Getting an MRI scan can be stressful and anxiety-provoking. It’s important to be prepared and understand what to expect.
You may need to wear a gown, and you should remove any metal objects such as jewelry, keys, coins, watches, dentures or removable hearing aids. You should also bring a squeeze button to communicate with the staff if you need assistance.
Stay still
MRI is a non-invasive procedure that does not require incisions or injections. During the scan, you lie in a tube-shaped scanner while magnetic fields and radio waves take pictures of the body part being examined. The radiologist uses these images to create a detailed cross-sectional view of the area in question. This information is then reviewed by the physician.
During the MRI process, it is very important that you remain as still as possible. Moving during the test can cause distortion of the results, which could negatively impact the quality of the images that are produced. Your radiologist will tell you when it is safe to move again during the examination.
The MRI scanner itself produces loud tapping and thumping noises, so it is a good idea to wear earplugs or bring your own headphones. You may also hear a faint twitching sensation as the machine stimulates nerves in your body. This is completely normal.
Your radiologist will be able to communicate with you via an intercom system throughout the exam. You can ask questions at any time and let them know if you have any discomfort or anxiety. The radiologist may also inject you with a contrast agent, which is often a dye. This helps to highlight certain tissues or blood vessels so that they are easier to be seen via an MRI. This is an optional extra for many patients and usually does not cause any side effects.
You can expect to be in the MRI scanner for up to an hour, depending on how much is being looked at. During this time, it is best to relax and think about something that makes you happy, like puppies or napping. The longer you can keep yourself relaxed, the less nervous you will become.
Take deep breaths
During an MRI scan, you have to lie still and stay very quiet for up to 90 minutes. This might make you nervous, especially if you have claustrophobia. Taking deep breaths can help calm you down and reduce any tension in your body. This is because the act of breathing slows your heart rate and can lower blood pressure. The process of breathing can also take your mind off the procedure and give you a feeling of control.
MRI machines can be very noisy, making loud thumping and pulsing noises. This isn’t the most pleasant thing to listen to, but you can try and distract yourself by listening to music or podcasts while in the machine. You can even ask your MRI technologist to provide headphones or earplugs that are MRI safe.
You should be completely honest with your MRI technologist about any surgeries, implants, or medical conditions that you have. These metal objects could interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI machine, leading to distorted images or false results. It’s also important to follow any instructions that your referring doctor or MRI technologist gives you.
If you are worried about being unable to stay still or are prone to panicking during an MRI, talk with your doctor about sedation options before your appointment. Generally, the standard option is IV sedation with a benzodiazepine such as Xanax or Ativan. This will last 1-2 hours, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home afterwards. In addition to this, some MRI scanners have a panic button that you can press if you need to leave the machine quickly. This can be a great comfort to have if you are worried about being trapped in the machine.
Listen to music
MRI is an imaging technique that uses magnets to take pictures of the inside of your body. While these magnets are not harmful, they do make a lot of noise that can be very uncomfortable to some patients. Having some music on can help distract you and make the time pass much quicker. Plus, it can also help to soothe any anxiety you may be feeling.
Many hospitals will allow you to listen to your favorite songs through a pair of headphones during the scan. However, the headphones used must be MRI-safe and must not have any metal in them. In some cases, you can even bring your own pair of headphones to use.
If you are worried about the noise from the MRI machine, talk to your technologist. They can usually provide earplugs or headphones to make the sound less loud, and they may even be able to give you some noise cancelling ones. They can also offer suggestions for other things that you can do to stay calm and comfortable.
Some people who are claustrophobic find that listening to calming music while having an MRI can help them relax and feel more at ease. You can also try bringing a friend or family member with you for emotional support and to keep you company. Having someone there to distract you can be a big help and can even make the procedure seem shorter.
There are some companies that have specialized in creating MRI-safe headphones that you can use to listen to your own music. These headphones are called MRIaudio and they can be purchased online. They are designed to reduce stress levels and cortisol in patients, which can be very high during MRI scanning.
Talk to your technologist
MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the internal structure of the body. These images can be used to diagnose medical conditions and monitor treatment. Unlike other imaging methods, MRI does not use radiation and is considered safe for most patients. Despite these benefits, many people are anxious about having an MRI scan.
Thankfully, there are strategies that can help reduce these anxieties and make the process more comfortable for everyone involved. These tips include:
One of the most important things to do is communicate with your technologist. It is essential that they know your concerns and fears so they can offer solutions. For example, if you are worried about feeling trapped or claustrophobic during the scan, they can give you a call button to use to alert them if they notice any unusual sensations. They can also tell you what to expect so you are not surprised during the procedure.
If you are worried about the length of time the MRI will take, they can give you an approximate timeframe. Depending on the reason for your scan, your doctor may need to examine multiple areas of your body and will likely ask you to stay still for 30 to 50 minutes.
For patients who are extremely apprehensive or have claustrophobia, sedation can be provided during the test. Although this isn’t common, it can give patients a more relaxing experience and help them feel calmer during the exam. It is a good idea to discuss this option with your doctor before the MRI test to see if it will be appropriate for you. Then, they can prescribe the right medication for you.
Be prepared
A big part of having a good MRI scan is being prepared. In addition to wearing comfortable clothing, it’s important to remove any metal items like jewelry, credit cards, hearing aids and underwire bras, as the magnet can cause them to distort the resulting images. You may also need to change into a hospital gown.
Before the scan begins, it’s a good idea to bring something to occupy yourself with, such as a book or magazine. This will help you relax in the lead up to your appointment and prevent you from becoming anxious about the procedure. It’s also a good idea to try and arrive at the scanning facility slightly early, as waiting around can make you feel nervous.
Once you’re ready, the technologist will guide you into the MRI scanner room. The machine itself looks like a long metal tube with a hole at one end, which slides out to form a bed-shaped table that you’ll lie on during the scan. You’ll usually be given a locker to store your belongings during the examination, and you’ll likely need to wear a hospital gown.
During the scanning process, you’ll hear loud tapping noises as the magnetic field is switched on and off. You’ll be provided with earplugs or headphones so that you don’t have to hear these distracting sounds. It’s important that you remain still, as any movement will result in the resulting pictures being blurry or inaccurate.
In some cases, an MRI scan will involve the use of contrast dye to enhance the images. As such, you will often be required to fast for a specified amount of time prior to the test.