FabSwingers.com forum: MRI scan

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I am booked in for one in a couple of weeks time and for some reason am feeling a bit nervous. The apt says they take 30-60 minutes which seems a long time. Has anyone had one and can tell me what it's like and what actually happens?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

I think totally painless but can be a little claustrophobic

I think, may have got it mixed up with another procedure

good luck

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As View said, and I am due a spinal scan and MRI scan at the end of this month again

I do worry when the machine is whirring away and seems like it won't stop!

But they do talk to you and you will be fine, good luck.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you claustrophobic you might not like it, but it sometimes doesn't take that long it depends what they need! Good luck

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've had a few.

You lie on a table and then slide inside a large tube. Lots of clicks and whirring noises and you're done after about 20mins depending on why you're having one.

Remove any magnetic jewelry and inform them if you have any pins, screws or plates holding you together, as its not funny having them super heated and ripped out by a giant magnet!

I have fallen asleep in them a few times!...lol

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Mine took about 30 minutes. It's not too bad just you can't move and in a very closed up space. They give you headphones with music and it depends what part of your body is done as the closer to your head the more laud it gets. Go toilette right before as the nerves can make you wanna go. The worst for me was the results

So it's not too bad don't worry

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

"As View said, and I am due a spinal scan and MRI scan at the end of this month again

I do worry when the machine is whirring away and seems like it won't stop!

But they do talk to you and you will be fine, good luck."

thank you, wasn't sure if I had the right one, my mum had one and I remember her saying

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had one to check for a prolapsed disc.

Its a bit claustrophobic being in there, but not too bad!!

Your given earplugs because its quite noisy while its working, but the technician tells you what's going on.

Hope all goes well

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *pecifically1Woman
over a year ago

Hull

Try and relax....they know what they are doing.....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs."

Oh lol I've never been told to...maybe they want to perv

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had to wear the obligatory hospital gown that ties at the back and a pair of paper pants

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've had about 5 of them and have fallen asleep everytime!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs.

Oh lol I've never been told to...maybe they want to perv

They will usually require you to wear a hospital gown. You can ask to wear ok's and they may allow it, as long as there are no metal poppers or zips.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I had to wear the obligatory hospital gown that ties at the back and a pair of paper pants

oh no hospital paper pants are so naff, glad I will be in my pjs. I just need to find some appropriate ones to wear!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs.

Oh lol I've never been told to...maybe they want to perv

They will usually require you to wear a hospital gown. You can ask to wear ok's and they may allow it, as long as there are no metal poppers or zips."

Pj's not ok's.....I hate autocarrot!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs.

Oh lol I've never been told to...maybe they want to perv

They will usually require you to wear a hospital gown. You can ask to wear ok's and they may allow it, as long as there are no metal poppers or zips."

I am sure at my last one I wore my own stuff, but now you have reminded me at the one before I did wear a gown

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he-Hosiery-GentMan
over a year ago

Older Hot Bearded Guy

The last time I was in hospital, I put one of those gown things on. First time I'd ever worn one.

I walked out of the cubicle and the staff burst out laughing.

I'd put it on back-to-front. The open split was meant to be at the back..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs.

Oh lol I've never been told to...maybe they want to perv

They will usually require you to wear a hospital gown. You can ask to wear ok's and they may allow it, as long as there are no metal poppers or zips.

Pj's not ok's.....I hate autocarrot!"

Lol. My apt letter says pjs. I have a sensible pair of M&S ones somewhere.

Can I bring my own music to listen to?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oulou45Woman
over a year ago

Bucks

It is just like the others say if I remember rightly I wore my own clothes minus my bra because of the metal fastners. But really try not to worry as its ok and goes quick.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had a mri scan after a head injury in rugby and I fell asleep during the scan its a wee bit noisy but at least I got about 29 mins before they noticed

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *enithWoman
over a year ago

closer than you think

I had one done end of last year and must admit I didn't like it at all!!

