MRI scan

[carmalee]

This is probably a silly question but....... I have to have a MRI scan for an ear problem - will it be just my head that goes in the machine? I ask cos I'm claustrophobic and almost freaked out when I had to have my back done - then all of me went in the tube thing and I seriously almost lost the plot. Wondering if the machines have to be enclosed for any reason or are there mini machines that just take 'bits' of you. Thank you .

[sara3]

some years ago I had to have my neck scanned, and yes.. right in the scanner. sorry :o/

be brave, it shouldn't take too long x

[carmalee]

that's what I was afraid of - it really freaked me out last time.

[carmalee]

thank you all for your kind answers - I'm going to now ask if it's absolutely necessary - maybe Sqad knows.

[Sqad]

carmalee....your whole body goes into the MRI scanner, but tell them that you are claustrophobic and they will give you a sedative and a towel to put over your eyes.

Is it necessary? What a question to ask on an AB and I am going to guess here.
Your ENT surgeon saw you because of dizziness and during hearing tests he found a diminution of hearing loss in one ear.
One must then go on to do an MRI scan for a benign tumour called an Acoustic Neuroma.

If I have got it wrong, I will stop here.

[carmalee]

thank you sqad - no there was nothing about benign tumours - he said 'to be on the safe side' - also common sense tells me he wouldn't have requested one without cause - trying to justify chickening out I suppose.

[marie26]

As others have said you may benefit from a small dose of Diazapem, taken a little time before the scan. Your head will be inside the scanner, and many people find it tiresome. However, you will be able to hear the technicans speaking to you, and you will be able to speak to them. I should warn you though, the MRI makes a lot of banging noises - it is loud, but not continuously. You are give headphones to listen to music for some body areas being scanned, but, I am not sure if this happens for head scans. You will also have to sign a consent form when the procedure has been explained to you. If you are very claustrophobic, it might be an idea to ask the X Ray department if you can see the MR room, a few days before your scan is due. I am sure it will help you.
Good luck.

[ttfn]

Hi carmalee - me again! I have had scans - one specifically for my hearing problems. I will be honest and say that my head was placed in a 'helmet' to avoid movement but I do not suffer from claustrophobia. There was a wee mirror above me angled so that I could see the radiologist behind her screen - that gave me a feeling of not being alone. Do have a word with your doctor about your worries. It is a comparatively short period to go through and does give the required answers. Good luck

[jackthehat]

Sort out any 'sedation' before you go.
After explaining how I had felt on emerging from my first scan, I was told that had I mentioned it, they could have given me something to help relax me before they inserted me into the infernal contraption.
So I mentioned my difficulties when I turned up for my second back scan only to be told that there was nothing that they could do for me there and then and that had I seen my GP before I went, HE could have prescribed something for me............

[carmalee]

You've all been brilliant - thank you so much for the support - what I think I'm going to do is lie back and think of England - Hi again ttfn and thanks Marie26 - a good thing is that it's going to happen six days before I go to South Africa for six weeks so at least I have a brilliant 'reward' for not being a wuss.xC

[ttfn]

good for you carmalee. Just remembered something to make you smile. As this scan was just on my head I was able to keep my clothes on having first removed my bra. Arms crossed in front of me (ahem) I walked from the changing room to the scan room, removed my shoes and laid down in readiness to go up the tube. In my normal manner I idly said to the radiologist - if going without your pants is called going commando am I now going Girl Guide? Not everyone has my soh ;o)

[carmalee]

good point Jackthehat - thanks for telling me.

[Eve]

One tip I picked up from last time was to make sure that the earphones are properly in your ears unlike me lol :) Mine dropped out as I was en route into the machine so it was a pretty loud experience!

I'm not a particularly claustrophobic person generally but I was very glad to get out both times, had one on my head for an ear problem and one on my spine after some abnormal xrays and got to go for a small bowel one next month. Was definitely all the way in for both so far.

A friend of mine who is very good with all kinds of sciency stuff was explaining (well, trying to) to me why they make the noise they do, apparantly something like the molecules in your ear banging about (or something like that) which you hear, it's not an outside noise...obviously I don't quite share his sciency knowledge :)

[carmalee]

sorry for the delay in replying Jenna - actually thought I had so maybe the MRI will pick up on me memory black spot! - have decided to not be stupid and go for it - as I said in my original post I have had one before and survived so I will this time - character building so my mother would say.

[Dris]

Hey carmalee -I know where you're coming from.I was racked with nerves by the time I got in the room so I asked for my husband to come in with me (wasnt planned) so he had to strip (down to knicks as he wasnt prepared) but the difference it made was amazing.He just gently stroked my legs and it soothed me plus having the buzzer in my hand gave me a bit of control.I just had a slight blip when I stupidly calmed down enough and thought I could have a peek -so dont have a peek just remember they'll have you out in a jiffy if need be.
See if you can get a pal to go in with you -made all the difference to me.
(I got the all clear -was being tested for MS so it was well worth it rather than having that cloud of doubt hanging over me).
You WILL be fine !!

[carmalee]

Ah Dris.......thank you so much - may iIborrow your hubby? - am so pleased everything worked out for you (was the stroking of legs that did it, hence my request as I'm going it alone) xC

[Dris]

Of course or just imagine he's there in spirit *big grin* ;) x

[The Builder]

Hi Carmalee .................. I wonder if it's worth asking when you get there. I had a pituitary MRI recently (in the head). I was in top-half only.
Remember to take your watch off though if it's mechanical like mine. My wrist was just outside the machine.............. ever since, the thing gains ten minutes every day :o(

[carmalee]

sorry about the delay in replying - thanks Dris I'll hold that thought. And you may be the answer to my prayers The Builder - be good if just the top bit goes in - fingers crossed.