MRI Question

HPLS1957

I had my appointment with a breast surgeon this morning to investigate a non-spontaneous clear breast discharge. My 3D mammogram and ultrasound both came back clear. She was unable to get any discharge to examine microscopically, so I am being sent for an MRI. Does this sound like a normal protocol, and is the MRI uncomfortable? Thank you!

Peregrinelady

I think it is good that you are getting a MRI just to be sure. It can be uncomfortable if you are claustrophobic, which I didn't know until my first MRI. I ask for sedation for mine now, but many women do fine by listening to music, meditation, etc. You will be lying on your stomach.

Sherri000

I have had many MRI's for multiple health issues and usually wear an eye mask to keep from opening my eyes and seeing how tight of a space it is. But with a breast MRI you are face down. My place had a mirror beneath me that pointed out into the room. So I was able to look down and it looked as if I was in an open area. It made it much better. Not sure if the mirror is standard or not. You have your arms up above you but sort of at your side, not straight over your head. I am disabled with a lot of health issues including spine and neck. I didn't find it too difficult. Overall I would say it was one of my easier MRI's. Good luck. It shouldn't be too difficult.

karinada

I just had my first breast MRI today. I was just diagnosed with ILC May 20, 2019. I'm stage II. Grad 2, HER2 Negative. I was so uncomfortable! It wasn't because of the noise or being in the tube, but, the bar in between your breasts. I still have pain in the breast bone! They told me there was nothing more they could do to make me more comfortable except to put a washcloth there. If not for that, it wasn't that bad. My sister, who was diagnosed with IDC 2 weeks after me, had her breast MRI yesterday in a different hospital and they gave her small pillows to make it more comfortable and she didn't mind that part at all. Has anyone else had this experience? I recommend bringing a tiny pillow with you! It could be just my body type. I'm not quite 5'!

gb2115

I would think yes it's good to get the MRI. Your doctor is being thorough and that's good.

djmammo

Just a quick comment about the discomfort caused by the breast coil. Over the years I have heard too many complaints about the pressure on the sternum lying there for the exam. In my opinion it is the fault of the manufacturer for not figuring out a better way to construct them after all these years.

Sternums/breastbones can be curved inwards, flat, or bowed outwards and its this last group that has the biggest problem. It would be more comfortable if the portion of the unit between the two breast wells was concave and made of a soft material.

Since part of the value of MRI is being able to visualize the entire breast, it is of paramount importance that the entire breast is allowed to drop down into the well. Placing any padding on that sternal part of the unit that comes above the edge of the well will pull the breast up and possibly place the posterior part of the breast and the chest wall out of the field of view. This is of critical importance in screening and evaluating posteriorly placed abnormalities. So if you bring your own padding, clear it with the techs first as it may affect the scan.

For an MRI biopsy however, where the whole breast has already been imaged (and the target is not in the back of the breast) there should be a variety of padding available to make the experience more tolerable, especially at the level of the sternum.

HPLS1957

Thank you all for the information. I think I will ask for sedation. I do get claustrophobic!

Trying2staypositive

HPLS, not sure if this helps, but maybe ask the facility where you are getting the MRI done if they feel you will still need sedation for claustrophobia for a breast MRI. I learned years ago I too am claustrophobic in MRI machines (at least when I've had to have a brain MRI for migraines). However in my past experience with a breast MRI somehow I was able to see out into the room as the tech had put a directional mirror there, so it was a lot less claustrophobic feeling. I recently learned they do the same thing for breast mri at the new center I go to, because it came up and I discussed it with the nurse. Also since you're on your stomach for breast MRI is just a different experience altogether. Not the most comfortable position, but IMO was less claustrophobic than when you are face up.