MRI tonight - need help quick!

[Sandpuff]

Just got call from nurse, they are doing mri on brain and c-spine.  They're doing it in an open mri, will these pick up the little stuff?  Or should I wait and try to get into a closed mri?  I also don't know if they are doing contrast and heard you need that.  Really don't know what to do, but afraid to ask them about contrast.  Advice?  Gotta leave at 4:45 central time if you can answer before then.  thx

[Fluffysmom]

I'm glad you spoke up and got the closed MRI!  I used to have a terrible time making calls like that.  I just kept making myself do it, and it has gotten a lot easier over the years.  It also helped that I had a friend that would ask me to call somewhere, saying she really needed something done, but couldn't take the time.

I realize now that she was helping me get over my distase of making those calls.  I now surprise her by telling her that I've spent an hour or so on the phone with the insurance company and a MRI facility, straightening out a error in billing; they said I had to pay for something I knew was covered.  Actually, that instance took several calls, back and forth.  

I always wait after I have an MRI or X-ray for them to print out a CD of the films for me.  I just fill out a release of information form, and ask them to mail me the report when the radiologist has it finished.  The hospital closest to my apartment has seen me so often that they will even call me and let me know when the report is done so I can go over and pick it up.

I'm glad you see your neurologist this morning; no waiting around for results.  Except for all of us, here, your support crew, wondering how things are going!

Kathy

[doni54]

I'm so glad you had them do the closed MRI.  I never know sometimes if I'm giving the right suggestions, but I did know that the open MRI wouldn't be good enough.

Can't wait to find out your results, maybe they will help in getting you that dx you need.

ttys
doni

[Sandpuff]

Thanks again for all your quick responses.  It helped me so much.  I have a hard time speaking up for myself with a doctor, I'm pretty compliant most of the time, so it took all I had to call them and I hated doing it.  But I just thought about the consequences I guess if they used an inferior mri.  I felt like I'd be paying for nothing.

I have an appointment with the neurologist at 11 this morning.  I'll let you all know how it goes.

[Sarahsmom46]

I am so happy this worked out for you.  It is frustrating to learn after the fact that you should have done this or ask for that, but you don't have to worry about that because you came to the most caring people around and got the advice you needed to make an informed decision and took quick action.  We all need to be good advocates for ourselves and you did just that today.

Julie

[jensequitur]

I should have mentioned that you can get your films from the imaging place - either on CD, or they'll print the films out for you.  The CD is much better!  Easier to look at on your home computer, if you have a PC.

[Sandpuff]

I went and they did it in a closed mri and with and without contrast.  It seemed to take forever.  I commented on how new the mri machine looked and she said it's just a couple years old, so I think it was a good one.  I see the doctor in the morning.  Thanks to all of you for your words of wisdom.  I called the doctors office and made sure it was with contrast and questioned doing it with the open one, and I never would have done that without courage I got from you all.

[Lulu54]

Sandpuff,
So sorry I missed your plea for help but Quix and company did a good job in their replies.  Let us know how you handled this one........ Lulu

[jensequitur]

I agree - if you can change it to a 3T or even just a 1.5T, do it.  

I had mine done on an open MRI at 0.7, even after I protested.   The neuro said "Oh, they'll be fine."  Imagine my distress!  Obviously he doesn't have a clue.

Even though the MRI was so low-res, the pictures are all right - take a look at my personal space and you'll see the ones they did of my spine.  But I think I lucked out - most people don't get such good results from the 0.7T.  I'm still waiting on the results from my scans.

As for whether they'll show anything - an experienced radiologist should be able to look at your scans and see something, if it's there.  The question is - is your radiologist a good one?

[Quixotic1]

I'm personally against using an open MRI.  I do not believe that they give good enough resolution to see the soft tissue lesions of the brain and spinal cord.  They are great for the bones of the spine.

I think a lot of doctors just don't know about the large discrepancy in the resolution.  One thing you might do is cancel because you don't have a ride or are feeling bad (dizzy or something).  Then call your doc back tomorrow and say that a friend, who is also a doctor with MS, advised you to request a closed MRI because of the better resolution.  If MS is on their mind it needs to be ordered with the MS Protocol and using contrast.

I'm just afraid the low resolution with hide any lesions and then you, too will be saddled with a (false) negative MRI.

Quix

[doni54]

I don't know how good the open MRI is, but I don't think it is strong enough for what you need.

Most recommended is a 3T machine, MS Protocol, with and without contrast.

Also, I know they do the brain and spine sometimes in the same day, but when I had my brain MRI, they didn't want to do both the same day because they said the spine MRI takes close to 3 hrs.

I don't know what others experiences have been, but when my GP suggested an Open MRI, I just told her that I needed it done on a 3T.  I don't have health ins so I'm pretty outspoken about what I will be paying for.  I didn't want to pay for something that wasn't going to be the best option for me.

I hope others will come on here before you leave.  I don't want you to make a decision just based on what I've said, it is just my opinion.

Good luck, puff, whatever you decide.