Please describe your breast MRI

CeciliaVera

Greetings!  I have a breast MRI coming up on Monday and I would like to know as much as possible about what to expect.  I am claustrophobic, so they have given me a prescription to take so that I can slide into that tube without flipping out.  I know I'll be lying on my stomach.  How long does it take?  What's it like?  Is it just the one breast or will they check the "good" one, too?  Are results immediate?  (I have an appt with my surgeon the next day, so I suppose I won't be waiting too, too long.) Thanks in advance!

PS I didn't have an MRI with my original dx (LESS than a year ago) because I had my period at the time and it can't be done during that point in the cycle.  I had a BSGI (breast-specific gamete imaging) instead.

Janett2014

Mine was in January, and it was not bad at all. I am somewhat claustrophobic, but it didn't bother me at all. Being on your stomach helps, and they put me in feet first. I don't know how far from the end of the tube I was because I didn't lift my head up to look, but I told myself that my head was right at the end! I had headphones with music, and the technician's voice would interrupt the music, and she would tell me every step which helped a lot. She would say something like,"OK, this part will take three minutes. You have to be very still during that time and you'll hear some loud clicks, but I will tell you when it's over so you can wiggle a bit." I would concentrate on the music and lyrics of one song, and then it would be over. That happened several times: 2 minutes, 4 or 5 minutes, whatever, with 2-5 minutes in between those times for her to set up the next part. She would also ask me periodically how I was doing, and they gave me a  little bulb thing to hold. If I really needed them to stop and get me out of there, I was to squeeze that bulb. Just having that control made me feel much better, and I never felt the need to "sound the alarm!" Toward the end she also told me that I would get a cold feeling in my hand (IV site) and a metallic taste in my mouth for a few seconds. It was SO helpful to be talked through every step!

I'll try to answer your other questions now. The total time for the test was about 50 minutes, but it really didn't seem that long because they kind of "kept me busy." Prior to the MRI, I had only had an issue in one breast, but they did the MRI on both. Thank goodness for that because something showed up on the other side too. We would not have known about it otherwise. I think the results took a few days, but that will vary depending on the facility.

You will do great. Let us know how it goes!

Anonymous

I've had several MRIs: breast, two brain MRIs, one spine.  If you've had a CT, they are similar, but take much longer.  If you've been prescribed something to relax you - TAKE IT. It works (if they prescribe enough). 

If you've had any other MRIs, they're all similar.  Two of my four had "contrast" material (one brain plus breast).  It was much like Janett described.  You will take the relaxing medicine before you even start.  Then you will get an IV line started before you lie down. My own machine was a bit "upright" (unlike my other MRIs).  I had an "open" brain MRI and "open" spine (I have a bit of claustrophobia). Frankly, I don't think they help at all, AND the results are not as good.  I can't remember the specifics about how I got into my breast MRI, but it was slanted up, like and MRI machine turned sideways.  My head was completely out.  I felt like I was feet first into an "ice cream cone."  

My MRIs have been anywhere from maybe 30-45 minutes up to a total of 1.5 hours.  But, if you have a closed machine, as Janett said, the techs will talk to you, they will either hear you of you can squeeze something to notify them.  It is truly not a problem.  If you have claustrophobia (and people have varying levels of course), what helped me was to realize that I was far from "trapped."  I could get out whenever I wanted. But I WANTED to be here.  I CHOSE to do this and I want GOOD results.  One of my brain MRIs, my neurologist gave me GOOD relaxation meds and I couldn't have cared less about any of it.

The technicians are not legally allowed to tell you what is on the images. They are radiographers not radiologists (MDs).  But the results CAN get to your doc by the next day, if that's why he/she made the appointment in the first place.  Yes, they will look at both breasts. My MRI found a 2nd tumor in the same breast the day before my surgery.  I'd already decided on a mastectomy, but that would have been very luck for me if I'd decided on only a lumpectomy.

Piece of cake. Really.  And then you can treat yourself to a piece of cake afterward if you want! 

 

Sunshineinky

My MRI had me on my stomach.  It was an ackward position because it was like having a mammogram laying on your belly.  I had an IV, once the fluid came it it actually felt like I had peed my pants because I had a really warm sensation which caught me VERY off guard.  Mine took about an hour, I had to periodically hold my breath.  Good luck to you!

