Frustrated about my MRIs

[beachcomber13]

Since joining this forum, I have become empowered with so much helpful information. Now I know that all MRIs are not created equally, and I should have 3T MRIs.

But I am frustrated that my previous MRIs may have been a waste. I called to check the magnet strength on all of my MRIs:
-June, brain w/ and w/o, 1.5T
-August, C/T/L spine w/o contrast, 1.0T
-August, C/T spine w/ contrast 1.0T

Yesterday I had another brain MRI, this time on a 3T machine. I got smart thanks to you guys.

I just got a sky-high bill for the C/T/L spine MRIs, and I don't even want to pay it (but will of course). I will talk with my wonderful new GP about whether I should have more MRIs on my spine. He ordered the repeat MRI on my brain to check for new lesions.

My new problems that have been going on for about a week and a half are in my left leg and foot. Could be a spinal lesion. Everyone is assuming that my MS is only affecting my brain, since there were no spinal lesions seem in August. Now I know that that MRI was 1.0T. I don't know how much of a difference it makes.

Well, if I'm going to have my MRI repeated on my spine, before the end of the year would be good. I've reached my deductible, which was high because I was a healthy person until May. Wish I'd chosen a different plan, but I guess my crystal ball wasn't working during open enrollment last year.

Venting... Sorry.

[beachcomber13]

The first neuro said to go to a certain place just because he could see the report on his computer. Radiology Place A.

The second guy wrote a note to the secretary that I needed an MRI of my spine. I brought it to her, and she said, "Would you like to go to Radiology Place A or Radiology Place B?"

The third time I went to Place B, because the neuro said their machine is better. (Come to find out it was 1.0T.)

The fourth time I made an appointment with Place B again, but then I called to check their machine strength. Canceled that appointment.

Quick google search and I made an appointment with Radiology Place A in a different city, the one that had 3.0T. Then I went in and traded the doctor's secretary for a Place A form. That secretary goes to my church, so I chatted with her and told her why I wanted to change: stronger magnet. She smiled blankly.

So the patient decides around here. Scary, right? The doctors either don't seem to have a clue. This is why I'm seeing the MS specialist: hopefully he will have a clue. Thank heavens for this forum.

I'll let you know if 3T is more expensive, lol.

My report from yesterday's MRI was faxed to the internist! Secretary called to tell me. But I have to wait until my appointment on Tuesday to find out what they saw. :(

[anon07072023]

Geez!  Too bad you didn't know, then. I'm sure you would have gotten the 3T at least for your spine - I hate to hear you threw all that money away for - well - nothing, sorry to say :-(

I may be wrong, but I thought the neuro had to dictate what strength MRI you needed?  I don't know.  I had been trying to no avail to get my old neuro to let me do my spinal MRIs on the 3T.  When they would call to schedule them with me, they would tell me, that it was only for the 1.5T (even though they also had a 3T in their facility).  

Yeah, I'd definitely try to get a new one on the 3T before the end of the year since you've already reached your deductible. I wonder if they're more expensive than the 1.5T and the 1.0T.

Good luck,
Kelly

[beachcomber13]

I wish I had known that doing spinals on a 1.0T machine was odd. I'm $800 in the hole for just one set of them! And if they had done w/ contrast the same day, I wouldn't have to pay for those separately... it's seriously so frustrating.

Anyway, now I know, and I'll go up to where the 3T machine is. It's only 15 minutes further than the other two radiology places. And it was easy scheduling there, because it's in a crappy area. Go figure.

I want good images for when I see the MS specialist!

[beachcomber13]

One of the 1.0 machines looked ancient, but the other looked rather new. The 1.5 machine looked older than that second 1.0. So I guess you can't judge an MRI book by its cover.

I called the radiology places where I went. My MRIs were not done in a hospital. My neuro is useless; I knew I'd never get in touch with her, and I don't think she'd know anyway. It wasn't on the report--I looked.

So I called and said that my MS specialist wanted to know the strength of the magnet in the MRI machine. It's sort of the truth. I believe that he will want to know... when I meet him in November.

[Paulie36]

My MRI's came back normal, but now I'm wondering what machine was used?  did you call the hospital or the neuro to find out the strength of the machine?  If i remember correctly the machine looked older.  

[jujuminx]

Vent all you want to, it's healthy.  

I have never heard of a 1.0T MRI machine. Goodness is that an original or what?  To do a spinal on a 1.0T is odd.

My neuro said a 1.5T is usually good enough for a brain scan b/c the lining of the brain is so wide and not very thick (my uneducated words not his).

A spinal MRI definately should be done on a 1.5T or higher as the spine is condensed and compact and needs a higher imaging requirement.

I am so sorry that on top of everything else you are dealing with you have to deal with this.

Julie