Hi all,
hope everyone is doing ok. As a safety net due to my concern that the biopsy on a large M4 calcification area that showed sclerosis adenosis still leaves an 80/90 per cent area unsampled and potentially hiding DCIS, which they had to agree I was correct about, I am being sent for an MRI. I also had a one sided nipple inversion that got severe pretty quick and they have ruled duct ectasia responsible, but again, I have very dense breast tissue and something behind the nipple as a cause could hide from ultra sound (I didn’t have this area biopsied). I sometimes feel like you shouldn’t question but you have to advocate for yourself. It’s my body after all. Anyway, I have this booked in for Tuesday. In the last 3 weeks, I have developed a nipple issue on the other side and a visible lump. I let the nurse know on the phone when she told me about the MRI decision but to be honest, she was quite dismissive and I felt like she was thinking, who is this crazy person wasting my time. My question is this, I know the MRI examines both breasts but do I need to specifically mention these new issues? Or should I call back the clinic (something I’m put off doing now to be honest with you as I seem to keep getting the same nurse) and tell them and ask them to explicitly note this on my file? I didn’t get the impression she did anything like this when I spoke to her, just got me off the phone as quick as she could. In the last 4 months of limbo everyone has been wonderful and caring and it’s so helped but her and a similarly unfriendly radiologist made me feel bad. Also, and sorry for the essay. Is the MRI really terrible? I keep hearing it is. Also, and sorry this will sound so trivial, are they strict regarding no make up? I haven’t seen a soul without make up since I was about 15, I have some serious issues there, I would honestly be the one applying make up as my house burnt down 
I took the earliest appt which is a couple bus rides to get it done with and I cant go all that way as the “real me”
Hi @littlemy1
Yes, I would note down any symptoms you’ve noticed and haven’t reported yet and let them know. I know what you mean about how some medical staff can be but I just don’t care about the attitudes from those people anymore and encourage anyone to advocate for themselves if they feel they need to regardless of the anticipated response.
I agree the MRI certainly sounds terrible. You will be laying face down with your breast dangling through two holes and a cannula in your arm for around 40 mins. However my experience of it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it might be due to the absolutely wonderful radiographer who kept checking back in with me to let me know how it was going, what he was doing next and how long it would be the whole way through. And you better believe I did it all with a full face of war paint! 
Hope it all goes well for you. x
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Mssteel has summarised the MRI well! I didn’t realise mine was a long as 40 mins, but they put headphones on me and spoke to me at regular times. I stopped it to ask them a question too at some point while I was lying there.
I entertained myself with the sounds of the MRI machine, which sounded a bit like different phrases being repeated. That’s probably just me though!!! It’s just random noises to normal people.
I suspect, as with me, they’ll talk you through everything like the cannula and at what point the fluid goes in through it. It really wasn’t that bad. I tried to focus on it being a new, differentexperience I’ve never done before. I had thought I might feel clostrophobic but you are lying face down and I think I closed my eyes and tried to use it as some time to relax, plus you’re by the entrance hole to it.
I hope that is reassuring! Xxx
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I forgot you can stop it at any time too. Very important point @cherryblossom1!
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You possibly just got the nurse when she was having a bad day/5 minutes so ring back and tell them what you’ve noticed. They speak to very worried people all the time and won’t think you’re wasting their time.
As to the MRI it’s noisy like someone is digging up the road nearby or you’re right next to an old washing machine on spin. They gave me foam earplugs and headphones and asked what kind of music I wanted so I got a muffled Radio 2.
I was given a pair of scrubs trousers and a gown to wear as absolutely no metal allowed in. There were lockers for clothes and valuables. You’re on your front a bit like a massage table and your breasts dangle down into the machine. Your arms are slightly raised in stirrups like you’re swimming breaststroke. As long as you make sure to relax everything as you settle it’s quite comfortable so fidget until you feel right. The radiographers were sweet and even put a blanket over my feet so they didn’t get cold (department was chilly in February and I only had boots so had been paddling around in my socks once changed). They put the cannula in beforehand, connected it up once I was comfy and told me when they used it. They chatted to me between scans and told me how long each would be. I also had a buzzer in my hand if I needed to speak to them.
As for makeup I’ve just checked the leaflet I was sent and there’s no mention of it not being allowed.
Also it is a 2 for 1 deal and I’m sure the radiographers reported on both sides.
I hope yours go smoothly.
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Thanks everyone. Especially about the make up 
I wasn’t scared of the mri at first as I’ve had mri’s before but this sounds like a whole new board game! Although to be honest on my stomach will probably be more comfortable for me I’ve lost that much weight my bones in my back hurt touching anything these days! I do think I should have waited for a closer one for less of a faff but it’s the same hospital as I go for the breast clinic so gotten used to the 2 bus/one hour trek at this point! I’ve got to remind myself that I’m braver than I thought I was and I got through 3 biopsies. I’ve always had myself down as a bit of a chicken
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Oh it’s practically a spa treatment compared to the biopsies! You don’t even get squished in a sandwich toaster like the mammogram 
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I don’t think I will ever look at a toastie the same way again
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It was the best way I could think to explain it to my husband “it’s like catching your boob in a freezing cold smooth sandwich toaster which they then squeeze to shut it”. If it happened to men it would be nicer…
Well done for getting through it. Don’t read too much into the question I’m sure I was asked several times and it’s to do with magnetic metal in the MRI machine. Biopsy clips aren’t magnetic and I believe are made of titanium which makes me giggle immaturely
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Ha ha aaaw thank you! Someone could move an eyebrow and I’d read something into it at the moment I’ve got lovely intense nerve pain to distract me from thinking about darker stuff for now - after me being like, well this position could be worse 
I told my sister today this is all karma for the pain I inflicted on my Sindy dolls as a kid!
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hope everyone is ok and not melting too much today. I got through my MRI without too much drama. I didn’t love it but to be honest I thought I would feel a lot more uncomfortable than I did. Didn’t love the whole canula thing but needless in veins is my worst thing ever, even the word vein makes me light headed! The staff were lovely though even if I was babbling like a loon because I was overtired and nervous 
I said no but I have a biopsy clip, but that is in a different area. But you know how you read things into any question and any tone! Anyway, now to try and divert my thoughts till I get my results again - that old chestnut!