What is a MRI with and without contrast like?

[suziesmomyy08]

I am a 25 year old female who was seen by a neurologist for the first time today.  I had been researching MS because of a lot of the symptoms that I have been having for a while, but really started to bother me here the past few months again.  The doctor didn't mention what he thought might be wrong or what he was really ruling out with the tests, but I know that they use the MRI with and without contrast to help diagnose MS, so basically all I want to know is what is that like?  I have had numerous MRI's that are just normal, I guess that is what it is like without the contrast.  But if I have it with and without, then do I go in and have the first MRI just normal, and then they hook me up to an IV or however they do the contrast dye stuff, and then put me back in the MRI machine to do it again?  I just want to know what exactly to expect.  To me, this sounds like the only way to do it unless it is two different sessions.  

I had a nerve conduction study and EMG on my right arm in January, and it came back completely normal.  Then I had an MRI in January by my orthopedic doctor, because he thought I might have a herniated disc, but there wasn't anything wrong according to the MRI either.  So I took this MRI to the neurologist today, hoping maybe it would help, but he said something like, it was good for looking for the herniated discs and skeletomuscle problems, but not good enough for what he was looking for like a spinal cord lesion or something.  He seemed concerned but said he couldn't see much on the MRI because the pixels weren't small enough or something.  So he just decided to order an MRI of my brain.  Then after that, he decided to order some blood work with it.  

Anyway, sorry for the rambling, and I look forward to hearing from someone on here soon.  Thanks!  

Helen

[Chantele]

Hello!
As it happens I just had my MRI YESTERDAY! Whooo! Well they did mine with and without contrast (even though my doctor didn't order it). What happened was this.... I got there and signed the papers. Then they called me back right away and started my IV. It was very short. Just a tiny tube stuck in, with a little nub at the end for injections to go in (it was about 4 inches long). They taped it so that it wouldn't move around. Then I got to sit back in the waiting room. About 5 minutes later they called me back and I changed into scrubs (and let me just tell you that I looked SASSY!). I kept trying to make everyone there laugh cause I was nervous and they could tell. So then I went to the room where the MRI machine was and they popped my happy behind in there and about 25 minutes later they rolled me out and added the contrast. I did get a funny taste in my mouth too (kinda plastic-y). Then it was another 10 minutes. That was it. Hope this helps. Thought I'd answer since it was so recent and fresh in my mind.

>Chantele

[keddy1221]

Hi Helen,

My brain MRI was done in the hospital, and they injected dye into my IV line after they did scans without contrast.

My spinal MRI was done in a clinic.  First they scanned without contrast, then pulled me back out and injected dye into my vein via a regular shot.  Didn't bother me at all, I could just taste it a little bit.  It was all done in the same session.

I hope this helps, and I hope you find the answers you're looking for!

Kelly

[Zacksmomi]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
There is a whole section on MRI's that is helpful in the Health topics at the top of this page.  I think this can explain things better than I can and I am running out of typing energy so I won't try to fit it in here. Basically Yes there are different weights of MRI that show better quality and I do know that you want a T3.

As for the question about contrast... I just had my first w/w/out MRI last month and yes they placed an IV line, did the first session of screenings, pulled me out a bit asked me not to move and injected dye into the IV.  I hope that helps.

Best of luck.   I hope you find answers soon.  Keep us posted.

D