What is an MRI like to experience?

[Bliarg]

Hello again guys,

Thanks for the replies to my list of symptoms.  I'm thinking I might have narcolepsy possibly with MS.  There is apparently an association between the two but I don't know much about it.  

My MRI is sceduled for 13th Oct.  I'm nervous.  I know it doesn't hurt but I have heard that it is a bit frightening and claustraphonbic, and that I'll have to keep still.  Anyone got any coping tips or can describe what I should expect?  Will it ruin my results if I have twitches in my legs, pelvis or shoulders when it is being done?

Does anyone else wake up to find unexplained bruises on their arms, stomach and legs?

Thanks heaps

[LATW]

I have had several MRI's and  have done fine except for the last one when I had tummy problems!!  It was awful but I was talking myself through it.

I make sure I do not eat or drink anything before I go into the tube so I will not have bathroom issues.  I do not know what happened last time.  I just had to GO.  But I toughed it out.

My husband is 300+ and when he had to have an MRI the doctor called with his size just to check and be sure he would fit.

You might just want to give the MRI center a call and see if your size would be an issue.  it would be better to know before the test if possible.

LA

[b125]

MRIs aren't too bad, although they're not fun by any means either. I had one when I was very young - about six - to scan some tissue on my face. My most recent was this past summer. I would have loved to have had music, but the tech told me it wasn't possible if it is a head scan. As far as the head "clamp", it's actually not uncomfortable, though it does seem a little creepy. I had a bit of a reaction to the contrast (I've since found out this actually runs in my family, although the tech tried to tell me it's not possible), and it made it difficult for me to swallow, so I was rather paranoid for a while.
I couldn't possibly sleep with all the banging and clanging, so I entertained my self by pretending it was an fMRI machine and that if I mentally pictured imagery to go with the banging and clanging that it would give some kind of really wild scanning results. Not the case with a regular MRI at all, but it made the time pass more easily.

[poker247]

My spasms and twitching is always worse and flares up when I am laying down, so in the MRI I have been known to twitch, and it can if frequent enough cause some resolution problems with the scan. The valium I take before the MRI  not only does it relax me enough to have the MRI but it slows down my spasms and twitching throughout the MRI as well

Best of Luck and let us know how you make out!

~Scottie

[Bliarg]

Thanks Shermay and Hbananas.  Yup, will ask for knee wedge and pillow.  Yikes, clamp my head....makes sense and will help re twitching...but will be an uncomfortable experience.  Will think of a way to treat myself after so can have something to look forward to.  

[hbananas]

Be sure to ask them for a pillow, or better yet one of those wedge thingies to put under your knees.  Lying flat for that long a time can get painful in the ol' back.

Like shermay, I have fallen asleep in the tube.  It is one of the most boring situations I have ever experienced.

[shermay]

You do have to keep very still.  They will clamp your head so yo won't have to worry about that.  It's like going into a tube - so it's difficult to mover anyway, but keeping still is the key, otherwise results will be incorrect, or they will have to start over.

When I have mine done, for some reason the 'bangs' always send me to sleep.  If you are nervous your PCP will give you something to calm your nerves, but honestly there is nothing to worry about, and you also have a panic button to hold on to just in case it gets to much for you.

Debs

[Bliarg]

Thank you.  Counting...ok, like sheep...with my fatigue, I might even get some sleep, bangs or no bangs!  But does anyone know about twitching legs/hips/shoulders - would cause problems with scan?

[LoveMyBostons]

I had to have an open MRI because I'm overweight. Be sure to wear something metal-free like sweat pants and a t-shirt. My appt was on a Sat night. I went to the office, they gave me a dressing room and had me take my bra off and then they took me back to the machine.

I laid down and they placed padding on each side of my head to prevent me from moving around. They also gave me earplugs. As soon as they told me they were going to slide me in I made sure to shut my eyes and kept them closed the entire time. I only opened them after they slid me out.

To do the neck portion, they placed some sort of harness over my head, which might be traumatic if you're claustrophobic. I just closed my eyes again.

They pulled me out of the neck MRI and asked if they could inject the contrast. This was not scheduled so I suspected something was up. I was in there for almost 2 hours total.

The machine is VERY loud - even with the earplugs. Once you realize it's not going to hurt you though, you kind of get used to it. I passed the time by counting the number of bangs the machine made. They came over the speaker a lot and told me "okay this one is about four and a half minutes" and I had a button I could push if I got worked up.

The hardest part for me was waiting for the results. Mine were in on Monday though so I didn't have to wait long - I just had a very rough weekend.

I wish you good luck. Just remember - nothing there is going to hurt you!

[Bliarg]

Thanks Scottie!

Oh dear, I am big...hope I fit into the machine!!  Think I'll ask for relaxant.  I had no idea it would take so long - 45 mins?  Ok, good, you saved me from a shock on the day.  Good to know in advance.  cheers, that was a big help :-)

[poker247]

Bliarg,

With MRI's everyone's experience is different. Some people enjoy the "closeness" of the tube they put you in and find it comfortable.

Some people are extremely claustrophobic and HATE the tube and freak out. Also it depends how big you are....If you are overweight it will be a tight fit, if you are average weight or below weight there will be more room.

Depending on what is ordered it should take about 45 minutes. If the doctor requested the MRI with contrast about half way through they pull you out, inject the contrast dye, and then put you back in for another 15-20 minutes. You will be requested to lie still throughout the test

There is NO pain involved but the machine can be very loud. The place I go they give me ear plugs and headphones and tune the radio to a station of my choice.

After the 7 MRI's i have had thus far, I am starting to get used to them. However I am extremely claustrophobic, so I have my neurologist prescribe me 2 Valium. My wife drives me there and I take a Valium 30 minutes prior to the MRI and then another as soon as they call me in for the test.

I suggest that if you are the slightest bit claustrophobic that you have you. Dr. prescribe you something to relax. If you start the test, have problems with claustrophobia and request to be taken out they will cancel the test and you will have to reschedule for another day.

Hope you get the answers you need with this MRI and I hope things go well

~Scottie