I know I won’t be endearing myself to anyone here at the hospital by admitting that I love the show House. If you’ve ever seen it, you know that wacky medical conditions overtake patients as rapidly as a charging bull. The most notorious location for a complete physical break down seems to be inside the 6-foot tube (known officially as the “bore”) of the MRI machine. Encapsulated within a claustrophobic space, this is when most actors-turned-patients expel an insane amount of bloody vomit, or suffer a bout of delusion laced with a violent seizure.
In reality, having an MRI is good for patients, not ratings, meaning it’s typically routine and drama-free. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, technology that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to scan the body and produce detailed images. It’s used for everything from back pain to sprained ankles, helping to either detect a problem or figure out the extent of an injury.
Sunnybrook’s three MRI machines scan more than 16,000 patients every year. And for the vast majority, it’s a matter of, “bring your health card, lay down here and keep still for a moment”. You’ll be screened in advance to check for any implanted devices that could inhibit the test. (Unlike certain House scenes would suggest, the MRI magnet won’t rip pacemakers out of your chest, but may in reality interfere with their functioning or placement). It’s best to come to the hospital bling-free, so leave your jewellery and zipper-ladden clothing at home. And if you are having a pelvic or abdominal scan, don’t drink for 4 to 6 hours before your MRI. That’s about it.
The length of the test itself varies, from about 15 minutes to over one hour. And while it would be nice to use this time for rest and reflection, the loud banging noise emitted by the machine makes that hard to do. You will be offered earplugs beforehand, and that definitely helps.
You may also want to talk to your family doctor before coming in about getting a prescription for oral sedation, especially if you find yourself anxious in small spaces. It won’t put you to sleep, but will relax you. Kind of like sitting down to watch your favorite TV show…