CeciliaVera

Thanks for these replies and all the info!  As far as lying on my belly goes, I have had a stereotactic biopsy and stereotactic wire localization, but never any sort of MRI.  I feel much better knowing more about what to expect on Monday.  Thanks!

MBLizzy

I am claustrophobic also.  I had never had an MRI before (refused one once/unrelated to bc).  I took something for my nerves before hand (I have never taken anything before for anxiety).  I was also on my stomach with my hands rasied above my head.  I took about an hour.  The first time I was slide in the machine, I freaked out a bit and made them pull me out.  The nurses tried to reassureme and said it was my choice to try again.  I agreed to try again, and I did fine.  They said sometimes being pulled out once gives enough reassurance to get through the test. 

RMlulu

Cecilia - I think the MRI is much easier than the stereotactic biopsy...seriously!  I've had 4 breast MRIs and it was a breeze...I think the IV is the part I hate...the staff was thoughtful and respectful.  Lay on your stomach with your chest raised onto a elevated platform with an opening for your breasts and a place for your head.  I wrap my arms around and just sort of zone out..my eyes are close and I listen to music...staff tells what is going to happen and how long...the sounds are odd...whoever thought of using sound to get image of breast?...I've never opened my eyes so I really don't know anything about going into the tube...it really is ok...you can taste the contrast and feel some warmth...but I just think please find out the truth of my breast situation...staff asks repeated are you okay...but I did not find it frightening...it was like taking a nap with funky sounds in the background of my playlist of breathing and relaxing comforting zone out music...ocean waves:)))  really much less stress than a girl mashed as Dr places tube in for biopsy and you hear the click of each...that took the same amount of time...give me the MRI anytime...no pain or after discomfort.

Best Wishes for calm confident peaceful zoned out thoughts on Monday!

(((Hugs)))

Cindy

Staple

It wasn't bad.  I was on my stomach and facing outward.  When you lift your head up you were looking out the tube so I didn't find it as claustrophobic as it would be facing upward. 

RMlulu

Staple - yeah!  Good for you...I never opened my eyes, but I remember thinking I never felt confined.

Here's to good info!

JSwan

I have had six breast MRIs (with number seven coming up in October) so I am something of a pro.  From the time I change into the lovely hospital jammies to walking out the door with the complementary water bottle takes roughly an hour but I am only in the machine for about thirty minutes.  I just shut my eyes, zone out and savor being out of contact with the outside world.  The one piece of advice I have is to ask for or bring earplugs because these things are LOUD.  For my first MRI I asked for music through headphones thinking that would be relaxing but I couldn't hear the music over the clanging and the headphones slipped off about five minutes into the procedure anyway.

Best of luck on Monday.  

ilovepugs

Hi Cecilia,

My experience was very much like Janett2014, she described the scenario very well.

I had an MRI on Tuesday and I am mildly claustrophobic. I was somewhat nervous about not getting a prescription for a sedative prior to the appointment as offered by my doctor. I was relatively calm until the technician put the ear plugs in my ears, which triggered my anxiety. I thought I wasn't going to be able to go through with it, however; the tech was supportive and calm and told me to take a moment and a few deep breaths. So instead of having both ear plugs and headphones I wore just the headphones and the music helped to calm me down. That being said, the noises the MRI makes are very loud and the music was inaudible while the machine was functioning, but there are breaks in the noise while the techs set up each sequence of imaging. My entire session was 25 minutes. 

Regarding the time frame for results, when I was back at the same hospital on Friday (3 days after MRI) for a stereotactic biopsy, the tech advised me that I would be having another ultrasound prior to the biopsy because of the 'enhancements' that were seen on the MRI. I don't know how long it takes for those results to be made available to my doctors. 

Best of luck to you on Monday. You're sure to be much more relaxed if you take the sedatives prior to your appointment! Also, it doesn't hurt to give yourself a pep talk prior to and loads of reassurance during the procedure! 

Zillsnot4me

It is very noisy. Reminds me of my kids beating pots and pans. My boss said it reminded her of trains and she actually napped! She also grew up near the tracks. 

Good luck!

