OK, you told me about ultrasound, how about an MRI?

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mke
mke Member Posts: 584
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
OK, you told me about ultrasound, how about an MRI?
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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2008

    The surgeon's assistant called me today to ask questions before they schedule an MRI.  When I asked why the biopsy wasn't definative - she said they want to look at the other side and I should just go see my medical onc. tomorrow (appt made months ago).

    I can't think that this is good news.  I don't see any way that they would schedule an MRI if the biopsy hadn't been positive.

    I gather the MRI is the one where you go in something that whirrs and clinks.  I'm not especially clastrophobic so I'm not too worried about the process.  I am curious about how long it takes and if they will do my whole body.  And does this take the place of the bone scans, etc. that I had to do in previous rounds?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    The MRI is noisey.  I took a Xanax before I had mine.  My daughter fell asleep when she had one just the other day WITHOUT Xanax.  LOL

    They offered to put a cloth over my eyes, but I just kept them shut.  Also, they'll give you ear plugs to quieten the noise.  Some places give you ear phones so you can listen to music.  I did that when I had the PET/CT scan and picked out one of Reba's albums and almost started crying in there. LOL  So, make sure you don't do the same if you have that choice.

    I forget what part of your body you're having done.  I'm assuming it's not your breast (can't remember).  I had my brain done a few months ago (YEP, THEY FOUND A BRAIN) and it took about 30 mintues.  You can hear them talk to you.  You must be still.  They'll say, mke, this next set will take 5 minutes (or 8 minutes..whatever).  Therefore, you can prepared to be still that long.  You'll have a little thing you can push in case you need them to stop.

    I don't think you'll have any problems.  It's mostly people who are very claustrophobic.  My husband thought he was and they gave him valium and he did fine.

    I don't know if this will take place of the bone scan.  What I think is they'll use both together to make an NED diagnoses.  Wink

    Hugs,

    Shirley

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  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2008

    MRIs are loud but they will give you ear plugs and it's not too bad.  How long it lasts depends on what they are scanning - maybe about 20 min for one area.

    MRIs are good because they show more "slices" of the area in question and they can get a better look at the organ.

    Good luck with your tests and whatever follow-up you have!

    Kari

    PS - nothing yucky to drink!

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited January 2008

    it really isn't that bad, just don't have 2 glasses of wine..I felt a little quesy laying on my stomach for so long. The music piped in was not that great.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    It's loud and boring and you can't move an inch, so you get a little cramped up. Takes about 45 minutes or so, depending upon what's being viewed. You may have an IV put in so that they can add contrast and get views that way.

    Other than that, it's a barrel of laughs Undecided!!!

    ~Marin

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited January 2008

    Also, when I had mine I could see right out the end of the magnet tube so there really was no claustrophobic feeling at all. Like Marin said the worst is being unable to move for so long. I also thought it was a little nuts that they put the IV in my elbow since there was no way I could lie on my belly without bending that arm....

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