Mri

Just wondering I have an appointment for an "open" MRI next week. Area of concern is my shoulder. Will I be required to undress and put on a hospital gown? Will I need to be naked underneath or do they allow you to keep your underwear on?

I had my shoulder done and I left my underwear on. I think it is an individual facility call though.

Course

Fabric should be OK. ANYTHING metallic (clips, eyelets. buckles, zippers )are a nono.

They may give you a gown to wear over your stark naked very vulnerable body (GASP!) just to make sure you have no metal on you that you might not have remembered. 😁

They really couldn't care less about seeing your body. They just want to make sure there is no metal near the magnets that could lift a pick-up truck off the road.

Thanks folks, was just curious, about the procedure to expect. Thanks for the feedback, I will let you know what happens.

I had an MRI Brain Scan a couple of weeks ago and was told to remove all clothing except underwear and to put on the hospital gown they had given to me. Guess too many people had gone in whit magnetic stuff hidden in their clothes so now it is clothes off for everyone. Was also given a pair of earplugs to help deaden the noise of the machine.

Was also given a pear of earplugs to help deaden the noise of the machine.

When I had mine done, it was everything off except for underwear and put on a gown to wear (one of the times when I actually did appreciate wearing the gown). The ear plugs do help, as does a small towel to cover your eyes. That help me to deal with the claustrophobic feeling of having your face just inches away from the top part half of the machine! They also put a blanket over me since it was freezing in the room. And I also had a panic button in my hand the whole time. I never needed it but it was good to know that I could abort the test if I really couldn't handle it.

The last one I had was on the kidneys, lower back and pelvic area . The waiting room was packed full to the point of no seats. I was sent to a cubicle and told to take everything off but my knickers and put the gown on.

When I got called in after a long wait I was told to lie on my back and was given some ear defenders . It was cold in there too, so I was covered with a blanket. I was given a panic button to use at any time. I just started to get a bit panicky and anxious and was contemplating pressing it when the radiographer came in and spoke with me to tell me there was only about 10 more minutes and I'd be finished. That reassurance knowing it was almost over helped. Those 10 minutes still felt like forever though. It was still loud even with the ear defenders on.

Nik

I had an MRI Brain Scan a couple of weeks ago and . . . . Was also given a pair of earplugs to help deaden the noise of the machine.

The noise is the worst part. It sounds like a hammer banging on an anvil!

I had an MRI of my knee about ten years ago after I hurt my knee playing tennis. The tech kept telling me to stop moving as they were doing the final alignments of me in the closed machine. (I wanted a closed MRI because they have better resolution.) I told her to just tape me up to the bolster. I was joking around with her and said I had been tied up before so it wouldn't be a problem! Little did she know how true that was. She did end up taping my lower calves and ankles to the bolster.

Being male I have had a couple open Mri' s and never had to undress at all. Just remove any metal objects as with any mri. Really never undressed for any type coming to think of it. Hope it helps.

I'm curious, for things like kidneys, pelvic area, knees, etc. - do they put you in feet first so your upper body isn't fully in the tube? Or do you still have to go in head first?

Mine was a brain scan (with some contrast dye) so naturally I was in there head-first.

I'm curious, for things like kidneys, pelvic area, knees, etc. - do they put you in feet first so your upper body isn't fully in the tube? Or do you still have to go in head first?

Mine was a brain scan (with some contrast dye) so naturally I was in there head-first.

I've had it both ways. It depends on the software and technician training. Even when going in feet first, your face is almost in the tube.

I had contrast too. The whole of me went in but I'm only little anyway . I was feet first and then lay there wondering why they needed all of me in there .

Nik

I had an mri on my foot was a waste of money in hindsight but they let me keep my clothes on and going in feetfirst my head wasn't even close to being in the machine but I am also quite tall

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.

