Breast MRI Experience

It's not as bad as it seems. My doc gave me a prescription for Ativan, which really helped. And you're face down, kinda like if you're getting a massage, so I didn't feel "closed in" at all, my face was planted down on the pillow thingy and my eyes were closed. It's loud, but they give you headphones, and it's more rhythmic than annoying.

The first time I had it done, I almost fell asleep, seriously. But then in the last 10 minutes, my shoulder involuntarily jerked, and that made me really aware of my body and that I couldn't move at all. That last 10 minutes was the longest 10 minutes of my life.

I don't really remember any details about my second MRI...THAT'S how uneventful it was. And it was only a few months ago.

Unfortunately for me, my test results confirmed what the docs had already told me - DCIS or Stage 0 BC. I had a lumpectomy and 7 weeks of radiation, and now I'm on Tamoxifen. But treatment was actually very easy and now I feel more healthy than *before* the BC. My second MRI confirmed that they'd gotten it all and there was no sign of any abnormal cells left in my body. It was a real wake up call to live a healthier life, and I've found that once I made that commitment, it's been kinda easy to do.

Frankly, breast cancer changed my life for the better. I was lucky, I dodged a bullet, and I'm not going to take my health for granted anymore. It was a hard learned lesson, but one that I'm embracing fully. That was my personal experience with it.

Take your iPod and take a nap! I always sleep through them. I've never had one for BC. But for a lot of other reasons.

I haven't had a breast MRI, but I've had MRI's before. I actually fall asleep in them (I know, sounds crazy!) The loud knocking is rhythmical and I just fall asleep. (I guess it's like it drowns out my loud thoughts or something.) And yes, they give you ear plugs, but you still hear all that knocking.

I would close your eyes if I were you, and not think about being in a closed space. That's what I do.

I hope you don't have trouble with the test. Most of all, I hope your test results are good ones. Thinking of you.

Dawn

I had all the CT's and MRI's after I was diagnosed with breast cancer (to locate any metastises (sp?), of which there were none. Honestly, the closed in space just doesn't bother me. The noise is annoying, but when you stick me in a little space with a warm blanket and I don't have to do anything, I naturally relax. If you feel like you're going to be excessively anxious, please talk to your doctor beforehand and he can get you a valium or something for beforehand.
Fingers crossed for your results!

I've had an MRI but not of my breasts. There are two kinds of machines. One is more open than the other but the more closed one is more accurate. The first time I tried to have one done, I immediately got claustrophobic and couldn't finish. The second time went well with some sedation. The third time, which was done a couple of years later, I didn't need sedation.

If you have a tendency to be claustrophobic tell them so that they can be prepared to give you valium if you need it. There has to be a doctor present for the IV and so they need to know ahead of time. I think I could've done it fine the second time without sedation but I had such a terrible time the first time we wanted to make sure it happened.

For me, alot of my reaction had to do with the facility and the people running the equipment. The first time was sort of a rush thru job. The room was large and cold and the people professional but not friendly. It was very impersonal. I went to a different facility for the second attempt and the room was more cozy in appearance and the people more caring. For the third MRI, done in a third setting in a mobile facility, the space its self was small and well lighted and warm and there was only one attendant who was understanding and stayed nearby because the space was so small. I didn't need any help.

One thing that helped is to cover my eyes with a white wash cloth. I had earphones playing music for the second one but not the third.

All of this to say, that it is somewhat uncomfortable for a brief period of time because the tube is small and one can't move. There are loud banging noises. But since I've had the third MRI I wouldn't be fearful at all.

I wouldn't describe it that way. It's not fun, but I've been through a LOT of unpleasant tests, and I'd take an MRI any day over those. You start out by laying on a table - most likely on your stomach, with openings in the table for your breasts. Then the table slides you into a small tunnel, capsule or encasement (whatever you want to call it).

I think the key is to try and relax. Yes, it is a tight, enclosed space. Yes, it is loud - it will kick on for a minute or two then stop, then start so you kind of jump when it starts, but you get used to the noise after a few times. I kept my eyes closed, tried to focus on relaxing (if you can). I didn't have a hard time at all. It didn't bother me whatsoever. Try and think about your kids, something you've done recently that brought a smile to your face, picture them asleep in their beds - nothing more soothing, relaxing, and precious than your child, tucked in bed, sound asleep - angelic. . . The test takes about half an hour. If you are nervous, anxious or claustrophobic let them know ahead of time and they can give you something to relax you.

I think you will do ok - it's smart to know what to expect. I hope and pray you get good news. I did. My husband's side of the family is engrossed with breast cancer, so my 3 daughters will have to be tested at very young ages and will eventually be tested to see if they carry the gene.

I don't know your circumstances, and I'm sure you are aware of this, but you can be tested to see if you carry the breast cancer gene. You have to qualify for it (there is a questionnaire you fill out regarding your family history, etc.) and it's not covered by insurance, but well worth the cost if it's in your family. I will say a prayer for you on Wednesday and hope you get through it with no problems and your results are all negative. Please be sure to let us know how you do and what the outcome is . . . we are here for you!

I had it done a few years ago. It is not comfortable at all. They had me lie on top of a box with holes for your breasts to do into. It's very loud and you can't move while you are in there. They used contrast (dye) for mine, and it made me so sick. Some people have no problem with it, but I did.

Sending prayers to you!

I am claustrophobic and I didn't find it that bad. The noise is deafening though. If you have an ipod bring it b/c some places let you play it. I took an ativan to help me relax also.

Lucky, I had one of these a few years back. Please benefit from my experience -- go ahead now and get a prescription from your ob/gyn for Valium or some other relaxant. I am claustrophobic and could not go through with it the first time -- I just had to say "I can't do this" and the scheduling staff was very understanding and rescheduled me; the second time I had half a Valium in me and got through it thanks to that. (Closing my eyes does not help me when in an enclosed space; maybe it would help you but for me it doesn't work.)

It also helped immensely that the second time, the technician was very friendly and mellow, and talked to me throughout the procedure: "Not too long now, you're doing fine..Only five more minutes, only two more minutes,." etc. (The first technician had been very brusque and chilly which did nothing to keep my claustrophobia at bay.)

You can get through this but just be aware that if you dislike either small spaces or lying on your stomach -- I had to lie face down, which I hate -- you will need something to relax you.

I had an MRI on my breasts this summer. I'm trying to be proactive because my mother had breast cancer, my grandmother, my aunt, and now my sister is going through stage 4 breast cancer with liver mets.
The strangest part was that the proceedure was done with me laying on my stomach. I'm not certain every breast MRI is done this way, but mine was. The table has a cut out area for 'The girls', kind of like a massage table. I think I focussed on relaxing and breathing slow and kept my eyes closed and it was perfectly fine. I actually found it soothing during some parts. It lasted no more than 30 minutes.
My tests came back normal, but we're going to check again every other year, switching off with a mammogram. The MRI is important for me because my sister's cancer didn't show up on her mammorgrams. Very unfortunate.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll get through it fine.