What's it like getting an MRI scan?

jeanjolie

Might be going for one in Blackrock Clinic in October/November for a possible tumor in the back of my brain.

Costs aside, what's the experience like? I've read that some facilities have speakers that allow mp3 CD's/players to be played through speakers but I'm not sure they're here in Dublin.

I know there's no pain but is it very loud? And most importantly, how helpful is it in diagnosing general health problems?

Arbie

jeanjolie wrote: »

Might be going for one in Blackrock Clinic in October/November for a possible tumor in the back of my brain.

Costs aside, what's the experience like? I've read that some facilities have speakers that allow mp3 CD's/players to be played through speakers but I'm not sure they're here in Dublin.

I know there's no pain but is it very loud? And most importantly, how helpful is it in diagnosing general health problems?

I've had a few at a couple of different hospitals in Dublin and they weren't as bad as I expected. They make a whirring noise but it's not too loud. I was given earplugs and headphones. They offered me Radio 1 or Raidio na Gaeltachta(!) but some will let you hook up your own phone/MP3 player if you prefer.

They can feel quite enclosed, so if you are very claustrophobic you should let the radiographer know. They will probably give you a little buzzer in case you need anything. I don't like tight spaces but I was fine. I even fell asleep in one.

MRIs are good at imaging some tissues/organs (brain, nerves, cartilage, ligaments) while CT is better for others (bone, etc.) but they are used to look at very specific things so they are not for a general check up. Best of luck with everything.

Alun

I had a brain MRI scan a couple of years ago, and also a knee scan only a couple of weeks ago, and I personally found it OK. I don't suffer from claustrophobia, so had no problems in that regard, but it is a very strange experience with lots of peculiar noises ... sequences of clicks, whirrs, clunks, bangs and it can take quite a while, around 30 minutes, or even longer if contrast liquids are used so can be quite boring.

As far as music goes, the problem with MRI scans is that you're basically sitting inside a huge, very powerful magnet, so nothing metal is allowed anywhere near it, and that includes the wires and magnets in conventional headphones. What they had when i had my knee done is a system where the sound is fed to your ears via a long plastic tube, so yes, you can have music but the quality isn't great. I had the choice of any of the Dublin radio stations, but maybe you'd be able to hook up your own player somehow, you'd have to ask.

muminpajamas

Make sure you are really comfortable before it starts. I was in a neck brace which started digging painfully into the back of my head but couldn't adjust it after the scan started. My MRI scan took ages much longer than any CT scan I have ever had so you my have to prepare yourself for a degree of boredom. I also remember keeping my eyes shut the whole time so as to avoid any feeling of claustrophobia.