MRI scan info please

Hi Nightingale,

I am only 5 feet 2 inches, and was completely in the machine, not that I was worried! You can communicate with them if you need to. They give you a buzzer to squeeze. It is very noisy, so be prepared. And just near the end the machine stopped. I thought it had broken down and was just about to press the buzzer when it started again! So don't panic if that happens to you. The worst bit I found was lying on my back for 45 minutes.(Better since I have no womb!!!!) I also ended up feeling chilly, so went for a coffee afterwards.

I don't recall having anything on my pelvis, just a cushion under my knees. I had to try and put my arms above my head, which is difficult for me. I broke my shoulder once and my arm doesn't bend the same anymore, but I managed.  didn't find it too bad, just noisy.  xxxxx

I have read it is cold. I assume I  can wear  socks. I have seen a video of someone having one at a hospital in Oxford wearing a tee shirt under his gown too. I know I would find it tough to lie flat that long without getting stiff.. In the Oxford video he emphasised you can wriggle a bit in between scans. . Do you think they would let me fold a small towel  in the small of my back? I assume my arms are free.   

Hi Nightingale, I have had so many blumin MRI's now, CT was a piece of cake ! So yes it is noisy, if you are really worrying about it speak to them before your appointment, they may even be able to give you a mild tranquiliser, or just tell them what you want to take. Now this is my way of coping. I don't look  as soon as I am on that table I don't open my eyes, I have the headphones on and take myself off into somewhere warm, I'm usually a size 8 in a bikini ( I wish)  it's beautiful and the waves are lapping at my feet, the sand is warm. Some hospitals let you take your own music in to listen to, check with them first. And use the buzzer if you need to. The longest one I had was an hour, but that wasn't cancer related. It is so worrying when you haven't had anything like this before isn't it ? I can honestly say that they work with you, but you must try and tell them your fears before you arrive so they can, if necessary, arrange medication etc., I found the best way to get rid of the dye was to drink lots, and a brisk walk around the hospital grounds afterwards moves it around your body faster.

I think we all agree the hardest part of this sometimes is the waiting, and the fear of the unknown. I was dead and buried this time last year, arranged the funeral the lot. But here I am typing this to you today fit and well after treatment. I'm not going to tell you not to worry because  you will, of course, it's a lot to get your head around.

Take each day as it comes, try not to second guess anything and not look too far ahead at this time.

Take care,

LC

x

Hi nightingale,

my hospital let me wear my own clothes, I wore a dress and leggings, you just need to make sure you don't have any metal on your bra or buttons or zips, so I wore a sports bra and a dress with no fastenings. They gave me wedges and things to keep me comfortable, I was surprised I could stay still for so long as I'm usually a fidgeter.

They gave me a contrast dye and some buscopan for my MRI scan, let them know about your previous experience and they will hopefully take good care of you.

lots of love

xxx

 I have had a bad cold since sunday. With me a cold usually migrates downwards, first to my chest leaving me asthmatic so I use an inhaler. Started that last night, then the virus attacks my digestive system and I get a few days of IBS  Due up around time  of scan. Maybe I should take  an immodium beforehand?

 I normally onsider myself healthy but I have had real problems with  kidney infections  and a stone this  summer. Plus two  UTIs, one last month. It was investigations into this which  triggered the original  health screen which turned up the cancerous polyps. And I  tend to have high blood pressure and had to get it  down before I could have day surgery for polyps and am on medication at present. Plus gout runs in  my family and I have had it in my big  toe, in past. I seem to be ticking yes to a lot of the boxes on the pre  MRi scan with dye  check  list,  which arrived  in post today.

Thanks