i have to get an MRI...?

Question

I have to get an MRI and i an a lieelt scared. what is it and what do you wear. do you wear pants/underwear/shirt/gown...??

Answer 1

Having an MRI is a piece of cake! :)

Depending on the body part being scanned will determine what you should wear. Some techs are more strict than others. If you were coming to me at my center then this is what I would tell you: For a knee, ankle, foot, elbow, or wrist you don't have to change clothes. Just remove your watch. If you are wearing gold or silver earrings they are ok too. If they are inexpensive, you will want to take them out as they are pulled by the magnet. (NO, they will not rip out of your ears, but they do pull)

Rings are ok-unless it's your hand getting scanned.

If it's your neck, head, upper spine (thoracic) or shoulder. You need to remove any earrings, necklaces, and your bra. No metal buttons on your shirt either.

If it's your low back (lumbar) then no zippers on your pants and no bra. Earrings and necklaces are ok again if they are gold/silver.

Basically go to your scan dressed in clothes with no metal (zippers, buttons, designs, or bra hooks) Just keep your watch and jewelry at home. If you dress like this, chances are you won't have to change at all. Scan rooms are a little cold so keep that in mind too.

Good luck and relax, a lot of people just sleep through the test. I know because I hear the snoring! :)

Answer 2

You should get some instructions. Wear comfortable clothing. No metal zippers or buttons. Wear regular colthing without metal that's all. Sweats are great. No metal allowed in MRI. It is a little closed in but i've had many and they don't last long and they don't hurt. If you have to have one with contrast they put medication in you with a needle but it does nothing to you. It really isn't bad. Really people just make it sound that way, I've been through soooo much worse, not a problem. Don't be nervous. it is a Magnetic Renisonse Imaging process that uses magnets to form pictures of soft tissue of the body in tiny slices that the Dr's see on film and can see what other regular X-rays can't. It's a tool used to rule out problems and find problems. The machine is round and you are on a table that moves you into it, slowly and the you have to lie really still for about 20 min. sometimes longer. Then you'll hear noises and clicks and weird sounds. It's nothing to worry about. The clinician will be just outside the room looking at the pictures and operating the MRI, they can see you and you are always their first concern. It's not bad. Also, no jewelry or partials if they have metal can go in. so just don't wear any metal. If you have a pacemaker or anything implanted you can't go in either. Good luck.

Answer 3

i have to get them regularly. Some times they make me wear a gown, and other times they don't. If i have a bra with a wire in it, they make me take it off. I guess it depends on what you wear - try to wear something comfy - like sweats or something. If they make you change, depending on where you go they'll give you a gown or some scrubs. I've had all the above happen all at the same place - it depends on the tech i guess. If you are scared or apprehensive, ask your dr to prescribe you something to calm you down. I got xanax the first few times until i got used to it. I have to go in head-first with some plastic cage / hockey goalie mask thing over my head and it's a bit overwhelming sometimes - thats for an MRI of the brain - i've also had to go in for my knee where they just put me in from the waist down and then for my back where it was head-first again, but my hands hung out the other side. Oddly enough, the noise is quite comforting with ear plugs - if you have a nice tech, they'll give you some headphones to listen to music - and keep your eyes closed if you have to go in head first b/c it's about 3-6 inches from your face. The techs are also nice and will usually tell you how long each scan will take - i find that counting helps pass the time as well. I agree with the person who suggested asking for a blanket - whatever part of you hangs out of the MRI tends to get chilly.

Good luck

Answer 4

I wore my regular clothes. They had me take off my earrings and hair clips. There is a lot of banging noise, but nothing too bad. It doesn't hurt. I usually do not like being in small spaces, but this didn't bother me at all. The people there were really nice and reassuring. My MRI was of my head only. If it were a full body scan, you may be asked to wear a gown because you can't have any metal. I'm sure you will not have to take off your underwear. I asked if metal in dental work would cause a problem and they said no. Thank goodness my problem was not serious. Good luck!

Answer 5

You will wear your underwear and a hospital gown. It's a tight fit which is a little unnearving but they give you headphones and your choice of music to listen to. It might help to close your eyes and they should have an eye mask for you to use if you want it. The test takes a long time, but some people just go to sleep. There is a fan, but it still gets a little warm so even if they give you the option of wearing a second gown to cover you better, I suggest you only use one. If you have your own cd that you want to listen to, they might play it for you so bring it with you. You might be able to keep your bra on if it has no metal on it. Clasps are usually metal, but some are plastic.

