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MRI Brain confused

Forums General Melanoma Community MRI Brain confused

  • Post
    killmel
    Participant

      Hi Evveryone,

       

      I am scheduled for my first brain MRI with & without contrast. I want to get the best pictures so can anyone tell me how to prepare for a MRI brain scan. Do I need to fast?

       

      Thanks foryour reply.

       

       

       

      Hi Evveryone,

       

      I am scheduled for my first brain MRI with & without contrast. I want to get the best pictures so can anyone tell me how to prepare for a MRI brain scan. Do I need to fast?

       

      Thanks foryour reply.

       

       

       

    Viewing 7 reply threads
    • Replies
        MichaelFL
        Participant

          Hi,

          It is best to discuss this with the doctor or facility as to how long you need to fast, but it is my understanding that you do not need to fast if it is done without contrast for a brain MRI, and you do need to fast if it is with contrast.

          If it was the abdomen, yes, you would need to fast either way.

          Remember to avoid makeup.

          Try to stay still, and you may desire a antianxiety med beforehand as it may take up to an hour. Fear of enclosed spaces or excessive anxiety could require sedation.

          Here is one site I found:

          PREPARATION FOR MRI EXAMINATION – BRAIN AND NECK

          Without injection

          No fasting required.
          Must be present 15 minutes before exam.
          Patient may continue taking prescribed medication as well as painkillers.
          Complete removals of jewellery, body piercing and hair clip are
          mandatory.
           Nicotine patch must be removed.
           No make up allowed for MRI of the brain and of the cervical spine.
           Bring necessary items for removal of contact lens.
           Bring reports and images of previous exams done of the same region
          being studied.
           In case of claustrophobia, patient might need to take some Ativan.
           Obtain patient’s weight.
           Duration of exam is 20 to 35 minutes, depending of protocol.

          With injection of Gadolinium contrast

          Fasting 3 hours prior MRI exam.
          Must be present 15 minutes before exam.
          Obtain blood test results of creatinine level (done within last 6 months).
          Patient may continue taking prescribed medications as well as painkillers.
          Complete removals of jewellery, body piercing and hair clips are
          mandatory.
          Nicotine patch must be removed.
          No make up allowed for MRI of the brain and the cervical spine.
          Bring necessary items for removal of contact lens.
          Bring reports and images of previous exams done of the same region
          being studied.
          In case of claustrophobia, patient might need to take some Ativan.
          Obtain patient’s weight.
          Duration of exam is 60 to 75 minutes, depending of exam protocol.

          Good luck!

          Michael

            killmel
            Participant

              Thanks Michael…I called my doctor & radiology dept. They said I did not have to fast so I do not know what is best

              Please anyone who has had a Brain MRI…did you fast or not!!!! I sincerely would appreciate your reply.

              Thanks

              Mary

               

              lhaley
              Participant

                Mary,

                When I had my bladder recurrance my oncologist actually was able to get a brain mri w/ contrast that afternoon for me. We had about an hour and her suggestion was to go have some lunch while we waited! I also eat when I have had my breast mri's with contrast.

                Good luck!

                Linda

                lhaley
                Participant

                  Mary,

                  When I had my bladder recurrance my oncologist actually was able to get a brain mri w/ contrast that afternoon for me. We had about an hour and her suggestion was to go have some lunch while we waited! I also eat when I have had my breast mri's with contrast.

                  Good luck!

                  Linda

                  killmel
                  Participant

                    Thanks Michael…I called my doctor & radiology dept. They said I did not have to fast so I do not know what is best

                    Please anyone who has had a Brain MRI…did you fast or not!!!! I sincerely would appreciate your reply.

                    Thanks

                    Mary

                     

                  MichaelFL
                  Participant

                    Hi,

                    It is best to discuss this with the doctor or facility as to how long you need to fast, but it is my understanding that you do not need to fast if it is done without contrast for a brain MRI, and you do need to fast if it is with contrast.

                    If it was the abdomen, yes, you would need to fast either way.

                    Remember to avoid makeup.

                    Try to stay still, and you may desire a antianxiety med beforehand as it may take up to an hour. Fear of enclosed spaces or excessive anxiety could require sedation.

