First Neuro appt yesterday

Just wanted to say I LOVE my new neuro doctor! He is sooo understanding! I went to him to rule out multiple sclerosis. I am getting a mri and eeg on tuesday. He said some of my symptoms sound like ms, but I told him I want to rule out EVERYTHING! lol. He sooo understand fibro, and he is someone who does not like to give alot of meds, and I was happy about that because I don't like taking meds. I told my other doctors (GP and rheumy) that lyrica makes you gain weight and they said no, and my neuro said yes it will, plus most of those meds he says only helps about 10% or so for pain and the side effects are not worth it. I mean it may work for some people, but I want to stay all natural and anything else first. He checked my reflexes in my arms and my left arm would not jump, then he tried it again after he did the right one and after a few times it moved a little, he said something is wrong with that. I basically went because of my "sick" feeling. After doing work or really pushing myself or getting in heat I get dizzy, slight headache, nauseated, BM, and extreme fatigue and my mental capacity goes spirling down, fibro fog gets worse. I have to lay down and sometimes I am out for a day or two or more. That's why I want to make sure I don't have ms or tumors or anything funky in my head. He fully knows how fibro can be, and told me no more than 4 hrs worth of work during the day, housework or cleaning or running errands. I have to pace myself, plan things ahead of time. I am a little nervous about the mri with contrast (of brain and spine) because he said it would take long. over 60 mins of tunnel time lol, I said well I need some xanax! haha. Anyone had contrast with a brain mri? was it bad?

I am getting a copy on cd before I leave the hospital, I like to look at them on my computer at home.

Hugs,

KL

I had an mri, but it didn't take nearly as long as yours is going to take. The important thing is to relax. Make sure you aren't wearing anything metal. They usually offer you valium beforehand. I took extra xanax. They talk to you and some play music, so you get distracted from being in a tight space.

I am so happy that you like the new doctor. That is so important. Let us know how everything goes.

Yes it is so important to pace yourself. I am going to figure the same as you. Four hours of work. And I split it up when I can and rest in between. Some days I do nothing. But that is me. I do have to be somewhat busy. I was a workaholic before. Always doing something. I couldn't stand idle time. I have learned to relax since then. But it sure does take practice and determination. Sometimes it is hard just to relax.

Have a good evening.

Hugs, Karen

I had an mri with contrast and it didn't take near as long as your doctor says. Maybe 20 minutes. All that happens is they give you a shot of fluid into your vein and stick you back in to the machine. It wasn't painful at all. Good luck.

Thanks for everyone's support. Sherrine- I sure will pass on any tips or advise from the doc to everyone, and I will let ya know how things went. I will try to relax, but I probably will take a xanax. lol.

Thanks again for the support!
KL

Is there any good reason why they want the contrast? My regular brain MRI took only a few minutes. I would question the value of the contrast. The darn dyes they pump into us can cause all sorgs of allergic reactions if you are sensitive.

I don't tolerate gadolinium unless I take Benadryl before and after. I no longer tolerate E-Z-Paque since it's only available with flavoring and sweeteners. The additives are the problem most of the time - sulfites for me.

I have had a few rounds of MRIs. First when I was a teenager, they did my head due to recurring sinus infections, I had no problem.

The next round was 5 years ago when my symptoms first set in and the Drs. were looking for a diagnosis. The first MRI was of the neck and spine, that was with and without contrast, they were looking for pinched nerves or problems in the spine. I think I tolearated it ok. Once that was all clear a the EMG was fine a few weeks later I had to go back for a brain MRI, with and without contrast. I went to an MRI center, not the hospital. There they can not dispense antianxiety meds or benadryl. If you bring your own you can take it, so that was rough for me. My dizziness symptoms had progressed and when combined with the extreme anxiety about them finding something wrong with my brain I had a really hard time with the test. I had terrible vertigo with certain of the pitches of the sounds and I was spinning out of control. They had to take me out a few times to get it done. My brain MRI came out clear.

about a year ago I had another brain MRI, with and without contrast due to some symptoms I was having that my Dr. was concerned out - weakness/ckumsiness and extreme fibro fog during really bad flares. In the end it was just Fibro but they had to be sure. After compromising with the Dr. she allowed me to get an open MRI. She was so confident they weren't going to find anything on the scan (the test was most likely a "cya" test) so I convinced her to let me do an open MRI. We agreed if they found anything suspicious I would do a second one closed. Even the MRI place tried to convince me to switch to a closed because they are more accurate but I knew I would have too hard of a time without being completely sedated. That MRI was clear too.

With each test I seem to have less of a tolerance for the noises of the machine. Even when I did the open MRI I had sever vertigo with one sequence of the test. I rang the button because I was convinced I was going to pass out and vomit but they wouldn't take me out. I definitely encourage taking something before the tests, especially because dizziness is a problem for you. I have never had a problem with the contrast, however some people do. If you go the route of taking benadryl to help relax/knock you out then it can also help with potential reactions. I agree with the contrast being necessary in the case of brain MRIs. It is important for them to be able to see everything and the contrast is the only way for them to do so. Also, some places allow you to bring your own music that they will play for you to try to help distract you. I would call ahead to ask about taking the xanax yourself and about the music.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I have had two MRIs in the last three weeks. The first one was to rule out cauda equina syndrome. I didn't have it but found out I have moderate to severe facet arthropathy at L5-S1 and moderate at L4-5. I have been in a LOT of pain. The center was an outpatient center and I had to provide my own antianxiety medicine (I took Xanax with me) AND I had to go an hour early to sign the paperwork because they didn't want me to sign the paperwork "under the influence." Man, that was a LONG MRI. I was about to push the button and tell me to get me the he!! out of there when they finally stopped. My lower back hurt so bad that it took three of them to get me off the table and they had to wheel me out to my car.

Now they are investigating me for MS, like you. I had a noncontrast MRI but it didn't show any old plaques. It is my understanding that they use contrast if they are looking for active plaques. During that MRI, since it wasn't on my lower back, they were able to make me more comfortable with pillows and putting my legs higher. That MRI didn't take but about 20 minutes. Of course, it will take a lot longer with contrast because they do a complete MRI without contrast and then they give you the contrast and another complete MRI. It was the same situation for me with the Xanax - had to go an hour early. OH, and if they do your back, too, expect to be in the scanner over 1-1/2 hours or more.

My MRI didn't show any plaques, but I am still having the symptoms you are having (I don't know what you mean by BM when describing symptoms), so they are going to refer me to a neurologist now to see if he wants to do a spinal tap.

They did a face biopsy a few weeks ago and I found out I have teleangiectatic rosacea. My rash doesn't look anything like rosacea; it looks more like a lupus rash; that is why they did the biopsy, to make sure it wasn't lupus. I'm very glad to hear that it wasn't lupus as it has been getting worse over the years.

Good luck with your MRI and do keep us updated.