Today I had my MRI

[momof3boys]

I thought it was going to be a regular old MRI Like I had three years ago.... only to my suprise, I get there, get changed into the hospital gowns and pants... and they tell me I will be having a Contrast MRI! Heck I didnt know they wanted to put dye into me! I dont have a problem with it. Im not a fan of IV's... but If its going to help with the results of the MRI, Im all for it.

I really was suprised that they did a contrast MRI. Three years ago when I first saw my last neurologist dr, he ordered a MRI, but I didnt have to have an IV. My mom started freaking out because it ws taking to long! I guess I shouldnt laugh... but in ways I saw it kind of funny. She said it didnt take that long before! But anyways, I just wanted to give you all an update.

Whats funny is that while I was doing the MRI, they did the first 25 minutes of it with no dye, then inserted the dye for the last 15 minutes of it. As Im laying there, and the MRI is testing... My hands start to go numb and get the tingling feeling I had during the seizures. I felt like I was floating... feeling alittle funny like I do before seizures start. So Im hoping something was caught on the MRI if what I experienced was seizure activity.

Since my last MRI in 2008 came back normal, Im assuming this one probably will too.

[CrunchyFrog]

While I wouldn't want to wish for your results to come back 'abnormal' I hope you might get some kind actual results and they find something.
When I had my contrast MRI they did the same thing, they didn't put the dye in until towards the end. I think they need to see the brain before the dye and then they inject the dye to see if anything 'abnormal' shows up.
When do you go to see your doctor again? Hope you get some kind of answer.

[travel bug]

So Im hoping something was caught on the MRI if what I experienced was seizure activity.

Since my last MRI in 2008 came back normal, I'm assuming this one probably will too.

Hi momof3boys!

Unless it was a functional MRI, I don't think seizure activity would show up. A regular MRI, with and without contrast, will likely just show brain structure. But the contrast helps make some things more visible. Like Crunchyfrog, I hope there's nothing abnormal, but if they find something, it may make it easier to treat your seizures more precisely.

The tingling may have been a reaction to the dye itself. They always tell me that I may feel burning or tingling,etc. I hope it wasn't another seizure. You had been doing well back on your Keppra, I thought. If it wasn't the dye causing tingling, maybe the dye somehow interfered with the Keppra or lowered your threshold. Anyway, that's what I'm hoping. When I read on another post that you were doing well on the Keppra, I was so happy for you! I'll keep my fingers crossed that the seizure during the MRI was just a one-time thing!

Hang in there and let us know what you find out

[Meetz1064]

Contrast MRIs. That's all I ever have. Except the one in December, when they didn't do it, and I knew they were supposed to, and we argued about it. (Long story.) And YES, they take TWICE as long as the non-contrast, which is annoying, but the results are worth it, I think. But I can't stand the noise those blasted machines make! :P

Anyway, YES, it WAS the dye that caused the tingling--I get that every single time. The contrast is done to help find and locate lesions, scars etc, or possible growth of cysts in your brain (as I have) and provides pictures slice by slice of what your brain looks like. (They're kinda neat looking, actually.)

The dye should NOT have interacted with any of your seizure meds--and the person that put the IV in is supposed to be a trained nurse or the equivalent, so you should have had medical personnel on-site, if they were needed.

I hope you get some answers from the MRI!

Good luck!

Meetz

[huskymom]

Most definitely the dye. I also get a rush of all over warmth. The side effect doesn't last for long, but can be a little worrying. Your tech should have told you that when the began the dye.

[momof3boys]

Thanks everyone! I wasnt told that the dye could make me feel that way. My mom didnt know I was having a contrast MRI or else she said she would have prepared me! But it wasnt that bad.

I go back to the drs office August 25th. But again, they have me scheduled with the PA and not my neurologist! It really ticks me off!

Were headed to a water resort for a couple of days, so I wont be on til probably thursday. But I'll check back in after we return to see how things are going with everyone!

[Meetz1064]

jealous! Especially in this heat!

Have a great time!!! And don't forget your sunscreen! LOLOL

[Aicila]

I had a contrast MRI for a hernia recently and when they injected the dye I would have bet anything at that moment that I peed myself... It was so weird.

[WhyMe]

I too just had an MRI about 2 months ago. When I got there they told me they were going to do it with and without contrast.

I got the warm tingling feeling as well, but it passed.

Hope you get the results you are looking for!

[Endless]

Oh, yeah. Tingling and warmth are from the contrast. It didn't hurt or anything, it was just really strange feeling.

Do you have to wait until August for your test results?

[mel239]

what exactly do mri show? and why the different ones?I had one called epilepsy-protocal mri back in March but never heard anything about results.I had a positive eeg 3 yrs ago and an mri with a worthless neurologist before that who said it looked fine.So I guess I am wondering if it only shows structure of brain,it could show lesions or tumours but if you already are being treated and have a funky eeg anyway-and mris have never shown bad things before whats the point of constant repetition?I feel like Im a guinea pig attached to an endless supply of money and babysitters at the drop of a hat.

[Nakamova]

A new MRI can show if there's been a change, and there are newer MRi machines that can produce better, sharper images. MRI with contrast is particularly good for looking at blood vessels or inflammation.

[Endless]

Mel,

The epilepsy-protocol MRI is higher resolution than a normal MRI. It takes much thinner slices. It's used to find smaller tumors or structural defects than would show on a regular MRI.

Take a look here:

Standard magnetic resonance imaging is inadequate for patients with refractory focal epilepsy
Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Textbook (scroll down a little in the book)

If you didn't hear any results, you can either:

a) call your neurologist or make an appointment to get the results
b) get a copy of the results from the imaging company/radiologist that took the pictures
c) just forget about it (not recommended)

They probably would have given you a call if they found a problem, but it's good to follow up with them just in case the results were lost in the fax universe somewhere.

[momof3boys]

Oh, yeah. Tingling and warmth are from the contrast. It didn't hurt or anything, it was just really strange feeling.

Do you have to wait until August for your test results?

That I dont know for sure. we just got back from going on our family vacation and there wasnt a message from the drs office in regards to the MRI Results. My mom said to give it through out the week and if I havnt heard anything from them to give them a call.

[mel239]

thanks for your answers-got a little confused about mri with contrast and with dye and functional ones and protocal ones.Just wish they would give me the proper stuff to start with its like they start at the bottom and work their way up and meanwhile I live hour by hour and tapping into the change bucket and always endlessly lining up sitters that cost more money!Even though my 2 meds seem to be the trick now it still doesnt seem to end.I guess I just want a little peace-sorry for the rant and I hope they find something concrete for you to point in that neuros face, kristin-you deserve your AHA moment with that doc!

[momof3boys]

thanks for your answers-got a little confused about mri with contrast and with dye and functional ones and protocal ones.Just wish they would give me the proper stuff to start with its like they start at the bottom and work their way up and meanwhile I live hour by hour and tapping into the change bucket and always endlessly lining up sitters that cost more money!Even though my 2 meds seem to be the trick now it still doesnt seem to end.I guess I just want a little peace-sorry for the rant and I hope they find something concrete for you to point in that neuros face, kristin-you deserve your AHA moment with that doc!

Its ok, Heck I get confused every now and then when it comes to all the different testing they do out there! I was just suprised they wanted to do a contrast MRI, instead of one without. I got a nice little bruse on my hand from it!

I really hope I hear back from the dr's office with the results. My gut tells me if its normal I probably wont hear anything til I go back in August. But I dont think its right to leave a patient hanging til then! If I dont hear from them this week, I will be calling them to ask about the results for sure!