Nervous about MRI scan

I had head and neck area scanned late last year. Previously it had been my knees so I did not have the top part of my body in the machine.

I asked before we started how long it would take -20 minutes so I lay there, with my eyes closed, hearing the clanging and banging.

I tried to sort out in my head what I needed to order online so that took up some time. I also did some singing in my head but I had to stay quiet as I was not allowed to move my lips!

I was fine, as will you be but I was not bothered about having it done because I knew it was a necessity.

I was amazed at the banging and clanging. Never heard anything like it. I wonder if in 50 years time scans will be silent and people will think our ones are primeval.

Likewise a lot of our treatments. Pity we won't know or most of us won't.

First MRI scans are fiendishly noisy, so it is a little odd that they say you can listen to music - listening depends on being actually able to hear , and I certainly could not during any of mine.

And I certainly did not have a button I could press at any time, so don't rely on that.

Do tell the staff that you are nervous about being in an enclosed space for too long. They will expect that, but as they are not mind readers they won't know unless you mention it.

I found repeating things I know by heart helped to pass the time. If you can't remember screeds of poetry, or the speeches from Shakespeare we learned at school, try the multiplication tables, or nursery rhymes.

I managed at least a whole decade of the Rosary, but if you are not in the habit of praying, that won't help you.

Everyone dreads their first MRI scan both because it's something unknown and because, through the scan, NHS is helping us with or giving us a diagnosis re a health issue. Re the latter a diagnosis means NHS can help us and the best diagnosis is an early one and 99% of the time they can sort us out.
Re the process I have had several scans and although I am lucky to have no claustrophobic issues I can say that the scanner is open both ends and you have a panic button placed into your hand so they can slide you out at any time and they can hear you via a two-way sound arrangement so you can stop it all at any time.
You lie down with head on a pillow , knees bent over a cushion and are draped in a moderately heavy sort of protective blanket over the mid section.
Then they slide you like a pizza into an oven (without any heat obviously) and give you instructions to breath in and out or keep still so that they can photograph various bits of you.
Machine very clanky and noisy. Nothing to panic about. Breathe in and out. nothing to panic about. Remember you can stop it at any time. Staff will be lovely. You may have a dye contrast . If so you will have a little "Port" already inserted into your hand and they will tell you when they are putting the dye in. Never fear you might get a funny metallic taste in your mouth and the dye might feel a bit cold on entry but it all passes very quickly and no harm done.
They pull you out the same way you came in.Then you can go home and have a nice rest.
I have never been given any results after the scan in the UK rather the specialist gives results when ready.
Very , Very best of luck. You will be fine.
Then you have your MRI club badge .

My late husband was due to have an MRI after his heart attack, but he was not able to lie flat. He used to sleep sitting up with seven pillows because of a spinal problem, so the doctors realised it would not be possible.

Labradora thank you, very reassuring!! I have lost so much confidence since my illness - hopefully I will regain it as I get stronger. I have been so well cared for by the NHS over the past few months and I know that this scan is something that I need. I will look forward to getting my MRI badge 😊

It's quite often an alternative to a diagnostic angiogram to see how those vessels are looking & how the heart muscle's recovered a few months on. I'd much rather have the MRI, it's lower risk & not invasive, but some people need a check angiogram if they can't have the MRI.

An mri won’t hurt snd will be done with very quickly, hope you aren’t too worried about it now so many have reassured you, Tell yourself you will be ok
because you will be.

Had my first MRI last year and was very apprehensive beforehand. I Googled what to expect and one website (sorry, I don't remember which one) actually played the sounds that you will hear which though noisy was quite comforting to know what they would sound like. I read a comment that someone had posted saying that she thinks of the noises as " just the machine busy getting on with its job" it sounds a bit simplistic but I kept that thought in mind and found it very helpful. I actually dozed off for a minute or two!
I hope it goes well for you, try and relax and I'm sure you will be fine

Let us know how you get on. You will be fine.

I have had an MRI scan ( 2 actually) and like you I was more than apprehensive, how I tackled this was as I walked into the room where the scan machine was, I just didnt look at it, i looked anywhere but NOT at that machine. I explained i was very nervous and the 2 nurses were brilliant. They both guided me ( i closed my eyes so i didnt see it ) and 1 nurse held my hand as I was obviously going into machine, then she let go. I kept my eyes closed tight through it all.