An MRI scanner is a large tube that contains powerful magnets. You lie inside the tube during the scan. As the MRI scanner produces strong magnetic fields, it's important to remove any metal objects from your body, including:

- watches

- jewellery, such as earrings and necklaces

- piercings, such as ear, nipple and nose rings

- dentures (false teeth)

- hearing aids

- wigs (some wigs contain traces of metal)

Inaddition metal implants or metal fragments needs to be noted . Some examples of metal implants or fragments include:

- a pacemaker – an electrical device used to control an irregular heartbeat

- an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) –a similar device to a pacemaker that uses electrical shocks to regulate heartbeats

- metal plates, wires, screws or rods – used during surgery for bone fractures

- a nerve stimulator –an electrical implant used to treat long-term nerve pain

- a cochlear implant –a device similar to a hearing aid that's surgically implanted inside the ear

- a drug pump implant –used to treat long-term pain by delivering painkilling medication directly to an area of the body, such as the lower back

- brain aneurysm clips –small metal clips used to seal blood vessels in the brain that would otherwise be at risk of rupturing (bursting)

- metallic fragments in or near your eyes or blood vessels (common in people who do welding or metalwork for a living)

- prosthetic (artificial) metal heart valves

- penile implants –used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence)

- eye implants –such as small metal clips used to hold the retina in place

- an intrauterine device (IUD)–a contraceptive device made of plastic and copper that fits inside the womb

- artificial joints – such as those used for a hip replacement or knee replacement

- dental fillings and bridges

- tubal ligation clips –used in female sterilisation

- surgical clips or staples – used to close wounds after an operation

- Tattoos, some tattoo ink contains traces of metal, but most tattoos are safe in an MRI scanner. Tell the radiographer immediately if you feel any discomfort or heat in your tattoo during the scan.

An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body, including the:

- brain and spinal cord

- bones and joints

- breasts

- heart and blood vessels

- internal organs, such as the liver, womb or prostate gland.

Some MRI scans involve having an injection of contrast dye. This makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly and in greater detail.

It's possible for contrast dye to cause tissue and organ damage in people with severe kidney disease. If you have a history of kidney disease, you may be given a blood test to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether it's safe to proceed with the scan.

You should also let the staff know if you have a history of allergic reactions or any blood clotting problems before having the injection.

During an MRI scan, you lie on a flat bed that's moved into the scanner. Depending on the part of your body being scanned, you'll be moved into the scanner either head first or feet first.

The MRI scanner is operated by a radiographer, who is trained in carrying out imaging investigations. They control the scanner using a computer, which is in a different room, to keep it away from the magnetic field generated by the scanner.

You'll be able to talk to the radiographer through an intercom and they'll be able to see you on a television monitor throughout the scan.

At certain times during the scan, the scanner will make loud tapping noises. This is the electric current in the scanner coils being turned on and off. You'll be given earplugs or headphones to wear.

It's very important to keep as still as possible during your MRI scan. The scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are taken.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very safe and most people can have the procedure, including pregnant women and babies.

However, there are some instances where an MRI scan may not be recommended, because the strong magnets used during the scan can affect any metal implants or fragments in your body.

Before having an MRI scan, you should tell medical staff if:

- you think you have any metal in your body

- you're pregnant or breastfeeding

There's no evidence to suggest MRI scans pose a risk during pregnancy. However, as a precaution, MRI scans aren't usually recommended during pregnancy, particularly in the first three months

Hope this helps for those undergoing an MRI.

On two occasions the MRI technician has said that I am the only person they have ever known to fall soundly asleep during an MRI. I am hearing impaired so the loud noises do not bother me and I lead a very busy life (especially in retirement!) that any chance of a nap is worth taking!

For me the first mri ,the machine was to small because of m'y wide shoulder,

Sophie for the next one i did have to find à open one

I've had two MRI scans in the last 3 years. One was for an abdominal scan, in which I went feet first. The second was a head scan, which was obviously head first.

During the head scan I nearly fell asleep, as the sounds were almost hypnotic.

@Boelyn: How'd the MRI go?

Recent experiences have led me to dress appropriately for all Scans including MRI. So loose fitting clothing with no metal.

I tend to wear a top and trekkie bottoms, with underpants. The radiographer seemed happy to proceed without me undressing.

Previously I had to strip down to my underpants and put on a hospital gown. Absolute waste of time as the gowns are short and are difficult to tie at the back, unless you have a helpful nurse. Sitting in a gown and waiting with other people is an uncomfortable experience.

I had an MRI once. Was told to undress to my underwear only and put on scrub top and pants so that I wasn't wearing anything metallic.