how do i switch where I get my MRI?

[kmil1999]

I just called the clinic where the new neuro scheduled the MRI.  It is only a 1.5?  I don't have an order, their office set it up.  I don't want to waste my time and the insurance money on the 1.5. Especially since I am not confident in the neurologist.  

Any suggestions on how to do this with politically correctness?

Thanks,
Karen

[MsWobbles]

Karen,

Can we talk?  Lets see, you stated in your post: "I don't want to waste my time and the insurance money on the 1.5. Especially since I am not confident in the neurologist."

Are you really ready to disregard and override those very significant feelings as expressed above just for the sake of political correctness????  Not only are you aware that the 1.5 is not the optimal Tesla for finding MS lesions, but you are not even confident in the neurologist.  And your concern is about being politically correct???

I'll tell you about my recent experience.  My neuro was also going to send me to just a regular MRI (1.5).  But after reading Quixotic1's posts about the importance of a stronger magnet and how it allowed her to finally be diagnosed, I was not going to tolerate having a 1.5!!  Never again!  

So what I did was to inform the neuro of my desire to have it done on a 3.0 Tesla (she was not even familiar with that - she thought an MRI was just an MRI).   Of course, I was already aware that there was a 3 Tesla in our town (which is what you should research before asking for one!!).  I explained to her that it gives better images.  She didn't really put up a fight about it or care one way or the other.  Her office then ordered the brain MRI at the local facility that has only 3 Tesla.  No problem!!

Why not be upfront about it to your neuro?  Explain that a 3.0 Tesla is a stronger magnet that can provide visualization of images that might be missed on a 1.5 Tesla.
You want an answer, so go for it!!  Be nice, but firm.  Must be 3.0!

How are you going to feel after you have had a 1.5 Tesla which turns out negative??  You'll wonder . . . were there hidden lesions?  If a 3.0 Tesla is negative, at least you know you made your best inquiry.

I can't imagine your neuro getting upset over this simple request (unless he'd be losing a kickback from the MRI facility).  If he does get upset, lose him!

Good luck to you!  Hope to see you exiting Limboland soon!!

WAF  (Trying to break down the gates of Limboland)

[kmil1999]

Thanks so much for all your comments.  I appreciated it.  Guess I will do the 1.5.

Karen

[HVAC]

Mine have all bee 1.5. I am not sure if the Neurologist would take it kindly. Mine would not.

Alex

[jensequitur]

1.5 is okay.  Not great, but not worth stirring up a big fight over.  Just make sure they do it with MS protocol - it'll be okay.

The MRI that got me diagnosed was 1.5.

[essdipity]

Hmmm, this is not an easy one. Do you know where you could get an MRI using a stronger magnet? If so, you might have to bend the truth to the breaking point and tell your neuro that the preferred place is closer or more convenient.

However, unless your neuro specifies a 3T, with and without contrast, on the order, the preferred place might not use that scanner anyway.

I don't recall your history with MRIs (if any), but a 1.5 is generally pretty adequate for imaging the brain. The spine, not so much, though it's not terrible either.

You may have to just do it his way this round and see what happens.

Sending good luck your way,
ess