UPDATE: MRI for kids

[georgiegirl]

Has anyone’s child had an MRI? How did they do? Did they need to be sedated?

DS1 (10) needs an MRI of his head with and without contrast. It’s supposed to take around 45 min. After watching an informational video (designed for kids), DS is kind of freaking and wants to be sedated. He has ADHD and anxiety, so I can see why he’d want that. I think sedation with a mask (something inhaled?) is an option. They also have movie googles.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with this. Thanks!

UPDATE: DS had his MRI this morning and it went very well. I did give him 1/2 an Ativan about an hour before. That chilled him out. He said the MRI itself was actually quite interesting, and that he wouldn’t have any trouble doing it again. He said the worst part was the IV (since he needed contrast.). He did get to wear movie goggles, which he really liked. I had to go to the library and check out the movie so he can watch the rest of it this afternoon. MRI itself took about an hour, and there was about 25 min before of prep...numbing cream, IV, change into gown, etc. I was horribly bored since I just stood there (without my glasses) with my hand on his leg. But overall it was a good experience. Thanks for all of your support and advice!


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[jent]

DD has had to have a head MRI twice- once when she was 8 and once at 10. She did not need to be sedated. DH was with her the first time but I could not go, so I'm not sure exactly how he was able to keep her calm. She does tend to be anxious but does better when she knows what to expect. I had prepared her by telling her that she would lay down in a tube, and that there would be a lot of annoying noise but the machine doesn't do anything but take pictures.

The time I went with her she already knew what to expect. I was allowed to be in the room with her, had to change out of street clothes though. I sat on the side so I don't really know if it mattered to her that I was there!

She wore headphones but did not want the movie goggles- mainly because she doesn't like most movies.

Both times were at our children's hospital so it probably helped that the staff were used to kids. Do you know if your hospital has a child life staff? They might be able to give your DS a tour of the MRI and/or help on the day.

ETA: I found this video, maybe this will help? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Pa6KFL1Nw

[KpbS]

DS had one at 13. It was hard, but the techs talked him through it and broke it up into discrete parts, if that makes sense. He made it. He has significant anxiety.

He didn’t have the option of goggles or sedation.

[niccig]

DS has one and watched a movie, he said it was difficult to hear the sound. I was there and held his ankle so he could feel me and knew I was there - long 45 minutes to stand but I told him I wouldn’t leave. It was done at a children’s hospital and they know how to get kids through these. Some parents didn’t go back with their kid, which surprised me.

DH had one and had a panic attack, and they gave him some Xanax to calm him done. I was also there holding his ankle but my presence wasn’t enough to calm him.

I had one, and I fell asleep. So people react differently. Hope he can get through it.


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[jbbhb]

DS2 (7) had a brain MRI over the summer. It was without contrast so about 25 min. I wasn’t sure he would be able to do it without anesthesia, but he did great. He didn’t have the option of a movie but the tech did ask him what kind of music he wanted. I held his ankle the whole time like a previous poster.


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[georgiegirl]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think I’m going to call and see if he can get approved for sedation. He has trouble sitting still in general and he has anxiety. And I’d rather not have to repeat the MRI if he can’t handle it. DD didn’t help the situation when she said, “Is an MRI that horribly claustrophobic tube thing? I’d totally freak out.”

(FWIW, it’s a one time thing. We just learned he’s growth hormone deficient and needs a head MRI before getting approved for growth hormone shots.)

[gymnbomb]

My son has had a couple, though they were for research purposes not diagnostic purposes. The first time due to his age we did it with him asleep (not sedated, just asleep), the second time he was old enough to do it awake. He picked a movie to take with him and they played it for him during the scan. There were a couple of times when he wiggled a little and they had to redo a portion of it, but really he did way better than I expected. We are going back for his next scan in December. I could see how it would be way worse though if he were anxious and it were for medical reasons that probably add to the anxiety.


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[twowhat?]

Mine have had a couple now (they got them at ages 8 and 10). The hospital we go to has a child life specialist come and explain the entire thing (using a model and an American Girl doll, LOL) and hands us a big binder of movies to choose from. It's loud, but it wasn't scary and my kids are definitely the anxious type. The tech can move your child in/out of the machine without it on just to show them what it's like (one of my DDs got a little giggly on the "sliding bed" hahaha) and both of my kids were like "oh, that's not a big deal" after that.

The most important thing that I've learned is that if your child isn't the type to advocate for her/himself, then help make sure your child is super comfy (pillows all tucked in the right places, arms and legs in comfortable positions, warm blanket, etc) before they start because once you can't move, you don't want to feel like you need to move to get comfortable!

Note that the goggles they use for the movies don't work if your child is nearsighted, and you can't wear glasses in the machine (unfortunately) so poor DD2 could really only see blurry things and hear the sound.

That being said - you know your child and if you think he will freak out, then definitely do the sedation!

[petesgirl]

My daughter had several with sedation but they were all under 16 months of age so....
I have had a few MRIs also and it does get hard to be absolutely still for the longer ones. I'd probably get sedation for my kids if they felt worried about it.

[carolinacool]

I have had a few MRIs also and it does get hard to be absolutely still for the longer ones. I'd probably get sedation for my kids if they felt worried about it.

True. I've had three -- one for my head and two for my pelvis. As soon as I get in the machine, I feel like everything starts itching and I can't scratch it. For the head, they had to pause because I had to go to the bathroom. For the pelvis one this year, when they added the contrast, I felt like I had to go to the bathroom. It was a pretty miserable last 10 or 15 minutes. I wasn't anxious at all, but it ain't comfortable. I would probably get the sedation if he wants it. Heck, if I have to go through it again, I might ask for it.