How long for MRI?

[caseyharbison]

I am having an MRI of my head and c spine with and without contrast on Thursday.  How long does that take and what should I expect?  Any words from the wise?  

They offered something to relax me, but I am my own tansportation, so I declined.   If it only takes minutes versus hours then I should be okay.....if it takes hours, I may need something.

Also, how long did it take to hear back from your Dr about the results?  

Thanks for the info,
Casey

[caseyharbison]

Thanks for the explanation of the use of contrast.  I did not understand WHY contrast was important....just that it was important.  

He did not give me the spine because he said my neuro exam did not indicate spinal involvement.  I guess all  the issues in my lower extremities have nothing to do with my spine since all my reflexes are okay....

To be honest, another 45 minutes in that tube would have been too much.  I have another appt with a different Dr. next month so I will pursue the MRI of the c spine with her.

Should hear something tomorrow about this MRI.  My vision went shaky tonight in my midfield.  It is the second time I have noticed it this week.  Brand spankin' new symptom.  I am simply scared to death and so, so tired.  

[SarahL2491]

be sure and ask him why he didn't continue with the c-spine when you see him!

[kwarendorf]

Hi Casey - Sorry to hear that your doc stopped short, literally. You're right, the only possible confirmation would be the finding of lesions in the brain pics.

Do you know if the MRI was both with and without contrast? If both, then you may get to kill two birds with one MRI. If there are multiple lesions on the brain MRI, and some 'enhance' and some do not, That would satisfy the dissemination in time criteria. New lesions enhance with contrast and old ones don't.

Keep us posted.

Kyle

[caseyharbison]

Had the MRI and it was not bad.  I was super tense through the first ten minutes and then I relaxed.

Dr. ended up only ordering pics of the brain......I thought I would have the cspine too.  To my mind, now I will only have the chance to rule IN MS as opposed to being able to conceivably rule OUT MS....or maybe there will be another explanation.

So many of you lived in limboland so long.  I've been here for a year.  Thanks for the support.

[Runner999]

MRIs are a breeze. No pain involved. If you're claustrophobic, you might ask the nurses to give you something. I had the exact same procedure (w &w/o contrast) a few months ago, took a little over an hour. You pretty much just lie there and let the machine do its thing. Getting the shot with contrast stuff in it was painless.

[caseyharbison]

Thanks for all the responses.  I feel much better prepared.   I asked my neuro how long it would take and he said 10 minutes, which seemed wrong to me.  In the same appt he told me 200 mg of Labatalol bid was a lot  (in fact, that is the low end of the maintenance dosing) and that I should take my bp at home (I brought in my daily log.....of course I take my bp at home).  Point is, I don't have a lot of faith in the man and he does not listen to a word I say.  Much better to ask folks who have had an mri or two in the recent past.   Like I said....thanks for the help.  Much appreciated!

[SarahL2491]

no problem, you even added some things I had forgotten!

[johnniebear]

I just had my MRI'S last Friday,  I can't tell you how many MRI'S  I've had. I have  had and I  MRI every six months.

mine was on a 3T and just took over 90 minutes they had to re-can a part of neck..

I'm a big guy,  I like that they give me a glasses where I can see out to the operator..  they always tell me when the scan will start and how long each  scan is,  and always ask if I'm ok.

Over all I've  never had a problem and they have me  sit up for just a few minutes  on the table before they will allow me to walk.

take care
JB

[immisceo]

Oops, Sarah! I typed all that without refreshing the page. Didn't mean to trod over the same ground you'd just answered!

[immisceo]

As far as what to expect... noise! They will certainly provide ear protection though (sometimes in the form of plugs, sometimes in the form of headphones if they need to give you prompts). I'm one of those odd-ball people who actually like the changing rhythms of the different sequences though, so the time flies with me making up my own little tunes or (believe it or not) taking a little nap.

My personal experiences have been very positive and straightforward. However, if you have had experiences with claustrophobia it can be a little trickier. If you have concerns there, would it be possible to call in a favour for transport? Always remember, at no point are you not in control. You'll be handed a little emergency rope-thing (technical term!) that will get you out of there lickety-split if you panic.

As it's a longer one, simple tips like got to the bathroom before but also at least have a tiny something to drink (if memory serves, that want you to keep the swallowing down to a minimum during the cervical spine scan. A dry throat may not be your friend in that instance!)

If you're still feeling a little if-y, just be really gentle with yourself. Remember; you're doing something pro-active to help get more information about your physical issues and ultimately help you better deal with them. It's a laudable, positive step, even if it's a bit of a nuisance or stressful in the moment.

[caseyharbison]

Thanks for the info.   I have no diagnosis.  I've had many strange symptoms in the last year, but was pregnant and they could not give me an mri, so here I am.   Thursday is a big day for me.  I think I can handle 90 minutes....we'll see.  

[SarahL2491]

I'd say if you are having both, maybe 1-2 hrs, depending on what all doc wants.....sometimes they redo sections.  The section with contrast will not take as long as the original section.  They go back and run the sections that have shown flares of any kind.

The worst thing is the noise but they can give you headphones.  I always ask for blankets as it gets cold in there and you have to lay very very still.  They will put your head in a mold so you won't be tempted to move it and they will pad it.  The staff are usually very nice.  Sometimes they give you music and the tech can hear you and you can talk to them anytime.  Yeah, if they give you something, they like for you to have a ride home.......I get panic attacks from closed in places but have done pretty well in there, because they understand.

Actually the tech can view it as its done.  Some facilities it is available immediately, they tell me at mine to come back in 3 days for a CD and a written report (medical records department or radiology dept depending on facility.  Your doctor will probably not go over it until your next appt

have you been dx'd yet?  or are they just looking?
remember if you read the radiology report, it sometimes isn't accurate and MRI discs are hard to read.  But let us know and we'll "try" to help you out if we can.......you will do fine

[kwarendorf]

Hi Casey-  Welcome to our little group. Sorry you had to find us :-)

I haven't had the Double Header you describe in a while. If memory serves it takes about 90 minutes. It's definitely longer than an hour.

Kyle