anyone had an mri scan?

ollyk

Art wrote:

I've just had an MRI on my spine. Before going to the hospital yo are sent detailed instructions about what will happen to you and what you can and can't wear during the scan. You have to complete a form and take it with you.

When you arrive at the MRI suite they go through your form and ask a lot of questions prior to putting you on the machine.

The staff go to great lengths to make you feel at ease. You can speak to the radiographer through a microphone at all times and you are given a panic button in case you feel unwell in the small tube. You can also select music to listen to. This helps as the machine makes a tremendous noise.

I was in the tube for about 40 minutes. The time varies depending what part of your body is being scanned.

The hardest part is keeping perfectly still during the whole time you are in the tube. With my spine problem I knew this would be difficult so I mentioned it to the staff. They put pillows under my legs and then sandbags on top of my legs - this did the trick!

The results are available on the hospital website so my surgeon, who is based at anothr hospital, can view them.

They even provided a dedicated parking area for MRI patients which was great, especially as it was free.

Don't worry about the scan.

Regards,
Art.

I wasn't treated like that at all! I had to ask for a bit more support - I was also in for my spine and if I hadn't asked I would not have been able to remain so still! No music, all I had for company was a little light, a gentle breaze over my face (glad I didn't let one rip ) and a hell of a lot of noise from the scanner.
Oh BTW I think my results were sent to africa for examination before being sent to my physio!

Need_More_Money_2

ollyk wrote:

I wasn't treated like that at all! I had to ask for a bit more support - I was also in for my spine and if I hadn't asked I would not have been able to remain so still! No music, all I had for company was a little light, a gentle breaze over my face (glad I didn't let one rip ) and a hell of a lot of noise from the scanner.

Depends very much on the quality of the radiographers/technicians. Unfortunately this varies quite a lot. Whilst there are some very good people working in the NHS, there are some awful staff too.

laurajayne

When I last had an MRI (for a knee injury I think it was) I had to remove all piercings. Obviously it was planned, so I went to my local body piercer, and had the metal jewllery replaced with PTFE, which is plastic.

ollyk

Need_More_Money wrote:

Depends very much on the quality of the radiographers/technicians. Unfortunately this varies quite a lot. Whilst there are some very good people working in the NHS, there are some awful staff too.

while it was for the NHS, it was I think a private company but I could be wrong - it wasn't in a building either it was parked outside!

Need_More_Money_2

ollyk wrote:

while it was for the NHS, it was I think a private company but I could be wrong - it wasn't in a building either it was parked outside!

Ah! Alliance Medical by any chance?

jojilufc

I've had a few MRI's for my spine and leg and had to remove my belly botton piercing, bra and wedding ring etc...

The first time I went in head first, was given some headphones cos of the very loud noise it makes but the radiographer could talk to me and me to her which helped.

The second time I asked to go in feet first adn found that better...

My reslults went to Africa for reading first so seemed to take ages to come back... I was NHS can you guess:rotfl:

Jo

I'mcomingbackasaman

I'm due to have an MRI scan of my hip in April and I've been told by the hospital I will have an injection first :eek: Has anyone had this experience so they can forewarn me of the procedure please?

Need_More_Money_2

I'mcomingbackasaman wrote:

I'm due to have an MRI scan of my hip in April and I've been told by the hospital I will have an injection first :eek: Has anyone had this experience so they can forewarn me of the procedure please?

I'm guessing that it will be an injection of a contrast agent like Gadolinium, although I don't know enough about MRI to know if this is useful in hip imaging (it is defintely used in heart imaging). Contrast injections are usually just small injections into a vein in your arm.

Art_2

jojilufc wrote:

I've had a few MRI's for my spine and leg and had to remove my belly botton piercing, bra and wedding ring etc...

The first time I went in head first, was given some headphones cos of the very loud noise it makes but the radiographer could talk to me and me to her which helped.

The second time I asked to go in feet first adn found that better...

My reslults went to Africa for reading first so seemed to take ages to come back... I was NHS can you guess:rotfl:

Jo

My MRI was also on the NHS and as I said previously I couldn't have had better service had I been private. I was considering going private if the wait was excessive but there was no need. I saw my surgeon in mid December and was offered my MRI early January. Saved me around £800. I can't think it would have been much quicker had it been classified as urgent.

I don't normally speak highly of the NHS and have private medical cover but it wasn't necessary on this occasion.

Regards,
Art.

code-a-holic

Wow thats a quick appointment! Im still waiting, 3 years and 4 mths so far!!!