I've had a couple of MRIs too. I know I had headphones with my shoulder MRI, but I think for the one on my head I just used ear plugs. MaireCate's description of the sound fits my experience perfectly. Best of luck with this, Jasdip!

Jasdip, your neighbor is exaggerating a bit. It's not that noisy, and though you can't move around, it's not that difficult to hold still for a short period of time.

Be sure that the technician makes you comfortable with a pillow under your knees and showing you what to do with your arms. I am experienced in meditation, and can focus on deep breathing while my body is relaxed.

Concentrate on the in and out of your breath instead of how still you have to be and the time will whiz by. That exercise will lessen those phantom itches and twinges that are bound to torment you, :-)

It's important to remember that the information gathered from this test can be invaluable! I hope that some simpler tests will be revealing, though.

Keep us informed.

I had a 45 minute MRI and agree it is not too bad. Loud banging on an irregular schedule. I felt pretty relaxed about the whole thing; almost fell semi-asleep. A flu shot or dental work is much worse in my book.

I had one done a few years ago and they put ear plugs in my ears with large padded ear phones covering my whole ear. That way the banging was very muffled so didn't bother me. They also tightly wedged my head and body so I couldn't move. That part bothered me more than the sound. And the lost of time perception, laying there wondering how much time had passed and much longer the test would take. That started to get to me.

Good luck. Hope everything turns out OK.

I've had several MRIs and it's noisy but if the tech doesn't keep asking if I"m alright (annoying) I go to sleep! Just close your eyes and relax. It's not a big deal.

I think of it as being like a clanging sound.

Being a large person, for me the experience is like being stuffed into a pipe that's a tad too small. I ask the tech to give me a count down of the time remaining during each pause, I find that makes it easier.

Good luck to you for a quick resolution of your discomfort.

I've had several MRIs for various reasons and they are loud and you can't move so that can be troublesome. Also, if you are claustrophobic at all, be sure to do what you need to to make yourself comfortable. I found having eye shades very helpful as, as long as I couldn't see how close the quarters were, I was fine. I spent one MRI mentally reviewing all the places we'd been on vacation and it turned out to be a very relaxing "vacation" for me.

So sorry to hear about your problems, that must be scary! Hope you get your MRI and can find out what's going on. I will ditto what those above said about it not being bad. I, too, would have fallen asleep if the darn tech had left me alone! She kept asking if I was ok, and waking me up. I found it a very relaxing, yet expensive, experience. Pillow under the knees, head phones, all I needed was a glass of wine!

It sounds, to me, more like being inside a video game than a machine gun.

I've had 15 MRI brain scans and yes they are a noisy, but not that bad. The tech gives you foam ear plugs to wear which muffles the sound, plus most places will let you listen to the music of your choice. Sounds you will hear are knocking, tapping and a jack hammer. They work in a sequence, so you might hear 4 minutes of knocking, 3 minutes of tapping, etc.. with a minute or two break in between. Most techs will tell you when each sequence will begin and for how long. Often times for a brain scan, the doctor will prescribe a contrast injection to be given. If so, you will go through the first series of pics without the contrast and then they bring you out, inject contrast in your arm and repeat the series. Should take about 45 minutes total. Your friend is correct that you can't move, but your head is in a nicely padded cradle, so you can't move.

When I was having my first MRI in 1998 I was petrified from what people were telling me about their experience or someone they knew. When it was over, I worried myself for nothing.

Getting the hearing test before the MRI is what is usually done. Do you experience the pain in both temples?

Jasdip, I had two several years ago close together, and it really wasn't a problem. I'm mildly claustrophobic, the MRI didn't bother me. I had a bit of discomfort during the second but because the radiologist had tucked me in with a blanket that wasn't present during the first before beginning the test and I became too warm. There are open MRI imagining machines for those who can't tolerate the standard models although I'm sure every facility doesn't have them, and I think most don't need them. Back in the day, I willingly climbed into a sun bed in a tanning salon and closed that lid, and MRI really not entirely different ;-) Close your eyes, daydream, it will be finished before you know it and you'll be fine.

Sorry that you even *need* to do this!

I 'failed' the Closed MRI, but am OK with an Open one. I don't see why you'd have to have your whole body 'in' if they're only focusing on your head. Wondering if you will need to be in the same 'head down' position in order for the reading to show anything. I've had an ENT swear when I had a scan lying down; he needed me to have been upright.

In addition to everything else said, I have had MRIs done three times at two different facilities. Each time I was quite chilly, so I took as many warm blankets as they could give me. If you run on the cool side at all, ask for extra blankets! They will occasionally ask if you are doing okay, and if you are cold, speak up. Good luck!

