I have had two, but only on my knees, so I was not rolled all th way into the machine. Where I go, you do have to wear a gown and they also give you earplugs. Not sure how I would do otherwise.

" That they exist mostly in strip malls makes me suspect too. "

Don't assume that this is true everywhere, because it's not. You're comment "mostly" is in conflict with what I've seen. I've been to two, both in "medical-professional" office buildings across the street from a hospital.

Many largish group medical offices have started locating in mall space - it's cheaper and more available than office space. Do you look down on those?

“Thanks all. A question. If I wear a sleeveless cotton tee and cotton shorts with a drawstring, will that be okay? No metal in anything. Or is it mandatory to wear a hospital gown?”

At a recent MRI I saw a man request not to change; for orthopedic reasons it was difficult for him. They were hesitant, but eventually let him after checking his clothes. Unless there’s a reason better than just not feeling like changing, I’d just go along with their protocol. You never kbow who can get in trouble when they allow favors.

One thing I never wear is a bra. They say it won't happen, but I don't want to risk getting impaled by bra hooks! I usually wear clothing with no metal at all...no rivets on jeans, no zippers, no bra, etc. But if they want you to change into something, I'm happy to. They should ask, but I'd tell them anyway now about my hip replacement. Any metal in your body is really important for them to know about.

One of the reasons they want you to put on a hospital gown is to make sure there's no metal in what you're wearing. Something as simple as a zipper or clasp in pants could cause a problem. Remember, the machine is operating a large and strong magnet. An all cotton, no metal outfit should be okay but the imaging center may have a strict policy, to avoid having to examine what a person is wearing.

I’d wear a gown if asked to do so. There are excellent reasons as described above. I would want the staff to be strict, actually, to keep everyone safe.

One time they gave me special undies to wear, which i couldnt understand. The tech said some men’s compression underwear has metal in it so now we all had to wear hospital undies. The next time I went I didnt have to do that. Strange.

The open MRI I use is in the hospital my GP is affiliated with.

Pretty rude of you to assume that a location in a strip mall would make a facility inferior, though. Those locations generally have a lower rent cost - and we have several Urgent Cares (also affiliated with local hospital/healthcare groups) in strip malls. My dentist is in a strip mall next to my favorite thrift store and across from my closest grocery store. His location doesn’t diminish his skills. lol

Just make sure you are comfortable before the test begins, and as others have said, use a mask or DO NOT open your eyes if you feel you are even slightly claustrophobic. Keep your mind busy, plan what you will do tomorrow, next week, etc. Don't think about what's going on. Actually, I've had a 2-3 MRI's and you do "go in" quite far even tho' it's on the lower part of the body. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine. Check back and let us know.

I've always worn my own clothes- I wear bras without metal (think "Ahh Bras") and elasticised waist pants.

I've had several, only some included my head. I closed my eyes through the whole experience, before I entered the tube, and tried some meditative techniques, like concentrating on my breath. No problems. (I wore hospital gowns).

So after a sleepless night I got up much earlier to do chores before the MRI. The cats were surprised I appeared earlier. I was just getting dressed to go when the phone rang and this person said the MRI machine broke so...Luckily I was able to reschedule for next Tuesday at my regular place. But I hate when that happens. You worry and then are relieved the day has come, and now have to do it all over again.

Dangit! I scrolled down to see how you fared. Drat that you didn't get it over with.

You keep them kitties on their paws! Mine is always shocked when I get out the vacuum, and so, I've learned to make it times that are all over the board. She's getting better at not dreading it.

I'm sorry you were disappointed. But really, it's nothing to worry about. It's imaging - they aren't going to be cutting on or hurting you!

If you are going next Tuesday we'll be having one the same day as each other, I'll be thinking of you.

Man that stinks! Sorry you couldn't get it over with today. Sorry they only have one MRI machine too. The place where I last got an MRI has the most in the country. 15 in one facility. It is NYC, so it figures. But it gave me piece of mind that if one was down, there were 14 others nearby.

Oh, for Heaven's Sake! This is much ado about *nothing*, as you will discover. Listen to your pals here who have had multiple MRI's. Be glad MRI's exist to *painlessly* guide your doctors.

It makes sense to wear their gown, not only to be sure you are metal-free, but some people are not as healthy/stable as you are and could require medical assistance -- or may not be correct about what they are wearing: Once an MRI tech said I didn't need to remove my shoes, neither of us realizing that mine had metal arch supports.

IF your doctor has ordered 'contrast', the tech will start an IV before sliding you in. After your first run they will slide you out to administer the little bit of dye before sliding you back in for a second round. Yes, the dye stings/feels hot for a few seconds; no biggie. You may 'taste' it briefly. Drink extra water after the test to flush this out.

You'll be fine. I hope your results are clear and useful.

Yeah there’s seriously nothing to be anxious about as far as the MRI itself goes. As far as whatever they’re testing for, that may be another issue. Good luck tomorrow.

I mostly agree with food but I want to carve out an exception for myself and perhaps others with a similar trait.

