Anyone here ever had an MRI scan..?

[Master Ray]

Gotta have one next week... not for cancer or anything that bad, just a suspected damaged disc in my back...

Dreading it, quite frankly... I'm pretty claustrophobic at the best of times and, from what I hear it can be a bit of an ordeal...

Any of you lot got any experiences to share?   

[Shush]

Yes. Had one in 1991. A brain scan when I had meningitis. I actually quite enjoyed it. I had been in hospital for 3 weeks and it was something different to do - I was bored rigid. No pain, no problem. I got injected with a contrast dye which as I would told might, did make me feel like I was drunk. They did find a brain. Still some swelling but no damage. 

[Wessexy Witch]

I've had loads for my back ( discectomy) and for my brain tumour (removed !).

If you have a pain in the back, well, yeah, it might be painful having to lie down for what seems like forever when you're in pain, but it will probably be for about 15 minutes. You can take pain killers before you go to stop it/take the edge off.

You can also take your own music to some hospitals. They play it through headphones so you don't go deaf listening to the scanner. The scanner sounds very much like The Swans (or KLAAANNGGGG ! as I call them), so if that floats your boat all well and good. I had to put up with an hour of flippin Adele last time I went. Not good.

Claustrophobic ? Mmm, keep your eyes shut, that's your best bet. It was an emergency for my back so I had to go in a kids scanner. It had stickers of winnie the poo on the inside of the roof. Very nice for the kids to look at ,not so good when he's almost touching your nose because you're a grown up ! It's not dark in there either. it's very bright white light, so you won't be scared of the dark.

The most annoying thing is that you have to take all of your jewellery out. With me that's a long process and always involves me going to see Gavin (my local piercer) for help with the tricky ones. I have to pop and see him soon to put  my tragus hoops back in now I've come out of hospital....might start a new thread...

So there you go master ray. In a nut shell, take a pain killer,a cd,keep your eyes shut and it will be fine.
 

[Tony S]

I had one once, to look at a knee problem. They did supply headphones which had some music playing, but it was so quiet, it was a waste of time. The noises that the MRI machine make are just weird and bizarre. It was quite interesting just experiencing it. Didn't find it claustrophobic, but you do have to stay as still as possible during the process. Best thing is to just try and relax as much as you can, shut your eyes, and try and enjoy being in some kind of sci-fi sound environment ! You'll be ok !

[Master Ray]

Cheers, guys, really appreciate that, not something I'm looking forward to but feel a bit better now!

My doctor has offered me a couple of diazepam... from what I've heard about that drug, I'm thinking of getting the prescription and saving them for a chill-out night on the sofa!   

[claireinblack]

I've had two, one on my back and one on my knee
The scan on my knee was fine as i only had my leg inside the machine. The one on my back i did find claustraphobic...

i would accept the diazepam as this will help you relax and as WW advised, keep your eyes shut!
Also worth asking if there is more than one machine

My hospital has two machines and the second is classed as a large scanner, to cope with the growing population (Medway has one of the highest rates of obesity in the country!). I asked to go in that one as i was claustraphobic and they were happy to accomadate me.

Finally, let the nurses and radiographers know if you are nervous they are very used to it and will do all they can to help you get through your test.

Good luck

[ldopas]

Good luck MR, it will be fine though! 

Me I never go to the f*****g doctor so they can never find anything wrong. Its worked so far!   

[Master Ray]

Good luck MR, it will be fine though! 

Me I never go to the f*****g doctor so they can never fine anything wrong. Its worked so far!   

 , Idopas, it's funny because it's true.  I've been to the doctor about twice in the last decade, then I get ONE thing checked out and it was like a snowball rolling downhill and gathering weight, had to have SO many things checked out recently!

They all came back fine, I expect this to do so too... I guess I'm just as fine a figure of a man as you are!

[witch]

Good luck Master Ray all the best keeps my fingers crossed for you get well soon 

[Master Ray]

OK, had my MRI scan today... it was so much fun! (said no-one ever...)

But the diazepam that I took to get through it... priceless!  Still coming off it, man!   

[Shush]

Told you it was an enjoyable experience 

I want another   

[lostockboy]

I was sent for a scan as I have tinnitus In my left ear and because it wasn't in both ears I was sent just to make sure there was nothing underlying.  I went with no fear or thought to the scan and followed all the instructions given.  As I went into the scanner I was fine but very shortly after that I began to feel very uncomfortable and then then panic set in as I began to feel claustrophobic so I pressed the panic button.  I must of lasted about 30 seconds before being brought out of the scanner and even though the nurse told me not to worry as it does happen I felt foolish and sloped off home.  I eventually had a scan but in a different type where you just put your head in it but it's very big and not scary.  My daughter had to go for a MRI scan sometime after that when she was about 9 years old and she lasted about 25 minutes in the scanner, and wasn't bothered about it 

[Master Ray]

Know what you mean LB, if you're given to claustrophobia it's just horrible.  Hope your little 'un is OK.

Just goes to show, kids are way more awesome than us stupid grown ups... 

[fairloveorwar]

it's not so bad, i'm not claustrophobic, but i am cleithrophobic, i moved a little on the first try but never really felt trapped, what helped a lot was they play a cd for you if you take one..think they still do that..ask them..think it was actually 'no rest'..gl..