MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Discussion & Experiences & Questions

OK. Please let me know how it went for you after going through the scan!

Hope all goes well

 

I have been waiting for an appointment for an MRI and I was told today my appointment is on the 4th August. While I have been waiting for an appointment I have been feeling pretty confident - now all that has changed now the date has been set. I am now really nervous about the MRI procedure and the results. 13 years ago I had an MRI in relation to breast cancer - but I cannot remember how long it took to have this exam. The fact of having to be perfectly still and with having atrial fibrillation I know my hear twill start beating fast because when laying on my back it normally does.

Anyhow apologies for the whining sometimes it`s good even to write down your fears.

 

You can ask for a sedative for your MRI if you think it will help you. You might want to inquire ahead of time as to what they might give you to make sure it does not cause or worsen tinnitus though.

I assume this is related to tinnitus and so therefore is an MRI of your head, and probably a test for an acoustic neuroma (which typically are not cancerous). If so, you can expect to be in the tube about 20-25 minutes. I've had several MRIs. I'm mildly claustrophobic, but I don't find them that distressing. I just close my eyes, keep them closed, and try to go to sleep. Just think of it as an opportunity to take nap. Above all, don't think about what the results will be. You'll get the results when you get them, and there really is no benefit to worrying about anything before the results are available. Don't hesitate to ask the MRI tech questions if you feel like it. You can communicate with the tech while in the tube.

I think the worst part is that you have to wait so long before getting the MRI (August - really!). That's a long time to be anticipating it and that much time to think about may worsen any anxiety if you let it, so I'd recommend doing your best to not even think about it. Keep your mind occupied with other thoughts between now and then.

Best of luck!

 

Thank you very much for responding to my post much appreciated.

I do have tinnitus but the main problem is my hearing or I should say lack of it even with hearing aids. For 8 years with hearing aids I had no problems but now suddenly, even with many adjustments to my hearing aids, I`m not hearing clearly at all so my audiologist said I should see a specialist and hopefully rule out any physical problem.

Thanks again for your input it brought it into perspective for me.

 

I have a copy of my MRI results - I have not as yet had a return visit to my specialist for her interpretation of this report so in the meantime I am left kind of up in the air as to why I am not hearing good and have not been for many months if there is nothing physically wrong.

I am relieved that I do not have an acoustic neuroma and the report says everything seems normal and the comment was:- quote....I do not see an explanation for the patient`s hearing loss.

The only abnormalities are:- quote.... There is a small, focal T2 hyperintensity in the left basal ganglia. Also There are large mucous retention cysts in both maxillary antra. Obviously I do not understand those comments.

I`m at a loss now as to where to go from here. My hearing specialist said for me to have this MRI because he was having problems adjusting my hearing aid for clarity and he suspected something was wrong physically. Well there isn`t anything wrong but I`m not confident that he can make my hearing aids any better because he tried for months and months and I still do not hear well at all.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

A little confusion about why one should be wary of ELF magnetic fields coming off pylons, transformers, water pipes, earthing cables, etc... Yet we are told magnetic and radio waves coming of the MRI scanners are save - though it's x0,000 x more powerful?

Eg. About.com assures as follows --

No, we are not exposed to any radiation at all during an MRI scan. “MRI” stands for “magnetic resonance imaging,” and it uses magnetic and radio waves to produce images -- not radiation.
For a simplified description of how MRIs are made: Extremely strong radio waves (10,000 to 30,000 times stronger than the magnetic pull of the earth) are sent through the body. This temporarily moves the nuclei of the (primarily hydrogen) atoms that make up the body’s cells. When they move back, they emit their own radio waves, which are captured by the scanner.
While it is freaky to think about magnetic waves that strong being sent through your body, there is no risk at all to your body’s tissues during an MRI scan.
Obviously, there are also sites that claim neurological / tissue impact from the magnetic forces of MRI.

btw, are there anyone with T that doesn't go for MRI / CT scans?

Medical staff says 99+% finds nothing wrong.
Yet as long as occasional discrepancies have been found by this 1%, it makes it almost a necessity to rule out, at least for the peace of mind?