I have very wide shoulders and if I were to just lie on the sled, I wouldn't fit into the hole of conventional machines. I have to cross my arms across my chest as high as possible to scrunch in my shoulders, to get in. When I get in, I can relax them slightly, but it's a tight fit and does provide the feeling of being stuck in a pipe.

That was why I offered the comment above that the experience should be easy for someone with a slight build, different from people like me. I look like I have a yardstick under my shirt at shoulder height.

I just went to my portal, and it said MRI brain scan w wo contrast?

Look it up, you'll find lots of info. "Contrast" is used with x-ray imaging and CAT scans too.

DH has low kidney function so can't have contrast.

You've gotten a lot of good advice. I've had several MRIs and one thing I always do is let the tech know I'm a bit claustrophobic. I ask them to talk to me before any scanning, and then again between each scan. They've always done so. Usually they ask if I'm good, then say "this scan will last x minutes". It helps to have some idea of how long the scan will last, and to have contact on a regular basis.

Follow rules, friends!

https://pix11.com/news/local-news/long-island/man-sucked-into-mri-machine-while-wearing-metal-chain-on-li-ncpd/

That story is an example to demonstrate that even events that have a most remote likelihood of happening, possible but most unlikely, sometimes do happen.

The MRI facilities I've been to all treated access to the room with the machine with the same seriousness as would a bank vault guard holding an assault rifle. Questions regarding metals and other safety points seem to be asked repeatedly before access is granted.

Anything can happen.

Access wasn’t granted.

Here's an idea...lock the door!

Food, you little sickie.

I saw that yesterday or the day before and I thought of Lily so I did not post it because she already seems nervous and I didn’t want her to worry about somebody flying into the machine with her, crashing and dying on top of her.

Then I read about the guy in India, who was carrying a steel oxygen cylinder for a relative and got sucked into a machine, and the valve on the oxygen tank broke and he was a mess and he also died of oxygen saturation or some sort of over exposure to oxygen .

In the case in Long Island with the guy with the metal chain around his neck. Now there is a lawsuit coming I’m sure because who knows where this guy came from but you would think that very strict procedures would be in place. They could have a automatic locking door so that even when the magnets were turned on that three minutes or one minute, whatever so many seconds before the magnets in the machine were turned on or the machine was turned on even if nobody was in it, the door would automatically lock And prevent anybody from walking in.

Who knows where that poor man came from that he happened to wander into that room. Was he lost? Did he not speak or read English? Was he confused? Maybe he thought he had the right room and got the wrong room but honestly, nobody should be allowed to open the door and gain entrance when the machine is on.

The article did not say whether or not there was a patient being scanned in the machine with the man, entered the room and was pulled into the machine. In in the case in India, you would think that maybe the magnets would just yank the oxygen cylinder so robustly that it would leave the man’s hands, but apparently it didn’t and it pulled him into the machine so it seems to happen quickly. But anything can happen at any time and that’s why it’s good to have an imagination that can entertain possibilities that might seem remote, but they could happen. Take them into account when you’re designing or operating this sort of equipment. It shouldn’t be up to patients of course or or somebody who happens to get the wrong door.

I remember years ago reading about some accident. I believe it involved a diagnostic x-ray unit where part of the machine was being lower down onto the patient and didn’t stop. Squish.

These are rare incidents. By large are they are incredibly safe machines and add so much diagnostic information. It may be scary for some people because it is a little futuristic appearing and people are not familiar with it.

People can be killed by doing something as mundane as walking on a sidewalk

Now we can start a new thread of all the bizarre ways people end up being killed unexpectedly. (Did you hear the one about …)

Yeah I have no idea if the doors normally lock as I’ve neither tried nor asked. It would seem reasonable for them to lock though.

" Access wasn’t granted. "

I didn't suggest it was. See my comment regarding guards for a vault door.

Access may not have been granted, it also seemingly wasn't protected/prevented.

Hi Lily, I have had soooo many MRIs I have lost count. Over the years I have developed a method that works for me. Depending onthe part of the body being scanned determines how far you will go in the machine. I once was placed feet first for a scan of my lower back. The key to me is to keep your eyes closed. I have even refused to look at the machine walking in the door. (I can look now.) The technicians are quite understanging about peoples’ fears. They position you well and want to make sure you are comfortable as possible. They use pillows and towels for comfort. You will be strapped in as it’s important not to move. Select soothing music at the volume you want. Nothing drones out the banging of the machine, but it does go at different levels amd patterns. They will give you a switch to push if you need to stop the test. You’re in control. Don’t wear any metal and sometimes they will have you change. Depends on the body part. Remember, eyes, deep breathes. Hopes this helps. Good luck, you can do it.

debra

I had one 2 weeks ago, but during the course of my life (80 yrs), I have had quite a few. My advice is close your eyes and don't open them until the machine is finished. Always works for me.

Here is what I saw last night about the MRI incident. The man’s wife had an MRI on her knee and was still in the room and requested he be brought in.

