I agree with the others. I had a full head MRI scan some years ago and it was a lot easier than I was expecting. They got me to remove any metal I was carrying and gave me some foam earplugs and then I got inside the tube.

Having read about the procedure beforehand, I was expecting it to be noisier than it was. In fact it was quite relaxing and I could have fallen asleep. I still recommend wearing the earplugs though. It didn't make me feel claustrophobic which surprised me. I just closed my eyes for the duration.

I was given a CD containing the pictures a few minutes later and then I was on my way home. The actual results came later in a letter from my doctor since the images had to be analysed by a radiographer.

Hi Crimson,
I used to work for a neuroscience research group (writing the various bits of software they needed) and was at more MRI scans (both as the subject inside and as one of the white-coats hanging around in the background) than I can remember. As many others have already stated it's completely painless and a bit noisy (although I believe that may be depend on the scanner to some extent) but if you just try to relax (I used to use it as an excuse to close my eyes for a few minutes on work time) it'll be over pretty quickly. I also used to ask the radiographer afterwards to show me the images captured and found it fascinating, although, even then there was a slight nervousness as they are able to spot some abnormalities from the slice-views, before recomposing them into the complete 3d/time-sequence images, depending on what aspect of brain function they're testing.
As far as waiting for the results go, there's obviously going to be a fair bit of "what if" going on inside, but I guess that regardless of the outcome, you'll know a bit more about yourself and if the results do show something out of place, at least you'll know about it and to be able to potentially get it sorted out.
Good luck!

thank you everyone for sharing!

i had another bad day. at some point while crossing the street i was sure i would pass out. but i didn't and got myself a nice thai take away (thank you loeb). probably eating ovomaltine crunchy cream with a spoon was not absolutely necessary after that but, boy, it was gooooood!

All the best,
Remember...NO METALS!! that also includes hairpins and etc.
Most modern MRI scanners do not make that much noise, most likely your procedure will be done on a 1.5 T magnet machine. Nothing to worry about. But if you have claustrophobia, there might be some issues.

I had an MRI a few weeks ago for headaches and it was no big deal. They gave me headphones and I even got to choose what kind of music I would like to listen to. They put on the music, I got pulled into the tube. I was in there for about 30 minutes, no biggie, then they pulled me out and gave me an injecton for contrast. Are you have it with contrast or without? The injection was no big deal, I didn't even really feel it. I thought I had to get an IV but it wasn't even, it was just a shot. Then the machine finished, the table came out and I got up. You're dizzy at first so don't try to move around quickly. You get your balance back in a few minutes, get changed back into your clothes and leave. I got the results the following day. Mine was normal. I am sure yours will be too.

thank you all for your wishes

after hearing all your stories i am n0ot so scared about the procedure anymore...still scared about the results though but trying not to panick...!

The results are going to be good, right? So what's to be scared of.

Oh Crimson I can totally understand! I had an MRI a year ago because of headaches, the machine is very loud but they will protect your ears very well and the whole thing won;t take more than half an hour, I fell asleep... Now if they are going to give you an angiography (which I believe they will) they will not be able to give you any sedatives, because the contrast fluid can sometimes make you sick (as it did made me) so you need to be conscious. Do not worry, it was a bit of a boring experience for me but to tell you the truth, knowing that my brain and arteries in my head are OK is priceless! *hugs*

I am not a dr either, but I also had an accident in my early twenties that left me dizzy for nearly a year. I had to stop horse-back riding and anything where you might need sudden balance. The neurologist told me it would go away with time, and it did. It was scary though, I used to suddenly see black from turning my head.
I know you are scared, but it really could not be too serious, and I hope you feel better soon!

big thank you to everyone for the thoughts, they do help!

angela, not sure about angiography, i was not told anything about it.

tomorrow is the day. i'll kee myself occupied with putting together easter preesents or bake cookies.

Good luck! Let us know how it was!

Hope to see a nice happy post this evening !

So please tell us, are you OK?

hi people!

sorry for the delay. as i went late to work due the tests, i had to stay more

so the mri went ok. i was not scared at all and it was not as loud as i was expecting. they made me listen to amy mcdonald....could be worse i guess! it lasted a bit less than half an hour and now i have my cd to show to the doctor tomorrow.

after the mri i had an eeg....that was a slightly uncomfortable due the long time it took to fit the electrodes on my head and due them being quite tight. but not painful or anything.

i'm quite stressed about results but i try not to think about it too much...

once again, thank you all for caring, it means a lot, ,really...

Lovely to hear that it went well so far. Keeping my fingers crossed for the news tomorrow. Thinking of you then.

thank you so much! i will keep you guys posted

i'm back from the doctor and it's ALL GOOD!!!!!!!!!

the mri is completely clear. he didnt have the full results of the eeg yet but at least we know thaat t can't be anything too bad!

i'm SO relieved, it's a huge weight off my shoulders! we are stil trying to figure out how to treat my symptoms but knowing that my head is fine significantly lowers my degree of misery!

i just want to help each and every one of you for all your stories, thoughts and support in the thread and via PMs. you are great and i am grateful.

That is great news. Now you can relax, and you might even feel better just knowing the tests are clear. Worrying and the related stress does make you feel worse, at least that was what it was like for me. Know what you don't have is sometimes the best possible result.

What ....... your head?

Great news.

A problem shared, is a problem halved.

@ mrs doolitle: i'm sure knowing it's nothing too bad will help me feel better. it does already!

@TiMow, ,haha that made me lough out loud!