Pacemakers and MRI's

bluerose

Has anyone any experience with needing an MRI but having a pacemaker? From what I was told you can't have an MRI if you have a pacemaker because of the metal in the pacemaker and the MRI being like a big magnete - not a good combo.

I sent away to St. Jude's a while back about this and there was a little door left open in the literature they sent me saying that if you have to have an MRI with a pacemaker that the area should be shielded or something but sounds like a gamble to me and they weren't saying even that would work for sure - wanted to keep their options opened I'm sure when it came to recommending it which they didn't, at least back about 5 years ago when I asked.

I just found this link that talks about this subject but still would like to hear if anyone has had this experience with pacemakers and MRI's:

http://cbs4.com/health/Pacemakers.MRIs.Patients.2.275027.html

Anywho does anyone have anything to add to this question? Thanks. Blessings, Bluerose