 

Well, you should discuss the results of your MRI with your specialist.
If you want to know more about the harmless retention cysts in your maxillary antra's (which are your lower sinuses, below the eyes and to the left and right of the nose), you can read this page: http://www.sinus411.com/?p=53

 

Well, yesterday was the super, heavy-duty concentrated MRI. The process has certainly improved since the last time I had one (about 11 years ago for sinusitis - yes, add that to my list of periodic medical maladies). I was very apprehensive, as the last one caught me off guard. Guard is the key word here, because the techs put you in the immobile state and the face-mask thing is about 1" from your face. This place uses a mirror to trick you in to thinking that you can see out the other end of the tube. That was pretty effective. Of course, the 8 mg. of Valium helped as well. After 40 minutes of buzz, buzz, buzz and bang, bang, bang, the deed was done. I suggested that they figure out how to pipe ESPN to a small monitor there and the experience would almost be enjoyable. There was one scan that had the entire table shaking. I told the techs that it was the most expensive massage that I had ever experienced. So, many more general questions which I will post later. For now, my T and I will head off to watch a movie or something to squelch the Screech. Have a good weekend everyone. Maybe I'll share some exciting images of my brain as soon as I receive my copies.

 

Glad to hear you are fine

Was this one of those fabled silent MRI machines or did you have to wear a hearing protection during the procedure?

 

Far from silent, Fish. Fortunately, they supplied shielded headphones and played my choice of Pandora channels. This was an improvement from my first MRI experience, where I heard all of the noises at full volume. With the increased sensitivity in my T ear now, I would not have survived without some ear protection. I even cringe now when some of my business associates (especially those with hearing damage and don't realize they are doing so) talk at high volumes. For having lost some hearing in the affected ear, sounds sure seem amplified. Must be the ol' brain at work again, eh?

 

Same ok experience with MRI. Checked out open MRI but image isn't as sharp, which defeats the purpose considering how many cases with sharp images already have missed or misinterpreted readings. So I asked for latest type closed MRI. Forewarned about claustophobia, 3 techs worked very fast around me as soon as I sat down on the slider. One tech placed ear-bud in one ear, another tech placed in the other ear, and soon a snug, comfy headphone is over my head. A third standby ready to slide me in. Head rest just the right fit. Body doesn't feel any hardness, good padded support. Smooth slide-in. Surprised it doesn't feel enclosed. Possibly because I didn't dare open my eyes in case I freak out. I knew the thing they slide over my face must be the cage, so I opened my eyes only when they say it's finished. Saw a muted light panel 1-2 inches from my eyes. Looks friendly, nothing that would freak out anyone. Didn't take the option of a mirror given to those with claustophobia since I was not opening my eyes. I didn't want music decibels added to the racket of MRI sounds. MRI sounds loud but ears able to take it so the earbuds and headphone combo works. (Indeed, Screech, I felt my eardrums vibrating in alarm at some voice levels, this MRI pales in comparison..)

You get a button to press in case you want to halt the process. However, MRI scans are done in stages so there's quite a number of breaks. Good of tech to keep telling me how well I'm doing.. The 50 minutes or so passed rather quickly, another surprise considering this wasn't a procedure I welcome with open arms.

Needles and pins felt in both hands midway. Tech says it's due to being in same position. But I have paranoia fear that it's due to excessive magnetic waves of MRI. Wouldn't have gone for MRI except the clinical procedure recommends ruling out abnormal growths etc. Postponed it a few times, then decided to go for it.

 

I'm scheduled to go for an MRI scan (I think the main reason they're doing it is to make sure I don't have a brain tumour).

But what I would like to know is, is there any possibility that this scan will reveal the cause of my tinnitus, and thus enable them to treat it? Because if not, I might not bother going - the hospital's a long way away and I can't really afford the fares. And frankly, the tinnitus is getting me down so much that, if it can't be treated, I really don't care whether I have a brain tumour or not.

So on that basis, is it worthwhile going?

