MRI Scans

chrissiewissie

Hi Folks
I've just been referred for an MRI scan and just wondered what it's like. I'm guessing a few of you have had one or more of them!
I have OA in my feet but because I have daily pain and stiffness in my mid-lower back, the Rheumatologist wants to have a look and see if there is some inflammation in my spine. Sounds quite scary to be honest. Thought OA in my feet was enough to be dealing with!
Cx

LignumVitae

Hi Chrissie

That does sound frightening but at least they are looking and that means they are on top of things for you.

I personally find MRIs not so bad but I know other people do. In my head (which can be a fun place) I would liken it to lying in a giant toilet roll middle listening to somebody do DIY/ tune a band in the room next door. They are noisy and a bit weird but not so bad, not invasive. The thing I always find hardest about them is staying so very still for so long and I always get a voice asking me to stay still even if I think I am being the best statue I can be! I've had quite a few of them by now and they have always been quite similar, if in doubt, shut your eyes would be my advice.

The very best of luck with it, please do let us know how you get on.

Love LV xx

dachshund

Hi Chrissie
yes LV is right they are noisey i kept my eyes closed and i thought of being miles away it did not seem very long i was in there about 15 20 mins. i had the scan on my hips and spine.
good luck.
joan xx

AndyMaz

I have an MRI scan on Wednesday. I haven't a clue what to expect :shock:

chrissiewissie

Will you let me know how you get on Andy?!
Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.
Probably sounds more scary than it is.
Cx

AndyMaz

Yeah, I'll pop in and let you know all about my experiences when i get home from the hospital 8)

My appointment is at 0930hrs so nice and early, hopefully their appointments will still be running on time as it's so early

AndyMaz

Oh, my MRI is for Thorassic spine, Lumbar spine and Sacroliliac Joint.

chrissiewissie

Good luck Andy, I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday, hopefully it will go ok!
I had a 9:15 appointment this morning, thinking the same thing about early appointments!! Wasn't too late in thankfully!
Cx

DebraKelly

I have had a couple of MRI Scans and they aren't that bad.

Normally they do give you head phones so you can take a cd with you to block out the noise.

The hardest part for me was trying to lie still for 20mins! lol

villier

Good luck Chrissie and Andy, I have had a few scans, as a few have said the hardest bit is having to lie still for quite a while. Some of the hospitals that I went to allowed you to take your own music which helps with the noises, I found for me I just closed my eyes and concentrated on my tunes only thing is to try and not sing along, it's like everything else nervous about the unknown I am sure you both will be fine, be sure to let us know how you get on.........Marie xx

chrissiewissie

Thanks Marie
I'll let you all know when I'm due to go in.
Cx

tillytop

Hello Chrissie and Andy

I have had a few MRI scans and, as the others have said, the scans themselves are not painful (although the lying still can be uncomfortable and, depending on what is being scanned it can take quite a long time). The first time I had an MRI I was disconcerted by how far I was into the scanner and how close the scanner was to my face, so I found closing my eyes was a good plan. They are also extremely noisy but you will be provided with ear defenders. As the other peeps have said sometimes listening to music is an option and they may provide you with headphones and a choice of music. Sometimes you are able to take your own CD with you and they will play it for you (in which case they will probably say so in your appointment letter so you can go prepared). It can be very hard to hear the music over the noise of the scanner but it does help because it gives you something to concentrate on. For all my scans the scanner operator has talked to me regularly during the scan, telling me how long each part of the scan was going to last and asking if I was ok. They also provided a buzzer for me to push if I needed to talk to them or to ask to come out of the scanner. It may also be possible for you to take someone into the scanning room with you if you ask beforehand. For one of my scans my husband was able to be there with me holding my feet (I know that sounds daft but that was the only part of me not inside the scanner and it really helped me being able to "feel" he was there.) "top tip" if you are planning on doing this though - make sure you ask before you go because anyone accompanying you into the room will have to fill in the risk assessment forms and take off anything metal in their clothing which might be affected by the magentism from the scanner.

Top tip - if you have clothing you can wear without metal zips, fasteners etc, you may be able to wear that, rather than having to fight with a hospital gown. Last time I wore leggings and a t-shirt and that was much more comfortable (and warmer too because the scanner room was air conditioned and very chilly for lying still for a while).

Good luck to both of you!

Tilly xxx

AndyMaz

Thanks everyone

The only piece of clothing I have with no metal in is a pair of football shorts. So I hope it's not too cold in the scanner room

This time tomorrow it will all be over

AndyMaz

I'm back and I survived!

My MRI took place in a mobile scanner, so on the back of a lorry basically. I don't think there would be much difference between a fixed and mobile scanner.

First thing that surprised me was how uncomfortable the bed was. Second thing was that I didn't realise exactly how enclosed these things are!! I can see now why people who suffer from claustrophobia would be worried! :shock:

I was in there, being scanned, for a total of 1 hour and 10 mins. They gave me two comfort breaks so I could get up, walk around outside for air and get a drink of water.

The process seemed to go on for ages. They started with my Thoracic spine so my head was half way up the tube. I had a 2 minute break and they then did my Lumbar spine, so I was further into the tube, almost at the top. Once they'd done that I got another break for air and water and they scanned my SIJ. This time if I looked up I could see the roof of the trailer, so felt much less enclosed.

At each stage the lady was speaking to me over the intercom, "This scan will last 4 minutes" etc. Which was comforting. They also gave me a set of ear defenders because the machine is very loud!

The other thing I noticed was how warm it got. After the second set of scans I was sweating like mad!

I'm really aching now so I'm going to have something to each and top up the NSAID's

Any Q's, feel free to ask

dreamdaisy

Well done, you're done and dusted and I hope the results come back soon. I have only ever had my knees done, I was fed in legs first up to my shoulders so my head remained outside the scanner - I never got hot though - my feet used to get so chilly that I now ask for a blanket! It is a noisy old process and yes, I would hurt after so it was a case of feet up with a cuppa and some pain dullers. Rest up now - and again well done! DD

LignumVitae

Well done on surviving Andy! I'm glad it is all done. A strange experience but with arthritis so many are.
LV xx

AndyMaz

Thanks DD and LV

Apparently generating some heat is normal, or so the Nurse told me.

I really feel like I've over done it with exercise a bit now though! Starting to stiffen up quite a lot over the last few hours.

Ho-Hum... keep moving!

chrissiewissie

Well done Andy! Glad you made it in one piece!! 8)
Mine will also be a mobile scanner in the hospital car park (classy!) so I appreciate you updating us with your experience.
I feel a bit better about having to do it now and everyone's experiences seem pretty similar, so I might take a CD of relaxing music if I'm allowed to play it. They made the appointment over the phone, but I assume they'll send me a letter to explain things and tell me what I need to do beforehand etc.
Thanks everyone
Cx