MRI experience

[bebe]

I'm borderline claustrophobic and I've had two head MRI's. Not the most pleasant experience but better than a root canal. While you're in there they do play music and if you have any issues there is a panic button in your hand. Just try to remain calm and think positive thoughts - like getting a sloppy BJ from your favorite SP

Why do people complain about root canals. Painless if you ask me. Maybe because I was in tremendous pain prior...I had to have it repaired ten years later, the second doctor was amazing, all work done via a small hole.

Whether an MRI or root canal, comes down to the staff and how they handle it.

 

[drstrangelove]

I've had a few MRIs over the years. The first one was on my chest, the technician said "the first part of the procedure would last about 30 seconds, don't move", so I held my breath. After it was finished, I was going to ask if I needed to hold my breath, but then the technician said "the next part will be about 20 minutes" so I knew holding my breath wasn't necessary. I chuckled to myself.

 

[somejuan]

Long time lurker.. guess I should post something at one point. IF you need a contrast agent - request / demand a macrocyclic agent vs a linear agent. If anyone gives you grief say you get wicked heads and vomiting. Caveat - any drug can cause side effects, some harmful, so if using a contrast agent for an MR, one drug could be better tolerated by you than another. But as this is your first time, ask for macrocyclic. Current contrast agents use Gadolinum as a base agent. Not a fun agent the contrast agent binds it to do its job. Many studies are now showing macrocyclic agents have less residue/build up (if any) in the brain. (2) Scientists were not expecting to find any in the brain so this is a relative recent finding. They do not know what (if any) long term repercussions there are for gadolium build up in the brain could be. So, if you're doing an MRI and need a contrast agent, ask for a macrocyclic contrast agent to reduce possible build up - but feel free to tell the doctors (as a patient you have the right to decline) that you refuse the linear agent. Because there are many types of macrocyclic agents, it depends on the hospital / clinic. Some hospitals have 1 brand vs another. Now the disclaimer (1) not a doctor (2) linear based agents are better tolerated (ie less side effects) (3) this is still relatively new finding. The reason for this posting is to make you aware that one type of contrast agent may have future consequences, especially with multiple uses. May not impact you at all, but if you can, reduce the risk of unwanted drug residue in your brain.. just in case. You can search for brands on the web and check with the hospital/clinic to see what they have.

 

[rhuarc29]

I can see this sucking for anyone with claustrophobia, but I don't see it being an issue for others.

 

[MissCroft]

Wow I had one a few years back and I fell asleep. I wasn't aware people had bad experiences with them.

I was very nervous too so, as a distraction, I was reciting the states in alphabetical order and then did the capitals. It's like meditation. I fell asleep around Salem, Oregon.

 

[einar]

I had an MRI of my brain at Mt. Sinai Hospital a few years back, scheduled at about 2:30am on a weekend. No surprise, the place was empty. I was pretty nervous about the claustrophobia aspect. The technician told me that 1 out of 3 people flee the procedure upon arrival, simply after they see the machine She said some of them come back another time armed with some sedative pills from their gp, while many others just never come back ever.

I was in the tube for about 35-40 minutes, without any sedatives, and to my astonishment it wasn't bad. The machine was a newer model by Siemens of Germany, which had mirrors angled in such a way that you could always see your feet and out the tube, even though you are actually facing straight up at a big tube just a few inches above your nose. Clever engineering: those mirrors really trick your brain and help banish the claustrophobia.

I tried to find music in all the random loud clanging noises of the whirring magnets, and the sounds became interesting. Somewhat rhythmically predictable, somewhat not. I'm a musician.

Sometime during the experience, the whole surreal experience became hypnotic and I kind of dozed off. When the technician got on the intercom and told me it was about over, I was astonished, and almost wished the ride had lasted longer.

So good luck - it's not bad if you can relax and close your eyes and concentrate on the clanging.

 

[Zaibetter]

Its nothing..if anything bring good quality ear plugs as they ones they give you are cheap. You're just in a tunnel, they have air blowing in it.

 

[MissCroft]

I tried to find music in all the random loud clanging noises of the whirring magnets, and the sounds became interesting. Somewhat rhythmically predictable, somewhat not. I'm a musician.

Sometime during the experience, the whole surreal experience became hypnotic and I kind of dozed off. When the technician got on the intercom and told me it was about over, I was astonished, and almost wished the ride had lasted longer.

So good luck - it's not bad if you can relax and close your eyes and concentrate on the clanging.

Same here. I was pretty much meditating and liked the rhythmic noise.

 

[jckyoung]

I fell asleep on my second MRI. I was worried as so many people said they were scary. Lie down. Close your eyes and day dream.

 

[aries]

I had just had one last month, it was actually the Focused Ultra Sound procedure for tremors so I was stuck in the MRI machine for 2 1/2 hours with my head screwed in to the table. It was not an easy experience being on there so long considering I'm extremely claustrophobic. I have a follow up MRI scheduled for August which should be just the normal 30mins, I expect that to be a piece of cake compared to this experience. Yes it's very loud and the old machines are cramped but just pretend you're somewhere else.

 

[tml]

I very much appreciate everyone's contribution to the thread. You're all the best. I forgot to mention I'm overweight which will make things difficult. I've been doing some research using the internet and found there are basically 3 types of machines. First is the standard bore mri that has an opening diameter of 60cm. Second is a wide bore mri that has a 70cm opening. Finally, there is an open mri that is not a tube design but(to me) looks like a pizza oven without the door. There are no open mri's in Ontario, but there is one in Buffalo as mentioned in an earlier post. I'm going to be scheduled for a wide bore machine.