Has anyone had an MRI scan? Can anyone tell me about them?

Question

I have to get an MRI scan tomorrow, can anyone tell me what they're like? Does it hurt? How long does it take? Will I have to stay in the hospital overnight? Are there any side effects? Anything else would also be appreciated.

Answer 1

MRI scans take about 30-60 minutes. You definitely do not have to stay overnight! It is important that you lie very still because motion will create poor quality images and the tech may have to repeat the sequence.

The MRI is a large electromagnet. It does not involve x-ray irradiation.

MRI is not painful. Depending on the type of the study and the reason for the study, you may need to have an injection of contrast material. The dose is small and they use a very small needle. Side effects from the injection are almost nonexistent. Without knowing the type of scan you're having I can't tell you how likely it is that you will need an injection, but generally, it's pretty low.

The MRI is noisy, so you will be given earplugs. Some places have headsets and allow you to listen to music. You can bring a favorite CD just in case. (You cannot bring in your own CD player or IPOD, though!)

You cannot bring any metal into the scanning room. You will be asked to remove your jewelry and lock it up with your wallet/ purse for safekeeping (there will be small lockers for this). You may want to just leave your jewelry at home.

You should wear something loose and comfortable, without metal. If your clothing has metal on it, they will give you scrubs or something to change into. (You will have to remove your bra if it has metal clasps or a wire.)

Some people become claustrophobic when their head is inside the scanner (if the study is of your knee, your head will mostly be outside the scanner). Usually the scanner will have a mirror so you can see the technologist and vice versa. There is also a 'panic button' so you can signal if you need to come out immediately.

People who know they are very claustrophobic have their physician prescribe a mild tranquilizer, like Ativan or Xanax, or have their study in an open MRI. But it's best to close your eyes and try to relax.

(Open MRIs are great for people who are claustrophobic or obese, but they are lower field strength than regular MRIs. All other things being equal, a sequence will take slightly longer on an open MRI than a regular one. The newer open MRIs are good quality (some of the older open MRIs are not), but if I were having a study, I would still choose to have it in the old regular tunnel MRI.)

Answer 2

MRI's do not hurt at all, but it can be kind of noisy inside the scanning machine because there are large magnets moving around. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It's just like a really elaborate, more detailed X-Ray or CT Scan.
You will not have to stay in the hospital. It depends how long it will take-it just varies. You have to stay really still while they're taking the pictures, but they will tell you when to do that.
They have a little fan that will be blowing air on you and a speaker inside there for the technician to communicate with you.
The biggest thing, by far in my opinion, is to ask for a blindfold or something to cover your eyes with. Nowadays a lot of places have the newer, open MRI machines and that helps but if it's the older, closed machines, it can be a little freaky and claustrophobic to be inside of it, so if your eyes are closed/covered, it's much easier to deal with.
Don't be afraid-it's not a big deal. But if you do get scared at all, tell the technician and a lot of times they can give you something to make you a little more relaxed.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

The only part that may hurt is putting in an IV if the MRI needs contrast. You will not stay in the hospital. It can be very noisy though.

Answer 4

You just lie very still on a table while they run you through the machine. It does not hurt. There are no side effects and it should be an outpatient procedure. Its like getting a full body x-ray.

Answer 5

Just like Geomatic said