what exactly do they do when you have to go for a MRI scan ?

Answer 1

It's no big deal. You may have to put on a hospital gown, depending upon what area of your body is being scanned. Usually, they will give you headphones and a choice of music, because the machine is pretty noisy. The best thing is to just concentrate on the music, keep your eyes closed and just relax. It doesn't take too long, they will try to make you as comfortable as they can. You will be reclining and will slide into a big cylinder-looking thing. If you are uncomfortable in tight spaces, take a mild sedative. It usually doesn't take too long. I have had several - sometimes they will even put a blanket on you, cushions under your arms or legs to make you comfortable and they are always in contact with you throught your earphones to insure you are okay. There is no pain whatsoever. Just a noisy, cramped space. The key is to just relax and keep your eyes shut - listen to the music and let your mind go somewhere else and it will all be over with before you know it! As an option, you can also check out "open MRI' - these machines aren't so enclosed.

Answer 2

I asked my husband this very question yesterday. He just got a prescription for a MRI scan from his doctor. He was knowledgeable about the topic, because he went to nursing school. He didn't finish,but remembers learning about MRI scans. He said basically the scan can view anything in your body more clearly than an ex-ray. You lie down and are rolled in this like capsule shaped compartment. Its a tight squeeze and some people feel claustrophobic. A magnetic mechanism scans your body in any area or you can have a full body scan. The image is then transferred to a screen where the doctors can switch its view from different angels. This way the can have a better chance to see what the problem is, if their is one.

Answer 3

With me, first I had to remove all metal objects, watch, chain. Then I was asked about metal fragments in my eyes or pace maker. I was lucky in so far as I was not wearing any clothing with metal in them apart from my shoes, but I was allowed to keep them on. I was taken to a room, told to lay on a bed, tray and given a rubber ball emergency bell. This was a 'closed' MRI and once the tech left the room, the bed went up and in what appeared to be a large hole? Not much room inside but if you do not like small spaces you can ask for them to knock you out. My nose was about six inches from the roof of the machine that had a blue line. Eventually the bed/tray stopped, no light but I could feel air coming in over my right shoulder so turned my head towards it. Yes I was scared felt like pushing th emergency button, instead decided to close my eyes and think I was on a sun kissed beach. When the machine started it was LOUD, but I just kept thinking about lying out on a beach in the sun. I was inside for 30 minutes and then all went quiet. The bed/tray started to move and I felt relief then to my astonishment it stopped. Slight panic as I was convinced I was stuck inside. However within seconds I was out. Should I need another MRI, think I would go for a open version.