If you had a brain MRI, how bad was it?

I’ve had many MRIs including a brain MRI. It’s loud. They will give you earplugs but if you have better ones bring them. They are also claustrophobia inducing if you’re prone to that (less so with the open MRI). I’m not so I just went into my normal meditation state.

Neck MRI 4 four years ago, loud.

Pelvic earlier this year, still loud.

Neither was bad, just tedious.

Thanks guys! It is claustrophobia that worries me.

I have had several MRIs over the years. The procedure is quick and painless. Except for the noise and being in a confined space, it is a piece of cake.

^^ “Except for the noise and being in a confined space” – exactly!

@Caravanfan Does your whole body go into the machine for a brain MRI?

No just your head

Good to know.

I had a brain MRI a number of years ago but don’t remember what it was like. I, too, am extremely claustrophobic. One time, they injected dye into an artery (or something) and I had to drive to another facility in order to do the MRI (or CT?). I had about 45 minutes to get there so they could do the test. LOL I’ve had many MRIs and always ask if it’s closed or open! I don’t even like the open…the top of the machine is right there!

Had one last week, but it was a breeze because I only went in up to my waist. A breeze other than taking 30 minutes. The noise doesn’t bother me so much. They usually offer music, but I always opt for noise cancelling headphones. You could also take a valium. Keep your eyes closed and concentrate on thinking of other things…anything else! Best of luck!

Valium is a good idea.

@Caravanfan I’m planning to take some Xanax.

It’s also without contrast so that should be shorter, I think.

I have had a regular MRI, and a brain MRI. The regular was a nightmare, since I had to stay to the side, which triggered my buried alive thing. The brain MRI was really loud, but at worst was really annoying.

It’s also annoying that they inject you with a radioactive compound, but you don’t get super powers.

Why would it be bad? I remember you have to stay still for quite a while, so that is a little annoying. If you are claustrophobic you will hate it, but I am not claustrophobic so it was no big deal. Are they using contrast? Then you have to deal with getting an IV.

@JLeslie It’s without contrast (see above), and she’s very claustrophobic (also see above).

@smudges Oh, yeah, then that would suck. I didn’t read all of the answers. Thanks.

@janbb The way I remember it, they would tell me to stay still, and the machine would do it’s thing, it was noisy, and then they would stop. Then they would tell me again to stay still and do some more scanning.

If you feel overwhelmed, I think they will take you out of the tunnel now if you ask them to, if you need a minute or two break. They can hear you and they can talk to you while you are in the machine. The people who did my scan kept checking on me, asking how I was doing.

You can ask them how long you need to stay still if knowing will help you deal with it. Probably, they will tell you exactly what will happen and how long, but if they don’t just ask whatever you need to, to feel comfortable. I like to know what to expect when I am anxious. MRI doesn’t make me anxious, but other things certainly do.

One more thing, if you think you will really have a lot of trouble, you might be able to have a friend in the room with you if that would make you more comfortable, they could just be there or hold your hand. Or, a nurse or tech, but hospitals and diagnostic centers don’t usually have extra people.

The friend would also need to not wear any metals.

Had one for a ripped shoulder,they gave me head phones it was still loud and I had to hold very still for so long my other shoulder hurt, I was sweating so bad they thought I was claustrophobic, I said nope just in pain,but they found what they were looking for it was definitely a tear in my right shoulder.

Thanks all. This is all very helpful.

Agreed about the ‘tedious’ part. I don’t remember how long it took, but it was at least 20–30 minutes. They had some video playing on the wall to the left (I guess to distract me).Not painful, not scary, not bad, but boring as hell.

I’ve had several, including neck. It was not quick, but it was painless. The longest one was 45 min. I had my choice of music and concentrated on listening to it.

Here’s how I beat the claustrophobia: close my eyes before they roll me in, and don’t open them until they roll me out.

BTW, one time I got the giggles and nearly burst from trying to hold still. The tech said quizzically, “That’s a very unusual reaction.”

I was just thinking to write close your eyes while inside the tube, but @Jeruba‘s suggestion is better than what I would have written. I think she is right—close your eyes before you even get rolled in.

@JLeslie, yes, you simply don’t need to see how close the tube is to your face. (I peeked one time, of course, but that was enough. And I am not particularly claustrophobic.)

I’ve had a body MRI where you’re in the tunnel and a brain MRI where I was sat between 2 giant discs but are not enclosed (which I’m guessing might be an ‘open MRI’?).

The brain one was for a research trial at a major neuro centre so not sure how common that type of device is in the wild so to speak.

I had a brain scan, it was closed and they sent most of my body inside it. I just kept my eyes closed.

I had one when I had Guillain Barre and they were trying to figure out what was going on. I remember being more upset at the time at the thought of having something wrong with my brain, like MS, than the claustrophobia of the machine. I guess the machine didn’t leave too much of an impression.

I also had a few MRI’s when I had a traumatic fracture of my ankle about 25 years ago. I remember it being tedious lying there with the banging sounds. One MRI was regular, and one was with contrast. I didn’t have any strange side effects from the contrast.