Hopeful82014

I've got one coming up on Friday aftn. I've had an MRI of the spine and it wasn't bad in the least. My biggest concern about the breast MRI (other than the results) has to do with lying still for so long and the sheer boredom of it all. Wish they had books on tape to listen to also!

Hopeful82014

Update - once I got situated on the machine it was a piece of cake. It didn't feel as though I was in the tube (and, in fact, I wasn't that far in) - I felt as though if I DID look up, I'd see the room. The contrast was a bit cold at first, then warming - an odd feeling but not uncomfortable. The procedure itself was only about 40 minutes - the rest was set-up. I didn't take anything before hand and it would have been overkill to do so. I had a couple of warm blankets and after the contrast really could have used a couple more - there was a cool draft in the room but that was the worst of it.

It's REALLY nothing to worry about.

jeanelle

My experience was like everyone else.  I am not claustraphobic.  However, I am extremely sensitive to motion sickness and I got very nauseous due to the vibrations.  I wish someone would have warned me about that! 

Hopeful82014

Wow - you must be sensitive! I noticed motion as the bed was moved and a couple of adjustments were made to the arm rests but no vibrations. That's an interesting experience. 

I hope you're doing well post-surgery.

jeanelle

Hopeful - I am pretty sensitive to it and it seems to get worse the older I get.  The tech did say that it does happen sometimes and warned me about the vibrations.  I guess it screws with the fluid in your inner ear.  Next time I'll just know to expect it and possible take something for it before hand.  It didn't last long after it was over.  I just needed to sit for a bit longer than other people.  

Tedi15

can yiu tell me a little about  your breast reconstruction. When permanent implant went in was it more comfortable than tissue enhances?

Tedi15

they piped in music and it helped.  I asked for James Taylor....relaxing.  Helps with all the noise. 

angelia50

my main complaint was from where I had to lay my face in that little holder of sorts, my forehead felt as if I had been laying on concrete and I didn't have music.  I tried to match songs in my had with the sounds or just anything to relax my mind. I dont' see why they can't reduce that sound, that bothered me more than the laying there did.

Trvler

I just went for my first MRI this am. I am very claustrophobic but I thought I would be fine because they told me the face opening is like a massage table. Well, it is. But there is a lot less open space directly under and I freaked out because I felt like I wouldn't get any air (although I know that's in my mind). I didn't take a Xanex. The tech really hurt me trying to get a vein, too. So I had to reschedule.

Larkspur

I had my first breast MRI earlier this week in advance of DCIS surgery on my right boob next Wednesday, and I can confirm what others have said here: being on your stomach is easier than on your back if you're claustrophobic, as I am. I took a precautionary Xanax about half an hour before the MRI, which definitely helped. I lay there listening to all the bangs and bongs and pretended that I was attending an experimental music concert while mildly stoned. I also had a "panic button" to squeeze if necessary; I found I didn't need it, but as Janett noted, having that option was reassuring. The tech staff was very kind and helpful, asking me at intervals how I was doing.

It was an unpleasant surprise to hear from my surgeon yesterday, saying that the MRI had turned up "some things" on both breasts that hadn't shown up in any recent mammograms, and that she wants to do MRI-guided biopsies on them on Monday. So back into the doughnut I go. "We'll give you an Ativan!" and "There's no need to panic," she told me brightly, which of course triggers instant panic!--just as telling angry people to "calm down" only inflames them further.

I'm reminding myself that the medical team is probably just trying to cover all bases, that it's good to have this technology that can catch things so early, and so on, but it was just one more piece of recent unwelcome medical news to deal with. I know that everyone here can relate!

ksusan

I'd take an MRI any day over a biopsy. Take your time to be positioned comfortably--they should have foam wedges to help keep you tucked where they want you. I don't mind the machine noise--I treat it like a jazz percussion solo. Mine was of both breasts based on DCIS in the left. It revealed 3 tumors in the right that weren't detected on mammography, so I'm very grateful.

angelia50

my forehead felt like I had it on concrete toward the end of it all and the noise of it. Seems they could make that thing quieter.

otter

I've had two abdominal MRI's during which I was lying face-up, completely inside the skinny tube. I'm not truly claustrophobic, but staring at a curved ceiling a few inches from my face (or so it seemed) was enough to make me get all cold and clammy. I kept my eyes closed the whole time.

