What Would You Do? Advice Needed!!!

Many of you might know that my last appointment with my new neuro went horrible to say the least. The one thing that I thought would go in my favor is that this university hospital has the best MRI machines (ones that are better than the 1.5T.) I'm due to have my appointment this Friday. I called today for instructions and to be, I guess you could say nosey, about the strength of the machine that they are putting me on. They did say there was a questionable lesion on my c-spine and I have 4-5 "non-specific" brain lesions. I haven't had an MRI since Oct. of 2007. I found out that they ordered my brain MRI & c-spine on the 1.5 T machine and not the 3T.

That is the whole reason why I went out there was for the better machines. We have plenty of 1.5T machine where I live but not the 3T. Now I just feel like cancelling my appointment all together because of this. I have to drive an hour just to get there. Why should I go out there and go on a machine that I could easily go to where I live? What would you do? Am I being too picky and bias because of how I was treated at my appointment?

[CtResident]

Who referred you out there? Did they ask for the 3T? Are their "wishes" not be adhered to?

I also had an MRI dissappointment last week. Was supposed to have a t-spine, with and without contrast. The techs said nope, no contrast, the supervisors said that for what the MRI was for ("dorsal pain"??? I don't have dorsal pain!!) that contrast is not used. So I called my pcp and the PA said that contrast is only used for abdominal or kidney MRI's. Hm, considering it was HER handwriting on the paper, I'm sure my pcp told her to put that there?

Anyway, ask for verification from your referring dr? Gas prices are too high for a Sunday drive at this point!

I hope you get your 3T, that would be awesome!

Suzanne

[wingnut19]

Hiya!!

OK, let me get this straight...the new Neuro that you just saw set up these MRI's for you at this particular hospital, right?  Why am I so confused lately!  Geesh.... :)

I totally understand why you wouldn't want to go, but I think I would,,,,I know everyone is different, but my lesions showed up on a 1.5 T machine without a problem...That's all we have here in my city, so I really had no choice.
Ask yourself this:  If this Neuro was a pretty good Neuro, would you still go even after finding out the machines are only 1.5??
Also, like you said, you haven't had an MRI since Oct/07 and there may be changes no matter what strength machine you have the test on.
I hope I helped and didn't confuse you more.....LOL
{{HUGS}}
Tammy

[emskelly]

I am confused! Wow, I have been getting MRI's for over 10 years now, and have never been told anything about whether the machine is 1.5 or 3. Don't even know what that refers to. But, I do know, I never needed to go somewhere because of a specific MRI machine. I actually had 6 different MRI's this last year alone, and never once was a specific machine required or recommended.

[slightlybroken]

emskelly - my last neuro kept sending me to an open MRI which was a 0.7 tesla strength. The protocol for picking up on MS lesion is to at least have a 1 tesla. The higher the power, the better at picking up lesions, especially in the spine. 3T are very good for picking up lesion in the spine. I thought since there was a questionable lesion in my spine, they would use the 3T since that does make a difference. I'm not DX yet so it would make a difference with me.

Tammy- I understand what your saying..you didn't confuse me at all LOL.

Suzanne- Sorry to hear that you had problems with your MRI. I'm pretty sure there's no mistake with the order..this neuro has already made up his mind that nothing is wrong with me.

[Momzilla]

Lie.  Call them up and hopefully get someone else on the phone this time.  Tell them you forgot to say that when you spoke to your doctor, she/he was clear that they wanted you to have a 3T.  If they ask why, lie again.  Say you don't even know what it means, you just know that's what they said.  

If you have blond hair, it's best to give it a little flip when you say these things, as if you don't know what you're talking about, you just know that's what the doctor said, and you forgot to mention it the first time.

How do I know this?  It worked for me.  I got a 3T.  No questions asked.  We on the forum called it 'fibbing,' I think.  Or better yet, 'advocating.'  Do it.  

Good luck,

Zilla*

[Quixotic1]

I think your best bet is to do as Momzilla rec's and try to get the films on the 3T.  Some institutions have rules about who or what body parts get the 3T treatment as opposed to the 1.5T machines.  But, you can try.

We have occasionally heard of dismissive neuro's suddenly getting the full picture or developing interest, but it is not the norm. I would have reservations about returning to a neuro that dismissed me.  On the other hand, in case it was just an off day, you could give the guy one more try.

Can you take someone with you to give him the "stink eye?"

Quix

[Quixotic1]

Hi!  I've seen you around, but I'm not sure we've talked.  If we have I claim TB (Teflon Brain) as the culprit and welcome you again!

If you are already diagnosed the power of the MRI machine doesn't make a whole lot of difference.  But, if you have been in limbo and suffering from lesion deificiency (hmmm....some neuros do seem to deify lesions) then I recommend that you read two of the Health Pages; the ones named "How MRI's Show Lesions in MS," and "What is the Difference Between the New MRIs and the Old Ones?"  This will explain why the magnet power of the MRI can make a difference in making a difficult diagnosis.

Welcome again!  Quix

[Fluffysmom]

Wow, my neuro said that a 3T isn't better when looking for spine lesions, and sent me to the regular one at the hospital.  I wonder if she hasn't heard that a lot of other people think that a 3T is better, of she truly had already written me off and didn't care.

Quix is right about dismissive neuros; I could feel it at my last visit.

slightly broken, I would say go for the 3T.  I've learned that there is a lot of knowledge floating around this forum, and I agree that the 3T is better.  I had a thoracic MRI on a 3T in May of '07, and I noticed then that there was a weird mark on my spinal cord when I looked at my films, though the radiologist didn't mention it.  I got the report on my 1.5 from this past Friday, and there are patchy areas that might be MS, and they show up on the films right where I saw the mark on the 3T last year. They are more defined, so I think that they have changed.  I wish I had the new films done on a 3T, so they would have an accurate comparison.

"Advocate" for yourself; you deserve the best there is to offer.

Good luck

Kathy

[emskelly]

I think I have only had 2 open MRI's, all the others are that long awful tomb like scanners. I really had no idea about the different strengths. I appreciate your clarification though. I will have to check my records and see what they are for my own interest. Does it matter from here out which scanners I get?

[monotreme]

I did what Zilla did and got Craig on the 3T MRI at Hopkins last october.  I would follow her recommendations.

I would not travel that far if it was going to be done on a 1.5 T.  If you cannot get them to commit to a 3T, then have it done on the 1.5 T at the same center as last October and then the radiologist can compare films from the October MRI.

Elaine

[emskelly]

Quix,
  I have seen you somewhere, but I too have that TB--(cute by the way).  And thanks for the references. I will check them out. I think what is frustrating me is moving across country trying to find a neurologist who gives a darn. I had one guy tell me he wouldn't have diagnosed me with MS based on the MRI's. What do they expect--wait until you can no longer walk, then oh by the way you have MS. That just really ticked me off. Then this last one I saw decided she wanted full neck and spine films, which I suppose is a good thing, but I still felt really put off by her. I just hate that doctors just don't seem to care anymore.
  Thanks again for the response and for the welcome. It has been great getting to talk with others who are going through the same nightmares I am. I am sure we will talk again!

[Quixotic1]

Many doctors do care.  We just have to find them.  Hmmm....Maybe we could make our own!

Quix, MD