Finally got my MRI tomorrow. I have had one before for lower back pain years ago and was around 20 ish minutes if i recall
Tomorrows is to be brain, neck and spine so wondering if anyone able to give time frames based on their own experiences? I know that it may depend on few things (not contrast as far as appt letter says) such as how many slices or whatever.
However, just wondering. Am assuming that due to covid you wont get headphones etc, so am hoping its not the up to 2 hours they state on imaging site. I get itchy when too hot also so keen its not too long. Am sure to be boiling and anxious which wont help. I will take antihistamine before i go just incase as sometimes it develops into hives. However as i say, keen to hear other experiences
Know its a necessity but the symptoms that led to approaching GP have broadly gone (which i know is further suggestive of RR MS), so am now in avoidance stage. Know avoidance wont change if something is going on and better to know as it wont help if bury head in the sand
Now starting to worry about other things eg chronic headaches, and eye pain (esp as had 2nd eye test and check in 3 months and nothing optic nerve wise so opthamologist indicating might need to back to GP incase its neurological… ). Letter also say both demylination and space ocupying lesions are being checked
Took less than an hour in my case - somewhere between 30 minutes and 45 I think, something like that anyway. I think they prob say it could take longer in case they have to repeat any to get clear images, like if you wiggle! So keep calm and still and hopefully it won’t be too long. Also, I had my second one done in at the end of the last lockdown and I had headphones so fingers crossed you’ll be given some, my first was without and they really help.
I have mine on Friday (brain and c-spine) and have been told whole appointment will be about 45 minutes.
Were you given any idea how long it may take to get results and how those results will be given to you? Do you already have a follow up with a neurologist booked?
Radiologists say 2-3 weeks typical time. I have a follow up appt date for March 2021! However this relates to another neurological issue that came as a by the by. So am assuming he will issue another appt for post MRI
I had my scan last Monday. Radiologist says the results will be ready in 2 weeks from the scan. My follow up appointment is April 2021 - phone appointment (even later than yours) which was given at the same time that I was told I was to have an MRI scan … I’ll be onto the neuro’s secretary at 2 weeks to get a phone appointment sorted. I’m not waiting until April. Delays, and kicking into the long grass, however has been the modus operandi of my neuro.
EML - do chase at 2 weeks if you’ve not been given an appointment.
My MRI took about 50 mins, plus another 10 mins told to sit before they can take the cannular out, then another 2 mins to sit before I could leave.
For anyone who has to have contrast for the first time (like me), they scan you without first then they ask you not to move whilst they inject you, they roll the trolley out of the MRI tube, you lie very still, they insert a cannular and then inject the contrast. I felt a slight tingling in my hand as they did this, it went away after 30 seconds. They then roll you back into the MRI tube and scan again. When all is done, as above, you have to sit a while before you can leave and they tell you to drink plenty of water after to flush your system.
My MRI was done in Essex and headphones and choice of music were used. I saw the nurse cleaning down the MRI before I got in and after me as I left. They also cover each headphone with disposable coverings too. You don’t have to wear your mask in the MRI room either, they tell you to take it off as soon as you’re in the room and leave it with your key in the tray.
I asked the radiologist if he could see lesion but got the stock answer of ‘we don’t read them here’ and was told the report would be ready in 2 weeks. You can ask for a copy of the report from your neurologist’s secretary.