Since then, I've had two breast MRI's with contrast. As others have said, a breast MRI is totally different: you are lying face-down and your head (at least the top of it) is not inside the tube. I had no sense of claustrophobia at all during the breast MRI's. Rather than describe the procedure again, I'll just note a few things that did cause me trouble.

I have arthritis in my neck (cervical spine), so normally I *never* lie on my stomach. The face-down position for the MRI gave me a terribly stiff neck. My head was not turned to the side -- they used a cushion shaped like a toilet seat, and my face was aimed straight down. Maybe next time I need to take longer to find a better position.

I have a bony chest and small breasts (now completely flat on one side). Lying with my upper chest over the boob-holders for such a long time put a lot of pressure on my breastbone. It hurt, and I kept wanting to squirm or wiggle to take the pressure off, but you have to lie very still. I don't know if there's a remedy for this, except to ask them to buy a softer boob-holder. (?)

With my first breast MRI, I became extremely nauseous from the contrast agent. I know it was the contrast, because I wasn't queasy at all for the pre-contrast part. The nausea began within a very short time after the injection. I held on as long as I could, but was very close to throwing up when I gave in and pushed the panic button. Turned out, they were almost finished with the imaging anyway. I was dripping wet and the room was spinning when they finally helped me out of the tube. The tech was very sympathetic -- she brought me a glass of ice water and let me sit there as long as I needed.

For my second breast MRI, I told *everybody* about the nausea. (I said I would throw up all over their equipment if they didn't come up with a solution.)They said it wasn't unusual, and was probably due to the viscosity of the contrast agent. They decided to use a different manufacturer's contrast, and assured me it would be better...and it was. Not even the slightest bit of nausea!

The radiologist was supposed to look at the images and give me the results before I left, but they were running late and said I should go home (2 hour drive) and they would call in a few days. The radiologist called me at home at 7:30 that sameevening to let me know everything looked fine. She said she didn't want to make me wait because she knew I would be worried.

otter

bridgegal25

I chickened out the first time -- went again this week armed with valium.  Looked at the machine and said to myself I can do this. That was until they placed me on my stomach and I got huge pain in he sternum area from the pressure.  Then my hamstring cramped and also the pain started in the lower back. I am in good shape, work out all the time and I knew that being on my stomach wasn't going to be easy. I made the effort but I said there is no way I can do this and I bid them adieu and went across the street to my favorite bar and grill and had a couple of vodkas and a large pizza.  So -- my surgeon will have to do the surgery based on my ultrasound and mammo.  Would I have liked to do this? You bet. But I felt like I didn't want to compromise my joints when I know that there are other methods that can be used.  I will be calling my team  on Monday to have a discussion. I have read that the breast MRI is controversial because of the false positives.  I also know that my surgeon has done many without the MRI because of dense breasts which I have.  The powers that be really need to come up with something better than this machine. Probably not in my lifetime but wanted to weigh in. Would love to hear from others with with a similar dx  who couldn't do this test and how it turned out.

DocBabs

I admit it, I am extremely claustrophobic. I take a pretty heafty dose of Valium before hand but once I see that machine it all disappears from my system! I also have to admit that it's not all that bad. The place that I go to has a mirror under my face and it's situated in such a way that if I open my eyes I can see the entire room. Much better than lying on my back. Only once did I have an uncomfortable exam. There was little padding on the face plate and my cheekbone were resting on what seemed like a metal bar. Other than that there was no problem. It takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes generally the longer amount. The interest is over quickly so by the time you think you feel something it's done.

You'll be fine. Take something to relax you before hand.

Morwenna

My only problem apart from the noise, which was LOUD!, was the position I had to have my arms above my head. I have had increased problems with my left shoulder since my MRI back in the fall!

Trvler

I also chickened out the first time. I thought I could handle it without drugs but I am claustrophobic, too. They told me it was like a massage table so I expected open space underneath the place you put your face. But there was a bunch of stuff there so I felt like there was no air circulation. I took drugs and went again. Also, someone somewhere recommended music and I asked for it and they gave me headphones. I liked the headphones much better than the earplugs. I HATE earplugs. Drugs and music and I was good. Also kept my eyes closed the entire time. I tried to be brave and open them towards the end just to see if I could handle it and I was doped enough to do it.