MRI scans

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What does an MRI scan feel like. I'm worried I'll feel trapped. I've looked it up but all the pictures show the person on the outside waiting to go in or with just their head in it. I will be having both head and body in about ten days and while I'm not claustrophobic I'm worried I'll be so worked up over it that by the time I'm put in it I'll panic.

Don't over think the scan,it's just a scan.

And yeah,i haven't had one done,but i'd be more concerned with a surgical procedure/operation,than just a simple scan.

^ Yes I would be more fearful of anything that involved a general anesthetic but if I had an idea of how the MRI works I could think my way through it a few times as a sort of practice.

I slept through my MRI

It's loud but does have a rhythmic pattern and if you tune into it you can mellow out. ( it reminds me of Spectrum games loading so it was a bit nostalgic )

^Will my head be near the hole or down the other end?

will part of me stick out the opening the whole time or will I be completely immersed in it?

Can I get out if I need to? I am much less likely to panic if I know I can get out.

Will my arms be trapped at my side?

You can't get out immediately on your own, but you will always be in communication with the technicians. If you suddenly have to get out, you can scream until they let you out, or maybe they give you a button in your hand to push if you want their attention.

But since you are already worried, you might want to request sedation.

I've had many scans. I don't get claustrophobic, but one thing that is a problem for me is pain. You are on a fairly hard surface and told not to move. If it is a lengthy scan, like the entire spine, it can take rather a while. Parts of your body can become uncomfortable if you can't shift your weight around. I have restless legs, too.

It depends on the size of the bore hole in the scanner, the size of your body, and whether or not they use mirrors.

The first MRI I had was in a very old scanner with a small bore hole and I was overweight at the time so there was very little clearance between me and the inside of the scanner and I will admit it was a little anxiety inducing even for me.

Newer scanners, however, typically have much larger bore holes and there are mirrors inside such that you can see outside and do not feel so much like you are in a tube.

In either case, they give you a squeeze button to squeeze if you need anything.

Yes, you will be able to get out if you need to. You have complete control if you want it.

Your arms are not restricted, you have control of these too.

As Bea said, they will be in communication with you throughout and you have a button you can press.

Your head usually goes in first and if you are having a full body then I you will be mostly in the tunnel.

The bed is quite comfy and I too was dozing off as the rhythm of the sounds were pleasant for me. And yea they do sound like an old computer loading up - good example Mr Ferris.

It is like being slid into a small tent for 10 mins and having the option of sleeping.

The way they work:

You are inside what is a very strong magnet. The magnetic field is made to oscillate and this causes hydrogen atoms in your body to emit radio waves which are picked up by an antenna and an image is constructed by that.

The part of yout body that is being scanned will be in the scanner, which typically entails that all or most of your body will be in it.

The scanning may cause slight heating of the area being scanned. This might make you feel warm inside. Some places blow cool air in tp the scanner to keep patients comfortable. Newer scanners are often also lit inside.

Can you get out? You must lay still during the scan for a sharp image as it's taking photos essentially but if you had to get out for whatever reason, then yes but you might need the help of the technician. Typically they slide you out on the table.

If there were some reason you had to get out entirety on your own, probably. The tube is open at both ends.

Thank you all, I feel so much better. With all that information I will be able to imagine myself going through it a few times as preparation and so when I am doing it for real hopefully it will feel as if I've done it before