MRI scan.

[mr bee]

Im going for an MRI scan at 12.30. Anybody had one ? What can i expect ? Will i have to get my kit off and will i need a Pint to recover ?

[spivvy]

depends what part of you anatomy they are scanning
,when i had one the pipe music in and talk to you as the machine is quite loud and can be a bit Claustrophobic but nothing to worry about

[chim_knee]

I fell asleep during mine. They were meant to pipe music but didn't. Makes a fair bit of clonking noises etc. but as I say, I fell asleep (woke up with a nurse injecting a dye in my arm. That made me jump).

I'd imagine if you were claustraphobic it'd be a bit intimidating.

It's fine though... the results are amazing. It's really weird to see your brain (yes, I have one!)/sinuses/eyes etc in cross-section!

[tonyvid]

I had one a couple of years ago, as others have said it can be a bit confined in there and you have to stay very still during the scan which can take a few minutes each time - not easy when you are weeping with back pain! If you have any "body jewelery" it has to come out otherwise your prince albert etc could get a bit frisky in there!!

[bga]

As the others have said, it's pretty noisy in there & quite snug. I had the length of my spine done & had to wear boxers + a gown (not backless thankfully )

The expectation/anticipation was far greater than the event. It was really interesting to be talked through all the slides & in my case see exactly where the problem was.

[JonRB]

Interesting fact - the phenomenon that these machines make use of is "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance", which means that the nucleus of all the cells of your body are made to resonate by a strong magnetic field, and everything resonates at different frequencies which is how they create the picture. The first scanners were therefore, not unreasonably, called NMR Scanners. Unfortunately your average numpty in the street said "Nuclear? NUCLEAR? Wot, you mean radiation and shit?" and they were forced to rename the machines MRI Scanners (MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

I'm full of useless info.


>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 18th November 09:32

[speed8]

JonRB said:

Interesting fact - the phenomenon that these machines make use of is "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance", which means that the nucleus of all the cells of your body are made to resonate by a strong magnetic field, and everything resonates at different frequencies which is how they create the picture. The first scanners were therefore, not unreasonably, called NMR Scanners. Unfortunately your average numpty in the street said "Nuclear? NUCLEAR? Wot, you mean radiation and shit?" and they were forced to rename the machines MRI Scanners (MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging). I'm full of useless info. >> Edited by JonRB on Friday 18th November 09:32

Yep, we use them at work to find oil (packaged differently but same technology).

[pdV6]

Make sure you don't wear any jewellery and if possible find some clothes that don't have metal fastenings (joggers or whatever) and you shouldn't need to strip.

As has been mentioned, space is a bit tight so it can feel a bit claustrophobic in there.

[Prof Higgins]

Had my noggin done a month ago as it didn't seem to be working quite right, quite confined and quite noisy, also had to have a cage thing over my face which felt a bit Orwellian. All in all though I did appreciate the half hour lie down in the middle of the day and have since adopted that into my daily routine (albeit without the cage, noisy machine and butch nurse)... 33 and already feel like I am going to really enjoy getting old. Plan to start wetting myself in inapproprate places next week. :gimmerwettinghimselfsmiley:

[telecat]

And if you have any Metallic replacement body parts DON'T go in. Also heard nasty stories of the unit "pulling" metal filings out of the skin and eyes(yuk!).

[scared but happy]

KEEP STILL!! and if you are laying on your back ask to have a bolster under your legs also have a thin blanket as it gets very cold in there! It does take a while and gets quite boring just choose a couple of good CD's and nod off. Oh and its flipping loud and sounds like someone with a pneumatic drill behind you (hence the headphones).

Looks cool though, the one I went in had these blue laser like lighting and reminded me of Star Trek TNG


Also check that all body metal is removed. I even told them the time I was shot in the arse by a .22 incase any fragments were still there. I saw somewhere that old tattoos can cause a burning/tingle sensation due to the rust used for pigment.


Oh and it just like a photocopier, they do one pass to align your body and then the slow scan. and I agree it is a bit claustrophobic as you are in a tunnel on a movable bed.

>> Edited by scared but happy on Friday 18th November 10:49

[desyboy]

Don't worry, they ask you about 5 times before you go in if you have any metal implants / piercings in before they let you anywhere neare the machine.

[mr bee]

Thanks for the replies. All done now. Didnt have too strip which was good especially as the machine was being operated by a rather nice Irish nurse. Kept my eyes shut as i had contact lenses in. Biggest surprise was the noise, even with ear plugs in. Got too see some of the tv pics afterwards, very weird looking at your internals . The other thing that surprised me was that it was all done in the back of a lorry.

[planetdave]

mr bee said:

Thanks for the replies. All done now. Didnt have too strip which was good especially as the machine was being operated by a rather nice Irish nurse. Kept my eyes shut as i had contact lenses in. Biggest surprise was the noise, even with ear plugs in. Got too see some of the tv pics afterwards, very weird looking at your internals . The other thing that surprised me was that it was all done in the back of a lorry.

Did they offer to tarmac your drive after?



Mine was a bit noisy. I SAID MINE WAS A BIT NOISY!