I had an MRI of the brain back in May, to investigate various cognitive / neurological problems I've been experiencing since the start of 2009 (mild confusion, memory problems, muscle twitching, etc). This came back normal (I have neither copies of the scans , nor the radiographers report - just a letter from neurologist saying all findings were normal).
As my symptoms have exacerbated somewhat during the time that has transpired since the scan, various people of a non-medical capacity have advised me to ask for a repeat MRI scan 'with flare', given so I'm told, how many neurological conditions don't show up early into their course, and that with the addition of the 'flare' the scan picks up much great detail, so would now perhaps display an abnormality of some sort that could explain my worsening symptoms.
I saw a second neurologist last month who wouldn't entertain this idea, as he didn't deem my symptoms to be severe enough to warrant a repeat scan. Living in the U.K, this was on our National Health Service, where tests are down to the judgement of the consultant in question. You can't really just request a particular test, if the respective consultant doesn't believe it's warranted, given how everything is governed by cost, budgets, etc.
Unable to afford private health care, but obviously sufficiently concerned about my symptoms now, to want a further investigation carried out, I'm currently looking into getting a private repeat MRI. As this is a cost that's going to stretch me financially, I'm looking for advice on what exactly I should ask for scan wise, to make it actually count for something.
Many thanks in advance!