MRI - Don't know what to expect

[SohailB]

Hey Everyone!

So after being readmitted into the hospital, I'm scheduled for an MRI tomorrow so they can better see if I have a stricture. Through this, they'll know if I'll need surgery or not. I've done a CT Scan before but I know that MRI is a much longer process. The thing I'm most worried about is the fluid you have to take beforehand. My doctor was like you'll probably throw up, but you'll have to take it. Is it really thaaaat bad? I was wondering if any of you have done the MRI and if there is any advice you could give me

Thanks in advance

 

[cdnrose]

For me they mixed some stuff with the 2 litres of apple juice that I brought with me. I had to drink a cup of it every 15 minutes which wasn't so bad, didn't taste great but wasn't the worst thing I've tasted. I have a very very wee little bladder so I was quite concerned about having to use the bathroom so frequently, I didn't really have to worry about it because whatever it is they put in the juice is a laxative of some sort to get your bowels moving. I was heading to the bathroom every 7-10 minutes. It didn't make me feel like I was going to throw up at all though, I would say don't chug the stuff, take your time drinking it, you'll be fine as long as you finish it in the time allowed.

Once you are in the MRI (they put me in feet first on my stomach) they do what they do and then give you something else to stop your bowels from moving. The whole thing wasn't that bad, for me at least. The worst part really was staying in the same position with my arms above my head due to inflammation in my shoulders.

Good luck with your MRI tomorrow, don't stress too much about it.

 

[rose93]

I didn't find the drink too bad, it didn't really taste of much. I was dreading it after I had a colonoscopy as I really struggled with the prep drink for that but the MRI one was no where near as bad. I didn't feel sick whilst drinking it and was absolutely fine throughout the MRI but for some reason I was sick afterwards.

I wouldn't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine! Good luck for tomorrow.

 

[Dlkoval]

My son had to start drinking one and a half hours before his MRI. He got about 1/3 of the way through it and thought he was going to vomit. He told the tech when he got to the MRI and they told him to try to drink some more. As soon as he did, he threw it all up. They were unable to do the MRI because the fluid had not been able to coat all of his insides. We tried again a week later. He was told to stop drinking if he thought he would vomit. He got almost 2/3 of it down and stopped. The tech said they'd rather have him not finish it than throw it up. Everything came out fine and they could read the MRI even without drinking it all.

 

[araceli]

Both my kids had Mri's, one of them had hard time with the drink and vomit on the mri table, the other one no problem at all. I guess it depends on each individual. Also if is with or without contrast. With, you will get an IV solution. Time on the Mri was not long and according to my kids, not bad at all. Hardest part is the drink for everybody but don't go thinking it will be bad, think that, YOU CAN DO IT.

 

[SohailB]

Thanks everyone!

I'm about to start with the fluid and think I'll be able to do it! They even said they'll give me medication for not vomiting so I don't bring it all up

 

[scottsma]

I hope it all went well for you.It seems to be different for everyone.
I was given a litre of prep to drink,45mins prior to MRI.It was OK.

 

[FrozenGirl]

I did not throw up. I did end up having horrible diarrhea after. (Don't leave the hospital until your sure it's all out) I also only drank just over half because I said I was going to throw up. After the tech talked to the doc I drank 2 more glasses of water and did the MRI. The results were fine.

 

[Ihurt]

I had an MRE and had to drink three jugs of this light yellow very sweet liquid. I was very annoyed at the tech because I specifically asked him what ingredients were in the barium and he said just barium. The stuff is loaded with artificial sweeteners which I cannot tolerate at all. It made me very sick. I also had kidney pains for days afterwards( though I think that was from the glucagon shot which I will never have again). I also had a severe wave of nausea from that shot while I was in the machine. I thought I was going throw up in the machine but I talked myself down while in there as I did not want to botch the test. I also got horrid runs from the drink.

I later talked to a friend of mine who her husband is a doctor in California and he said they actually Can do the test without your drinking all that crap. He said yes, it does make it their job a bit harder. They have you drink the stuff because it makes it way easier for the doctor to look at the scans. It can be done without it though but they rather have you drink the stuff. I am not sure what I will do if ever have to have another scan, no way I can tolerate that stuff again. Try not to worry. Just keep telling yourself you will get through it.

 

[saucytart]

Ive done it quite a few times. It's really not that bad as long as you don't sip it. Just chug it back as quickly as you can (safely) and if you drink it with a straw as far back in your throat so it doesnt coat your tongue its best.

Good luck with your mri! I've got one next week too!