My first MRI

[Warpy]

2. If you're claustrophobic, ask for some Valium before you get into that thing

because the space is very confined. Also be forewarned that they're loud, like there are gremlins with crescent wrenches banging on the outside. Let them know if there is any metal in your head like aneurysm clips. No, they won't be pulled out, they just cast big shadows.

However, the longer you can tolerate it, the better because the MRI gives the clearest picture of what's going on with soft tissue like muscles, tendons, and brains.

A low field MRI is less confined but doesn't give nearly as much good information.

Everything you've heard about tats catching fire and piercings being pulled out of tongues is wrong. The magnetic field is strong enough to screw up your watch, so be prepared to surrender it, but it's not strong enough to pull fillings out of your teeth or otherwise aggress upon you.