How safe is getting an MRI?

[CTyankee]

My gastro doc wants me to have one but hubby and I won't go near a hospital or medical facility until after the pandemic is over.

I've had one before and I remember being in that "bed" for a long time. Is that a problem? Hubby will not get out of the car after he lets me out at the hospital. It's an underground garage and I can't see him sitting in a dark car for as long as I know an MRI takes from beginning to end. You have to get there at dawn if you don't want to be waiting for a long time in the waiting room (which is always jammed full of people).

Doc is going to wait for a couple of months to see if things calm down.

He says I can always decline to take one. He says that it is usually not a cancerous situation but because it is on my pancreas they like to check it anyway.

[DrToast]

1. Should be pretty safe, but nothing is risk-free

The MRI part at least should be pretty safe. A lot of medical offices will let you check in and wait in your car to be called back. See if they'll do that.

Once you get back into the room, there's usually just one technician.

If it can wait, go ahead and wait, but it's probably fairly safe.

[irisblue]

19. Technologist, we are Technologists.

Training, degrees, credentialed by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists registered by American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

We tend to work in pairs, one technologist to assist& position the patient, the other technologist to set the machine parameters.

[DrToast]

23. Well, I can only speak from my experience

The last two times I had an MRI, there was only one technologist (my apologies!). But I guess it could be different elsewhere.

[mitch96]

31. Amazing!! another fellow MRI tech on the DU!!! Good show!! nt

[CTyankee]

36. Oh, I have nothing but praise for the staffing. I've had them before and they're wonderful.

I think my doc was making a reference to the amount of time I was in there.

Matter of fact, I shoulda asked him a few more questions...

[Hermit-The-Prog]

60. Does that mean you won't accept Mad Monster Magnet Wizard?

[LAS14]

2. I would get it. You don't want to play around with even...

... the remotest possibility of pancreatic cancer. Tell hubby to bring a flashlight and read. In an MRI gadget you'll certainly be 6 feet from everyone and well protected.

[LuvNewcastle]

30. I agree.

You don't want to mess around when it comes to problems with the pancreas. If there's anything wrong, you have to catch it early. If it's too late, that's all she wrote.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

34. Ask for an "open" MRI.

If that's not possible and you are at all claustrophobic, ask your MD for something to ease your anxiety. I usually take a washcloth, dampen it and put it over my eyes, that way I don't open them during the testing.

Also, it depends on WHAT they're looking at as to how long the MRI lasts.

But inasmuch as this is your pancreas we're talking about here, please consider this: Pancreatic cancer goes undetected for long periods of time as other possible medical issues and conditions are ruled out. All too often by the time it is detected, most patients have had it for 10-12, as long as 15 years before diagnosis.

Please don't wait too long.

[CTyankee]

40. My gastro is aware of all that you said and he knows I am 80 years old so I think he knows the

risk/benefit equation. I do not question that.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

45. All the best to you.

Take care. Let us know how you are, ok ?

[Sgent]

58. It depends on the MRI in question

but open MRI's give a poorer image than regular ones, so unless there is some reason you can't put up with a regular one (after a couple of Xanax) its usually better to get the closed style. It may be less an issue in different situations, but I would seek the opinion of a radiologist rather than the ordering doctor.

[uponit7771]

39. THIS !!!

[drray23]

3. It's safe. Just magnetic resonance imaging.

They put you in a varying magnetic field and measure small signals given out by the protons in your body. It does not involve radiation.
The biggest problem people have is that you have to stay perfectly still for 45 min to an hour. You are usually on your back and its pretty tight. People who are claustrophobic may have issues. They give you a button to push if you freak out.

[DrToast]

7. Not what they're asking about.

[ooky]

48. They didn't give me a button. I had to yell to get out.

It's the closest thing to being buried alive I know of. The last time my doctor wanted me to do an MRI I talked him into a CT scan instead.

[HarlanPepper]

4. May I ask a practical question?

Your/his doctor apparently thinks it’s safe. Why would you consider the advice of someone here who lacks credentials of any kind over the opinion of a verified medical professional? There are a number of wannabe pseudo experts posting here.id go with the actual doctor.

[drray23]

9. I already answered and I happen to be an expert.

I am a nuclear physicist who worked and designed medical gantries and mri magnets. Its indeed safe. As I said above the biggest problem people have is claustrophobia.

[leftieNanner]

17. I'm not claustrophobic, but

I had a brain MRI and not only do they put you in the tube, they lock your head in a cage. THEN I had claustrophobia! Just closed my eyes and kept them closed for the entire test. Unfortunately, they pulled me out and injected me with dye or something and then shoved me back into the tube.

GAAAAAAAA!

Somehow I survived!

[Orrex]

24. If you're really a nuclear physicist as you claim...

Can you hook me up with some of those sweet hulk-inducing gamma rays?

[jimfields33]

5. Are you able to keep the ailment under control without it?

Id get it done if medically you are going to be worse. It’s a risk but if it makes it worse.

[CTyankee]

49. Yes. And I have already, just by not drinking any alcohol.

And I have a recent blood test which shows normal liver functioning. Given that, the doc is fairly sure I am healthy. Given my advanced age, "long term" is not what we are looking at.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Not sure what you mean by "safe" but there's no radiation or anything...

Can't blame anyone for avoiding a trip to a hospital right now. Hell, I'm postponing a couple of visits myself for low priority appointments.

Haven't heard of any adverse reactions to MRI beyond claustrophobia, though my VA hospital got at least one new machine that was a bit bigger and roomier a couple of years ago. They do take a while, that's true. Unless you have some kind of metal implant I can't see why there would be a problem.

[tblue37]

27. I think it's the potential corona virus exposure that concerns her. nt

[Blue_true]

55. That is how I read it. nt

[flamingdem]

8. I had one of those

It was worth doing since there was no evidence of continuing problems. It was painless but I recommend bringing good foam earplugs. They'll probably have some but they might not be of great quality.

Also of course take off any jewelry!

[DrToast]

10. You can tell who just read the thread title and who actually read the post!

[Iggo]

25. Right?

[Ace Rothstein]

11. The pancreas is nothing to mess with.

I'd go tomorrow if they wanted to do a MRI on my pancreas.

[captain queeg]

12. Some people get pretty uptight in the confined space

I can’t remember which is worse, MRI or cat scan, one of those are pretty tight. Didn’t really bother me but if it does they’ll give you something like Valium. But you’ll need a ride home.

[leftieNanner]

18. MRI is the bad one

I just closed my eyes and kept them closed!

[zipplewrath]

41. Waking up in your own coffin

First one I ever had I wasn't paying much attention and just laid down and closed my eyes. I was tired and kept them closed while they inserted me. They asked me a question and I opened my eyes and my nose was about an inch from the tube. I panicked and had them pull me out. I took a moment to calm myself down and then asked for a small towel. I put it over my eyes and had them put me back in. It took about 5 minutes but I managed to calm myself down and get through the test. The tech said he had never seen someone as panicked as I was actually able to get through it.

[leftieNanner]

50. It's rough!

I had a brain MRI where they lock your head in a cage as well as the tube. Panic city!

[mitch96]

32. the MRI to some people is worse.. The CT is a quick and dirty slam bam thank you mam...

The physics dictate the closer the body part is to the coil the better the pic's.. ergo the tight tube claustrophobic environment....
m

[Voltaire2]

62. I'm apparently suffering from anti-claustrophobia

I've had several MRI's and for me time passes quickly and the experience is restful and meditative, despite the banging

[zipplewrath]

66. The banging actually helped me

It gave a echo effect that made me subconsciously feel I was in a large open space. But you sound like my spouse. She falls asleep.

[Horse with no Name]

13. Most facilities are very safe

Most medical facilities are taking this very seriously.
The good thing is that the newer machines scan in a lot less time than they used to. You can always ask for a 3T machine because it has a larger bore which is better for those that are claustrophobic.
Take care and good luck! You should do this!!

[MicaelS]

14. Pretty safe, just had one about 3 months ago.

Some tips:

(1) if you have metal implants tell them.
(2) Leave all jewelry at home.
(3) Bring some earplugs, in case they are not equipped. MRI are loud. Mine gave me earplugs AND over the ear protectors.
(4) If you are the least bit claustrophobic, take something to help you relax. MRI are like laying in a coffin.
Keep your eyes closed at all times until you are through and they bring you out. And a sleep mask would be nice as long as no metal.
(5) It will take 20-45 minutes depending on what is being done. Go to the bathroom before.
(6) Relax, relax, relax.....

[Dan]

37. Had one for my pancreas was an hour +.

[csziggy]

63. Your 1) Change to ANY implants!

I had an MRI six months after having a replacement aortic valve put in. The card my cardiologist gave me had a website with specific settings for the MRI. Apparently the sheath around the new valve can react if the settings are not correct. The technologists spent nearly a half hour reviewing the information on the manufacturer's web site and the settings on their MRI - almost as long as the procedure took!

[csziggy]

15. See if there are other facilities that can do the MRI

Here, there is a company that does all sorts of imaging - X-rays, mammograms, CT, MRI, etc. They have a standalone clinic that only does testing. Back in 1993, when I got my first my MRI, their MRI was in a trailer on its own and I didn't have to go into the old clinic.

The other place I have gotten an MRI was at the orthopedic clinic. They have their own, and I've had my shoulder and my back scanned there. The MRI waiting room is separate from the orthopedic waiting rooms and there is a separate entrance for it.

This is a relatively small town so if you are in a good sized town or city you may be able to find a place that would be less likely to expose you to Covid-19.

PLEASE get tested as soon as possible. Pancreatic cancer is nothing to take a chance on. I've known several people who died because they had no symptoms or because the symptoms they had were discounted.

I am a survivor of kidney cancer because it was caught early purely by accident, so I won't take a chance if there is any indication of a problem that could be determined early.

Best wishes!

[CTyankee]

42. My facility would be Yale-New Haven Hospital. It is one of the best in the country.

He explained to me the kind of cyst that I have. And he says the odds are very small that it is cancerous. However, he is offering these options, with his informed opinion, on what I can do.

[csziggy]

44. Ok - I would probably go ahead and do it

But with my medical history, I don't take chances.

Then again, your doctor knows you, knows your history, and knows the odds, so he is probably right. It just worries me when anyone takes a chance with their internal organs, especially those that can hide cancer for years.

Good luck and I will be sending best wishes.

[cwydro]

16. Why would hubby have to sit in the dark garage?

Why can’t he drop you off and come back when you text him?

That makes no sense at all to me.

[The empressof all]

20. I think its fairly safe.

You can certainly ask about their disinfecting process but as long as they disinfect and wait the appropriate amount of time for the disinfectant to work you should be fine. I always worry that people think a swipe of a Clorox wipe is doing the job but most disinfectants need time to actually sit on the surface to thoroughly clean. If you read the label of what ever product you use at home it will tell you how long it needs to stay on the surface before you wipe it away.

It's scary, isn't it to go into a medical office. I've seen people break plastic hangers to use the hook as a tool to open doors and the flat end to push elevator buttons. Areas of common touch are especially worrisome to me. You should be able to wear your mask during the procedure. Keep hand sanitizer available and of course wash your hands asap afterwards.

My daughter had a similar procedure done at a hospital a few weeks ago at the highpoint of the crisis there. She's ok.

[Brother Buzz]

21. Unfortunately I've had more MRIs than I care to remember

In ALL cases, I was the only patient in the facility, and only encountered two people: The intake receptionist and the MRI technician. Quiet operation in the hospital with it's own separate entrance. If they are wearing M-95 masks and practice safe wiping hygiene, I would not have much of a concern.

But that's just me.

[CTyankee]

47. Thanks. It was the check in station where we had the longest wait when I went for one before.

This was way before the corona virus of course. The waiting area was jammed with people. I know they can't have it that way now...

[spanone]

22. Here's a website, I've had a couple and it's no big deal.

It's not radiation it's magnetism....there are pics of the machine too.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146309

[Iggo]

26. How much am I in danger of catching "The 'Rona" if I go to the hospital for an MRI?

...would be a better title for this thread.

[nolabear]

28. Nothing wrong with asking your doc and the hospital what precautions they're taking.

Have they opened back up for elective surgeries? where is the MRI room and how do you access it? I imagine many people are asking about safety.

And yeah, I read the whole thing.

[morillon]

29. Ask your doc about using Hibiclens beforehand

I've had a lot of MRIs and CT scans. The perception of how long it takes is always longer than it actually was, if that makes any sense. It FEELS like forever when you can't move.

The one thing I'd be concerned about at the moment is catching something from going into any health facility.

If I had to get one right now, I'd have a good talk with the doctor & the people running the facility to see what THEY are doing from an infection control standpoint. I'd make sure to register/check in beforehand over the phone or online, & I'd wait in the car until I could be taken straight back to the MRI room. No sitting in the waiting room.

But one thing you might ask is if it's okay if you shower with Hibiclens before you leave to go there & again when you get home. Every time I've had surgery, my docs have had me scrub up** with that beforehand. It gets rid of germs on your skin & supposedly keeps on getting rid of them for a number of hours afterward. I never got even the slightest infection from surgery when I was doing that, & I had 3 big procedures that year, some of them while severely immunocompromised.

**From head to toe, excluding the face and the naughty bits. You don't want Hibiclens there.

[CTyankee]

43. I will certainly ask about the Hibiclens. Good idea.

[ornotna]

33. My job takes me to hospitals on occasion

4 times in that last 3 weeks in fact. Everyone going in is screened and the only time I didn't see masks being worn was in the cafeteria when they sat down to eat. I've never seen so many hand sanitizer dispensers, they were everywhere. I felt safe going there.

[keithbvadu2]

35. Take ear plugs - noisy

Clicks and clunks.

They may or may not have some for you.

[dflprincess]

38. Odds are they wouldn't let your husband in the hospital anyway.

At least in my area (Minneapolis) hospitals are not allowing visitors or letting some one sit in a waiting room when a person is having a procedure.

I would not worry about going to the hospital now, I'm sure they have protocols in place to keep both patients and personnel safe.

[nilesobek]

46. Bring or request earplugs. The clanging sounds are extreme.

[Jirel]

51. Depends where you are.

In NYC and such, moderately risky though facilities have good precautions in place. In my area, not quite rural and 45 minutes away from a major city, I wouldn’t think twice about getting one. In between, I wouldn’t worry most places unless you’re planning on breaking good protocols.

[rsdsharp]

52. I understand your reluctance to go to

the hospital. I share your position. For nearly two months I’ve been fighting a persistent leg infection which required six days in the hospital just before all hell broke loose. Despite weeks of oral an IM antibiotics, it hangs in.

That said, where I am, the waiting rooms at my Dr’s office and at urgent care are deserted. In fact, at urgent care you must now have an appointment and you are called as to when you can enter the building. Then you are escorted to treatment room; no one goes into the waiting room.

So while I’d still be leery, crowded waiting rooms may not be a problem.

[pansypoo53219]

53. my aunt just got a MRI for an ear thing.

[Blue_true]

54. The MRI for that part of your body is important.

I doubt that a competent Doctor would schedule such a test for you unless he or she was seriously concerned about something in your labs or symptoms that you are reporting.

Your husband can drop you off and go back home. You can call him once you are out of the MRI, just let people at the Imaging Lab know that you or one of them need to make the call.

[LeftInTX]

56. There is going to be limited human contact with an MRI

Keep in mind that many facilities are often super busy under normal circumstances, but the waiting room will not be full. Also you will wait in your car and they will call you or come out to your car when it is your turn to have your MRI.

(In other words, your car will be the waiting room)

[kcr]

57. I was recently in the hospital for 4 days. MRI was part of the package.

When they wheeled me down for the MRI it was the quietest part of the hospital. No one was there except for the two technologists (just learned that term in this thread!) That pretty much the case for every test except one that needed anesthesia. I was very nervous about having to be admitted to the hospital in an emergency situation. But, everyone was wonderful the whole time and it put me at ease as far as worrying about the coronavirus. They are heroes. I live in a Covid hotspot, so I was expecting chaos, and it really wasn't like that at all. I know every situation isn't going to be the same for everyone everywhere, but hope my story helps somewhat, knowing that even in the most hectic hospital settings, it can be ok. I hope that whatever you decide, all goes well for you.

[sakabatou]

59. I've had several MRIs since Dec. '06.

They're safe.

[CTyankee]

64. I, too, have had one in the recent past but never under these circumstances. I know the

actual procedure is safe, tho.

I am not sure as to what the hospitals doing these outpatient procedures are employing to ensure safety of all concerned. My guess is that the medical staffs are in masks and face shields but what about the patients? We can and would use our masks but is that enough?

[sakabatou]

65. I'm pretty sure the staff would be wearing masks

[TheBlackAdder]

61. Aside from taking all of your molecules and snapping their alignment a thousand times, not bad.

.

But seriously, it's not bad and hundreds of times healthier than a CT Scan.

Just don't get duped into taking an open-air MRI, they aren't as sharp as the tube one, but cost nearly the same.

.