MRI of brain - I'm nervous!

[pianojazzgirl]

On Thursday I have to go in for an MRI of my brain. Has anyone done this before?

I'm totally claustrophobic and am starting to get really anxious about it (trouble sleeping, etc). I saw my dr today and he prescribed some Ativan for me to take 20 mins or so before the test, and also an extra few pills so I could try it one evening this week just to see if 1mg was likely to be a big enough dose (if not, he said I could take 2mg during the test).

I asked my dr how long the test was likely to take but he wasn't totally sure. What have your experiences been like? I had a head CT scan which only took 10 mins or so, but my understanding is MRIs take considerably longer (is that right?). And is it likely that it would involve contrast dye? If it helps, at this point I believe they are mostly trying to rule out MS.

TIA advance for any and all responses - I'd love to hear some BTDT stories.

[Shellie]

My dd has had a bunch--I got to be there with her for the first one. The contrast would be given through an IV most likely--her's was. We had an open MRI as many of them are today, so hopefully your's will be. I would suggest just zoning out and resting during. They should give you earplugs--they are VERY loud. Maybe you would feel better if you called ahead and asked what to expect. FWIW my hubby has also had contrast for and MRI and it made him nauseous and he vomited. He ignored the instructions to fast beforehand...so if you might have contrast, don't eat! I think if he'd known what to expect, he could have managed feeling sick better.

[lissybeth74]

I had an MRI (w/o contrast) about 10 years to rule out MS. (Turned out I had chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia.)

It wasn't too bad, imo. I tried really hard to relax while I was in there and keep my mind thinking happy, calming thoughts. It wasn't wonderful, but it wasn't terrible either. I think mine was for 20-30 minutes, but can't remember. And yes, it was loud!

Figuring out what's wrong with our bodies can be so stressful. I've been there. Sorry you are going through a rough time.

[Masel]

I've had 2 MRIs of the brain. One 20 years ago and one about 5 yrs ago. They did a contrast with the second one. I had fasted and also not drank anything so they had trouble finding my veins. Turns out I could have had water. Both took about 30 minutes. They had headphones which played music and also allowed me to communicate with the technician. The worst part for me is that I'm farsighted so I could not focus while inside. I really wanted to rub my eyes. Still it wasn't that bad. Good luck.

[BedHead]

I had one about a month ago. It was probably close to an hour long and I did also have the contrast via IV. I was told to keep my eyes closed which was fine with me. I hated the loudness of it the most. Weird thumps and bumps, they'd go on then stop then start, it was irritating. And I couldn't hear whenever they tried to say anything to me because I had headphones on, I don't know if I was supposed to be able to hear int hem or through them. So whenever they talked I had no idea what they said. I only went in half way since it was only my head.

[Mom2M]

I've had lots of MRI's with contrast (for MS).
It takes about 1/2 hour for the brain MRI. When I get contrast they just bring over a needle and inject the contrast after they do the first series of scans, there is no IV.
The set up is a little claustrophobic so it's good you have Ativan if that bothers you. (1 mg knocks me out but you should test it first to make sure)
You get on a platform that's like a narrow stretcher and you can have a pillow under your knees if you want one plus a blanket. I recommend both, it's always cold when I get one.
Then they put a kind of helmet thing over your head and roll you in to the tube.
If you keep your eyes shut you should be ok rolling in.
Then you have a mirror to look at above your head so you can see out and they can talk to you over an intercom. They periodically stop to ask if you are ok and tell you how long the next part will be.
It is very loud banging! They always ask if you want music but I can never hear it except when the banging is off.
Honestly, I usually fall asleep even though it's loud. It's kind of hypnotizing to hear it.
Good luck, it really isn't anything to worry about!

Deb

ETA...I never was told to fast and never have! I can't imagine why you would, the contrast is gadolinium.
You should call and ask if they recommend fasting.
The contrast never had any effect on me.

[sophiesgrandma]

I had an mri with contrast and I guess I had some sort of allergic reaction immediately after. I became nauseous and started to vomit non-stop for about 2 hours. They almost had to take me to the hospital but I finally stopped. He said that reaction was rare but it did happen from time to time.
If I ever had to have it again it would be a different kind-specifically for that kind of reaction.

[sbgrace]

They do ear plugs for the ones in our hospital. It is a closed machine (if it's open I've heard it's much easier) and I am claustrophobic but I made it and you will too. The biggest thing I wish I had done was I read about people putting a washcloth over their eyes prior to going in. This was after I had done mine. I intended to keep my eyes shut but out of curiosity I opened them inside. That was a mistake due to the claustrophobia. Don't open your eyes and I really think you'll be fine. They had a panic button I was holding. I didn't use it but it was hard to get myself calmed (I felt panicked and like I was spinning) after I opened my eyes. Prior to that I was fine.

[kjbrown92]

I had one 2 years ago to rule out MS, and it was with contrast. It was a closed machine, but it had the mirror on it, and I could see the window where the people were doing the tests. They did have you pick out music for the earphones, but like other people said, the machine is so loud that you can't hear much of the music anyway. I think about the things I'm going to do afterwards, errands to run, the grocery list, things like that to get me through it.

[pianojazzgirl]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Somehow hearing about other people going through it is making me feel a little better about it. Tonight after dh gets back from having a beer with a friend I will do my "Ativan challenge".

[Purple*Lotus]

I had 4 in a row in July to check for MS. I was in the machine itself for about an hour and a half. They did the first two, then brought me out long enough to add the dye and did the other two.

