The dangers and side effects of an MRI?
I wanted to know if there was any danger of suffering permanent damage from getting an MRI. I looked up ‘MRI side effects’, and ‘MRI injuries’. I read from these two sites.
http://trusted.md/blog/tyler24476/2006/01/05/mri_side_effects
http://klienspecter.com/mri_injury_lawyer.htm
My first fear is that there could be a metallic fragment in the room, not necessarily an obvious one, but the kind that may come in under someone’s shoes, like a small spec of metal. Then when the machine is turned on, it may lodge in my head or body, maybe without me feeling it.
I’ve heard it can affect the brain and nervous system, resulting in permanent headaches and/or nerve damage? I’ve also heard the machine can cause permanent damage to your ears if you don’t wear earplugs? I’m concerned that I mightn’t be wearing them properly, or they mightn’t be good quality. I’ve also heard that it can cause a permanent tightness sensation in the testicles? Thanks anyone who knows and can answer honestly.
This is actually urgent. I got a message on the answering machine from the hospital this morning to confirm my appointment for after tomorrow for an MRI of the pelvis. Then I have another appointment later in June for the rest of the spine. I really need to decide today. The symptoms from the suspected injury that I may have had have actually died down, but I’m thinking if it won’t hurt to do the MRI, then I might as well do it. Thanks again
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2 Responses to “The dangers and side effects of an MRI?”
The prospect of having an MRI can be scary, but it really is pretty safe. As long as you do not have any metal in you from a surgery, there really is nothing to worry about. I wore a metal necklace during one of my MRI and it didn’t even move at all.
If your doctors want you to have an MRI it is more dangerous not to have the MRI than to have it.
If you are nervous, bring a cd or mp3 player that they can hook up to headphones for you to listen too. That has always helped me get over the nerves. :0)
I work at a hospital and I have checked patients in that ask this question all the time. They should do a history on you and will be able to determine if there is any "medical" reason why you shouldn’t have the MRI.
The techs are NOT allowed to be in the room during an MRI. They have to leave the room and go behind a glass door and they let our patients know about the noises that they will hear and what they experience during the MRI.
Yes, the machine can hurt your ears. They should provide ear plugs for you. Id always bring my own. I feel better with those. Just let the tech know that you have your own and let them have a look at the ear plugs. Standard plugs are fine, but some machines might be different.
I dont know about the testicles, but I havent heard any of our techs mentioning that either. I can’t give my honest answer on that though.
However, I will tell you a honest story. We just had a do x-rays on a patients wrist because our cleaning lady thought it was okay to put a metal trash can in the MRI machine. SO when the scan was turned on, the trash can, went straight to the machine and hit the ladies wrist. She is fine, but Id always check the room for metal objects. There is nothing wrong with being safe and if they have a problem with it, they dont have your well being at heart or mind and I wouldn’t have an MRI there.
Hope this helps.