Contrast or no contrast for an MRI???

[butterfly84777]

I am scheduled for an MRI on wed and I am a self pay as i have no insurance.. So I want to make the most out of my test but I am scared of side effects!!!
I do have GAD also panic attacks, and epilepsy I have been seizure free for ten plus years tho!!!! I take depakote, buspare, and weaning off Xanax!! I am a 25/F  I need advice please.. Thanks for reading :-)

[greenlydia]

I have had three MRI's and all of them included one "set" without dye and a second "set" with the contrast. I have never had any side effects whatsoever, aside from the weird, (but not painful) "heat" sensation the dye causes. I am on quite a few meds myself, including Xanax and naturally I make sure my doctor knows everything I take. So, the best advice I can give you is to discuss with your doc all the meds you're taking. If you ARE taking anything that is contraindicated, he will know.
There IS one side effect that I deal with during an MRI and that is claustraphobia! But since you don't mention that on your list, I think you're good to go!
But do talk with your doc as only he will know about the specific meds you're taking.
Best of luck
Peace
Greenlydia

[M4Y0U]

There seems to be a patern with people suffering from anxiety and MRI lol

Me too i asked for an MRI even if my CT scan, x-rays and blood test came back ok i feel the only thing that will free my mind of this fear of having something bad is the MRI of everything where i experience symptoms ( neck, forehead, sinus, brain )

Hopefully i have insurance i heard MRIs can be really expansive if you scan a lot of thing.

[butterfly84777]

Yeah I am very clastraphobic as well they just told me to take one of my Xanax and that somebody could come back with me to like rub my leg etc...
I am also just confused on the difference between contrast and non contrast like are the contrast a lot more detailed or not really I have read different things..

[greenlydia]

I can see your point. But when we've been told, over and over, that all of our symptoms are simply "in our minds," some of us take that to mean our "brains" and if that's where they're lurking, then we want to make sure our brains are OK. I know that was the reasoning for MY first request for an MRI. I think people with anxiety have paid for most of the MRI machines in this country! LOL

MRI's ARE expensive, so if you don't have insurance, hang onto your socks when the bill arrives.
Good luck
Peace
Greenlydia  

[greenlydia]

Taking a Xanax before the test is an excellent idea, as is having a friend with you if you really are that nervous. The techs are usually very understanding of the fear many of us have sticking our heads and bodies in tubes that make horrid sounds and zap us with "death rays!" (The "death rays" is a JOKE, people!)
Using contrast will show them any anomaly that does not show up without it, especially very small differences that a non-contrast MRI may miss. So why not just do the contrast to begin with is a good question. Perhaps you should ask the tech why they do it that way.
I think you are getting a tad obsessed with the contrast issue and would urge you to stay off MRI websites.
The contrast will not harm you and will greatly help the doctors make the correct call.
You will see, after the test, there was really nothing at all to fear.
Peace
Greenlydia    

[butterfly84777]

Thanks for your support I know the Internet is so addictive to me right now!! And I just lack knowledge on it I think.. I mean I don't have insurance so everything I have done I suggest and then pay full price for!! And I wanted to make sure I did the right test!! I would ask the doctor for his recommendation but he is just a family practice doctor and will do the refferal and everything but I have had to ask for everything I want in detail!! Thanks again