Found it to be very claustrophobic and because they wanted to check my heart I had to hold my breath at certain intervals .... not easy when I was so close to a panic attack

Have to admit that the results were very good and so a little discomfort was so worth it.

Hope I haven't scared you but just giving you my experience

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I am booked in for one in a couple of weeks time and for some reason am feeling a bit nervous. The apt says they take 30-60 minutes which seems a long time. Has anyone had one and can tell me what it's like and what actually happens?"

Depends on what they are scanning, it is completely painless.... the only real issue is the fact that you are enclosed in a noisy tube

. I had one done on my right knee a few years back ... its just a series of click.. clicks as the scanner moves millimeters at a time taking little pictures of the relevant area for the drs.... You will be fine.....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You should be fine. I just kept my eyes closed and pretended I was in a science fiction movie

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iamondsmiles.Woman
over a year ago

little house on the praire

Dont worrry, they explain what they ard doing, the only recieve you m\y have t to stay longer is you inadvedrtanty moved our head. Theres a lot wosrse things. I was pleasantl surprised, Goood luck

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thank you kindly for your responses and help. They have told me I am probably best to wear pjs.

Oh lol I've never been told to...maybe they want to perv

They will usually require you to wear a hospital gown. You can ask to wear ok's and they may allow it, as long as there are no metal poppers or zips.

Pj's not ok's.....I hate autocarrot!

Lol. My apt letter says pjs. I have a sensible pair of M&S ones somewhere.

Can I bring my own music to listen to?"

You usually can but bear in mind you may not be able to hear it over the machine. Some of the newer machines allow headphones but most don't due to the magnets.

Last time I had one I think I converted one of the technicians into a Van Halen fan...lol

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Good luck rose, its not so bad x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had one a few weeks ago nothing to worry about totally painless just lay on a bed and then you get moved into a circular machine that does all the work. You don't feel a thing just got to lay still

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

One important thing ............... remember to shave your legs.

I was mortified when I had my MRI done and had to tell the staff don't laugh at my hairy legs as I've not waxed them yet.

(they laughed)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *U1966Man
over a year ago

Devon

Had several and didnt like it one bit but i do get claustraphobic quite noisy if you need one its harmless

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had on at Leeds General Infirmary about 15 months ago

You just lie down still for about 30 minutes - I'm not claustrophobic but recall the staff were really concerned about this

To while the time away they gave me sine headphones and piped some music through from a choice of CDs - the headphones also let them chat to me and a small microphone let me tell them how I was

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *Ryan-Man
over a year ago

In Your Bush

My local hospital has an open MRI scanner now. It is better for people that are claustrophobic

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ezebelWoman
over a year ago

North of The Wall - youll need your vest

Pj's not ok's.....I hate autocarrot!"

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"One important thing ............... remember to shave your legs.

I was mortified when I had my MRI done and had to tell the staff don't laugh at my hairy legs as I've not waxed them yet.

(they laughed)

Ha, good point. I will preen myself. Anyway you never know if it's going to hottie about

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Like lying in a smartie tube slight vibration boring 30 mins

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Rose, as has been said, it can be noisy and depending on the where and the type of machine if you feel claustrophobic you may find that stressful. There is no pain, other than the noise. Waiting for the results is the hardest bit.

I have to have them fairly regularly and I'm always surprised they keep finding a brain in there.

Tell them if you suffer from claustrophobia. Get ready to be absolutely still. It will be over sooner than you think.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

How long do results take?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"How long do results take? "

It depends. If they find something serious you will be told pretty promptly. If the scan is normal my hospital send me a letter after about 7 days.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"How long do results take?

It depends. If they find something serious you will be told pretty promptly. If the scan is normal my hospital send me a letter after about 7 days.

Oh ok thanks. And thanks to everyone else who answered. I feel much better about it now x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It all depends on which bit of you they're scanning

I had a scan on my knees last year and so it wasn't claustrophobic at all

It can be a little noisy, but you can be given ear phones and a choice.of piped music

It doesn't take too long and is over before you know it

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Good luck with the scan, hope it goes well.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"How long do results take? "

Mine go to my specialist, however they normally give you some indication there if it's good or bad...

