MRI for an eight year old

[Traveller]

Has anyone had their child undergo an MRI and how did you prepare them for it? My eldest is likely to have one in the next few weeks if nothing changes and he is almost 8.

thanks

[nothing2lose]

Go for the sedation option. It is quite scary, long and it is imperative they are very still.

[Butterfly Dawn]

Sedative! they gotta be really still and its kinda scarey. If you got some rescue remedy this would be good to.
Sorry your child needs 1

Sorry if it doesn't make sense, the barefoot princess is covering me with kisses

[Traveller]

oh ok, the hospital didn't suggest sedation so I didn't realise it was an option. I'm waiting for his appoinment detail so I'll bring it up then, thanks

WRT it being scary, they seemed to think that because he withstood EMG nerve conduction testing that this would be a breeze, but I want to make sure he is as clued into the process as possible before he goes into it.

[Little Chicken]

Is he good in contained spaces? Can he handle loud banging and clicking? Most importantly, can he lie completely still for longish periods of time? If so, he might not need sedation.

[RhiChiChi]

^^ yeah it is scary because you go in a large capsule type thing and wear headphones with music playing to drown out the noise but you can still hear it. It take ages too, they are so precise with it all, so it is hard to be still for a long period of time. You can't be with him either - he goes in by himself and you will stand outside.

[Traveller]

It's his arm that needs doing so his head might be outside the MRI tube but I think he'll be ok with loud noises. From what I've read they tend not to sedate kids over 7 but I would imagine it is considered on an individual basis. Will phone and ask once we have an appointment time

[Jennifer13]

Good to hear, Trav. Hope his appt isn't too far away!

[Traveller]

It's 3 weeks (I think) but I imagine if the MRI shows anything funky they'll call us in early

[Butterfly Dawn]

Wohoo brave boy! Hope it comes back good news

Sorry if it doesn't make sense, the barefoot princess is covering me with kisses

[Kmn]

Glad it went OK.

They're not his images, but these are pretty cool http://www.science.uottawa.ca/nmr/images.htm

[Traveller]

Lucky he wasn't phased by the MRI really as round 2 is on Thursday after they realised they have images of the wrong part of his arm. They did everything below the break instead of the break itself and the shoulder, which is the part everyone is understandably concerned out.

[Kmn]

oh poo!