mri scan

mumps

My daughter had to have one when she was 9. Unfortunately she had to go in head first as it was a brain scan, she was very nervous as she is claustrophobic. I sat at the end of the machine and stroked her foot so she knew I was there. I think it was about 30 minutes. When they finished they said she was the best patient that day and the Radiologist took her into where they control the machine and showed her the scans. So if you are very good.......

mumoftwins

I don't like the idea of going head first! My scan is for my back so I will ask if I can go in feet first, and maybe get OH to sit with me and hold my hand

ladylumps45

ive got 2 to look forward to next week :(
i have a brain one at kings in london and a back one near home .both of them are within 3 days of each other unfortunately.im not looking forward to them but have had many before so i know whats coming!the cage thing they put over your neck/head is not nice.
its the results i dread more.

pipkin71

They aren't the nicest of procedures to go through if you are claustrophobic, but the staff do try to make things as comfortable as possible, and the GP can prescribe a mild sedative for those who are overly anxious.

mealone

modern scanners are very diffrent to the old tube scanners, I`ve had 5 in the past 2 years and you laydown on the table which then moves in and out of a large dougnut around the table.

Its still noisy but the hardest bit for me was trying to keep still because when I try I trigger spasms.

You can have music or radio but I am deaf and your not allowed your aids when you are scanner.

The scanner my trust uses is a private firm and they are excellent, they have good parking and there is never any backlog.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

This is for anyone who needs to have a scan, not just the OP...

I've had two MRIs, a couple of CTs and a radioactive iodine tracing bone scan (as well as tons of X-rays, ultrasounds and one DEXA density scan, so I'm pretty au fait with most forms of diagnostic imaging).

In the first MRI, it was totally enclosed (as far as I could tell), the second was more open. Once you're in the thing and being scanned, it doesn't make a great deal of difference to you which one you're in. I am claustrophobic and have been since being trapped as a small child and nearly suffocating.

I don't remember any 'cage thing' - on each thing I was laying on a moveable bed/conveyor type wotsit. Not comfortable, but it's not for sleeping on.

My recommendations are on the basis of my own experience, nothing else;

1. Avoid tea, coffee, chocolate, cola and all caffeine products for approximately 24 hours minimum (if you get headaches without them, perhaps you should be considering avoiding them anyway).

2. If you have high blood pressure, cut down the salt and junk food. You should be doing it already, but it's useful to be extra good the week before a scan.

3. Check in at reception, explain you are worried. They're used to it.

4. Check your exits. You may have a strong wish to be outside once the scan is finished.

5. Make sure you have no unnecessary metal with you. There will probably be somewhere to lock mobile phones, earrings, money and the like if you don't have someone with you to look after them. If you cannot function without your glasses, tell them and they are likely to assist you in getting to the machine safely.

6. Wear easily removable and metal free clothing. If you wear a bra, either go without (eek!) or wear an all fabric sports-style one. Make sure undies don't have any metal embellishment. Stretchy trousers and a T shirt style top or sweater are also good. I find that I feel more vulnerable if I have to do the stripping off thing into the backless gown.

7. Remind person in scan room that you are finding this a little difficult. They'll be fine with it.

8. Normally, they will go through the safety questions with you one more time. It's their job.

9. Then you get on the scan bed and you get moved into the machine. Close your eyes and breathe in evenly, breathing out through pursed lips if you are finding the prospect quite a strain. It'll all be done soon.

10. Go to breathing as normally and unforced as possible. Concentrate on the the end of your 'out' breath. Try counting them in batches of 10. If you lose count or go above 10, start at one again.

11. If you get bored with that, try noticing the moment just before you breathe in, counting in 10s again.

12. It's gonna be noisy in there. Concentrate on the breath. Don't force it, just be aware of it.

13. When they start the scanning, you may feel a little strange. I could feel the blood in my head being pulled around - it does contain iron, I suppose. It's almost pleasant as a sensation, tingly, even. On other occasions, I felt nowt. Different strengths and depths of scan, I suppose.

14. You might have music - it'll be terrible. You might not have any - sometimes that's better.

15. If you feel OK, try opening your eyes. It's just beige. Not so scary as the imagination. If you don't like it, close them and go back to noticing your breathing. See if you can sense coolness touching your nose, your throat or your lip as your breath first enters your body.

16. Repeating a phrase such as 'I am here and I am calm' in your head may help.

17. Remember - you consent to this. You have chosen to help yourself by having this scan. It is your choice to do it and that means you are strong. You are strong enough to let your fear pass by, even though you do not feel it. This fear will pass, this moment will pass, this scan will pass. By teatime, this will be in the past.

18. Treat yourself to something once you have finished - a posh coffee, a burger, a pair of shoes, whatever is a real treat for you. You have earned it!

Remember, it's just a few moments in a day. They will pass and you will have the rest of the day to fill with something else.

