MRI scan

[Mister_Hotspur]

Im having an MRI scan on wednesday, ive not had one before but i have had a CT scan. Now i know both are supposed to be completely painless but of the 4 CT scans i had, only the first was painless and that was probably because of the overwhelming pain from perforating my bowel.

My concern is the Dye that is injected, each time has been worse than the last, i know a warm sensation is normal, but i felt on fire, a horrible burning sensation. The last scan i had, the nurse said "oh wow, you really are quite sensitive, your face has gone bright red".

The appointment info that came through says "please be aware that the preparation for this scan has a mild laxative effect". I was under the impression i would be drinking some kind of drink? But looking into it i may have to have the Dye injected?

Can anyone confirm either way, which is likely, im in the UK by the way, which means its done under the NHS, and i know if i voice my concerns when i get there, the nurse will wave it off with a "oh youll be fine" kind of thing.

 

[Rebecca85]

MRI dye is different to CT dye. You might need both a drink and an injected dye. But I'm afraid I don't know any more than that!

 

[g_1988]

If you are having a small bowel MRI, then you will be drinking approximately 1 litre of contrast dye and you will more than likely be having a contrast dye injected into a vein.

 

[spcwife23]

g_1988 is right, i had to drink a cup of some white stuff and when i got into the room they hook up the iv and put stuff in my arms from there..

 

[MADiMarc]

I am not in the UK however I would stress that you seem to have an adverse reaction to the dye. Perhaps they can do for you what they do for me, have me pop some benedryl before the dye bit. It seems to cut done on the reaction for me.
Good luck,
Michele

 

[hainman]

hi.ive had the mri scan and never had to drink any dye,i had a tube worked down into my small bowel and when it was in place they injected the dye through that.it was painless although you do get a small feeling of bloatedness but thats it,the laxative i got i was called picolax but if they offer you klean-prep phone them imeadietly and and for picolax as its a small btl that you drink with a glass of water whereas the klean prep is over 2-3ltrs and its absolutly vile,hope this i of some help to you.

 

[Mark63]

As you will see I'm in the UK and have had many MRI scans for Crohns. The prep and if contrast is required or not depends on the exact procedure to be carried out. E.G.

MRI of the pelvis, no prep and no contrast material.

MRI of the small bowel, then a litre or so of contrast material that is mix of water and locust bean gum before the procedure, then possibly a few ml of Gadolinium injecteed during the procedure.

Nothing to worry about and no ill effects afterwards.

 

[Mister_Hotspur]

Thanks for the responses, seems like everyone has different experiences.

It was today and wasnt as bad as i thought, i had a cup of Citramag laxative and a litre of water to get things moving, then after a while i had the MRI, they gave me a injection of budesan or something? which they explained is a muscle relaxant to stop the bowels moving so they can take clear pics and then the dreaded contrast - which wasnt really that bad, no bad reaction or pain on injection either a: because it was syringed into the canular or b: because it doesnt contain iodine.

Ive had quite bad cramps throughout the day and a lot of D, looking forward to seeing my GI now. I think ive completed the set of scans and tests required for crohns so i'll know what to expect in the future if i get them again.