Question on MRI
#323631 - 01/31/08 10:32 AM
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lalala
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 2634
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I did a search on this, but I have a few more questions and need some reassurances and I know that some of you (Nelly, most recently) have gone through the procedure. 
On Tuesday I'll be having an MRI of my brain (I saw the neurologist two weeks ago for those migraines I was having in October-December). I'm definitely taking lorazepam ahead of time. I'm not claustrophobic, but I do have panic attacks so better safe than sorry, no?
I was told that I wouldn't have to put on a gown if I wore clothes that contained no metal. So, I'm thinking sweatpants, no bra, sweatshirt? I get cold easily, so I don't want to be naked under a flimsy gown. I was also told it would take about 45 minutes for a scan of my head/brain. That doesn't seem like such a long time...
Edited by Maria!Maria! (01/31/08 10:41 AM)
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My baby had two MRIs by the time he was six weeks old for brain damage he suffered at birth. I was in the room for the second one. It was cold, but they gave us both heated blankets. It was loud as well, even with ear plugs. He was sedated so he slept through most of it, even though it was loud. Basically he just lay on a stretcher in the middle of a white ring. Nothing came near his body. The machine made ticking noises and then would go BRAH BRAH BRAH for a while. TICK TICK TICK BRAH BRAH BRAH. That was all.
Honestly, it was no big deal. The worst part for me was watching them try to find a vein on a six week old for the contrast dye and not being able to feed him beforehand (he was starving!).
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Maria, I don't know about MRI but I was supposed to have a CAT scan today (didn't happen because I had too much of the wrong barium in me) and I could also wear my own clothes as long as it had no metal. So I wore my undies (obviously  ), socks, a sports bra that has no metal, sweatpants with a drawstring, long-sleeve tee, and a sweatshirt. All these were fine and I didn't have to wear the stupid gown.
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IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
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I had a closed MRI about 15 years ago. They played music for me of my choice - I brought a cd I think. Its loud and it did feel small, but of course there's no physical discomfort. I remember I felt like I could easily wiggle out of there if I had too. That helped me to not feel claustrophobic. I think newer MRI machines are much less confining. Try to stay focused on the goal of getting healthier!
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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I actually had a couple of MRI's in the past 6 months for the same reason as you: migraines. The second time they did give me a shot to calm me down but that's because I was having a series of migraines that had me hospitalized, and I was in too much pain to just stay motionless for the test. I was scared it was going to make my headache even worse but it wasn't that bad. They gave me hospital headphones to listen to music while it was going on so the noise was loud but not horrible. They found nothing on my MRI. So good luck with yours!
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Melinda
IBS-A but leans toward C mostly
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I don't have any answers...just wanted to let you know I'll be thinking of you..... just pretend you are in a tanning bed? Maybe bring a coconut scented air freshner with you to hang in the room?
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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I have had two MRI's for migraines. It really isn't too bad. I was very nervous and had to go to the bathroom a million times before hand but once I got in there I was fine. I wore clothes that I didn't have to take off and don't remember feeling cold.
It is very loud but the people are extremely nice. I'm not claustrophbic either. I did keep my eyes closed the whole time. The tube is open at the end so you don't feel like you can't get out, plus they tell you if you are experiencing any distress to let them know.
The time went by really fast for me. I can't remember how long the test is but it did not seem that long once they got started.
You will be fine!
Hugs,
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Janey
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I just had one of these back in Sept, becuase I'd kept getting migraines also. I had an open MRI. They asked me if I was claustrophobic, and I told them I wasn't sure, so they said they'd give me open just to be safe. I wore jeans and a top. All I had to remove was my top (and I think bra, can't remmeber...), and wear a gown with my jeans. The tech was really nice, and she covered me with a blanket to keep warm. It lasted about 1/2 hr or so, and she would let me know when she would start a scan and how long it would last, usually about 3-5 min each, and she said if I needed to move (like if I had an itch or something) I could between scans. All in all, it turned out to be a lot less dramatic than I was expecting! 
Here is a pic of the type I had:
They just slid me in there till my head was in. (Hope that makes sense!)
Good luck! BTW, migraines are much worse that MRIs. 
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Hiya, M!M!
#323864 - 02/03/08 02:26 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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I just got done with my 2nd round of MRIs this week! One for my upper back and one for my lower back. I looked at them, but it was like looking of inside-porn of myself, so I got shy and stopped peering for an answer.
For the brain MRI, they put your head in a little cage made of flimsey plastic bars. It's just to lift up your head right. The trick to this test is keeping your eyes closed, and doing your meditation excersizes (mine are counting to 500, then doing it again).
The object is NOT TO MOVE. If you don't move your head at ALL, it can take 20 minutes (they don't tell you that!)
The 40-45 minute time range is what they tell everybody, but it certainly is the upper limit.
If you want to take a valium before you go in, that's pretty common. I did all of mine stone cold, and really appreciated the advise I got about keeping my eyes closed. I didn't get any claustrophobia that way, either.
{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and best of luck to you! We'll all be holding your hand...
~nelly~
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Read through everyone's helpful posts, took a sedative, and I'm ready! I'll comment more later. Thanks everyone for your support and tips.
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