MRI Anyone have one?

Trifury2007

I have to get an MRI on my shoulder tomorrow and have never had one before.  Any advice on what to expect?  I am a bit nervous.  It could be because of the test or it could be because I don't want to hear the results.  In any case, I'd be interested to hear others experiences.  Thanks.

Nickivegan

I have had them on my knees, and head. It's easy, just relax and don't move. They are mostly all open now so no confined spaces. GL!

crash2729

is it open or closed? 

If it's closed they'll slide you  into a tube and you'll just lay there. There will be some knocking noises. 

They are pretty loud, but I always manage to sleep though them.

raes19

I had one done on my knee a few months ago. You just lay on a table and they slide you into a tube. They gave me headphones to listen to music while I was in there and to talk to me. Mine took almost an hour, but they had to retake a couple of shots because I have a tremor and can't stay still. Just try to stay relaxed and not move so they can get you out of there quicker.

specialk84

I've never had a problem with them. I'm not known for my coordination, so I've had plenty of injuries that required MRIs. They can take a while, and I usually use it as a nice opportunity for a nap. There's a lot of white noise, and sometimes some thumping noises. Often, they'll play music for you. I also participated in an imaging study, so I had weekly MRIs and had no problem with them.

Some people find them really claustrophobic. My mother has a pretty severe reaction to tight spaces, and she actually has to be put under general anesthesia. Everyone's different. My father describes them as not particularly comfortable, but not a huge deal.

Meg1036

I've had several, in a traditional (i.e., round tube) one.  I worked at a place that made them, and if you volunteered to give up your lunch hour to be scanned so engineering could test them, you got a $25 gift certificate to a store of your choosing.  I was in college.  I volunteered a lot.

I've had my head scanned as well as my heart.  To be honest, the heart one was a little more difficult because I was farther into the tube and the confined space was mentally a little bit difficult.  If yours is open, you won't have that problem.  If its not; just do your best to breate deep and relax.

Physically, its no big deal at all.  You just have to lie still.  It can be loud, but they should give you earplugs.

You'll do great!

Trifury2007

I honestly have no idea if it is open or closed.  Maybe I should have asked. 

I'm thinking that I stay up late tonight so I am extra sleepy in the morning and more likely to nap while being scanned.

Do you get music options for those who got to listen or should I bring some music?

dumdumfroggie

I've had several of them, some completely enclosed, some not.  

I have a bit of a problem because I'm claustrophobic and fidgety, but if you're not, you'll be fine

It is pretty loud, but mine always give me headphones and put on some music station of my choice.

mkrupar

I had one on my knee. I had a moment of dizziness when the slid me in to the tube (with the knee they didn't have to slide me in all the way, but it was close enough to make me dizzy). I had to just shut my eyes and focus on the music. Stay very still like pps said.

raes19

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mri-anyone-one?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7427f34b-e070-498e-9d1d-ea8460d71507Post:2f1ad2aa-37e1-403d-aa20-ec0114647eb0">Re: MRI Anyone have one?</a>:
[QUOTE]I honestly have no idea if it is open or closed.  Maybe I should have asked.  I'm thinking that I stay up late tonight so I am extra sleepy in the morning and more likely to nap while being scanned. Do you get music options for those who got to listen or should I bring some music?
Posted by Trifury2007[/QUOTE]

For me, they used the radio and asked if I had a favorite station to listen to.

mkrupar

They asked me what kind of music I wanted to listen to.

crash2729

I never got to listen to music. So unfair. 

specialk84

They asked me what I wanted to listen to. You can't bring anything metal into the room. The place I went had a CD collection and offered a choice of radio stations.

If you're worried you might be claustrophobic, bring along a little eye mask so you don't have to look at the inside of the tube. Put it on before they slide you in. I've heard that helps.

Mrs.B6302007

I never got to listen to music either.

Trifury2007

Never thought of the eye mask.  Excellent advice!