The MRI machines with higher resolution apparently tend to be "closed". I asked once (when using a doc at a local medical school's clinic) if an open machine was available, and was told "we don't have any, the images aren't as useful as we need them to be"

I found my MRI to be nothing. The worse part of the whole experience was when they inject the contrast dye in the arm.

There are many similar experiences here and mine was the same. I am claustrophobic tho, so I really put my self hypnosis/relaxation techniques to the test and it went by without much anxiety at all. Good luck and relax.

I've had tinnitus for the past two years, and a few months ago I developed TMJ symptoms. Apparently I clench my teeth in my sleep. I didn't know this until my dentist asked about it due to a cracked molar and chipped front teeth. There's a relationship between TMJ and tinnitus, and your temple pain might be from TMJ. I have several weird feelings in that area of my face, but most days it feels totally fine since I'm careful what I eat now. My tinnitus is better too.

Jasdip, it's important to get the information needed to go forward with getting you properly diagnosed. Try not to stress about the procedure, you will be fine.

I have to do brain MRI that last 45 minutes. I like Snidely's idea of asking for a countdown and will do that for my next one!

Jasdip, if you are feeling uncertain as to your reaction to the noise and the inability to be able to move during the MRI, let your doctor know and ask him for a mild sedative to be taken about 30-45 mins. prior to the procedure. Hope if they find something it very easy to correct.

Hope that you soon find out what is causing your problems. I have only had one MRI, on my shoulder. I am a "fluffy" person, so found it a snug fit. They didn't give me any ear plugs or music. I don't remember the different sounds mentioned, but I remember it being very loud, and could barely hear the tech when they asked me anything. If I had to do it again, I think I would try to remember to ask if I could wear my range ear plugs. Snidely's count down is a good idea!

I've had two MRI's on my head, and both were the half-open kind where the machine is much shorter and only half of your body goes in. It still was uncomfortable for me (I am a little claustrophobic) but manageable. It is pretty loud but you get used to it. Good luck!

nothing to it Sherry

Forgive me if I sound foolish but has your doctor checked your sinuses? The symptoms you describe happen to me any time my sinuses are swollen/congested.

This can happen without infection and I'm not sure it would show up on a CT scan if there was no infection.

The worst part of having an MRI is lying on your back in one position for 45 minutes. Just relax and maybe you'll get a nap in before it is finished. Yes, there are some noises, but not objectionable - maybe that was because they put some comfortable, padded headphones on me and the operator spoke to me through those.

This was the second whole head MRI that I have had in the past 10 years. (My head was examined, and sinuses too.)

jem is bang on the money on that one for sure!

Texas_Gem, I looked up sinus headaches when I first started getting them, and it's mentioned that it's a constant headache. Mine isn't constant at all.

I haven't heard anything yet about a date for the MRI. I had hoped to by now. I had a call a few days after the blood work, for the CT scan. They're taking longer to schedule an MRI.

Oh, I'm sorry to read you're still having this problem, Jas. Sinuses can be tricky, especially when you have a seemingly intractable pain/pressure. I don't recall the specifics of the previous post, but do you use a sinus rinse? All three of my daughters swear by it. I hope your mri is scheduled very soon.

I am the Queen of Sinus Surgery. Three operations, the last one (2003) removing just about everything interior to the bridge of my nose. I hope this technique has been 'retired'. The widened channels, combined with diminished lung power, make it impossible to fully clear mucus. (I also sound like an elephant trumpeting when I 'blow'.)

Even this has not stopped polyps from re-growing. I have to be vigilant about any congestion -- go quickly to antibiotics or infection will spread. Nasal rinses are my enemy; the liquid pools instead of draining out. One thing I can do is exercise enough to boost my overall circulation.

Jasdip, you may find yourself waiting a long time for a MRI in Ontario - well you would in Toronto.

Re the tinnitus. I had my first bout of it in my early 40s and then nothing again until this past year. It comes and goes - but for the past few months it has been more frequent. Sometimes it is much louder than normal. I find that once it disappears I will become dizzy and then I will revert to normal. I mentioned it to my doctor but all is good with me.

My hearing is excellent - too good in fact.

My husband and his whole family suffer from constant tinnitus - their hearing is not the best though.

I do suffer from sinus infections occasionally and have had to take the 6 pack of prescription meds - the tell tale sign that it is sinus being the "green" nasal output. It is hard though with so many allergies (and being allergic to most meds) to tell which is which, other than the "green".

I hope that you do not have to wait too long for your MRI. Many people who live in Toronto and who have the money, go to Buffalo for the test rather than waiting a year.

