C&T Spine MRI Approved

[Hope38]

I just got off the phone with my Neuros' office, they said the insurance wanted the Brain done first. Seems stupid, why couldn't I had it all done at once! They got me in soon this Monday at 9:45!

Im to bring the Cd of both Mri;s to my follow up appt. Already called the MRI center and told them this was at my Drs request and she said OK we will make you a copy! Last time they told me NO WAY!!!!!

The nurse said she will ask the Dr which direction he is leaning and call me back later today.

But what confuses me is my Spine MRI says RE: thorasic left pain, says nothing about MS like the brain script.

I told him about my left breast gets tingly, shocks, and twitches, and if you touch me in the back right behind it sends pain shooting thru. Happening 9yrs comes for a month then leaves for 5-6 months just like my dizziness does.

I want to make sure they LOOK for MS while doing this scan too. Do I tell the tech that is doing the MRI this or talk to my Dr about it?

Lisa

[Quixotic1]

Lisa - No, the contrast is the same.  They just do the imaging so that it takes thinner "cuts" and will show tinier abnormalities.  Some MS clinics refer to it as an MS Protocol, but I don't think that is a standarized term.

The whole thing about the MRI contrast is WAY overblown.  We dealt with it earlier - A NICKEL to anyone who can find that thread!  Oh, it was on the General Neuro forum.  I think I know how to find it.

The side effect, which is indeed very severe and can be fatal has ONLY repeat ONLY in 25+ years been seen in people with pre-existing moderate to severe renal failure..  Please reread that sentence.  The majority of the people who had the reaction were on renal dialysis.  The numbers look like this.  A study a couple years ago estimated that there have been about 250,000,000 doses of the contrast given world wide.  There are less than 400 cases of the side effect known.  (so about 1 per 600,000 doses) But, even those numbers are misleading, because the regular person doesn't even have that risk.  Only the people with renal failure.

The problem with hearing medical info from a personal injury attorney is they will way overblow the risk hoping to build clients.  I have no agenda against PI attorney's.  If I have had my rights violated or been really injured by a criminal corporation I would seek a good one and proceed.  BUT, I would not look to their advertising for accurate medical info.

Hope this helps.

Quix

[Hope38]

I can call today and ask.....I do have my EMG though today so I'm not sure I'll be able to get in touch with him and my MRI is early Monday morning.  For a finer resolution they don't need to use a double dose of that contrast stuff do they?

I saw the commercial for the class action lawsuit regarding MRI w/contrast and Im becoming more apprehensive concerning the material they use.

Lisa

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I'm flying through right now, I'm so glad they're moving on with your workup.  I may be wrong here, but this is my impression.  A regular MRI is done with the views(cuts or slices) done at certain intervals.  An MRI for MS (at least by MY MS meuro and I've read other things that agree with this) is done on a "protocol" which does more cuts at closer intervals so that they have the best chance to pick of tiny lesions.  My concern is that this extra-fine (finer resolution) MRI may need to be ordered by the doctor and can't be accomplished just by talking to the tech.  

I think you should contact the doc that order the MRI and ask if it will be done looking specifically for MS with the finer reolution and, if not would he order that?

Quix

[Hope38]

Yes I have to take the cd with me to my followup appt.

[oncetri]

This has been explained to me, about the dx on the scripts.  It's about insurance coverage, not necessarily what he's looking for.  Yes, it does describe somethin they are looking for, but he could be looking for more than what is written on the script, and maybe this is how he got your insurance to cover it.  he did ask for you to bring a copy of the films with you to his office, right?

[6-paq]

Good luck and I hope you can get some answers!!

[Hope38]

Yes they are going to be like the brain mri........with and without contrast.

I have my followup appt with my Neuro on the 13th, 1 week from my MRI.

Guess we will find something out then.

Lisa

[6-paq]

I had all of MRIs done at the same facility and they referenced my previous CT and MRI scans when reviewing the new MRI.  I didn't have to mention that to the Tech ~ they had all of the previous info.

I'm thinking your facility will be the same way, but I'd maybe just tell the Tech ahead of time that your neuro is looking for MS.  I don't think it'll be a problem.  

They are all with/without contrast, right?

Good luck!