Anyone Had An Mri I'm Having One This Morning

[gordiescotland1]

I am having an Mri this morning to check my liver gallbladder etc I had a scan could not get a good view. I am a bit anxious about it I know the scanner is open but is it claustrophobic

[dannyk13]

Machine looks like ordinary scanner,thing to be aware of is that it makes a banging noise when in operation which can be a bit annoying.

[Old_Geezer]

Keep your eyes closed ?

[andy-hughes]

If you relax and close your eyes, you will be fine. Keep breathing deeply, and don't think about where you are, take your mind off to somewhere you enjoy and focus on that.

As advised, the machine does clank a bit, but that's just a minor irritation.

They do give you a rubber bulb attached to a tube to hold - if you find yourself distressed, squeeze it, and they will stop the scan and take you out of the scanner immediately.

I think the thought of a 'fail safe' will help to control your anxiety.

Good luck.

[jennyjoan]

I have never had one but would like to know why so loud of banging. Thought it would be beeps etc.

[wolf63]

I had a MRI of my brain and it was okay - almost pleasant to just lie there. The staff know that many folk don't like the scanner and they are usually really good.

Good luck, relax and have a good day out

[Togo]

Yes gordie I have had at least 8. Nothing to be concerned about, just a bit disconcerting due to feeling vulnerable and isolated. You will probably have a feed inserted into you arm which is administered just prior to you passing through the scan. You will be positioned on the bed that will pass through the electromagnetic "drum" of the scanner. The people doing the scan will retreat into a little cubicle ( they can see you at all times) and you will receive some basic instuctions such as take a deep breath and hold it and you will pass through the machine and then back again. You may feel a little warm I your nether regions as if you have peed yourself. Hopefully you wont have.. Haha. I had so many in a six month period that I glowed in the dark.(joking)

[chanel5]

I had an MRI on my brain two years ago. There were three disconcerting things that happened - one was my head being strapped down to stay completely immobile, the second was how close the sides and roof of the machine were to my face during the exray, and the third was the prolonged loud banging of the machine for all 15 minutes of the procedure. On the plus side, they fixed a mirror above my eyes so that I was able to see the radiologists in the protected chamber. They also warned me about the narrow space, the loud noise and the time it would take, so nothing was a surprise. But yes, I did feel a bit vulnerable and weepy. I hope things went well for you gordie.

[chanel5]

I forgot to say that most GPs would give you a sedative to take if you feel anxious about the procedure. Make sure you have someone with you, and don't drive after it.

[andy-hughes]

Now that gordie's MRI is hopefully completed, I can confirm that mine was part of a series of tests for prostate cancer (negative I am pleased to confirm) that I have undertaken, and I was in the machine for nearly forty minutes!

I ignored the proximity of the top of the machine by simply closing my eyes, and indulging in my envied ability to go to sleep literally anywhere - but that is obviously not a solution for everyone.

[Bathsheba]

Probably too late now, but I've had loads, and have always been given earplugs, and then headphones to listen to sweet middle of the road music, that's always puzzled me, being given both ;)

Baths
x x x

[andy-hughes]

Given the choice between MOR music and the machine clanking - I'll have the clanking any day - more musical!!

[murraymints]

gordie ..hugs xxx

[Peter Pedant]

liver and gall bladder is OK gordie and good luck

head ( which I note you are not having) is more claustrophobic

radiation - nil but you cant do anything magnetic

Jenny J - Clanking occurs as there is a BIG magnetic field which reverses
and the molecules aligning in one direction and then aligning in the opposite direction is associated with noise....
a bit like when small bubbles form in a heating kettle, there is a noise as well
or as the physicists might say, dH/dt>0

[Bathsheba]

Lol @ andy :)

Baths
x x x

[murraymints]

bathy..ABBA for me ! lol xx

[jennyjoan]

ta peter

[murraymints]

pp you are a clever bunny !

[retrocop]

Just like lying in a tumble dryer especially when the contrast starts warming the cockles but you don't tumble! I always described the sound as a whirring dynamo more than a banging sound.

[jourdain2]

I've had a few MRI scans. The first, fastened inside a 'torpedo tube' was not an experience I would like to repeat but the ones where your head and feet stick out at the ends is no problem whatsoever. You just have to lie still and it clicks and whirs and moves about - quite fascinating. Be reassured, it's a doddle. :)