If you're scheduled for an MRI, and you've never had one before, you'll need to take some time to prepare yourself. Your doctor will provide you with plenty of information about how the test is performed and why it's required. However, there are still some things that you'll need to do to prepare for the test. Here's some information that will help you avoid problems during your MRI.
Talk to Your Doctor About Anxiety
If you suffer from anxiety, or you're even the least bit claustrophobic, you need to talk to your doctor prior to your MRI. Your doctor may need to prescribe you a mild sedative that you can take before your MRI. An anti-anxiety medication can help you relax during your MRI, which is important since you'll need to stay perfectly still throughout the test.
Dress Comfortably for Your Appointment
Once you arrive for your appointment, you'll be asked to change into a hospital gown. To help you avoid problems in the dressing room, it's a good idea to dress comfortably. Try to wear clothing that is easy to get on and off, such as loose-fitting shirts and elastic-waist pants. It's also a good idea to wear slip-on shoes so you don't have to worry about fastening and unfastening your shoes. Be sure to bring a pair of clean socks, though. You'll want to keep your feet warm while you're waiting.
Remove All Your Jewelry
Because the MRI machine functions using high levels of magnetism, you'll want to remove all your jewelry. It's usually easy to remember the rings. However, things like nose rings, belly button rings, and nipple piercings might not be so easy to remember. To avoid complications during the MRI, be sure to remove all your piercings prior to heading to the office. If you think you'll forget some of your piercings, make a check list of each one and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Check each piercing off as you remove it.
Bring a Friend with You
If this is your first MRI, it's a good idea to bring a friend along with you. Taking a friend along can help you alleviate your anxiety. Not only that, but if you need to have an IV medication to alleviate severe anxiety, you'll need to have a friend along to drive you home.
Now that you're preparing for your first MRI, use the information provided here to help you avoid problems and anxiety. Talk to your doctor about any questions you might have regarding the procedure.
Share25 July 2018
When my daughter began having academic problems in school and acting out, I knew that something wasn’t right. Her teachers wanted me to put her on ADD medications, but I didn’t think that that was the right course for us. I had serious doubts that ADD was what was causing her problems. I took her to several different specialists before discovering that her issues in school were actually do to a visual processing problem. The doctor recommended vision therapy, not medication, to help correct the problem and get her back on track. The exercises are really starting to pay off, and she’s showing great improvement.