Best wishes,

Jojo x

emilyt

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

This is for anyone who needs to have a scan, not just the OP...

I've had two MRIs, a couple of CTs and a radioactive iodine tracing bone scan (as well as tons of X-rays, ultrasounds and one DEXA density scan, so I'm pretty au fait with most forms of diagnostic imaging).

In the first MRI, it was totally enclosed (as far as I could tell), the second was more open. Once you're in the thing and being scanned, it doesn't make a great deal of difference to you which one you're in. I am claustrophobic and have been since being trapped as a small child and nearly suffocating.

I don't remember any 'cage thing' - on each thing I was laying on a moveable bed/conveyor type wotsit. Not comfortable, but it's not for sleeping on.

My recommendations are on the basis of my own experience, nothing else;

1. Avoid tea, coffee, chocolate, cola and all caffeine products for approximately 24 hours minimum (if you get headaches without them, perhaps you should be considering avoiding them anyway).

2. If you have high blood pressure, cut down the salt and junk food. You should be doing it already, but it's useful to be extra good the week before a scan.

3. Check in at reception, explain you are worried. They're used to it.

4. Check your exits. You may have a strong wish to be outside once the scan is finished.

5. Make sure you have no unnecessary metal with you. There will probably be somewhere to lock mobile phones, earrings, money and the like if you don't have someone with you to look after them. If you cannot function without your glasses, tell them and they are likely to assist you in getting to the machine safely.

6. Wear easily removable and metal free clothing. If you wear a bra, either go without (eek!) or wear an all fabric sports-style one. Make sure undies don't have any metal embellishment. Stretchy trousers and a T shirt style top or sweater are also good. I find that I feel more vulnerable if I have to do the stripping off thing into the backless gown.

7. Remind person in scan room that you are finding this a little difficult. They'll be fine with it.

8. Normally, they will go through the safety questions with you one more time. It's their job.

9. Then you get on the scan bed and you get moved into the machine. Close your eyes and breathe in evenly, breathing out through pursed lips if you are finding the prospect quite a strain. It'll all be done soon.

10. Go to breathing as normally and unforced as possible. Concentrate on the the end of your 'out' breath. Try counting them in batches of 10. If you lose count or go above 10, start at one again.

11. If you get bored with that, try noticing the moment just before you breathe in, counting in 10s again.

12. It's gonna be noisy in there. Concentrate on the breath. Don't force it, just be aware of it.

13. When they start the scanning, you may feel a little strange. I could feel the blood in my head being pulled around - it does contain iron, I suppose. It's almost pleasant as a sensation, tingly, even. On other occasions, I felt nowt. Different strengths and depths of scan, I suppose.

14. You might have music - it'll be terrible. You might not have any - sometimes that's better.

15. If you feel OK, try opening your eyes. It's just beige. Not so scary as the imagination. If you don't like it, close them and go back to noticing your breathing. See if you can sense coolness touching your nose, your throat or your lip as your breath first enters your body.

16. Repeating a phrase such as 'I am here and I am calm' in your head may help.

17. Remember - you consent to this. You have chosen to help yourself by having this scan. It is your choice to do it and that means you are strong. You are strong enough to let your fear pass by, even though you do not feel it. This fear will pass, this moment will pass, this scan will pass. By teatime, this will be in the past.

18. Treat yourself to something once you have finished - a posh coffee, a burger, a pair of shoes, whatever is a real treat for you. You have earned it!

Remember, it's just a few moments in a day. They will pass and you will have the rest of the day to fill with something else.

Best wishes,

Jojo x

Brilliant advice.:D

I have had 2 scans and nearly fell asleep both times.:o

The breathing exercise is a good one. I also do meditation and that helped me when i had my first scan and wasn't sure what to expect.

Good luck to anyone who is having a scan.

Remember you are always in control of the sitution and can press the button they give you to hold onto if you want to be taken out at anytime.

whitts

i have had 3 in total and my gp has given me valum just for it, it really worked.my last one was on an open slab. You will be ok just keep relaxed, good luck with it and your results

mumoftwins

Fabulous advice from Jojo - thank you :A think I may well print that off and take it with me to read whilst I'm waiting to go in.

And to everyone else - a big thank you too for all your kind and supportive words for myself and others who are so fearful of having our scans xx

foreign_correspondent

I have been for a couple - avoiding caffeinne would be a big no no for me, as missing my morning coffee gives me a crashing headache - I assume you mean that caffeine may make you feel tense, so I guess its down to the individual.

My best advice is to keep your eyes closed, and imagine you are elsewhere - worked for me, as I felt claustraphobic when I went in with my eyes open...

...and remember, it is 100% safe, non-invasive, with no side effects, and a truly wonderful invention that will make for accurate diagnosis and treatment... some of the things that can be seen on an MRI would only have been found in the past if you had exploratory surgery - compared to that, the MRI is a breeze!