Notice MRI's

[Hoopguru]

At 75 getting my first MRI in 3 weeks. Read where they can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours!

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

At 75 getting my first MRI in 3 weeks. Read where they can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours!

Depends on what you're getting it for. Hopefully you aren't claustrophobic. The last one I had (early '24) was for my shoulder. They shoved me in very small tube, with very little clearance. Fortunately I was forewarned (because I AM claustrophobic), so I "self medicated" (strong indica) before the procedure and willed myself to nod off for the almost 30 minutes the procedure took. Got through it with flying colors! But if you have any kind of pain, it is extremely difficult to hold yourself as still as they would like. And having a pacemaker made the whole thing even more interesting, with a manufacturer's rep there to put the pacemaker in "manual" mode and to monitor and manipulate the pacemaker while the MRI machine was doing its thing. Regardless, MRIs are fascinating and absolutely amazing. Medical technology at its finest (along with pacemakers).

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Yeah as said depends on where. I had one on my knee and it was no big deal at all as most your body is out of the machine. Was super loud and annoying to hear but not a big deal to where I would ever prepare for it.

Something on your head might be the worst. Also depends if you are claustrophobic. If you have one or two of those issues I might ask about medication to calm and relax I should take prior.

 

[Chris Craig]

Had one on my back. Was all the way in. Took probably a half hour, maybe a little more. Very loud. They gave me headphones and I got to choose what music to listen too.

 

[crandc]

I had one that was such a nightmare the test never happened. I wrote to the hospital and they ignored me. Sorry. Don't want to scare you.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I worked in the first outpatient MRI clinic in Portland right out of college.

Amazing tech.

If you are the least bit claustrophobic, ask for a shot of valium. It will help.

Think back on your work history. If you have ever worked around metal, grinding, welding, etc. Be sure to disclose it. You can have tiny tiny slivers of metal in your eyes and skin that could be torn out of you during the exam.

Remember, this is a giant powerful magnet. If you have metal in your it will be pulled out.

A few weird things I saw...

Old dude was in a submarine in WWII that was hit by a depth charge and started sinking. They were barely able to save the sub and crew. He didn't think he'd have a problem being instead the MRI, as soon as he was slid inside it all came back. He had a complete breakdown. I felt really bad for him.

Another guy forgot he had shrapnel in Vietnam, as soon as he walked into the room he could feel something moving under his skin.

I've heard stories of employees bringing regular wheelchairs into the MRI room instead of the all-alloy ones and those get smashed and sucked right into the machine.

 

[riverman]

I worked in the first outpatient MRI clinic in Portland right out of college.

Amazing tech.

If you are the least bit claustrophobic, ask for a shot of valium. It will help.

Think back on your work history. If you have ever worked around metal, grinding, welding, etc. Be sure to disclose it. You can have tiny tiny slivers of metal in your eyes and skin that could be torn out of you during the exam.

Remember, this is a giant powerful magnet. If you have metal in your it will be pulled out.

A few weird things I saw...

Old dude was in a submarine in WWII that was hit by a depth charge and started sinking. They were barely able to save the sub and crew. He didn't think he'd have a problem being instead the MRI, as soon as he was slid inside it all came back. He had a complete breakdown. I felt really bad for him.

Another guy forgot he had shrapnel in Vietnam, as soon as he walked into the room he could feel something moving under his skin.

I've heard stories of employees bringing regular wheelchairs into the MRI room instead of the all-alloy ones and those get smashed and sucked right into the machine.

wow...that's interesting..I'm extremely claustrophobic and had an MRI once long ago. It was really uncomfortable for me and I wish I'd known about the valium shot. I had the same claustrophobic experience in a stress test machine that felt like it was crushing my chest. This is why I turned down submarine duty in the Navy...nothing freaks me out more than being in a submarine. I'll always opt for stairs if there is an option other than the elevator.

 

[andalusian]

I had one on my head (surprisingly they found a brain) and one on my shoulder (more surprises, a brain there as well, well, actually, half tear of a rotator cuff)

Each was about 30 minutes. Not the best experience ever, but I just took it as an excuse to try and dose off, so managed ok.

If you come prepared, it can be fine. As suggested elsewhere,.if you think you will struggle, ask for medication to relax you.