Yes they do. NotAllThere thought the nurse liked him hence only he was given one

Looks like 700fr was a 10% slice of the actual MRI cost? Unless an OP stayed an hour at the GP.

Radiology will always demand a GP referral, for MRI in my experience. It needs to say what to check for, specific part of the body and some diagnosis. The reading of the results gets done there (radiology MD), too, with the patient. And then again at GP's. It explains the high cost, as well.

Yes.

Yes, that is true - for a simple consultation with a blood test should be more like 2-300 but if a head scan is involved and any additional tests, I would set aside some more money just to be sure

Anyway, the OP should talk to the doctor first before jumping to do an MRI anyway, to make sure that the correct diagnostic procedure is chosen; there may be cheaper options than an MRI as well if cost is an issue

Yes. I was just saying that without having the button, I'd've panicked. It's quite a reassuring thing to have. Although I wonder if it is connected?

Yes it is... I tried it once

Do they start from the beginning?

No they didn’t stop the machine... they just asked me over speaker what was wrong. I was feeling really really rough after a bad accident and couldn’t take it anymore... so they pulled me out, gave me a breather for 5 minutes and then stuck me back in to finish it!

I've done it because I had a coughing fit and they didn't redo it but I think it depends on how much you interrupt the process.

At worst they’d have to redo the “block” of images they were taking when interrupted.

I don't like the noise. Reminds me dial-out internet early 90s but that was cute. This is head splitting. I think there must be better ways to protect people's hearing but they just don't seem to do that here.

I particularly dislike the ‘helicopter in a chicken coop’ sound; Whop, whop, squawk, squawk, whop, whop, squawk, squawk ...

I've had a few MRIs with contrast medium and had no problems at all. I actually found the MRI beds to be extremely comfortable. They usually have them set up, ergonomically, to be very comfortable -- with pillows, etc. I also didn't find the noise to be too bad. It's mainly just loud clicks that rotate around you and then will stop for a bit and then start again. I'm not sure how helpful the headphones really are with covering up any of the noise, but with music playing through them, it does at least give your mind something else to focus on or to help relax you.

Good luck. I'm sure all will be fine.

I had an MRI earlier this year with the Gadolinium contrast. As others have said it feels cold going in. I also develop a metallic watermelon taste in my mouth when I get contrast, but am told it's not a serious reaction.

Cost-wise the MRI was 870 Fr. The doc appointment before the MRI was 300, but that was also because I was a new patient and the appointment took longer. The follow-up was 90.

Maybe I somehow enjoyed the experience because the reason I was inside the machine was hearing problems

I find MRIs strangely hypnotic... I could easily fall asleep in there

I had the cold feeling and metallic taste with the gadolinium as well. Totally normal apparently.

Claustrophobic sputnik thing..but technology-wise it's fascinating.

It’s interesting that everyone says they have a cold feeling with contrast. I feel warmth pass through my body (you can feel it spread through the blood vessels), like if you drink a strong shot of alcohol.

The worst I ever had, was when I had to drink a litre of contrast for a CT scan!!

It depends what's in it some give a warmth, some are cold. They always tell me (I've had about 20) that it might be cold but it never is and sometimes I do get a warm feeling in a certain part of my body. I also get a strange smell sensation but I think that could just be the salt solution they use for flushing.

About 20? Wow! Hope you're alright, now.

I had CT Scan's this year in Nyon and Lausanne and the contrast (which felt warm and I was told it would be by the staff in charge), was Iodine when I asked.