Getting an MRI

[jarla]

I'm having a bunch of neurological issues. Bumping into things. Clumsiness. Cutting or burning myself when I'm cooking. The most annoying is that I'm having trouble communicating. Casual conversations aren't too hard. But more in depth discussions are tougher. And I'm having a lot of trouble writing, which is probably why I don't post too often. It feels like there's a loose circuit between the thoughts in my head and getting them out on the page.

So I'm getting an MRI on Thursday. Is this a useful thing to do?


And I'm trying to find a neurologist who understands Lyme. I'm hopeful that I'll find one in the Chicago area, or even lower Wisconsin, but I'd be surprised if I do.

[nyxie63]

Good luck today!

A Spect scan would probably be more useful, but an MRI isn't a bad idea. It might show lesions or swelling.

If they don't offer, ask for a CD of the scan when you check in. They can give it to you right after the scan's done. The report won't be ready for a few days tho.

I've had hours of fun looking at the inside of my own head and comparing it to neuroimaging websites. It's good to have a hobby. ;D

You could also contact local lyme support groups and see if they can recommend anyone in the area. If that fails, grab the yellow pages and start calling neuro offices.

[LymeEnigma]

I hope that the MRI gives you some answers. I know my twin sister is going in on Saturday for a CT with contrast, to check for MS or other possible issues. I have heard mixed results regarding the various scans; just like anything else related to this illness, diagnostics are nothing short of a pain in the rear, and their usefulness varies from person to person.

Good luck, today. Just FYI: if you get an injection of contrast, it can cause some very strange sensations, the weirdest of which being the feeling that one has wet oneself. Rest assured that it is just the contrast, and not your bladder!

[jarla]

Well I got the MRI and reacted fine to the contrast. I'll get a report in a few days. As best as I can tell on my own, it's not showing anything problematic. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to read.

[cobweb2]

Jarla- sorry I am delayed in responding.
My MRI was kind of ridiculous- for one thing I was freezing during the test-and I hope you were prepared for all the clanking that goes on-sounded like the machine needs some FD40.

Anyway- my MRI was inconclusive because of "artifact motion", which basically means I was shivering throughout. DUH
And I thought I would get a nice warm hospital blanket to cover me-NOT.

A SPECT SCAN ,which was much easier to handle, was more conclusive-and paved the way for insurance to cover 999 days of IV Rocephin-but I only did IV for 8 months.

A lyme literate neuropsychologist , in PENNA,ordered the Spect.

[enochroot]

I had an MRI back in Feb, to rule out things. Tedious but far
from the worst test! The neuro I saw recently gave me a truly gruesome
test where they stick needles into your muscles and shock you
oooh was that one fun

Mine came back "unremarkable" doc speak for nothing noticable.
It is like Nyxie said a good idea to get a copy - if only for future
reference/comparisons should you have another someday.

Are you still seeing Dr Cameron?



And Cobby "A lyme literate neuropsychologist , in PENNA"
I may just have to eat the travel for that one of these days...

[LymeEnigma]

Any word, yet?

[jarla]

yes, everything looked normal, which I think is a good sign.

[LymeEnigma]

My sister's CT also came back normal. At least you don't have any visible lesions ... that's definitely a good thing.

[cobweb2]

OOOPS- I take that back Enoch-She was just a lyme literate psychiatrist. Scratch the 'neuro' part. But she sure had my neuro symptoms nailed.

Sorry to get your hopes up .