kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I had an MRI scheduled last week. I went but my health was not doing well enuogh to get the MRI.
When my system or health is over tasked, I get this dry cough.
So, being still in an MRI was out.
I also am sound sensitive. The sound of the fans in the hallway as I lay on the gurney was too much.
I put in my hearo ear plugs and was OK but still doing the hot and cold thing and coughing.
I know getting in the MRI and having the sound that the MRI makes is going to make me worse.
So, not sure if it is even an option or worth it.
I had an MRI or two when my health went south. It just helped to rule out what? a tumor?
OK need to stop typing now. Heath is running on empty.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I took off my peltor ear protection muffs as I have the heater on in the apartment.
The sound of the heater running is too much for the brain.
It does something electrical to the brain..weird I know.
Took the peltor ear protection muffs off thinking that might help me type the rest of this out.
But, bottom line is I need to get up and turn the heater off.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
quote:To get an MRI or not to get an MRI
I would say yes, get it done.
• Try to stay relaxed – think calming pictures, bright blues sky, ocean waters/waves, people you love, the happiest times in your life etc.
• Bring a tape of a CD. Some places offer the opportunity to listen to music through headphones. It helps make the time go faster.
• (This works for me) Don’t open your eyes, or have them put a cold cloth over your eyes.
I have a very hard time with MRI’s – I’m claustrophobic – but somehow I’ve always got through them! (If I can do it anyone can do it)!
NO FEAR MRI
Click on this link below, it has everything you need to know about MRI’s – Check out ALL the links.
I think I’ll start a post with this link; it should help people that have fears of MRI’s.
Good luck, Steve
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
What is the purpose of getting this test?
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Yes. Do it.
At the very least, they can sedate you.
Make up some silly story about being claustrophobic, and they will give you something that will put you out so you are still when they scan you.
Hopefully being sedated will make it easier on your brain with the noise from the machine.
When the scan returns abnormal, it will help you get more caretaker help, more backing for extra help at home.
Documentation is important. The more evidence you have that you are as unwell as you are, the harder it will be for them to keep denying the extra caretaker help, etc.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
KAM, I realize that it will not be easy. But really with the symptoms you have been having with the brain pressure, it is one of the first tests that needs to get done.
IMO, you need someone to take you and bring you back. And probably some kind of mild sedative to help you with the over stimulation.
Is it possible to connect with your physician and tell her of your attempt and see if she can order something for you to take?
Posts: 1687 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
. GretaM Are you making fun of me?
quote:Make up some silly story about being claustrophobic
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Hahaha! Steve! No!
Sorry to my LN friends who are claustrophobic! I used the word silly in the COMPLETELY WRONG part of that sentence, that's for sure! My bad! Gulp.
I didn't mean to say that being claustrophobic is silly-it isn't. It is a serious phobia.
But what I meant to say is, make up a story Kam, that is SO outrageous, SO extreme, they will have no choice but to sedate you.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
Kam-in my experience i have gotten much more help with objective tests like this than subjective letters from docs so i think you should try really hard
I agree with the above suggestions for support...im claustrophobic and it helps me to have thm tell me 20 min to do...10 min to go etc...also once a woman stayed in the room and kept her hand on my ankle and that helped me
I dont have the noise sensitivity tho-i can see this will be very hard for you to get thru-i hope you can get a driver and other help
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I'm not sure why you are wanting this. I would say "no" unless what you find is going to offer you a clear path to fixing whatever it is that was found.
Is it really necessary? Will it tell you anything you don't already know?
If just curious or even to validate, I would not.
If you do, though, not all ear muffs will work in an MRI (because of the metal in the muffs). The staff should have special set, all plastic, that are decibel rated. Do not get in an MRI without that. DECIBEL RATED to at least 29, better if possible.
Ear plugs are not enough.
You will need the muffs. But, in the muffs is likely a "walkie-talkie" from the control room to your ears. That triggered a seizure for me when they blasted some command and I had no clue it was coming.
Ask beforehand if they have that kind of set-up and, if so, to test it out beforehand so you can set the levels for YOUR ears.
Still, even with decibel rated muffs, there is no way they can really protect your ears from the intense sound.
Sound / vibration travels through our NOSE, our bones, and that will travel to the inner ear sections, too. No way to really stop it but the muffs can help a lot so be sure to have those on board.
Also know that when on most antibiotics and other certain drugs, that our ears can be damaged at lower decibel levels than usual. And that all noise damage may not show up right away . . . and that not all damage to the ears is about hearing, itself. Balance, thinking, etc. are connected to inner ear health, too.
