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1179332 tn?1297478990

Headache after MRI

I just had my 6 month post op MRI on Tuesday (no results yet) and during the procedure I started to feel the pressure feeling in my head and it started to throb. Also my neck started to really hurt and I could feel the pain spiking down my spine.
I started to get a headache after but I figured that it was due to the stress of being in the tube so I didn't worry about it too much.
This morning I woke up with a horrible headache...one of the worst since I got over the "recovery headaches"..since about the 2 month post op mark I only have been getting "background" headaches in which I just take over the counter meds.
That is not the case with this one which has been going all day today, along with more neck pain and a difference in coordination and more weakness in my left arm (my worse one). With the headaches is a lot of ocular pain and visual disturbances that go along with it.
Has anyone had this experience of symptoms flaring after having an MRI?

Carolyn
14 Responses
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980510 tn?1282010946
i get a headache everytime i have an MRI no one can tell me why.
as for your arm issues i still dont have an answer for you -- Iam still trying to find out
why iam having issues with neck & shoulder from a car ride--

hope you get answers soon then i been able too

try and have yourself a nice relaxing weekned..
Helpful - 0
999891 tn?1407276076
Hi Carolyn, Sorry that you are still experiencing problems, I hope it is nothing serous.


Well enjoy the camping, relax and take in the fresh air.....


Ray
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
to add to what Sheila said about Open MRI's that's what I've been told too the image is just as clear however bc of the difference in the magnets it takes double the time to have your MRI done. The tech who did mine yesterday told me if I had been in the tube it would take half the time--oh but i tried that tube and NO NO NO! lol

Carolyn,

I agree w/Selma you need to take it easy! ask for help. I know what its like w/children..it's not easy. I hope you feel  better and that you do get to relax. =-)
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sheila....thanks for the info on the open ones....I have not had one, nor ever offered one, unless I could not go in the tube and it was indicated if I could manage the tube it would be better, so I assumed that there was a diff from that.


Carolyn....u r doing way too much...u need to slow down...I understand u have a family, but they also have to understand u had brain surgery!!
U need them to chip in and help....and u need to stop and rest more then u r.

I hope the camping this weekend gives u some relaxation : )

"selma"

Helpful - 0
1179332 tn?1297478990
Well the headaches is back today full force...I don`t get it.. I am somewhat convinced that the switch in meds is not doing me any good either.

I agree....I think it was a bad position that I was in and for too long, with all that vibrating and the ear plugs...just is too bad that I have to deal with the outcome for so long...and I STILL haven`t heard about the results.

I don`t think we have open MRI`s here...we only have about 4 machines total (I think).

Well I am going camping this weekend so I am hoping that the relaxation will get rid of the pain...

I wish you all a good weekend...hopefully as pain free as possible :)

Will talk when I get back!
Carolyn
Helpful - 0
1098999 tn?1276787267
I've had open MRI's in the past and they offer clear readings just like a tube style MRI machine. They say the only difference between MRI machines is what type of magnet is used in them. Some are stronger than others. That is the only known difference that I know of.
Helpful - 0
999891 tn?1407276076
Hi Carolyn, glad your feeling a little better and I hope it continues to improve :)

I agree that the stress is a likely cause of the HA.
I dont have the claustrophobia issue with the tube, my problem is being in the one possession for such a long time, then you have that awful noise going on beside your head. If you were not sick before the scan you were when you got out lol.

My Doctors have strongly advised to avoid stress as it can make the symptoms worse......


Ray
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Glad to hear the HA is easing up.....I remember going for tests yrs ago...all GI related...neway...I was soooooo tense lying there my legs wouldn't hold me up afterward....

and I know how much u like the tubes, that alone can do u in......

Yeah there r open MRI's not sure if the readings r as clear....and could b y u did not have one...but u can ask if it is too much to be inside.....

The position, the vibrating and the noise alone can do us in.....lol....

Try Dramamine non drowsy for that vertigo...

"selma"
Helpful - 0
1179332 tn?1297478990
Thanks guys :) It is easing off a little today but I too am feeling weird... a lot of vertigo and just feeling spaced out. I just doubled the dose of Lyrica recently so I am wondering if that could be part of the problem.

Open MRI?? I didn't know that there was such thing...that would be so nice!

I hope everyone has a good weekend!
Carolyn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry that you're not feeling too well. I had an MRI today..and I havent had surgery yet..but I didn't feel to well afterwards.My headache went away but I still feel "out of it" for osme reason. I had an OPEN MRI..cause I so cannot handle the tube! last time they tried to stick me halfway and i was kicking and screaming NO JOKE! I'll be praying for you. I hope you feel better. (((HUGS)))
Helpful - 0
1098999 tn?1276787267
I feel so sorry for you. I wish there was something that I can do. I know that feeling all too well. I'll say a prayer for you and hope it gets better sometime soon. Stay strong and take it easy. I know it's easier said than done but still.

Sheila
Helpful - 0
1179332 tn?1297478990
Thanks guys...

Selma...that makes sense, I probably was very tense (even with the Ativan) and I think the position they had my neck in didn't help either. Also, they put ear plugs in too which is always a no no for me b/c it ups the pressure in my head..I should have said something..but we all know how noisy it is!

Sheila..I ALWAYS take an Ativan b4...or I wouldn't make it longer than a few minutes too.. I learned this after my first CT when I had a huge panic attack all the way through and it only took 10 minutes. I am the type of person who would never go in a tanning bed b/c of claustrophobia!

Well this is day 3 now and the headache is still here...last night I woke up with the shaking feeling in my head too :(

Carolyn
Helpful - 0
1098999 tn?1276787267
When I had my MRI's done. I would come out of it and get violently sick and very dizzy. I was able to tell after the first 3-5 minutes of being in the tube. I would tell them that the room was spinning and my left arm would go numb and get cold like ice and my legs would start twitching. So they would pull me out and BAM....I would get sick. So needless to say, it took them twice as long to get my MRI's done because of this happening. Now they have to give me something to relax so they can get the images done in a timely manner. And afterwards I would get the worst HA....for days I would get them and be down for the count for almost 4-6 days.
Hope you feel better.
(((HUGS)))
Sheila
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi Carolyn...stress will still affect u...and I know u do not like the tube...that coupled with the dang noise while being in there...well, it is a given to get a HA...I got one too.

When u hold ur self tense it will cause ur head to throb....

I got like this after hurting myself the other day...instant nausea, and HA...dizzy...ect.....

my thoughts and my DH's on the subject is, my brain gets overloaded even with pain....so it had no idea how to register it and it fluxed all over.....

JMHO
"selma"
Helpful - 0
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