Puzzling MRI experience....

[Heather3418]

A week ago, I had my upteenth MRI of the brain and spine.  I have been diagnosed with MS for 14 years, so I certainly have had my share of MRI's.

I have had a few MRI's on the newer 3T machine so I am not a stranger to that machine.  This time, something very strange happened, I would like to get your thoughts about.

When the tech was scanning my spine, I noticed underneath me, great heat.  It felt like my spine was on fire.  I started to sweat profusely from the heat.  I thought this as odd, since I have never experienced this before.

When my MRI was over, I talked to the tech about my experience and told him that I had never had such a sensation with ANY MRI.  He said that it was the heat from the magnets.  I thought to myself, ok."  He said that if I found it uncomfortable, that my doctor ought to order scans in the future to only do one area of the spine, per visit.

I wanted to tell this tech that this heating of the spine, could be dangerous in someone with MS.  It is raising the body temperature, which can cause a temporary worsening in MS symptoms.

I will speak to my Neurologist about this and will also talk to the Imaging Center about this.  Since I have had so many MRI's before, (of the brain and whole spine together in one sitting (or laying) I have never experienced such hot areas inside the MRI machine before.  It felt like a heating pad on high heat, throughout the test.  I really didn't think I was going to make it through the whole MRI procedure.

I felt weak, dizzy and slightly sick to my stomach, after the test was over.  Getting to the front door and to my car, was an experience like an intense relapse.  Of course, when my body core temperature came down, I began to feel much better.

Have any of you experienced anything like this?  I do not think that this was a "normal" MRI test.  I truly believe that there was something wrong with the MRI machine and it should be reported to spare the next patient.  Certainly the MRI Imaging Center should know that this kind of heat in someone with MS, directed right at our central nervous system; can be altering in someone with our disease..  What are your thoughts?  And have any of you experienced this before?

Thanks a bunch,
Heather

[kwarendorf]

HI Madden - Welcome to our group.

I'm sorry to hear that you had a less than pleasant MRI experience. This thread is pretty old. It was last updated over 4 years ago. Many of the original posters no longer visit the forum.

I just diode;t want you thinking they were ignoring you :-)
Kyle

[madden805]

I just had a 3T mri, of the brain. I had the same kind of heat sensation, down my back. I had an acoustic neuroma 25 yrs ago. So have had numerous mri's, but usually the jack hammer noisey ones.. This is the 2nd day since the mri and I still have a low grade headache.

[Nancy T]

I remember thinking the same thing--how hot IS this going to get, and wondering if I was going to suffer actual burns, it was getting that hot. But I don't think I've ever heard of anyone actually getting burned--the mechanism of the heating must be something different.

I don't think the MRI that I had was a 3T. I don't know for sure, but I very much doubt it.

If you google "MRI safety tissue heating" you might find some interesting info.

[rendean]

Yes , I have had this experience on my last MRI which was my first on a 3T. I take Ativan due to claustrophobia but am still aware (at least somewhat ;-). I did take notice of the heat generated by the machine and remember thinking if I would be able to walk unassisted afterward. I do not know which part of the exam it was brain , cervical or spine, sorry.

I was a little jelly-legged for a while but had assistance from my DH. I usually do not have any issues with walking due to the Ativan, just for the record.

Ren

[Heather3418]

If anyone else has been through this, as well as those listed above, would you please let me know of your experience with the 3T MRI on the spinal area?  The brain scan, I did not feel the tremendous heat.

Only my cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas were very hot, when the films were being taken. (The exam of all three areas were done at the same visit)  I actually thought it was so hot, that it would leave scald marks on my back.  It was THAT hot.  I have never experienced this before in a 3T machine on my spine and I have had many.  It took me a long time after the exam, to walk correctly and catch my balance.  I was light-headed and my legs felt like rubber.  I had no one to drive me.  I had to depend on myself, of course, never expecting anything like this.
I literally was expecting the foam pad underneath me to melt.  Would appreciate hearing from anyone else that has been through this or heard about it.  Quix, do you have any explanation, perhaps?

Thanks for all your input ladies,
Heather

[Nancy T]

I had the exact same thing happen once, except it was with a cervical scan. In one of the sequences, the light inside the tube was pulsing, and my neck began heating up. It felt like someone had taken a heating pad and wrapped it around my neck and turned it up high.

This was not a feeling of being hot overall, nor was it a sweaty kind of heat. Just intense dry heating right in my neck, spreading slightly to my shoulders.