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ack_greenfinchMan
over a year ago

bristol

a friend who had it done said it was surprisingly noisy - but that once he was used to that it was fine.

Good luck with it, and isn't it great that things like this exist? It's amazing how much the doctors can know now.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"How long do results take? "

If you're missing a limb or vital organ they let you know fairly quickly!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"How long do results take?

If you're missing a limb or vital organ they let you know fairly quickly!

Ha ha all limbs and vital organs are there. It's my middle that's getting scanned. Nothing too serious we think.

So is it just to see your insides in 3d?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"How long do results take?

If you're missing a limb or vital organ they let you know fairly quickly!

Ha ha all limbs and vital organs are there. It's my middle that's getting scanned. Nothing too serious we think.

So is it just to see your insides in 3d?"

Not quite 3D more like a virtual dissection.

Imagine being sliced very thinly, like on a bacon slicer. That's kind of how the images are _iewed.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

told to wear stuff without zips or studs - im very claustrophobic and for my 2nd one really got uptight - i kept my eyes closed the whole time and tried to imagine just my body in the scanner and not my head as well - it is noisy and they do talk to you - they said an hour and it was about 50 mins but it went quite fast - the info they can find out is far better than me being scared -- was a real mind over matter thing for me - btw i survived with nothing more than a rapid heart beat - used to that

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oddyWoman
over a year ago

between havant and chichester

daughter had to have one last yr and i was allowed in with her whilst being done to keep her calm was a bit noisy but headfones drowned it out

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've had several and as others have said they are totally painless just very load. You have to lay very still abd not move a muscle which is what I found difficult lol. Depending on what part of body your having scanned you might not find it too bad. I had my pelvis and kidney done and I was only on machine up to shoulders so didn't feel too claustrophobic.

Good luck! Hope all goes well.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *mileyBWoman
over a year ago

Northwood

Which part of body? Leg/ knee head or total body? The whole time it takes is partly getting everything set up and getting you comfy and not the total time you'll spend being scanned.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had one few months back on my face i was in for an hour nothing painful just boring lol you get ear defenders cos its like being in a tumble drier very noisy x

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he-Hosiery-GentMan
over a year ago

Older Hot Bearded Guy

"It all depends on which bit of you they're scanning

I had a scan on my knees last year and so it wasn't claustrophobic at all

It can be a little noisy, but you can be given ear phones and a choice.of

It doesn't take too long and is over before you know it

Can you take your own tunes, in?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It all depends on which bit of you they're scanning

I had a scan on my knees last year and so it wasn't claustrophobic at all

It can be a little noisy, but you can be given ear phones and a choice.of

It doesn't take too long and is over before you know it

Can you take your own tunes, in?

Yes

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I had a head scan a few weeks back. I was nervous, but needn't have been. It is a little claustrophobic, but nothing bad. My advice is to take some loud music, as the machine is very noisy

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ormerWelshcouple2020Man
over a year ago

Stourbridge

Mr here,

Ive had double figures of them, I fell asleep 90% of the times, it's a bit like a big washing machine drum, remember you are only inches from being outside rather than in so don't worry,the noise reminds me of a washing machine going to a spin cycle, without the pleasing vibration, I've had head neck back and knew done so I've had all ends.

You will wonder what the fuss was at the end of it.

Hope it has a positive outcome for you.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *opsy RogersWoman
over a year ago

London

Before they slide you in, close your eyes and just let yourself sink and go floppy. It's loud and you will have something in your hand to alert the technician if you have to get out.

Depending on what they are imaging, depends on the time you will be in there. Let then know your anxieties or worries and they should be able to help. I forgot that lying flat on my back is very painful so I didn't last too long! They didn't get everything they needed but enough for diagnosis.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread