If you are very claustrophobic, your doctor may give you a mild sedative, or your MRI may be scheduled with sedation. If so you will need to have someone drive you home after the test.
After the scan, you can resume normal activities immediately. But if you have had a sedative, a friend or relative will need to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. It's not safe to drive, operate heavy machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours after having a sedative.
Plan for this ahead of time by having someone either come with you or asking someone to pick you up once the procedure is complete. If the sedative wasn't part of the plan or you forgot to secure a ride beforehand, don't attempt to drive yourself home anyway. Call someone and wait for them to come get you.
In most cases, a family member or friend may enter the MRI room with you and stay with you throughout your exam. If the situation allows, they may even hold your hand or pat you on the knees so that you know that they are there with you.
All ferrous metals (ie stainless steel) must be removed prior to entering the MRI exam room. If you are aren't sure if your jewelry contains ferrous metals, you can use a magnet at home and test in on your own. If the magnet tries to “grab” the jewelry then it can not enter the exam room.
Ditch ALL the jewelry.
Loose metal objects can injure you during an MRI when they're pulled toward the very powerful MRI magnet. This means all jewelry has to come off, not only what you can see, and this includes belly-button or toe rings.
The MRI staff will ask you to remove jewellery as this can be pulled off by the strong magnetic field, possibly injuring you or damaging the scanner. You may wear a gold wedding band as it is not magnetic.
If you have to go to the bathroom, then go to the bathroom. On the other hand, do not go to the bathroom unless you must. There is a chance that you may be asked to drink some contrast material before the scan. You do not want this contrast material to mistakenly leave your body because you went to the bathroom.
For women, if possible, do not wear an underwire bra (the metal can throw off the magnetic field). Sports bras are usually good and we have hospital gowns to change into if necessary. The clasps on the back of a regular bra are not a problem, but avoid wearing bras that have metal parts on the straps.
You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.
Can a subject wear deodorant for an MRI scan? It is recommended to refrain from wearing any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or lotions on your underarms and chest area prior to the procedure. This is to prevent the possibility of localized burns because these items may have metal in them.
Generally, MRIs under anesthesia are performed under sedation, although sometimes they are performed under general anesthesia. Sedation is characterized as being in a state between relaxed and very sleepy, but not quite unconscious.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
Blankets. One of the oldest and most widely used comfort tactics is the use of blankets to keep patients warm during the MRI procedure. Some medical imaging centers even go the extra mile to warm the blankets before use. Blankets can provide warmth and help you not feel as vulnerable or exposed.
Things to remember
Unless you're told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don't use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel). Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including body piercings.
You need to wear loose & comfortable clothes and also carry a few extra for your MRI while having periods. This is to keep the second option in case the previous one gets stained. You need to use pads and not tampons or menstrual cups.
It's important that patients remove all clothing prior to their MRI exam. We ask patients to remove: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any undergarment that could have metal in it.
Some people have mild nausea, cramping, or diarrhoea from the contrast material injected ingested. This will usually pass after an hour or two.
After receiving MRI contrast
Drink plenty of water after the MRI scan to help your kidneys flush the contrast out from your body. If you become unwell during the day after your scan, go to your nearest emergency department or general practitioner (GP).
An open-bore MRI machine is open on both ends and enclosed by a tube-like bore; it offers a wide opening of approximately two feet. A conventional MRI is also open on both ends but has a smaller opening.
An MRI scan with contrast only occurs when your doctor orders and approves it. During the procedure, they'll inject the gadolinium-based dye into your arm intravenously. The contrast medium enhances the image quality and allows the radiologist more accuracy and confidence in their diagnosis.
The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.