                    Here is one site I found:

                    PREPARATION FOR MRI EXAMINATION – BRAIN AND NECK

                    Without injection

                    No fasting required.
                    Must be present 15 minutes before exam.
                    Patient may continue taking prescribed medication as well as painkillers.
                    Complete removals of jewellery, body piercing and hair clip are
                    mandatory.
                     Nicotine patch must be removed.
                     No make up allowed for MRI of the brain and of the cervical spine.
                     Bring necessary items for removal of contact lens.
                     Bring reports and images of previous exams done of the same region
                    being studied.
                     In case of claustrophobia, patient might need to take some Ativan.
                     Obtain patient’s weight.
                     Duration of exam is 20 to 35 minutes, depending of protocol.

                    With injection of Gadolinium contrast

                    Fasting 3 hours prior MRI exam.
                    Must be present 15 minutes before exam.
                    Obtain blood test results of creatinine level (done within last 6 months).
                    Patient may continue taking prescribed medications as well as painkillers.
                    Complete removals of jewellery, body piercing and hair clips are
                    mandatory.
                    Nicotine patch must be removed.
                    No make up allowed for MRI of the brain and the cervical spine.
                    Bring necessary items for removal of contact lens.
                    Bring reports and images of previous exams done of the same region
                    being studied.
                    In case of claustrophobia, patient might need to take some Ativan.
                    Obtain patient’s weight.
                    Duration of exam is 60 to 75 minutes, depending of exam protocol.

                    Good luck!

                    Michael

                    ShariC
                    Participant

                      I had a brain MRI two weeks ago.  There was NO prep.  I had to take off all metal and glasses.  Then they put a port in my vein (hand in my case)…but, did NOT inject the dye.  Then they did one MRI scan right off the bat (took about 10 minutes).  Then they moved the MRI table out, but had me lie completely still (especially don't move your head), they injected the dye while I was on the table and slid me back in for the second MRI with contrast.  Took another 10 minutes.  THEN…they showed me the pictures (no official RESULTS tho…) – there was my brain!  Easy Breezy!  My Oncologist called me the next day with the news that my MRI was clear.  – Shari

                      ShariC
                      Participant

                        I had a brain MRI two weeks ago.  There was NO prep.  I had to take off all metal and glasses.  Then they put a port in my vein (hand in my case)…but, did NOT inject the dye.  Then they did one MRI scan right off the bat (took about 10 minutes).  Then they moved the MRI table out, but had me lie completely still (especially don't move your head), they injected the dye while I was on the table and slid me back in for the second MRI with contrast.  Took another 10 minutes.  THEN…they showed me the pictures (no official RESULTS tho…) – there was my brain!  Easy Breezy!  My Oncologist called me the next day with the news that my MRI was clear.  – Shari

                        KatyWI
                        Participant

                          Some places ask you to fast because a handful of people get nauseated from the contrast.  It won't affect the quality of the scan one way or the other.  MRI is noisy, but pretty easy from a patient perspective.

                          Katy

                          KatyWI
                          Participant

                            Some places ask you to fast because a handful of people get nauseated from the contrast.  It won't affect the quality of the scan one way or the other.  MRI is noisy, but pretty easy from a patient perspective.

                            Katy

                            MRFUser2011
                            Participant

                              I did a brain MRI last month, with and without contrast.  I was asked to wear loose, comfortable clothes with no metal.  I had to remove my bra.  I was at my test was first thing in the AM and I did not want to have to go to the bathroom possibly mid-scan, I opted to fast on my own.  I did drink a couple of bottles of water so I was fully hydrated (always makes putting in an IV a little easier).  They offered me head phones and I was glad for them, it is noisy.  The place I had mine had a mirror so I could watch the staff and they checked in every few minutes via an intercom – I didn't respond per their instructions, but they gave me the number of minutes left to go.  I took a xanax about 45 minutes before the scan and was very relaxed and mellow.  I didn't get to see my scan (but didn't think to ask, either).  Good luck on your results.

                              Blessings, Shari

                              MRFUser2011
                              Participant

                                I did a brain MRI last month, with and without contrast.  I was asked to wear loose, comfortable clothes with no metal.  I had to remove my bra.  I was at my test was first thing in the AM and I did not want to have to go to the bathroom possibly mid-scan, I opted to fast on my own.  I did drink a couple of bottles of water so I was fully hydrated (always makes putting in an IV a little easier).  They offered me head phones and I was glad for them, it is noisy.  The place I had mine had a mirror so I could watch the staff and they checked in every few minutes via an intercom – I didn't respond per their instructions, but they gave me the number of minutes left to go.  I took a xanax about 45 minutes before the scan and was very relaxed and mellow.  I didn't get to see my scan (but didn't think to ask, either).  Good luck on your results.

                                Blessings, Shari

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