I’ve had several MRIs but never an open air one. I always fall asleep during them.

Really with all the noise they make you can fall asleep??^^

@SQUEEKY2 I was on a submarine for 4 years. I can pretty much sleep anywhere, at any time.

@seawulf575 I had a nurse once who was also a submariner. He said he used to like to sleep in one of the torpedo tubes. Anyway, respect.

I’ve had an MRI for a research project. Up to my waist and I’m mildly claustrophobic.

I did close my eyes before they slid me in. And asked them to help count down the time for me. Like X minutes left. Once inside, I was fine with opening my eyes for a bit.

For me, my issue with claustrophobia is more about time and control than about the small space. If that makes sense.

Good luck!

I had a brain MRI last year and it went so fast I was really surprised, after spending the week before being afraid and anxious.

@YARNLADY That’s what I imagine will happen too.

Like others have suggested, close your eyes before you go in and don’t open them until you come out. Also, sometimes they ask if you want a cloth over your eyes. I suggest not doing that because I was afraid that during the MRI I’d want it off, and you can’t take it off because you can’t move.

You’ve got this! You’ll do just fine!

I’m having two injections into the facet joints in my back on Tuesday. I’ve had injections into the sacroiliac joint and it was pretty unpleasant. Doc says the facets aren’t as bad so I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will probably take a valium. I’m a real baby when it comes to pain. So…you think of me and I’ll think of you!

I don’t know why you are getting the scan, but I would assume at least a half an hour. That is not 30 minutes straight, like I said they start and stop a few minutes at a time, and check on you and you can always communicate with them. It is not like a CT regarding time, if you want to compare to something. CT usually takes 20 seconds to a few minutes depending on what part of the body.

You can ask ahead of time how long it usually takes if that will be helpful.

@Caravanfan Your whole body does not go into the machine for a brain MRI, just your head and partially your shoulders.

@Bill1939 That’s what he said.

The same as any other MRI….noisy and not enough personal space.

I had my first one when I was 7.
It is not terrible but do bring headphones and music if you are allowed.
The noises over time can make you wish it would just be over.
Anxiety over the outcome is the bigger issue for many people.

Good luck and best wishes

@Bill1939 That was not my experience. I was all up in that thing.

Thanks all – It’s over and it was ok. I got through it without having to take any anti-anxiety meds so I am pleased. By the way, I don’t expect any startling serious diagnosis.

Yayyy! Whewww!

@smudges How was yours?

I have it tomorrow. I know that it’s not actually painful except for the small pinch and burn from the numbing shot…but the pressure of putting a liquid/gel into a very small space where there’s really no room can be quite uncomfortable. I’ve had a lot of joint injections – knees, hip, shoulders, back. Hate them! :/

Thanks for asking. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m going to take a valium just for the anxiety.

@janbb So, no super powers manifesting yet?

@filmfann I See Dead People!

No,No @janbb they just act like scary ghosts they are actually Republicans.

If the room is cold you can ask for a warmed blanket. That makes it much more comfortable. An MRI uses magnetism and radio frequency (like radio waves) so minimal effect on your body. No ionizing radiation like CAT scan or X-ray. Hopefully you don’t have any iron or steel particles in your body, including some tattoo inks. The magnetism will try to pull them out – oww!

Mine didn’t bother me, but I understand that it’s different for everyone. They were looking for evidence of a mini stroke, which they found. They also were able to determine that I had had one several years before that which I was never aware of so it probably happened in my sleep. Pretty scary thought! Anyway that was about 8 years ago. It was just something to go through but not something that I was stressed about. I wish you the best!

@LifeQuestioner See about 4 posts above. It’s over.

Glad it well, @janbb! And very glad to hear that you’re not expecting any serious news!

Good luck tomorrow, @smudges!

Thank you, @raum!

Well, not as bad as I expected. But! it turns out I had 6 of them, not 2! We’re hoping this helps the pain. If it does, then in 2 weeks I’ll have another round (per freakin Medicare!) and if still no to little pain, then I’ll have the nerve endings ablated (burned off, basically). That will supposedly last about a year – until they grow back.

OOps! I was so anxious I forgot to think of you, @janbb! LOL

@smudges Hugs! Yours sounds much more intense than a silly old brain MRI!

We both made it though! Sucks to get old!

I’m late to the game here, so you may have all the responses you need. My brain MRI was this year and the most intimidating part, to me, was the “cage” around my head. Once the technician started lowering that, I closed my eyes and didn’t open them until the MRI was done and the cage was removed. So I visually avoided seeing the machine around my head. I just kept repeating soothing and encouraging phrases to myself and squeezed my eyes closed. The loud thumping sound would change periodically and sometimes there would be a pause, causing me to think it might be over. But the tech said something in the last round that it was almost done. Otherwise I had no clue how much time had passed or how much remained. I had good headphones on, but would have preferred to also use earplugs and an eye mask. I’m autistic and get physically tired after lots of stimulation (such as the noise) and I had to rest for the remainder of the day. All in all, not so bad.

Oh man. Sending hugs and crossed fingers, @smudges.

{hugs} @raum Thanks!