 

Hello Mister D

Personally I think you should go if for anything just piece of mind. As Arnold Shwarsennger would say IT'S NOT A TUMOR...go and elimimate that possibility. If your new to Tinnitus it's going to get you down, stay strong! I went for one back in Oct of 2012 complaining of neck problems, and low and behold my T started in November, I went again 2 weeks ago for another and my doctor called me last night at 10pm waking me up telling me that he's getting me in for a dye injected CATSCAN he said a number of brown spots have shown up on this particular MRI.

I think it's important you go, it's better to know one way or the other, your piece of mind is worth a few bucks. As for treatment there really isn't anything written in stone, it's best that you try a few different things that may work for your individual case, read through some of threads in here and try a few things. You might want to TRY and have a mind set of possible management of your T, it works trust me...mind over matter.

And the last thing that I can recommend to you is get the book TRT by Jasterboff and Hazell, understanding how Tinnitus works and it's method to maddnes, I found personally that understanding this Tinnitus has settled me down a lot and I'm trying to live with the saying that IT'S JUST A NOISE and it can't hurt you, and it will only bother you as much as you allow it to. Do I still have T ? sure does it get to me ? sure but I won't let it control my life as it did in the first 3 months while I adjusted to my noise, and you"ll find the people in here are awesome for assistance and guidence.

Danny

 

Treat the depression ASAP, and the tinnitus will move to the back burner where it belongs.

 

Markku said:

You're right - the tinnitus gets louder if I clench my jaw muscles while my mouth is slightly open, or if I clench my teeth, or if I swallow hard.

Does this mean it's 'somatic tinnitus'? And just what is somatic tinnitus? And is it more treatable than other kinds? I googled 'somatic tinnitus' recently but I didn't come up with anything helpful.

And to everyone - thank you so much for being so supportive.

 

Hello

Robert is SO!!! right in regards to depression, mentally it is quite disturbing.....some have considered ending thier lives over this, it crossed my mind also. Once again you must stay STRONG believe you can deal with this utter nonsense. Can't recommend enough to you get a hold of the book by Jasterboff and Hazell.it makes it all make sense like it or not. Having a better understanding of what is occuring in your head will help you calm down somewhat.

Good Luck Mister D !!!

 

Please take on Robert's advise above - he posted something like this on my cry for help - and I did as he said ' treat the anxiety' it takes time its not a quick fix 3-4 weeks for Anti D's to kick in but they have helped me so so so much I cant shout it from the roof tops enough ! I ended up in the Docs 3 or 4 times in the space of 2 weeks not talking about T but how tired and totally totally exhausted I was with lack of sleep - anxiety - brain fog - bad mood - I coudn't function - I couldn't make my childrens breakfast or go to work - I was signed off with 'tinnitus related anxiety and insomnia' - that was 4 weeks ago.

Im now back at work part-time until I feel I can cope fully ( I work on a support desk and take angry distressing phone calls most of the day !) I am sleeping more - OK not through the night but enough to function - I have accepted the 'masking noise' that used to annoying the life out of me more that the stuff in my head!

GET help for the anxiety / get a doc on board that supports and understands not T but stress / anxiety / depression no one understands T cos no one else hears it in simple terms - but a good Doctor will help you sort out the anxiety and you will then build the strength to deal with the T !

I am the worlds biggest worrier - I have never had anything wrong with me in my life - so this was a massive massive issue - and scared me more than anything more than having kids ! GET help dont be scared of Anti D's get a doctor on board who understands depression and anxiety - my Doc's have a list of conditions that they each have particular interest and experience in - so ask for someone who is experienced or interested in this area of medicine.

Markku has referred to me in his post to you above - I think this is a road we have been put on - its OK to stop and ask for directions - Cher x

 

Hey again! Did the MRI long ago, thought i'd come here and tell how it went. It went very well, and i didn't have any problem with the machine being loud (got headphones & used earplugs). Got my results a while ago, and nothing special was found. My ENT did however mention my pollen allergy, because i have never used any medicine/nose spray. So I've been prescribed some spray, because he said it might help with my T.

Not entirely sure what to do from now on. I've been trying to remember when i got my T, and the only thing i can think of is that it started to get obvious i had some noise after a sudden weight loss (10-15 kg) by not eating chips/chocolate & drinking beverages like coca cola / pepsi for a entire year. Haven't mentioned this to my ENT tho.
Any suggestions? So far i'm convinced to check if my allergies has any effect, have some for fruit too (might start stop eating them, to figure out). Or eventually just report to my doctor, if my T changes.