I got a bit scared (having remembered the news story about some guy's arm cast having caught ON FIRE in another local MRI machine--he wasn't hurt, just got his arm hairs singed) and I buzzed. The tech was annoyed and said about the heating, "That's not unusual. Now we'll have to start the scan over." And again my neck heated up terribly during the scan.

I called the MRI place before my next MRI and told them I was a little uncomfortable because of what had happened before. She nicely explained stuff about the coils and how they are monitoring the "SAR" (specific absorption ratio? but don't quote me on that) for safety.

I have since heard other stories of MRI heating, and even found some stuff on the Internet about it (long time ago). It does happen sometimes. It's quite disconcerting.

Nancy

[essdipity]

Just thought of something else. They offered to aim a portable fan at me if I wanted it, which I didn't. In fact, I had a light blanket. But a fan is certainly an affordable low-tech remedy.

ess

[Sarahsmom46]

You can chalk me up to feeling like I was in a sauna when I had my 3T for brain and spoine.  Just like you, when the tech came to help me out, it took two of them to assist because I was completely overwhelmed by the heat and couldn't stand without almost falling.  

I asked the tech about it and she told me the same as the tech told you that it is heat from the coils or something like that. They said I should have told them as they could have lowered the temp in the room.  I don't know much about these machines, but I don't think any radiological test should cause that much heat. And, if the techs know this is what happens, you would think thaey would do something to make sure the patient stays comfortable during  the testing.  

I hope you do takl to the imaging center and your neuro becaue this can be a serious issue especially for people who have to walk out and get in their cars to go home.  

Let's try to make sure we mention this possibility to newbies who say they are going to have a 3T just so they know ahead of time.  


Julie

[Fluffysmom]

Hi there.

My first 3T MRI was of my thoracic spine in 2007 at an independent imaging center.  I experienced the same thing with heat, only it was my whole body.  I felt weak, dizzy, and sick to my stomach.  This was before I got tremors and a brain MRI was suggestive of MS.

That cool, fresh air when I got out of that hot MRI sure was wonderful!  I sat in my car with the windows down, waiting for my head to clear, breathing in that cool air.

I talked to a MRI sales rep at a radiology convention, and he told me that they must not have had very good software; that the best machines don't work properly if they don't have the best software, which is more expensive and imaging centers sometimes delay purchasing the latest technolgy.

I was leery of my next 3T MRI last year, where they offered me a blanket.  I said no, thanks!  I had my brain, cervical and thoracic done, and I was actually chilly.  I was also very tired, though, and think I slept a little, loud bangs and all.

I think talking to your neuro and the Imaging Center is a very good idea; we all know that raising our core body temp like that can be very unpleasant and possibly downright dangerous.

Hugs,
Kathy

[tarter]

To heather

Having had a scan this past week I have broken out in awful heat rash from the magnets.
I have mention this to my Neuro that I always get the heat thing burning and then later rash.
Also I feel so un well for a couple off days after scan.

I have written to a couple of radiologist about this because I have raised metals in my bloods in particular I have  raised mangernese and my Neuor has voiced his concern to my GP but no one really wants to get involved.

The brain scan affects my face I get a sensation of pulling its really odd.
I have tried many times to get answers without sucess.

Heather I would love to hear if you get any info thanks for putting up the post.

take care tarter  

[essdipity]

G'mornin', Heather.

This indeed is strange. I'm so glad it was just a pseudo-exacerbation for you and not a real relapse.

For a few weeks I've been having a bad heat sensation, actually more like burning, on the left side of my rear, which now is expanding to the upper left too, so I do feel for you. However, mine is just a paresthesia and yours seems to be a more normal reaction.

I had my last MRI at Hopkins last August, just brain :-(   and it was on a brand new 3T machine. The tech said the software was brand new too, and would take many more slices and images. I wasn't hot during the scan and didn't sweat, though in general I'm having a lot of trouble with heat regulation.

Anyway, afterwards I asked him about the 7T scanners we hear about here. He said he thought they would be extremely hot, although Lu has had two 7Ts without this result.

It does make sense that a more powerful magnet would generate more heat, but I'm afraid I know little to nothing about the whole process. The science of it is way over my head.

I would definitely talk this over with the neuro, and possibly with the radiologist. If it was the machine, others should be reporting this too. But if not, it's definitely bad for you individually. If you don't get a good answer, consider delaying your next MRIs a good while. They're not diagnostic anymore, and you can tell how you're doing by how you feel, by and large. (This part is meant only for long-time MSers!) Or, you could make sure you have a different machine next go-round.

Best wishes to you, my friend, and hugs,
ess