The neorologists has ordered an MRI-MRA due to the dizzy,spacey feelings along with the onset of headaches over the last couple of mo. I am rather scared more so due to the fact that the mra needs contrast so I will be given a shot of contrast to see veesels more clearly.

Can't they just due the normal MRI...I am suspecting that all this is due to my head feeling so full lately... that is about the time all of this started. I feel like I constatly have a sinus infection and my allergies have gone through the roof, especially seeing as I have never had allergies. I am sneezing everyday and always clearing my throat from the nasal drip and have fullness in my ears. The Dr. put me on an atibiotic a few mo. ago for it and it did nothing. Anyone else go through this test...I know your out there, it seems like once you start peri and menopause we get put through endless array of tests, which is good to rule anything out, howvever very nerve racking...would love to hear fron you. thanks mIkki

HI,

I had an MRI years ago but not the other thing you had. The MRI was rather easy as you just had to sit real still and they had a little mirror so it looked bigger in the tubey thing.

My headaches started with Peri too but the natural progesterone cream has helped alot. I still get them but only around my period or when I ovulate.

Gee, anyone else have that other test she is talking about?

Mopsy

I had an MRI of my neck and head, but without contrast. It was a closed MRI, which was kind of claustrophobic, but I actually fell asleep in there! It sounds like a machine gun. I had it because of the internal shaking I was having. Nothing turned up except a sinus problem, thank goodness! It really isn't a bad test, but of course you worry about the results, at least I did!

I have had more CT scans, MRI and MRA scans than I can remember. Some with contrast, some without. I always found that the MRIs that were supposed to be a "gentle tapping" were more like a jackhammer around my head.

One thing I didn't like about theese tests, besides being claustrophobic, was that there was all this time to think. I was lying there, not able to read or anything, just contemplating all the awful things that they could be looking for. Then, of course, you have to w-a-i-t for any results.

Best of luck with yours.

sunflower: The vast majority of headaches are innocent. Since starting peri, I always have a stuffed up head, clogges sinuses and a drip down the back of my throat. I have never had the MRA, but I wouldn't worry. If it were anything serious, I think you would be having different symptoms (changes in vision, difficulty in speech, etc.) Your doctor sounds like he's just being thorough. I have had other types of contrast tests where they inject you with dye and the only side effect I ever had was a flushing feeling.

Good luck; I know you'll be fine, I can feel it. (And you know how intuitive us menopausal women are!)

Peace,
RR

I just had an MRI with the contrast dye last week. It was loud so they gave me earplugs to wear during it. I would say it took about 45 minutes. For me it wasn't bad at all. I just closed my eyes during the whole time and thought about fun things I had done. I visioned sitting on the beach in Hawaii or other vacations I took. The dye was nothing. All they do it put some into your vein where you have blood taken. I didn't even feel it. Tests don't bother me anyway so I didn't have a problem with it. I think keeping my eyes closed helped too that I didn't have to be staring at the machine I was in. The minute they started sliding me in, I closed them. Just take your mind someplace else and that should help. Good Luck.

Kim

Hi,

I've had the MRI with and without contrast. If you're claustrophic, ask either your doctor or the technician to give you smething to take before your MRI, some sort of antianxiety pill. The injection for the contrast isn't bad at all. It's just a little pin prick. Also, you can ask for headphones and the music of your choice. Just keep your eyes shut, do your deep brething and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Jeanne

If you think you're going to be nervous....definitely ask for a sedative. They'll prescribe valium or something similar to make you drowsy (you'll need someone to drive you home if you request sedation.)

I have MS and I "shoot the tube" on a regular basis.

Over the years, I've gotten quite used to them and can actually fall asleep, noise and all. But the first few were quite nerve wracking, I think it's the noise that does it to you.

Many facilities have earphones with piped in music and you can pick what you want to listen to. Keep your eyes closed, you can even ask them for a sleep mask (or bring your own.)

The constrast for the MRA is no big deal. They'll just bring you out of the tube near the end of the procedure and give you an injection, then slide you back in for some more pictures.

Many places talk to you while you're inside, letting you know how long each segment will be...they might say something like this segment will be 3 minutes, etc.

I'd suggest calling ahead and asking exactly what they're protocol is for giving an MRI/MRA so you'll be prepared and know what to expect.

I recently dr.ed for migraines...they have to do all the tests to rule out everything. I had 2 MRi's..one with contrast and one without. I also had a spinal tap. And a ton of other testing..visual evokes, blood tests, etc. They were thinking MS..and thinking very serious about it as my migraines will impair my balance. Everything was ruled out...I'm the healthiest person on the planet!! yea!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT....i have migraines...and whoppers. I missed 2 months of work this fall because of them.'
ANyway....the MRI, I thought, was easy...and yes, there's plenty of banging going on in that machine. At our hospital, they give you headphones for a radio so I just listened to the tunes. And they snuggle you up in warm blankies...
June

well i had mri/mra and it wasn't too bad. I can certainly see if you don't like to be confined it may be a problem, i'm not clausterphobic and a couple of times I felt the urge to want out and it was pretty noisy even with ear plugs...like someone was banging on pipes inside the maching with a hammer and vibrations, but I made it and hope for normal results, I'm thinking they may give me some answers to my "sinus" problems.