MRI Head Scan

Thanks Bluesky. I was a bit nervous but when I looked at the scanner I thought its not a very long tunnel I'll be fine. And then suddenly panic set in. I'll see what the consultant says tomorrow. But what a hassle. It would only have been 13 minutes. So annoyed with myself.
I'm afraid I was feeling grumpy and was a bit rude about my poor husband who didn't know what to do.
I've heard of open ones but hopefully an ultrasound will suffice.
Thanks for your reply. I'm glad your results were good.

Annepl sorry to hear that you couldn't get through the MRI scan, you could ask your GP for a mild sedative to take before you go in. I was just feeling uneasy but if you are claustrophobic it could be a problem. I heard there are some open MRI machines but I believe these are not in general use yet. Better luck next time.

Ive just been for one.....Not a head scan. An MRI scan.

I've just been for one (shoulder problem) and failed miserably. Started to shake just trying it out. They brought my husband in to see if it would help. Yea right! Great idea. My husband is good at that sort of thing.not.
Back to the consultant. I hate having to tell him.

Thanks ladies yes great Christmas present!

Such good news

Oh I'm so pleased for you. Now you can relax and enjoy the forthcoming season. Excellent news!

Great Christmas present for you!

That's great news, you will be so relieved.

Received letter to make appointywith GP to discuss MRI results. Bit anxious so managed to go straight away and thank god all OK! Surprising how the mind races over all possibilities thanks to good old dr Google!

I knew you would be fine! The anticipation is usually worse than the event. I too was complimented for staying still, funny how proud it makes you feel.

So pleased it went well for you.

Well done - we knew you could do it!

Sounds like you managed it fine. I hope you have an appointment to discuss the findings soon.

I have had it done! What can I say, just as you all had said, it is bearable, lasted about half an hour, towards the end they put the contrast in which was the part that worried me, but nothing just a little bit flushed for a very short while, no sick feeling no headache. They played soothing music , the banging was rather loud at times but in short bursts, I tried to relax as much as possible and was complimented for staying so still. The best part was when they came in saying: "All done"!

Thanks to all of you lovely people! Sometimes you just want a word of reassurance from people who have been there before.

BlueSky I had a head and body MRI scan a year ago and there is nothing to fear. It all went far more quickly than I expected, with a lovely radiographer who explained everything that was going to happen and spoke to me periodically through the headphones to tell me how things were going. I could choose a radio station to listen to -music was the best choice as speech would be difficult to hear with the noise of the machine. Fixed metal dental bridges are no problem - I have them. It is noisy but you get used to it. I've also had other scans with contrast, no side effects from any of them, just a hot flush feeling when it goes in. I'm sure you'll be fine.

No radiation used in an MRI scan which takes a bit longer than a CT scan because of that reason.
Just tell the radiographer about dental work or any other metallic object within the body-----it shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks DoraMarr!

Don’t worry, lots of people must have scans with dental bridges. Tell them, and they will know what to do. Just concentrate on getting through the scan- it’s not as bad as you think. Don’t worry about after. Good luck.

Just realised I have a fixed dental bridge. Will they be able to do the MRI as I know you cannot have any metal bits. Any experience? Can't wait for this to be over, stressed about the procedure and what they are going to say about the findings, will I need further procedures?

Good luck Bluesky

Thank you Jessity and Luckygirl! Your words are a lot more reassuring than Googling! Just worried that I would feel sick dizzy etc and as I do have health anxieties your matter of fact posts are just what the doctor ordered!

The contrast is just a quick intravenous thing - no problem when I had it done quite recently. They put in the cannula, sent me into the scanner and somehow they remotely shot the contrast medium in - very impressive - didn't feel a thing! But one of the contrasts they use makes you feel as though you are weeing! - it is quite bizarre! They do warn you beforehand.

I had one annually for a number of years for an acoustic neuroma and had a contrast medium each time. It’s just an injection in your arm so that the images are clearer. I always worried that I would sneeze or my nose would itch, neither ever happened but the scanner staff were so reassuring and said it doesn’t matter, if that happens and we need to, we’ll do the scan again. As others have said upthread, it does clank and bang but really, truly, honestly, like most experiences, it’s never, ever as bad as you fear. Nothing we say will really convince, but you will be OK and the staff will be so sympathetic and helpful. We’re all cheering you on!