 

Definitely have an MRI. I did and it showed a benign tumor which is causing it.

 

This is just to follow up on a posting from about 5 weeks ago, when a member posted the need to know results from MRI. Anyway after 2 MRI's and one catscan I've found out that I have a 1.8ml anyerisim in a line to my brain, so much for my need to know....hmmm. Ist MRI showed one brown spot, my neck and shoulders still hurt a lot so I kept up my whining to my GP so went for 2nd MRI 6 months later, this time multiple brown spots in lower neck region, sent for a catscan 3 weeks later now I've found out I have anyerisim, well I did say that I would want to know if something was wrong health wise. My Tinnitus started just shortly after my first MRI in Sept of last year. Going to see a Neuro Surgeon at ST. Mikes Hospital in Toronto. So there ya go, I know my spelling sucks so don't hold it against me...lol
So if you don't hear from me for a long time I've blown a gasket and I'm dead. lol I've given my wife my password to access this site, lol

 

Well I did say I wanted to know, now I know what has caused many of my laser bolt headaches from time to time, I was told to monitor myself , to watch for headaches that don't go away, blurred vision and any onset of vomiting for no reason. My Doc doesn't seem overly concerned it's very tiny 1.8ml in size, but important enough to send me to a surgeon, it also explains many other things that have been going on in my body.

Funny tho the human body can fix it's self with assistance we're built that way all of us, but when it comes to the brain, it's one messed up organ. My daughter is upset the most over this, She's getting married next Sept 6 2014, I've promised her that I will still be around to walk her down the aisle. Not really SURE but I'm betting that it might have something to do with the onset of my tinnitus.
Thanks for the reply!

 

@Danny

There are a couple of different treatments for small cerebral aneurysms. One is minimally invasive and uses a catheter to direct a coil of soft platinum wire into the the aneurysm bulb which then triggers the blood to coagulate because of impeded flow into/out of the aneurysm. The clotting seals off the aneurysm thereby minimizing the chances of it getting bigger. If this treatment, called endovascular coiling, is deemed appropriate for your case, then brain surgery is not necessary. Nonetheless, no medical procedure is risk free. That risk with this procedure is associated with the potential for inadvertantly stopping blood flow to the brain while routing the catheter and inserting the platinum coil thereby possibly causing a stroke. (risk is probably on the order of 1/100 of suffering a stroke). I suspect that risk is less than those associated with open brain surgery, however. Even if it comes to that, brain surgery has improved tremendously in the past 20 years largely due to the use of computers, robotic surgical techniques, and better imaging techniques for identifying the location of the problem. This allows for less collateral damage to brain tissue during surgery. I'm not sure if the robotic techniques are applied to aneurysm repair, however.

As an example of how much better brain surgery is these days, I had a friend who had a rather large non-malignant brain tumor removed using modern robotic surgical techniques about 2 years ago. He was out of the hospital in less than a week, and suffered no mental deficits. With the precision techniques they were able to limit the tissue removal to only the tumor - no callateral damage. He was back to doing all the things he did before the surgery within a month. Of course he does have a metal plate in his head over the skull penetration, but the penetration was much smaller than if he had full open brain surgery.

For larger aneurysms there is a new stent-like device offered by Covidien called the Pipeline that goes into the mother artery that the aneurysm is formed on. This device is implanted with a catheter much like that used in endovascular coiling. It alters the blood flow to prevent the exertion of pressure on the aneurysm and flow into/out of it. Like coiling, it leads to blood clot formation at the neck of the aneurysm thereby sealing it off from the mother artery. The device has the added feature of strengthening the artery to prevent additional aneurysm formation at that location, and provides a scaffold that fosters "endothelium repavement" which means the inner lining of the artery grows onto the scaffold thereby further sealing off the aneurysm and further strengthening the artery (that does have some downside though in that it narrows the artery making it more susceptible to clotting if you have other vascular problems like antherosclerosis). The Pipleline device probably is not applicable to your situation, but it is a good example of the kind of advancement made in recent years. If you care to learn more about it Google "Covidien Aneurysm Treatment".

