I've been MRI'd more times than I can imagine. They let me wear my own clothes - just make sure you turn up without metal under wires in your bra / zips.... I guess it depends on the hospital.

As for the cup I really can't see a problem, unless you've decorated it with metal studs it's not going to do anything just sitting there. (Unless you've trained it to dance and sing).

Good luck and I hope all tests results turn out well.

My husband is an MRI technologist, so I shared your concerns with him.

The cup is not a problem with the MRI machine. The only issue would arise if you were having a pelvic scan done, because the fluid collection would show up on the scan. You do NOT have to tell them. Silicone is completely non-magnetic and will not cause any issues otherwise.

As for wearing your own clothes, their only concern is that you are not wearing anything at all magnetic, for instance, underwire bras, jeans with zippers, etc. Under no circumstances (even if they make you change into a johnny/scrub pants) will they make you remove your panties. Usually, if you show up in sweats (or similar metal-free clothing) and a sports bra, and tell them you are not wearing any metal, they will let you get away with not changing at all.

There's no metal in the DivaCup so you'll be fine. Also, I went dressed in a completely fabric bra, undies, plaid pants and a t-shirt. Sure, I looked like I was rather casual, but I didn't have to change my clothes, either. ;) I was just impressed they weren't concerned about my cartilage piercing in my ear (it's a captive ring, so I can't take it out myself), esp considering I was having a brain MRI scan. o.O

It all depends on the metal it's made of. Some metals (i.e. surgical steel) are non-magnetic, so therefore are not a problem.

That'd do it. The captive ring is surgical steel. I haven't changed it since it was pierced.

LOUD is the first thing that comes to mind, but a lot of MRI places let you bring a CD so you can listen to the music through their machine and that helps. Unfortunately their player wasn't working when I had mine, so I got to do it normally.

Essentially you lie down on this white padded board and you have to remain absolutely still. The hardest part is relaxing and NOT moving at all. It's easier to try and keep your eyes closed because even blinking can be too much movement. I kept my eyes open going into the machine, then opened again when it was done. When you are moved into it, it's just like being in a white cylindar. It's open on both ends so I didn't feel claustrophobic, but I don't mind cramped spaces in general. It's fairly bright in there. When the MRI is happening itself, it sounds like loud knocking, and where the knocking comes from changes all around you. Sounds like there's something inside the machine with a hammer banging on the metal, sometimes more quiet sometimes louder.

All in all, the 15 minutes went by pretty fast. If it wasn't for the knocking, it would've been almost enjoyable. I had a CAT scan as well. Exactly the same, only completely quiet. :)

Overall, it's a very simple process. Nothing to worry about.

Looks like you got some pretty good responses, so I just wanted to send my well wishes that everything with the MRI turns out okay.

Thanks to all for so much information. I appreciate hearing it all. I am somewhat claustrophobic, and in general do not like to be restrained. I was considering asking for sedation, but I am going to try to stick it out, because I don't really handle sedation well, either. I expect the amount of restraint will be similar to having a serious root canal, which I have found distressing, but feasible. The last root canal I had, they had my mouth forced open and ordered me to hold as still as possible for over an hour and a half, so I was essentially blindfolded by very dark glasses, gagged by the frame they use, tipped almost upside down so they could see the area, then ordered to be totally still while they did very invasive work in my mouth. This has to be at least not worse than that. Even more than the confining space, the restraint itself it what is making me feel scared.

I tend to get nervous and queasy so I wil l probably skip eating till it's done, just to keep my stomach reasonably settled. I have yet to throw up on a medical professional, but it often feels like a scarily real prospect.

My period does seem to have stopped, so I guess I won't have to worry either way about the cup.

Sorry if this has wandered too far afield from cups, but all the info has been very helpful to hear! The assistant at my doctor's office got me totally scared, after I had kind of resigned myself. Grrrr.

And it's just been interesting to see how many people even just in this community have had to go through this experience. So thanks again, everyone.

Vee

I'm very sad to say the tests didn't go well, and are probably unusable. I don't know if I will be given a chance to try again, but I've now learned how very hard it is to be in a restrained situation, especially while not allowed to either breathe particularly deeply or swallow at all for 6 minutes at a time. I spent every scan getting more freaked out and ended up gagging from the effort of trying not to swallow. I don't know what I am going to do. But I really did appreciate all the encouragement and info about the cup. So thanks again to all.

Vee