For some reason Houzz today decided to accept my sign-in request. How strange since I haven't been able to sign on for a very long time.

R

Eccentric, it's not surprising to me that I don't have an app't for an MRI. I'm well aware of people hustling across the border as our wait times are horrendous.

My hearing has always been very good, I find radio and tv too loud, and I can hear things that others don't.......the washer going in the basement level of the apt, people coming upstairs, etc. Now today, there is no tinnitus, I find that strange.

Jasdip, that is exactly how it is with my tinnitus - it comes and goes. Sometimes it is louder than other times, and usually only in one ear. It is a pain sometimes to have very good hearing.

My husband and his siblings have it all of the time. Their hearing is not the best (if I am trying to get my husband's attention, I call the dog who always comes to Mommy).

I hope that you do not have to wait over a year for the MRI. Wait times in parts of Ontario seem to be getting increasingly longer and many basic things are no longer being covered, while coverage has been extended to cover more iffier health issues.

If it gets any colder you might have to shovel snow!

Did you get snow flurries yesterday?? It was very blustery and big flakes.

I spoke with the dr. office today and they expect to hear from the hospital, re: an app't in 2 weeks.

We'll be looking for an update in a few weeks!

I went for a hearing test today, the first one ever. It was kind of fun. My hearing is fine, nothing to worry about, but a little difficult hearing very high-pitched sounds. I hadn't noticed that. Today's test I had to pay for, but subsequent testing, recommended again in a couple of years will be free.

You should come to my little hospital for your MRI, you can schedule it one day and have it the next (providing the truck is there-Tuesday through Friday). This next statement is really really really not meant to bash, but I spoke in another thread about some Canadians on a cruise always trying to talk to us about how great your health care is, and how terrible ours is? I would consider waiting a year for an MRI malpractice. You could be dead before you got it.

Our healthcare is convenient, because every taxpayer covers the cost. It actually is expensive, when it's broken down, but there are no costs while in the hospital, or seeing a doctor.

Prescriptions are only covered while in the hospital, hence people think that our provincial healthcare plan (OHIP) is called Ontario Health Insurance Plan, but it's actually Ontario Hospitalization Insurance Plan. If you need life-saving medication in the hospital, it's paid for, but once you are home, it then comes out of your pocket. Think cancer and other critical medications. And they can run into thousands of dollars monthly. It's no secret that people are selling their homes to just be able to afford to live.

Yeah, I didn't know you pay full-price for your meds outside of the hospital--has it always been this way? Does Canada still have the ability to bargain well enough to keep the pharms from gouging? I'm envious of your system that covers everyone, no matter what one's situation is.

P.S. Jas, I like your new maple-leaf logo. :) Good for you!

American doctors order scans at the drop of a hat. Canadian docs order them immediately IF the situation is critical -- which Jasdip's is not. Jasdip is not waiting a year. What's it been, a month or six weeks? I've waited that long for an appointment for a scan.

In the US non-Seniors also pay for all meds out-of-pocket, in and out of hospital -- unless we have paid a tidy sum for insurance for hospitalization -- and for a drug plan.

When I was hospitalized for pneumonia for four days last spring, my Medicare insurance paid virtually everything -- care, facility, meds. When I was discharged, Medicare paid the bulk of follow-up visits to doctors, but all meds were 'on me'.

Americans without Medicare pay enormous insurance premiums to cover their care. As a Senior, with Medicare, I pay supplemental insurance premiums for care and for some relief for against the uncontrolled retail cost of meds.

ALL of us can go bankrupt on expensive meds, but Canada puts some ceilings on what Big Pharma can charge. (Not here.)

I just got a call. My app't is for June 30 at 4:30 in the morning.

Did you really mean 4:30 a.m.? (I hope not.)

dont sweat the MRI...its easy peasy...I sure hope they can give you a definitive answer!!

Please consider researching Chiari Malformation. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine when I was diagnosed with it.

jasdip - good luck with your MRI. You were lucky to be booked so soon as I am sure you will agree.

Re your hearing test in 2 years' time - check very close to your appointment time to make certain it will still be covered. Actually I am at the point of thinking I will never again receive a bone density test.

It used to be every 2 years, then it became 3 and now it is 5. There is talk about making it every 7 years. The sad thing is I called to confirm my booked appointment for the next day only to be told on arrival that the policy had changed. Since the day before? I sounded like the woman who a few years earlier had gone through the same thing. I was waiting for my mammo when she arrived for her bone density test only to be told it was now every 3 years instead of 2 years. She also asked when the policy had changed since she had also confirmed her appointment the day before.

It is also difficult in Canada that we need referrals to go to specialists.