Answer 6

Wear comfortable clothing, nothing tight. I'd wear a sweatsuit. Don't wear a bra, you may just have to take it off anyway. The person that does the MRI will tell you what to expect before they do the test. They will give you ear plugs or ear phones for the noise. It does get loud at times but that is just the machine its nothing to worry about. Also make sure your as comfortable as possible cause you don't want to move in there it will mess the test up. Make sure they lay a blanket over you also cause most of the times you will get cold laying there cause it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You'll do just fine. Just listen to what they tell you and if you have any fears or questions let them know.

Answer 7

"MRI Stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging; once call Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The "Nuclear" was dropped off about 15 years ago because of fears that people would think there was something radioactive involved, which there is not.

MRI is a way of getting pictures of various parts of your body without the use of x-rays, unlike regular x-rays pictures and CAT scans. A MRI scanner consists of a large and very strong magnet in which the patient lies. A radio wave antenna is used to send signals* to the body and then receive signals back. These returning signals are converted into pictures by a computer attached to the scanner. Pictures of almost any part of your body can be obtained at almost any particular angle.

* These "radio wave signals" are actually a varying or changing magnetic field that is much weaker than the steady, strong magnetic field of the main magnet.

How safe is MRI?

MRI is quite safe in the majority of patients. Certain patients may not be able to have an MRI. These include people who get nervous in small spaces (claustrophobic) and those with implanted medical devices such as aneurysm clips in the brain, heart pacemakers and cochlear (inner ear) implants. Also, people with pieces of metal close to or in an important organ (such as the eye) may not be scanned. There are a few additional safety considerations and some exceptions based on individual circumstances.

Also, certain metal objects that we common have on our persons like watches, credit cards, hair pins, writing pens, etc. may be damaged by the MRI scanner or may be pulled away from our bodies if we go into an MRI room. Also, metal can sometimes cause poor pictures if it is close to the part being scanned. For these reasons, patients are asked to remove these objects before entering the MRI scanner.

What will I experience during the MRI examination?

You will most likely be lying on a special table that moves into the center of the magnet. Prior to going into the magnet you will be offered earplugs to reduce the noise that you hear. You will then hear some "hammering" noises while the scanner is preparing for scanning and taking the pictures. During this hammering noise, it is important not to move, as this would blur the pictures. You may also feel some vibration during the hammering noise and some slight movement of the table during the examination. Some patients will be given an injection in their arm of a substance that improves certain types of pictures. This substance, called a "contrast agent", is very safe and is unrelated to the iodine used for CAT scans and kidney x-rays.

What are the uses and advantages of a MRI scan other types of scans?

MRI scanners are good at looking at the non-bony parts or "soft tissues" of the body. In particular, the brain, spinal cord and nerves are seen much more clearly with MRI than with regular x-rays and CAT scans. Also, muscles, ligaments and tendons are seen quite well so that MRI scans are commonly used to look at knees and shoulders following injuries. A MRI scanner uses no x-rays or other radiation. A disadvantage of MRI is it’s higher cost compared to a regular x-ray or CAT scan. Also, CAT scans are frequently better at looking at the bones that MRI."

I have had several mri's in my life.There is nothing to worry about. You lie inside a magnet and you just try to be as motion-free as possible which can be a challenge. The MRI is quite noisy so the technician will probably give you ear plugs to wear in your ears or give you the kind that fit over your ears. When you are having it just try and think of something pleasant or sing your favorite songs to yourself and before you know it the techician will say it is over. :)

Answer 8

I have at least four a year. It is no problem. I am claustrophobic, so they usually medicate me before hand so I do need some one to drive me home. Don't wear any jewelry, they make you take it off, and just go in comfortable clothing. Mine are on my torso area, so they always have me change into a gown. It really is no big deal, so relax and don't sweat it! Good luck with whatever is ailing you!

Answer 9

i can't remember if i wore a gown or my street clothes. ask for an eye mask. the worst part for me was trying to keep my eyes shut and not look at how small this tube is that i was in. it's not scarey except if you get a bit claustophobic.

Answer 10

GO THERE WEARING PANTS AND A SWEATER. THEY WILL LET YOU KEEP YOUR PANTS ON. TALK TO YOU DOCTOR AND ASK FOR A FEW XANAX FOR YOUR NERVES. THIS IS NOTHING.