Brain MRI question please:)

[missy142]

Hi,
I am scheduled for a brain MRI tomorrow and I have 2 questions if i may:)

1.  I read the thread about the MRI machines and the power of them.  The one I usually go to is an open (sitting) as I am claustrophobic and I read on their website that it is only .6T.  Now according to the thread this is not too good. I was considering going to another MRI place with 1.5T.  They also have 3T but the place is further away.  
Is it a good idea to go to the one that has the 1.5T at least for a brain MRI looking for possible pathology?

2.  I currently am having a migraine and dont know how long it is going to last.  This may be the reason that my questions dont sound very well put together, sorry:(  Anyway this may sound very stupid, but I am ignorant to this.  Does it make a difference if I currently have a migraine regarding any potential lesions?

The reason I am having the MRI is I have multiple herniations, but am having bad muscle weakness in legs, paresthesias in groin, legs, buttock, word finding problems.  But my ortho wants to r/o anything going on besides herniations.

And as a side note I must say I have been reading these posts for about a week and the people on here are just lovely.  I am a nurse and have met some pretty caring nurses in my time, and the people on here seem just lovely and as caring as any nurse I have ever met.

Thank you for your time:)

missy

[truelove47]

My trick is to keep my eyes closed from the minute I get on the table

I am over it now because I have had about a dozen or more over the years

I also think good thoughts and try to mentally put myself in a nice place

best wishes and goog luck  to you                 Linda

[missy142]

hi ess,

thanks for the input.  Im going to the 3T machine for the brain on thursday, however I have already had the thoracic done at the open MRI.  Thats where I had my cervcical and lumbar and I was told they like to see you sitting up for compression reasons that the herniations show up better when there is more compression, so I am out of luck for now there.  At the time we were only looking for herniations with the cervical and lum.  When I had the thoracic last week my md was looking for both.  I get the report of thoracic today so we will see.  I believe I have a thoracic herniation, I have seen the films and so has my chiro and it looks like it might be signigifcant, so maybe that is what is causing the lower ext. symptoms anyway.  My md will say for sure.  
And off to neurologist soon, aahhh sooooooooooo much fun to be had?:)

missy

[Lulu54]

Here's hoping that you get rescheduled for a date that isn't too far off in the future.  Please let us know how you do or if you have any other questions.

We're here for you,
Lulu

[essdipity]

Claustrophobia can be tough, from what a couple of friends tell me. I'm able to close my eyes and pretend I'm not there. (If I can't see it, it's not happening. Talk about weird!)

The earplugs I've been given do nothing for me, and I can't imagine how some people manage to listen to music through all that din.

It's more important for you to have a 3T MRI on your spinal areas than your brain, but maybe you should go to the 3T place and get it all over with. It isn't essential that you get the contrast dye, and going without it will shorten the whole process a lot.

If you need a sedative, take it. With your doctor's okay, take a lot. Just have someone drive you home. That's hardly something you'll do every day, and if it helps you get through this important test, then I say go for it. We all have idiosyncracies, after all.

Hang in there,
ess

[missy142]

Jules,
thankyou also for the very helpful information.  The one good thing about these MRI's are that they are not the old tube ones they are tubular but they are only about 4 ft long, extra diameter I believe 2 and 1/2 feet around and the tube is open on both ends.  I would definitely have to go in one of these, I really do not believe I would be able to go in to one of the older really thin tubes, no matter what I did short of being completely put out which seems rediculous.  i have too much anxiety and already take a low dose of klonopin.  

After hearing both of your comments I may even drive a little further and get the one with the 3T if my insurance will cover it.  I live in NY on long island and believe me there are an abundance of MRI places.  I am just complaining about the difference between driving 10 minutes and maybe 30 minutes.  Thats not really much to complain about considering how far some people seem to have to go.  

I dont want to have an MRI that perhaps doesnt show what it should just because its an antiquated machine, so again much thanks for all the input.

missy

[missy142]

thankyou so much, Lulu and it is nice to meet you.  You have helped me more than you know as I was scheduled tomorrow.  I will definitely change it.  The reason I even asked this is I went to your profile tonight!  I believe where you referenced this and read up on it and saw your brain images, otherwise I would have never known, thanks again.

I have had the stand up MRI (actually) it is sitting down for my cervical, thoracic and lumbar however.  I think this type may be good for herniations as they like to see you sitting as opposed to lying down due to the compression on your spine being greater with sitting.  The thoracic one I had was to look for herniations (and I believe they found a signficant one) and also to look for lesions I guess. So I suppose it may not be useful for the lesion portion and may have to be redone at some point down the road depending on how things unfold.

Thanks again so much!

missy

[JulesL5S1]

I'm sorry to say this but I would probably cancel the appointment on the open .6T machine.  The 1.5T is ok but the 3T is even better.  

I too am claustrophobic.  I take an Ativan before the procedure which calms me just enough that I can get through it.  If necessary you can arrange for the MRI type where they totally knock you out.  I've also found that it helps to use the eye mask - don't even think of trying to look when you are in the machine.  I also use the ear plugs.  

I'm a "large" woman so at times it is a tight fit.  I try not to move at all.  I also find that singing songs to myself helps.  I have musicals memorized and my last series of MRIs was in Nov/Dec so I went through Christmas Carols.  

Depending on the severity of your migraine you should reschedule anyways.  The bright lights and loud noises will make your migraine worse or give you a bounce back migraine.

Best of luck.  And people on this site can help you interpret the results.  Cheers, Jules

[Lulu54]

Hi Missy,
You can ask all the questions you want - even more than two! LOL

ABSOLUTELY you don't want to do the open MRI - your MRI should at minimum be on the 1.5T  MRI machine. You might as well throw away your time and money on the open MRI.

If claustrophobia is an issue, make the doctor aware of that problem and ask for a sedative (valium, etc.) to take before your exam.  Many here swear by having the technician place a washcloth over your eyes before the test.  Or if you can, just close your eyes and imagine you are someplace else.  

They do give you a panic button you can use if you have a problem BUT I want to remind you that it is really important to have this test done, and done on the higher powered machine -  you can do this (that's my pep talk!)  

The migraines will not affect how your lesions show on the MRI  - I'm sorry yuou are suffering with that as well.

Yes, this is a lovely group of people and I hope we can count on you joining us regularly.  This is a very knowledgeable group who can help you through this process.

Welcome to MedHelp!
Lulu