Breast MRI

Hi Ravdeb-

I have had 3 breast MRI's so far - 1 just last Friday.  I also have very dense and since my DCIS dx a year and a half ago, they rotate Mammos and MRI's every 6 months. 

For me they do both at once, I've never heard of one at a time so I am assuming this is new thechnology...which can only be a good thing.  I would imagine it runs about the same though.  I had to lie face down(head to the side) on a table that had 2 openings for my to fall into.  I was given a small IV so the techs can inject what I assume is contrast during the procedure.  They also give you ear plugs because the machine is loud...kind of like a jackhammer at times.  The table moves you into a tunnel/tube and you will hear a series of loud noises.  You are able to talk to the techs at all times and are given an emergency botton to get you out if needed.  The first time I didn't like being placed inside the tunnel or tube as I'm a little claustrophobic but it was manageable.    The second MRI I took a xanax and it relaxed me.  This past one I was totally fine with, I just tried to relax and think positive thoughts. It took about 20-25 minutes.  Maybe with yours being done individually it will be a shorter duration??  Not sure.  The MRI itself is really easy and not painful at all. I would take it any day over a mammo!  Also keep in mind that although it's a very useful tool for those of us who are dense, it can also pick up more false positives than a mammo.  Basically it picks up every little thing.  This is good, but has it's drawbacks.   I know I get nervous at every new test/procedure I've been asked to do, but this one is not so bad. 

I'm shocked that it's going to take 45 min for each side.  I think the first MRI I had took about 30 minutes, but that was the max.  When I had a full body MRI they split it into 2 different days and they were about 45 min each, but for only your that seems long. 

Yes, I am sure your correct that the reason you didn't get an MRI to begin with is because of the cost related to insurance.  My docs had to fight insurance to get mine the first time but no issue since (knock on wood for this last one).  Hope you don't have any problems with insurance covering it for you.  I agree with you about the risk...not even an issue.  Good luck on your MRI

RavDeb,

My second primary dx of lobular required an MRI.  I found that

breast MRI has to be performed with a dedicated breast coil.

About 90% of the MRI scans are of no use for evaluating breast cancer," said Beryl McCormick, MD, clinical director and acting chairman, department of radiation oncology, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States. "Most of our radiologists won't even bother reading the film."

I know some of the older equipment can be updated with these special breast coils, and this may be the case where you are going.    Let them know that you know doing each side separately is not the standard, and ask them why.

You may want to ask them, for information on the equipment they have. Their machine may be modified for breast MRI as you say.

Check around to see if there are any other "qualified" resources in your area.   I had both sides done, and it took an hour tops.

Good luck on getting the best

Grandma wolf

I had two MRI's done on my breasts. They were both done at the same time. It was the MRI that discovered I had a 2nd lump in my breasts. Without that we would not have known and have done a lumpectomy instead of Mastectomy. This MRI could have save me life!

I would ask whey you can't do both at the same time as well.

I went to a place that used the older machines.  It took two days to do it, and I got a stack of films instead of the new computerized digital read-out.  I wasn't happy either with having to go back twice nor did they didn't tell me about that upfront.   On the older machines they can't do both breasts at the same time.  I forgot the reason for that.

My first MRI was like yours, both breasts on different days. This past week I had one that allowed both breast at teh same time. They said they could do it that way now because of an upgrade in the software. So your facility may be lagging a bit on the software (plus I believe it is expensive, my breast center got the upgrade for only one of the MRI machines).



Ultimately you want the hospital that is best at reading the MRIs, not necessarily the one that can do tehm both at once (though that would be nice).



Also, all women who have had bc and still have breasts should have an MRI, dense breasts or not, it is an important screening tool and we all are at enhanced risk.