I’m awaiting an MS diagnosis. I’ve had a brain MRI and lumbar puncture. I’ve got a whole spine MRI on Sunday. I phoned the hospital today and asked if I have to have the dreaded cage (it’s recommended) but they can do it without I was told. I hated my brain MRI because of the cage so I know I can’t do it again. I asked about sedation but it’s too short notice to have it on this scan. My question is has anyone opted to have the spinal MRI without the head cage, how was it and was it diagnostically effective? Many thanks
1 Like
Hi Sam’ yes, the cage isn’t the nicest thing - I don’t mind it but, I do understand your dislike of it. Maybe plan something nice like dinner out for after your scan - it might just give you something to look forward to.
They can often play any music that you like through the headphones while you’re being done (I can lend you a Chas N’ Dave CD for Sunday if you’d like? 
)
I always seem to get an itchy nose as soon as they put the cage on and start the scan 
Good luck with your MRI mate x
Jon.
I do not know the answer to your question and only have my own mri tactic to offer. Once I’m lying down I shut my eyes and steadfastly keep the shut until I’m wheeled out again. What I can’t see, I can choose to ignore. Ditto other medical things like cannulas. Don’t want to see, choose not to notice.
4 Likes
Hi Samanthataylor16
As Alison100 says, and I too can only speak about my own experiences, but I’ve only ever had the cage where a brain scan has been required as well as a spinal one. I’ve had several MRI’s of just the spine without cage and it hasn’t been an issue diagnostically.
I just close my eyes as soon as they begin to send me into the machine and only open them when I’m brought out, so I’ve no real idea what goes on inside ha ha….. I’m usually off on a beach somewhere listening to the waves lapping. Well I can dream can’t I 
2 Likes
Thanks for your response, can I ask, did you opt to have the spinal MRI without the cage?
I also do the eyes closed thing. Last time I recited times tables to myself very slowly which passed quite a lot of time!
Seriously though, I had an MRI at one hospital a few years ago where they had a mirror set up in the machine so I could see people moving about and that really helped as I felt less alone. I also felt it would help if I could somehow see a clock so I knew how long I had to go but this suggestion was met with a look…!
Good luck, hope you get through it OK, it’s not pleasant but concentrate on every breath you take and this will help you relax.
1 Like
Hi @samanthataylor16 . Too late for you this time but do you know if any of the hospitals near you have ‘wide bore’ MRI scanners. My last MRI was in a wide bore and although it’s only a few inches wider those few inches plus gentle light in the scan tube made a massive difference to me (someone who manages to cope with my MRI head scans but I’m certainly glad when they are over!)
Also I once had a scan where the person carrying out the scan told me it would last around 20 minutes and then announced when the first 5 minutes was completed, when the next 5 minutes etc. . That made a big difference to me and e.g after the first 5 minutes I found myself thinking ok that was alright and after the second 5 minutes I was definitely relaxing a bit with thoughts of ‘that’s half way , not long now’!
2 Likes
Hi samanthataylor16
No I didn’t opt to have the spinal mri without the cage, it’s just what happened in my experience.
The cage is only ever introduced when I’m having Brain mri too.
All the best for you x
1 Like
If they’ve told you they can run it without the cage, it will still be completely diagnostically effective for your spine. The cage is mostly there to act as a signal receiver and prevent subtle micro-movements of the neck/head. As long as you feel you can keep your upper body perfectly still during the scans without it, the image quality will be absolutely fine for what they need to see.
All done and with the head cage. I had a newer machine that was wider and much more bearable, it only took 15 minutes so all good
4 Likes
Yes the newer wide bore machines do seem to be a bit quicker- which is good - and the one I was in had soft lights within the tube which also helped. Every bit helps etc
Good on you Sam’ 
Well done.