Just because some don't find the sound loud also does not mean it may not be damaging. These are very intense "hits" on the whole bone structure and bones transfer sound / vibration.
And, IF you go ahead, is this going to be configured by a LL specialist who know exactly what to ask for and how to word that?
And will it be interpreted by a LL expert?
Will your LLMD be able to get a full image set, and not just the radiologist's interpretation / report?
If you do it, also be sure that you have good adrenal support before and after. Go home and rest, even if you feel energized as that could be an adrenaline rush.
If you do have, I hope you find whatever it is that you are looking for, as validation or to rule-out and that, either way, you will have a whole different treatment option open to you.
You say this may be to help rule out a tumor. Have doctors done all the other diagnostics and do they suspect a tumor? If so, would a CT scan tell them what they would need to know?
A CT scan has more radiation but is USUALLY not loud (unless the unit's fan system is in the same room, rarely does that happen but it did with mine, even with all the advance checking, it was very loud because of that rare set-up).
If a tumor is suspected, I'm sorry to hear that as it can be overwhelming. If that is the case, I can see that you'd want a picture of what's going on. Just be sure to take the best precautions.
And tell them to STOP if you or your ears just need some more time in between the "takes" -- stay in charge as much as you can.
NAC beforehand may be of help. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Other ear protective measure here. You can also see what Rx that you take may be ototoxic and be sure to avoid that for as long as possible before any MRI.
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I have had MRI's in the past and was old my bran was unremarkable one time. Told I had inflamation another time...which at the time I was in the MRI I started to get the migraine
I was told another time I had white matter and then later the white matter went away.
All of these were before my health really went south.
I'll be back to read what you all wrote Typing this with my eyes closed.
I have constatn presure in my brain to different degrees.
But, really doubt an MRI is going to tell whoever reads i much.
I think a spect scan would work better but even with those unless you are Dr. Amen it seems they don't know what to do to help the patient.
Putting the MRI decision on the back burner and just getting thru the day for now. I have times when my brain works bettter than other times and isn't in a fog so much or cob webbed.
I need to decide soon or contact the MRI people via email and let them know I will not make it this week.
I haven't even been able to check the piece of paper tehy gave me as to when the MRI is scheduled for next week. This week.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I most likely will try again. It just may not be this week when scheduled.
I need to find a person to take me in my power chair and drive me home.
I need to find someoen to call and see how I can get what is called on the fast track for checking in.
I need to get in and out.
And I need to bring in my sleeping mask if I can find it..something to put over my eyes for the light.
Not sure about the sedative
My main concern is that when I over do it at times I do that dry cough thing and I have difficulty breathing...it is due to weakness I think...
I recover if I am able to lay down and be in a quiet room..no movement.
I had the difficulty breathing a bit when I was there last time. It was due to all the movement and my health running on empty to begin with.
I also left the house at 7 am and got back at 9 am. All I had done in that time was check in...laying on some benches while I waited in the lobby to check in and then for them to come and get me and take me to the MRI area.
Then laying on a gurney in the hallway of the MRI area.
The hospital is close so driving time was a few minutes.
I also need to know that I can get out of the machine if it gets to be too much...it seems that happens fast..I can be fine one minute and then need to get away to a quiet palce quickly and lay down to recover
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I did send an email to I guess you would call her my caseworker. Not so sure about this as she just sems to fill out paper work once a year for me to continue to have a caregiver come in for 4 hours a month...
...now 8 hours a month but it wasn't her that told me I could get 8 hours..it was a caregiver I had
....Now, trying to get more hours bu that is off topic in a way.
OK need to stop. Fading fast now.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
There are different kinds of MRI. Some people think functional MRI works better for certain conditions.
Will this test lead to any treatment? If not, are you just documenting in the hopes of later getting treatment?
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Ah. I think the doc ordered it because of the horrid head stuff I get and perhaps because I was not able to speak in a complete setnece when I saw her last.
She is trying to help.
How it will help...I am not sure. I recall dye being mentioned while talkign with her last and I also recall her saying that a CT scan might be better than an MRI due to me having sound sensitivity.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
Kam-it sounds like you already know mri is not a good way to show lyme
Spect is much better for that but only a good sprct
And if positve an llmd and possibly primary or neuro would give you lyme treatment.
I know many who had brain sx
Got a positive spect
Went on good lyme treatment
Sx improved and second spect showed improvement
But i think the value in an mri for you is to rule out some stuff and show abnormalities (white matter, inflammation) that could work in your favor getting more care giver help
I wondered if the ear things were metal too but didnt know
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