I knew the scan was very much needed and avoiding it was not an option.... once it was over I praised myself for achieving what I deemed as a horrible experience and drove to the cafe for a hot chocolate and yummy cake as a WELL DONE YOU.

I've had an MRI, I knew it was to be terribly noisy, I bought aviation ear plugs in advance. Easy and not so noisy with plugged ears.

Grandyma I’ve had several MRI scans, with and without contrast dye. The last one was for head and neck and was over very quickly. I always close my eyes as soon as I’m on the bed and keep them closed until I’m out, although I’ve never been offered a mirror. Be prepared for all sorts of loud noises. After the last scan I asked the operator how it works and his detailed explanation was fascinating.

I don't know if the one o had yesterday was quieter than usual, or if I've got much more deaf than I was.

Do you think they vary, depending on which bit they're doing?

No one is more of a coward than I am. If there's nothing to worry about I can invent something, and I specialise in imagining worst case scenarios. I took a small diazepam, told them I was nervous and honestly? it was a breeze. I didn't have anything injected, refused it, too scared, but my sister has had and was fine. Second MRI I didn't have anything. I wore an eye mask, I don't think the mirror helps, and just did controlled breathing.
You will be fine..wishing you all the best with your treatment.

Oh and ear plugs.

I'd like to be sedated before I walk into the hospital.

Grandyma if you have to follow instructions like I did you need to be alert. Also you won't be able to take anything that will relax you if you have to as it will slow down your heart function and if you fall asleep the test will have to be repeated as they need you awake . They need to see your normal heart function. You can take any heart medication or other but not anything they will relax and make you sleepy.

It is scary but if they don't get the pictures they need of you our heart because you are doped up it will have to be done again . Which will make it worse of you .

I really wish I could respond to each of you as you’ve all helped me so much. I feel a lot less apprehensive than I did this time last night. Hopefully I can sleep better. I will report back when it’s all over.

The first time I tried to have an MRI, I discovered how very claustrophobic I am. Never occurred to me that I would have any problems trying to have a simple medical test. They had not even finished moving me ion, when I was pressing the panic button. Second attempt I took music and a mask - that made it even worse, as I then felt totally cut off from both sight and sound. Never even got halfway in. Third attempt I was given loads of breathing instructions from one of my daughters. With eyes tightly shut throughout and following these I managed a short scan. However it left me very shaky for along time.

When I next needed an MRI I went to GP who gave me prescription for Diazapam tablet. Had to be at Scanning clinic an hour earlier as they wanted me to take that tablet when I was there - BUT it was wonderful, I was quite relaxed and nearly dozing throughout a long scan, no problems whatsoever - it did take a 24 hours for this tablet to pass through me, so there was no way the rest of the day was 'normal'
However, since then if I require an MRI, I get a tablet from my GP and know I can have this test without problems.

I was terrified at the thought of it, I am a bit claustrophobic and thought I might panic, but honestly it was fine. I closed my eyes and pretended I was walking in the sunshine ! I kept picturing all my favourite holiday spots and the procedure was over in a flash. So just relax, have lovely thoughts and all will be well. Good luck. X

I have to have a scan every year, and yes was terrified as I also have to have my head in a cage. I won't lie the first one was upsetting as I felt trapped. After that I coped better and have fallen asleep a couple of times. They put music over the ear phones. I asked how long I was going to be and just counted down from there. Have a look at the machine before you go in, it's not so bad then. Hope all goes well.

Youll be fine.tell them youre nervous they will help. Ive had a few theyre painless.

Fear of unknown medical procedures is really common. But don't worry about this scan. I'm not a fan of enclosed spaces but I closed my eyes as soon as I lay down, held on to the panic button and slid inside the machine. I came out feeling an absolute numpty for worrying about it. It's noisy but pain free and was absolutely fine. I'd got into a state for absolutely nothing. I've now had 3 and I'd rather have an MRI than go to the dentist for a checkup!

If you didnt get much sleep for worrying you might even find you nod off during it.😊