Asleep on Parade

Nadatertube my brain scans are always 4 different noises lasting about 5 minutes each with a short silence in between and the radiographer talks to me, telling me when each is about to start and asking if I’m OK.

I’m claustrophobic but I manage to cope by keeping my eyes closed and pretending I’m somewhere else. You will be fine, it really isn’t that bad. I think the anticipation is the worst part. Don’t be afraid to tell them you’re nervous. Hope the results are good.

Same as you during a brain scan Blossoming. I used the controlled breathing technique, relaxing my body from the feet up and floated off to sleep. Listening to music was impossible!

I had one a few months ago. Headphones were a no because it's a giant magnet really. They gave me earplugs to use and talk you through everything beforehand. Just tell them you are nervous. It's very close to your face, I closed my eyes and mentally made shopping lists, planned days with gc, thought about what jobs I had outstanding etc. It was over before I knew. Good luck. Let us know how you get on, will be thinking of you this afternoon

My first experience was not good. I took a tranquilliser each time after, 4 in all.

You will be fine nads. Don’t worry ?

Good luck, nada.

Is one allowed to wear wax earplugs while having an MRI?

Thanks everyone for your very good advice and reassurance. No one mentioned music when they gave me the date. I'll ask about it, but Chestnut may be right, in my case as I find more than one sound stressful. And will tell them I am nervous.
I am bringing an eye mask, so I'm not tempted to look around.
I'll let you all know how it goes. It's at 4 20pm.

Thank you, yes, I think mine was definitely at the louder end of the spectrum.
I hope that we’ve put your mind at rest a bit nada

The letter I received said about 40 minutes but both mine (different hospitals) took about 20 minutes and no more than half hour.
There was a big difference in the noise levels too, so much so that I mentioned it to the staff.

How long was yours Silverlining?I was in there for 40-45 minutes.

It’s really only a short time and the music helps focus on that rather than the noise of the machine. I have had two fairly recently and could tell one machine was older as it was noisier than the other newer one. Really no need to worry.

I think that in my case, they said that it was an old machine.
So Silverlining is probably right that you can listen to music.
I hope that I haven’t needlessly scared you!

I didn't have music, it only makes everything louder. The noise is so loud you can't hear the music anyway. Just keep your eyes closed then you can imagine yourself somewhere else and go into a bit of a trance. Most importantly, stay calm because it's just not that bad.

Hello nada
I’ve just pmed you about something different, and only just seen this.

If I were to have another one, it wouldn’t bother me at all.
It’s just the shock of it.

After I’d had it, I noticed that the machine was a tube, ie open at both ends, and open only inches from the top of my head.

If I’d know that, I would not have felt so claustrophobic.
So my advice would be to try to have a little look at the machine so you know a bit more about what’s involved.

I also felt much better when they spoke to me when I was in there - they only did this once towards the end, and I wish they had done it more.
It felt reassuring to know they were near by.

So I would ask them to ask you if you are ok occasionally.
And also to tell you how long you’ve got left, that would have made me feel better as you lose track of time.

Another bit of advice - have some things to think about!
Recite poems, or write one in your head.
Play an alphabet word game, or plan something that you need to do.

Like Meryl says, tell them that you are nervous, and ask them to talk to you every so often.

Good luck! When it’s over you’ll know exactly what I mean about not being bothered about doing it again.
You’ll be absolutely fine x

You should be able to choose music on earphones which blocks most of the noise.

Tell the radiologist how nervous you are. They will calm you.
I was lucky that my radiologist was my friends daughter so I felt as if I had a friend there with me.
But remember: your having this procedure for a reason.
It will soon pass.

FannyCornforth

Blossoming

I fell asleep whilst having a brain scan in an MRI scanner. Anybody who’s been in one will know what the noise is like

Good heavens Blossoming!
It’s like very bad German techno played at ear splitting volume!
It makes me feel like I’m going insane!

FannyC I know this is an old post but I'm having one this afternoon and I can't do loud noise. Is it constant?
I'm dreading it. The claustrophobic scanner is bad enough. ?

Blossoming

I fell asleep whilst having a brain scan in an MRI scanner. Anybody who’s been in one will know what the noise is like

Good heavens Blossoming!
It’s like very bad German techno played at ear splitting volume!
It makes me feel like I’m going insane!

Blossoming

I fell asleep whilst having a brain scan in an MRI scanner. Anybody who’s been in one will know what the noise is like

I fell asleep in the scanner too - and it was the mobile unit so my feet were stuck in the outside bit and, despite thick socks, freezing cold. I can never get to sleep in my bed with cold feet.

I assumed the lady must have been jet-lagged. I'm lousy at recognising faces and most of the famous on parade were unknown to me. Is she a politician?

I can drop asleep on a washing line I slept through the whole of a Harry Potter film once (don’t like him anyway) the grandkids thought it hilarious
My friend drops off as soon as we get to the cinema she rarely disappoints

On yes please no more 'Incredibles' and 'Amazings's those interviews sent me to sleep.

I know! The scanner team thought it was hilarious. I usually control my breathing and use visualisation to pretend I haven’t got my head stuffed in a tin can with people bashing hammers along the sides. I must be getting good at it!

Blossoming

I fell asleep whilst having a brain scan in an MRI scanner. Anybody who’s been in one will know what the noise is like

How!!!! Just how ?
The noise is horrendous.

I dropped off under the drier in the days before blow-dry became commonplace. The GC usually had to nudge me when I slept peacefully in the cinema. I even fell asleep while an A-level class did a piece of writing I'd set.