I did not have the chance for any medication, because it was an emergency thing, because I went blind in one eye- but really it wasn't that bad. I knew up front how long I would be in the machine. Although they did tell me that I did an outstanding job, so maybe most people get more panicked about it. I was distracted from the blind thing I think, to notice about the tightness

I will continue to have them every year, if not twice a year, forever, they said To continue to check for spots on my brain.

I hope everything is okay

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by Shellie

My dd has had a bunch--I got to be there with her for the first one. The contrast would be given through an IV most likely--her's was. We had an open MRI as many of them are today, so hopefully your's will be. I would suggest just zoning out and resting during. They should give you earplugs--they are VERY loud. Maybe you would feel better if you called ahead and asked what to expect. FWIW my hubby has also had contrast for and MRI and it made him nauseous and he vomited. He ignored the instructions to fast beforehand...so if you might have contrast, don't eat! I think if he'd known what to expect, he could have managed feeling sick better.

They have open MRIs now?? Freaking A, I wish I could have had that option. As it was I was too, um, "fluffy" for the one at the hospital I was admitted to, I had to be taken to another hospital where the machine was larger

I did not get offered headphones, earplugs, music or anything.

Originally Posted by Mom2M

I've had lots of MRI's with contrast (for MS).
It takes about 1/2 hour for the brain MRI. When I get contrast they just bring over a needle and inject the contrast after they do the first series of scans, there is no IV.
The set up is a little claustrophobic so it's good you have Ativan if that bothers you. (1 mg knocks me out but you should test it first to make sure)
You get on a platform that's like a narrow stretcher and you can have a pillow under your knees if you want one plus a blanket. I recommend both, it's always cold when I get one.
Then they put a kind of helmet thing over your head and roll you in to the tube.
If you keep your eyes shut you should be ok rolling in.
Then you have a mirror to look at above your head so you can see out and they can talk to you over an intercom. They periodically stop to ask if you are ok and tell you how long the next part will be.
It is very loud banging! They always ask if you want music but I can never hear it except when the banging is off.
Honestly, I usually fall asleep even though it's loud. It's kind of hypnotizing to hear it.
Good luck, it really isn't anything to worry about!

Deb

ETA...I never was told to fast and never have! I can't imagine why you would, the contrast is gadolinium.
You should call and ask if they recommend fasting.
The contrast never had any effect on me.

I didn't get a mirror either. Nor did they speak to me. They were very nice though when I went in and came out. They helped me regain some of my dignity because I had been humiliated at Hospital A because the nurse kept telling me that I was too fat for their MRI machine You really only have to tell me that ONCE, not repeatedly

[pianojazzgirl]

Thanks for sharing your experience Bunnyflakes. That's awful how they treated you at the first hospital. May I ask how you're doing now - did your eyesight return? Sounds like a scary experience - I can see how you would be distracted enough not to worry about the MRI machine.

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by pianojazzgirl

Thanks for sharing your experience Bunnyflakes. That's awful how they treated you at the first hospital. May I ask how you're doing now - did your eyesight return? Sounds like a scary experience - I can see how you would be distracted enough not to worry about the MRI machine.

My eyesight is about 99% back I still have a tiny black spot in the eye, but honestly now I don't even notice it. There are no spots on my brain to indicate MS, but the blindness is one of the big MS signs, so to be safe I will continue to see the neurologist and get the MRIs as precaution. I know someone who had the same problem and his ended up just being a random infection, which is possible for me, but better to be safe than sorry

Yeah the nurse was horrible at Hospital A, but the other hospital was so nice to me and they told me that they wouldn't put me in to the machine if they didn't think I would fit. I will be going back there in the future, for sure, even though I have lost some weight and might not have an issue with Hospital A. There is something to be said for customer service when someone is scared, you know?

Let us know how it goes The ativan should help.

[pianojazzgirl]

So glad to hear that your eyesight is nearly completely restored! Yay! Just as well that you continue to be monitored "just in case" - reassuring that even though they didn't find anything they aren't just going to let it drop.

I will definitely keep you guys posted as to how it goes, and what the results are.

ETA - just remembered that the same thing (temporary blindness in one eye due to a viral infection) happened to my friend's son's daycare provider. I guess it does happen!

[pianojazzgirl]

So I'm back from having had it done! Yay! My "Ativan Challenge" on Tues made me feel like 2 mg might be in order for today so that's what I went with. So I was basically kinda stoned and relaxed and thought the whole experience was interesting. Not scary at all! Phew!

I guess I'll get the results back either tomorrow or soon after the weekend, and I'll report back to let you all know what's up.

Thanks again for all of your support and help!

[Purple*Lotus]

Glad you were okay. I am sending good vibes for the results

[pianojazzgirl]

Thanks.

[Shellie]

Originally Posted by sophiesgrandma

I had an mri with contrast and I guess I had some sort of allergic reaction immediately after. I became nauseous and started to vomit non-stop for about 2 hours. They almost had to take me to the hospital but I finally stopped. He said that reaction was rare but it did happen from time to time.
If I ever had to have it again it would be a different kind-specifically for that kind of reaction.

That's what happened to dh too. He vomited all over them, the machine, the room, etc. I had to go pick him up--he was too ill to even drive himself home. But little tiny dd was always fine with it. So we get to tease dh.

[Shellie]

Originally Posted by sophiesgrandma

I had an mri with contrast and I guess I had some sort of allergic reaction immediately after. I became nauseous and started to vomit non-stop for about 2 hours. They almost had to take me to the hospital but I finally stopped. He said that reaction was rare but it did happen from time to time.
If I ever had to have it again it would be a different kind-specifically for that kind of reaction.

That's what happened to dh too. He vomited all over them, the machine, the room, etc. I had to go pick him up--he was too ill to even drive himself home. But little tiny dd was always fine with it. So we get to tease dh.