I had one about 8 years ago.  They scanned my neck and it took about 30 minutes (I think).  It depends on what they are scanning though.  It's painless, just very loud and you can't move at all.

My daughter's had a few, you just have to lie really still (the hardest part she reckons) and it's noisy.  Some units let you take a CD to listen to, to drown the noise out. Have you not had a leaflet from them explaining what will happen?

Depends what they are looking for.  Mine was only 2 minutes.  "Oh yes Ms Veggie, you have a disc hanging out your back, let's get you to theatre."

You just lie in a big open tube, as Leccy says, hopefully with your choice of music ( I remember they were playing Heard it through the Grapevine when I had mine)  If they are taking more than one pic, they should tell you between each one, "Okay, LGS, we're going to do another one now, this one will last 6 mins" etc.

When you having it done?

It's for my daughter too Leccy, Suzi, they are scanning her spine, and I'll take note of the CD thing ta, will take one anything to make her relax, that a long time to lie still

No not yet,  just had the referral from her consutant, but will be in the next few weeks they said

I had one on my spine about 4 years ago...mine took anhour and a half but thats only because they focused on the wrong part to begin with. I took a CD and that took my mind off it for a long time.

Yeah my daughter was only 13 at the time when she had hers so she was really nervous, but honestly it wasn't anything as bad as she'd been expecting (hers was for her knees and hips)...and they were really nice...I think they are with young 'uns...they understand it's all bit weird for them.

Sis had one two weeks ago takes about 30 mins. Best thing she can do is close her eyes and try i think of something else. does she have to fast before hand?

Trixy might take a couple of CDs then

My daughters 14 and was quite nervous when they said, so I thought the more I can explain to her, might put her mind at rest a little.

Moonbeams, they haven't said so, but that may come with the letter and information, so we shall see.

Thanks everyone for the info

I had one a few years ago - the worst bit is not being allowed to move. I had to listen to David Grey White Ladder (was already in hospital so didn't have any of my own CD's) and still get palpitations when I hear that CD as I was petrified of being in an enclosed space!!!

It depends on what area they are scanning as to how long it takes. mine was my abdomen and it took about 30 mins. 

If you are going to be in there with your daughter don't wear anything with metal - the nurse in with me who doesn't normally do these things had an underwired bra on and it was coming away from her chest lol!

It is very noisy even with the headphones and CD on so perhaps tell her that it will be noisy but not a bad noisy. It's like a fast banging sound.

Hope all goes well x

The noise is the worst bit...it's like being in a bin and someone hitting it with a stick (not that I have even been in a bin while it is hit with a stick but I imagine it is like having a MRI).

I found it a bit claustrophobic, but I'm a bit weird about not being able to move.

It's a bit claustrophobic.Mine was for a brain scan,so they immobilse your head in a sort of plastic head thing,they give you headphones to protect your ears ,it is a bit noisy .They advise you to keep your eyes closed as the top of the tube is pretty near your face.They play music into the room(pointless as the machine drowns it out,lol)The tube is lit up ,you are not in the dark,a cool fan blows and they advise you to wear light clothing (tee shirt) as the temp in the imaging suite is high.Mine lasted 10-12 mins I counted the seconds and did breathing exercises.I was fine for my second one,The first one I hyperventilated a bit and  pressed the squeezy ball alarm the give you and  they stopped it.They calm you down and tell you how to relax,I was fine after that.Oh and my results were all clear...I did have a brain after all! Seriously,let them know if your anxious and they will chat to yuo beforehand,good luck.

I had a spine scan a few weeks back. If your daughter is in pain with her back it may be painful as you have to lie there for up to 30 minutes (I was in agony and mine took about 20 mins) Well worth getting it done though as it's such a detailed scan and shows up anything and everything that might be going on.

Friend of mine had the same prob, she just couldn't do it so they arranged for her to have it done in one that was open at both ends, so worth asking if you're claustrophobic

I had one a few years ago. As other FMs have said, it took about 30 minutes, was very noisy and you mustn`t move during the scan. I am claustrophobic and a nurse gave me a very good tip." If you close your eyes before going into the scanner, you don`t see the optical illusion of the end closing at your feet. Make sure you keep your eyes closed throughout the scan and you should be fine." It worked for me.
 for your daughter LGS.

Not me, but it sounds scary....good luck to your Daughter Jen

I had one last year it was a wee bit claustrophobic but only lasted 20 minutes. They played Dusty Springfields In the middle of nowhere !

for your daughter 

It's not really scary Devil. Though I can understand that if you are in any way claustrophobic and it's around your head/face/neck area that's being scanned' it could be a bit awkward. There are some places that can anaesthetise you before the proceedure, but I think that's only done in the most severe cases.
The worst bit about it I would say is the noise, especially if the working bit of the machine has to be near your head. The noise though is just the magnets moving, nothing more sinister than that,
I also was having my head scanned, not really sure how long it took, but it certainly didn't feel like it was terribly long.
In my case they gave me headphones to wear, but there was no music as they had to communicate from time to time.

yes... several.....LGS. Mine took about 20 minutes.... but I think it may depend on what they are imaging Oh and there is nothing to worry about... it's a bit cramped and noisy, but other than that, it's fine

I had a head one a few months ago.  I had been advised to not open my eyes once in there.  Unfortunately I opened my eyes which was the worse thing I could have done.  I'm afraid I rather showed myself up and asked to be brought out.

However a very patient radiologist showed me that there was actually a mirror just above that plastic mask imemdiately above my face.  This enabled me to see the person in the scanning booth which was some comfort to me. He also warned me each time how long the next set of scans would take (in all my full set of scans took about 40 minutes)

You can ask your GP to prescribe a relaxant prior to the scan if you feel the need.  I certainly intend to have this next time they put me in that machine.

thanks all for taking the time to reply  at least we now have some idea and I can now let her know what to expect

I didn't realise how close your face is to the scanning thing.  I'm not claustrophobic but that made me so queasy  mine took 45 minutes for a half body scan.