ear plugs and headphones so still heard some noise but it was deadened. I was suffering with dizziness so they propped my head up so I was actually nearer to the tunnel roof than you would normally be. Molko 1972 on here gave me good advise very helpful . Hope your turn comes soon to stop your worrying

[tommothytompkins in reply to Travelrid13]

Gobowen is an excellent hospital, I'm glad your experience was good. Do you mind me asking how much it was? I don't know how long I'll wait on the NHS. I've had dizziness too, it's an awful sensation isn't it. I had 4 solid days of it last month. It was awful. Thanks for your reply 👍

[Travelrid13 in reply to tommothytompkins]

Best to ring them it may depend on different circumstances so give it a go nothing to lose

[Kimijo66]

I just had 2 MRI's one on my brain and one on my neck. Not really a big deal just keep your eyes closed and wear ear plugs they give you and headphones with soft music. Just breath and try to relax.

[tommothytompkins in reply to Kimijo66]

Thanks, I'll be well prepared when it comes round. I've got some foam ear plugs but trying to find something that will prevent as much noise as possible.