Bottom line, recent advances in the area of brain surgery and treatment of aneurysms- as opposed to the rather sparse advancements made in the treatment of tinnitus - are on your side. Surgery is the one thing that Western doctors excel at. I don't mean to imply that brain surgery is a no-brainer (sorry, bad pun), but these days you have an excellent chance of things going well if it comes to that.

It is also possible that the neurosurgeon will recommend no treatment at present because of the small size, but instead recommend just monitoring it. A wait and see approach may be the best alternative simply because additional advancements are likely to be made in future years. That, however, does nothing to relieve any of the symptoms that the aneurysm may be causing.

I think Occam's razor supports your contention that your T may be related to the aneurysm. Not proof, but it is something that supports the logic.

Take care.

mick

 

Sorry Mick there is no love button to reply with. AWESOME, your reply is well just awesome. I've done minimal research in regards to the possibilities that may lead ahead, between my GP and your posting I'm going into this apt positive. I 'm going with the last option because of the size ( 1.8 ml ). I promised my daughter I would walk her down the aisle in one year, I'm going to do my best god willing.
I'm a relatively healthy male 56 years old social drinker and currently not smoking, my massive headaches have ceased since my tinnitus has set in, I do have other minor issues that I won't post here on open forum but nothing death concerning but I'm sure it's related to one of my arteries.
Thank you once again for your posting.
Danny

 

I had to get a MRI today and before i went in i asked the man do u guys have ear plugs? he said we have head phones that will keep the sound out, so they set me up and all, and i went in and the head phones was playing some soft relaxing music and i was like ya this should help block out the noise that the machine makes. Well i had to do a Mri on my neck and my lower back so i had to be in there for an hour! so they started the machine and Shit i could still hear every bang and noise that machine was making !!!!! WTF and for a hour hour too !!! i just prayed and i cold hear my T getting loud and i was getting upset !!! i should have put on my plugs , why didnt i put on my plugs ??? well any way after an hour of that noise in the MRI machine i was driving home and needed to blow my nose and when i did did a thick mucus came out of my nose , same side as the T and i was kinda scared like what the hell is that, and it was sticky ???? sorry if i'm grossing you all out but thats just what happened , any ways the point is that my T is very soft right after that ????? wth ??? i was praying that maybe i have thick mucus blocking the tubes in my ear os something ???

 

I will be getting an MRI of head soon I hope. But this question is bugging my mind, because people say it's too loud. Can it cause hearing loss or damage ears in any way? I'm trying to take care of my ears which are already damaged.

 

I got a MRI without earplugs (I didn't know it was loud) and I had a spike for one hour. No problem if you wear earplugs. Or you can ask for a "open MRI". Good luck!

 

Tinnitus for over 14 years now. In the past 4 years it has gotten much,much worse. My first tinnitus MRI was done in 2000. I have moved and the doctor said it's been long enough that he wants to see what were dealing with. Here is the exact wording of the MRI's conclusion.

Technique: A pre and post infused MRI of the brain was performed with 20 cc of Magnevist.

Findings: The brain is unremarkable in appearance. Specifically,no mass lesion,mass effect,intracranial hemorrhage or evidence of acute infarct is identified. No abnormal area of enhancement is seen. There is near complete opacification throughout the sinuses. The mastoid air cells are clear. There is a dominate right transverse sinus which is a normal variant.

Impression: 1. Unremarkable pre-and post infused MRI of the brain.


This was the report of my MRI done on 05/06/2013.

I know it's boring reading but I have had trouble problems with my sinuses for over 30 years and have always used a Afrin type nasal spray to get me through the day. Is my problem something as simple as clearing up my sinuses? I have gotten off nasal spray many times in the past only to suffer down the road and go back to them. You can get them at WalMart for $1.88 and they last me a whole week. Don't you think if your sinuses were full of goo(Doctors words not mine)that this would be the first steep is to clear them up and it might just help your tinnitus problem? Thanks for reading!!