‘Recalling the incident that led to his death, the grieving wife said that after an MRI on her knee, she asked the technician to retrieve her husband to help her get up. She said he was let into the room, despite the fact that he was wearing a 20-lb. chain on his neck.

“In that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in, and he hit the MRI," ‘

So unfortunately proper safety procedures apparently were not followed by the technician. At least that’s what it sounds like to me. The machine should have been turned off, he should not have been allowed in until that happened, and he should have been asked, no matter what, to remove all metal.

A 20 pound chain on his neck? Really?

Gosh I didn’t see he died when I posted that!

Elmer, the updated article says he wore it for weight training.

I have no need to go back to search for it but in a way, that leaves an understanding of what happened unanswered. It doesn't make sense to me. Maybe the weight training I know of and do is less sophisticated.

Today's the day, isn't it? Let us know how it goes! I'm thinking of you.

I'm up and about to shower getting ready for my own, Lily. I'm keeping you in my thoughts, hoping you have an easy experience. I'm not nervous at all, only mildly anxious about finding the right clinic since I've never been to this one. They called yesterday and said if I wear all pull on type things with no zippers or metal I won't have to change - otherwise they will have a gown for me. I don't expect to get lost 😊 No food for 4 hours prior, only water. Its an hour away but was told directly across from the ER entrance of a hospital I'm familiar with.

You'll be done before me I'm sure. My clinic I'm going to is an hour away and check in time 3:40 PM. West coast time. I'll look for a report from you when I get back here. Best wishes! Take deep slow breaths and its going to go well for you!

I hope it went wonderfully, Lily, and that everything is as it should be. Yay, it’s over.

Yes, it's over and I survived but its been a bad few days. I have a sick cat and $1000 later, I still have no diagnosis. Then our three landline phones went dead but strangely a fourth one was working. After a day, we unpluged the base and and that fixed it At the exact same time our router went and we had no internet of course on the desktop and our phones. and iPads. Verizon FIOS sent us a new one which we just received.

I still was fretting about the MRI, but it was at the familiar mammogram place, just down a different corridor. I had a nice young man, and he gave me scrubs to wear. I was wearing a cotton tee and linen drawstring shorts, but there are rivets at the cord. First time ever wearing scrubs. Since I had my Birkies on, the metal buckle would be a problem, and he gave me slippers. I listened to all of you and kept my eyes closed. He asked if I wanted a washcloth over my eyes, but I said no. He asked what music to play, and I said 60s oldies, which mostly I couldn't hear because of the noise. It was quite loud. They did 18 minutes, then injected me in my left arm for the scan with fluid. That was eight minutes long. I had zero after effects and didn't have metallic taste in my mouth. He told me to drink some extra liquids.

So sorry about the 'problems' when you got home, but so happy to hear that all went well with the MRI (well, hope you get the results soon).

I'm so glad it went well for you! Was fine for me too, although I did decline the blanket i was offered. No issues with the contrast agent, but I'd told at least three of them that I do not take iodine based contrast with my funky thyroid. The woman at the desk today told me that could be why I was having MRI for what is usually done CT with iodine. What ever they gave me was said to be 'organic', felt cold, no taste or side effects at all after being injected.

I wore my own clothes. I could not hear hear the music from the ear phones. I lost track of how many time i was told to take in a deep breath and 'hold it', not breathing or moving. i won't have a diagnosis before Aug 1 and am not expecting entirely good news, but am prepared for it - and will manage fine 😊

I bought a hot dog from 5 Guys Burgers when finished - I was hungry!

DH is having back issues so ortho wants him to get an MRI. Then I remembered he'd had clips put in after a serious areterial bleed post polyp removal during a colonoscopy. So now he needs a screening x-ray to see if any of the clips are still present...otherwise and MRI could cause serious if not fatal injury.

I think when they put metal into to patients, they try to use non-ferrous materials.

Annie, do you know what the clips were composed of? metal? If so, wouldnt they still be there?

I hope your DH gets some relief soon. Spinal pain can be wicked.

Lily, glad your MRI went well. (Odd about the metal rivets on the scrubs.)

I hope your cat is okay, even if your wallet isn’t.

They put titanium plates in my neck when I had a discectomy/fusion. Titanium is not magnetic. Annies husband's clips were in his colon so he might have passed them if they came loose at some point.

Petalique. The metal rivets on the drawstring were on my shorts, which is why I wore scrubs.

My husband will have a problem if he needs an MRI because he has metal screws in both wrists from breaking both arms, falling off a tall ladder trimming a tree.

You would think they'd make screws out of titanium just to avoid future issues. SMH

They do make screws out of titanium and use them if they expect the implant to be permanent but they use surgical stainless steel sometimes if they expect the implants to be removed after the bones are healed completely.

I'm not surprised that Lily did fine and am happy the 'looking' part is over. I hope the results will assist her doctor -- and that the problem is easily remedied.

morz -- I hope your news is better than you anticipate!

I'm feeling very out-of-the-loop. Who knew people 'weight train' by wearing heavy chains? These are not your -- my -- everyday folks.