[Deleted User]

Be careful with falling asleep. At the hospital I work at if you fall asleep and it affects the scans they will redo them!! I would ask if that is okay first. It is not bad! Are you having an shoulder injection also? (looking for tears or anything)? 

Trifury2007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mri-anyone-one?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7427f34b-e070-498e-9d1d-ea8460d71507Post:12bbe9fd-7985-4046-9a71-57ad904228df">Re: MRI Anyone have one?</a>:
[QUOTE]Be careful with falling asleep. At the hospital I work at if you fall asleep and it affects the scans they will redo them!! I would ask if that is okay first. It is not bad! Are you having an shoulder injection also? (looking for tears or anything)? 
Posted by halie520[/QUOTE]

Yes, havng an injection to look for a tear in the supraspinatis (sp?)  I'll ask about falling alseep too.  I really just want to this over and know what the issue is.  I'm sick of losing functionality of my arm.

BMcLeodTeam

When I had mine done they asked for my favourite station. I think I got through 2 songs on it before I fell asleep lol

bruna29

I've had one done on my head (I actually have to get one done every year), and it's not too bad. I'm a little claustrophobic, so I had them put a little towel over my eyes before putting me inside the tube. I felt like I was really scrunched in there, but I just reminded myself to breathe and tried not to think about it. They give you a little ball to keep in your hand so that you can squeeze it and call for help if you need it. I wasn't able to fall asleep because it was awfully loud (they didn't let me listen to music... losers), so it was a long hour and a half. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. Good luck!

RamonaFlowers

I've never had one, but DH had to get one a few years back because of a problem he was having with migraines. Don't wear anything with metal on it, and if you have comfy clothes that won't be a problem (Obviously no metal buttons or zippers), you can wear those instead of having to change into a hospital gown.

He had a closed one, with the option to listen to music. He said he just closed his eyes and focused on the music and it was no big deal. But he also doesn't get claustrophobic. I think covering your eyes with a towel or a mask would be a good idea for somebody that might not be able to relax as easily. Good luck!

J&K10910

I didn't get to listen to music, but that's because I was having my head scanned and it can interfere with the brain stuff.  Or something.  It's loud.  If you can stay still, it's not too bad.  The worst part for me was the contrast dye, but for a shoulder, you probably won't need it, though I'm not sure. 

Trifury2007

J&K: Why was the contrast dye the worst?  I do have to have the contrast dye so I'm curious.

J&K10910

Ah, well, it felt hot in my arm (like I could feel it going through my veins, which is a weird feeling), and I had to keep my arm bent up with my fist at my shoulder for about 15 minutes, which made my hand fall asleep and my arm get stiff.

It made me feel a little woozy when I sat up too, but only for about 5 minutes.  It wasn't that bad all, just comparatively to the rest of the MRI which was a piece of cake for me.

Trifury2007

Thanks.  Good information to know.  Extra glad that the hubster is going to be there now.  He is super calm for before and after.

J&K10910

Good luck, I hope you get good news

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mri-anyone-one?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7427f34b-e070-498e-9d1d-ea8460d71507Post:aafc79b7-fbad-4f6d-aebf-bfccc0803f21">Re: MRI Anyone have one?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: MRI Anyone have one? : Yes, havng an injection to look for a tear in the supraspinatis (sp?)  I'll ask about falling alseep too.  I really just want to this over and know what the issue is.  I'm sick of losing functionality of my arm.
Posted by Trifury2007[/QUOTE]

<div>You may be going to do the injection under fluoroscopy to make sure they are putting the contrast in the correct place before the MRI. This is not bad, this is what I do. If you are having the injection first  you will be numbed and they will put two different kinds of contrast in. One for fluoro and one for the MRI. I have never seen a patient say it "hurt" some are a little nervous because of the needles. But your shoulder will just feel full because you will have allot of fluid in it. Do not worry! There is no reason to, it will be much easier then you think. </div>

missy68

Trifury, just keep your eyes shut and if you can make your "mind still" (an issue with me) it will be okay. I always do eyes shut so I don't see the space.

They'll give you a locker for your clothes, jewelry, etc.