Anyone ever had an MRI?

Question

I've been having really bad headaches for the past 3-4 years, they've only recently gotten to the point where if I move wrong, I get this sharp intense pain that travels from the back of my neck clear to my forehead, and then it goes away after a few minutes. My doctor set an appointment for an MRI tomarrow and I have to have blood work done tomarrow as-well. What happens when you have an MRI? Will I get results before I leave the hospital or do I get them when I go back to the doctors? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You!

Answer 1

You won't get the results until you go back to the Dr.s.

Answer 2

An MRI is easy. All you have to do is lay on this long thin table, you have to lay VERY still or they have to start over. Most of the time they will tell you it will take about an hour to do. If you want, they can usually put a cool washcloth over your eyes. The machine will make lots of noise. It will sound like they are doing construction right next to you. Don't worry it will be over before you know it. Also, depending on what the doctor ordered, they may have to start an IV but that is easy also.

When you go back to the doctor you will get the results. If the appointment is way far off, sometimes the office will read the results and call you if there is a problem. Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

HI YES I HAVE HAD MANY MANY I think over the yrs I have had 8. I have had two of my brain.. First you will be laying flat on your back fo so wear loose comfortable clothing that is not going to ride up and make you want to yank it down. Second.. make sure you pee before you are scheduled to go in. Most of the MRI's I have had requried an hour for the acutal study. NO they will not give you the results they will need to be read by a radiologist not the techinician who preforms it.. I have always gotten valium since I am severly closterphobic..and heavy so I am always nervous about fitting in the tube.. Ok so your laying there and they slide you in a ceritan amount then the procedure starts you will hear rythmic sounds like bangs on wood.. they will change in frequency and volume as the waves pass thru. IT DOES NOT HURT they do not use any needles on you..
They might put a form around you to keep you where they need you to be postioned.. a form lets see if I can think of a better way to describe it... hummm like when they did my last on on my knee there was a piece of styromfoam like you use to go camping cut into shapes to keep the knee in the postion it need to be for best viewing..
IF you are scared of small places call the dr first thing in the morning for something to keep you calm ...It wont hurt and I ususally doze off while there being done.. Good luck and I hope the headaches susbside I too have had migranes since age 11 I am 44 now and not one of the stupid expecsive migrane drugs ever has worked on me I am best off with a demerol and vistoral shot..

Answer 4

I have un-diagnosed headaches too,,it sucks. I believe mine might be from an old car accident i had and it messed up my spine alignment.
It seems everyone has pretty much answered ur question already, but i just want to add that now they have mri's that you can do in a sitting position. And of course the more open mri's. Which i recommend if you don't like small confined spaces. Also, u can ask them to play some music for you,,u can bring your favorite cd and they will give u earphones. It goes much faster this way and drowns out the banging.Also maybe you should have your doctor check your magnesium level. A low level can cause headaches.


Good luck to you!

Answer 5

My daughter had suffered with severe migrain headaches since age 9. When she was 14 she had an MRI done. This is a machine which uses giant magnets to view the inside of your body. You will be placed inside a small tube inside the the MRI
machine. PLEASE TELL YOUR DR, IN ADVANCE IF YOU ARE CLOSTERFOBIC SO THEY CAN GIVE YOU MEDICATION TO CALM YOUR NERVES. The process can take a few minutes up to an hour or so. You will have to remain absolutely still during the test. Most of these machines have stereo systems to play your favorite kind of music. This is a plus, and gives you something to and keep your mind off the test.
Your MRI will have to be read by a specialist in the radiology department and then again by your Doctor. Your Dr. will give you a call if they see anything wrong needing attention. Most generally they tell you the results at your next appt.
MRI TESTS ARE PAINLESS. IF YOU HAVE ANY ANXIETY ABOUT GOING INTO A "TUBE", THEY WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING LIKE VALIUM (SPELLING?) TO CALM YOU BEFORE YOU BEGIN.

Answer 6

I have MRI's quite a bit.. my hospital puts my head and some of my upper body and a big like tube thing and they put some ear plugs in cuz it's pretty loud. Then about half way through they inject dye into my arm and then wait through it some more then it is over! Sorry I didn't describe it very good but it's nothing scary! You won't get your results that day because the mri techinician isn't a doctor. It should take a couple days to a week! But it could be different for you, thats my hospital!

Answer 7

I have had three. Only the first one was claustrophobic. It really worked on me. Now I go to an "open" MRI place. It is much better. I have to have another one on Saturday. It is good to know what it is like. I do not envy you at all. Not knowing is an anxious place to be. But, when it is over, you will be OK. You will need to see your MD to get the results. It takes a while;a few days. I wish you the very best results.

Answer 8

Unless you are afraid of really closed in places, an MRI is a breeze. You would be in a tube for 30 minutes to an hour or so, but there is not pain involved at all.

Don't worry about it. Its not a bad experience. JUST BE SURE and tell the technician if you have had any staples in surgery or any metal screws holding bones together and that sort if thing. You will want to rid your body of ANY metal whatsoever - this includes..,
** Earrings
** Rings
** Necklace
** Watch
** Hair Pins
** Body Piercings
...any metals.

Answer 9

I have been through MRI's 3 times the first time I was scared out of my mind so I just closed my eyes and imagined myself in a tanning bed and it worked. I am sure you will do fine. You will be able to talk to the radiologists and all the staff if you have any problems. They will keep you informed of what they are doing. If it was me I would insist on the doctor to show the films to you if they don't..... I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 3 years ago but no doctor will show me the MRI films.

Answer 10

I was suposed to have an MRI and i didnt think anything of it until they put me on that board and put me in that freaken tube. IT was a closed MRI and im not normally clostriphobic but it freaked me out and made them take me out. So if your gonna get one i would make sure it was an open MRI And you probubly wont get the results until the next day.

Answer 11

yes i have had two of them. they are nothing to be scared of,as for the headaches in the back or neck there is a pinched nerve, they can give you shots for it i took three of thenm for mine they are steroid shots they hurt the mri doesnt.