Meaplus3 Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Has anyone here ever had a brain MRI with contrast? I ask becuase I have to have one on Monday.. due to a mild headache I've had for the past 16 days. I've had a standard MRI without and also an MRA.. that was back last march and they came back just fine. but, I did not have to have contrast. This test involves NO radiation but they use an agent called gladolin (sp) and it worries me. Help!.. LOL Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
jerbear Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Contrast as in how many tesla. The higher the tesla the better contrast. Not everything requires high contrasts. I don't think you need to worry. Always fun to talk about medical equipment, how "low tech concepts" are "high tech". Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Gadolinium is a standard contrast agent which causes tissues to relax more quickly after being stimulated by the magnetic resonance, or so is my understanding. They did a contrast MRI, as well as a CT and PET scan on my mom's brain during the diagnostic stage of determining which type of dementia she had. The strange environment was disconcerting for her but I noted no negative effects from the procedure. They gave her a mild sedative because of her dementia so she would be less likely to move on the machine, distorting the images. Pretty cool stuff. Hope everything turns out fine. My low-grade headaches turned out to be sinus issues and stress. Doing much better now. Best wishes Link to post Share on other sites
Author Meaplus3 Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 Gadolinium is a standard contrast agent which causes tissues to relax more quickly after being stimulated by the magnetic resonance, or so is my understanding. They did a contrast MRI, as well as a CT and PET scan on my mom's brain during the diagnostic stage of determining which type of dementia she had. The strange environment was disconcerting for her but I noted no negative effects from the procedure. They gave her a mild sedative because of her dementia so she would be less likely to move on the machine, distorting the images. Pretty cool stuff. Hope everything turns out fine. My low-grade headaches turned out to be sinus issues and stress. Doing much better now. Best wishes Interesting, I've had a sinus issue for 2 weeks now. But, the neuro people said there is no such thing as a sinus headache that lasts for that long. I'm thinking mine is stress.. well hoping anyway. I've had my brain checked so many times and nothing ever comes up. Thanks for your help. Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 We have lots of dusts and pollens here. Something sensitized me a few years back, I think one sinus infection, and now I react badly to certain times of the year. My sinuses swell (no discharge/congestion) and I can get headaches for days, even weeks, on end. Only thing which really helps the pain is a nasal steroid, besides limiting exposure. Saline irrigation seems to lessen the severity of the events. There are so many causes for headaches.... I empathize with you in this. Chronic pain of this sort is so debilitating. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Meaplus3 Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 We have lots of dusts and pollens here. Something sensitized me a few years back, I think one sinus infection, and now I react badly to certain times of the year. My sinuses swell (no discharge/congestion) and I can get headaches for days, even weeks, on end. Only thing which really helps the pain is a nasal steroid, besides limiting exposure. Saline irrigation seems to lessen the severity of the events. There are so many causes for headaches.... I empathize with you in this. Chronic pain of this sort is so debilitating. I can see how dust and pollen could do that. Yeah this sucks. Odd because the back pain and sternum pain has left and seems to have moved up to my head. Might be part of fribro.. but none the less, it scares the heck out of me and makes me feel misreable. I've been in bed on and off today. I took some IBUP and rested and it felt better.. but it's still sort of there very mild and lingering.. I don't like this. Almost feels like it may have something to do with my neck.. very tension like. Oh I don't know. All I do know is I just can't seem to win these days. Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
Author Meaplus3 Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Well, I had the stupid test, but I did not allow them to pump me full of Gadolinium. I just don't want that heavy metal in my body. The tech told me if anything major was there just the plain old MRI would pick it up. Now, I have to wait for the call.. and hope for good news. Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
Author Meaplus3 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Just a little update. MRI came back just fine. Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Well, that's good news, but you still have headaches..... I know you have other things going on, but, having had chronic headaches, I can share the observed changes which seemed to have worked for me. 1. Our adored cat went to STBX's. Loved her to death, but her fur and my sinuses apparently did not get along. The short-haired siamese I have now doesn't seem to bother them. 2. Cut out coffee and other obvious caffeine. I now drink herbal teas and don't drink sodas at all. 3. Cut down on alcohol. Don't drink at home anymore. 4. Cut down on salt and processed foods. Use spices instead of salt. 5. Humidify the air. It's dry here, like a desert. Humidfying the air really helps the sinuses. Anyway, you've probably tried all kinds of things but I thought I'd throw in some stuff which has helped me. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
Author Meaplus3 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Well, that's good news, but you still have headaches..... I know you have other things going on, but, having had chronic headaches, I can share the observed changes which seemed to have worked for me. 1. Our adored cat went to STBX's. Loved her to death, but her fur and my sinuses apparently did not get along. The short-haired siamese I have now doesn't seem to bother them. 2. Cut out coffee and other obvious caffeine. I now drink herbal teas and don't drink sodas at all. 3. Cut down on alcohol. Don't drink at home anymore. 4. Cut down on salt and processed foods. Use spices instead of salt. 5. Humidify the air. It's dry here, like a desert. Humidfying the air really helps the sinuses. Anyway, you've probably tried all kinds of things but I thought I'd throw in some stuff which has helped me. Good luck Hi Carhill. Well the headache broke. Funny how it went away the day I got the results. My guess is that they are tension in nature. I don't really have the symptoms with the headaches to say it's Migraine. I was told that tension headaches can be stubborn and go on for days, even weeks. I guess it comes down to perhaps a stronger med or another means to control the headache before it gets to the point that it sticks around to long. I also still question my sinus cavity. Lot's of post nasal drip and I need to get that dried up. So, I have a primary follow up today in hopes my doc can figure out how to treat that annoying symptom. Thanks for the tips. Oh and I did put a vaoprizer in my room last night. I woke up this am with less congestion. Could also have something to do with the dry heat and air? Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
freestyle Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Hi chica: This is a recommendation from a naprapath an old friend went to.I've tried it myself, and noticed positive effects very quickly. for sinus issues, drink the juice of a fresh lemon every day for ten days, it will help to purge the sinus cavities.( as long as you don't have a citrus allergy) You'll also get a boost of fresh vitamin C, which can beef up your immune system. It sounds simple, but it really worked for me when I tried it. Another thing you could try is to replace the furnace filter with a washable one........I wash mine every two weeks, and it makes a big difference in the indoor air quality. Good luck, glad the headache went away. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I'm glad the MRI showed nothing. And that the headache went away. Have they talked to you about pain prevention? Other than advil/tylenol.. Some kind of migraine medication to take to ward them off? Link to post Share on other sites
SadandConfusedWA Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Mea, with all due respect, how many tests do you need to do for every single symptom? Mild lingering headache wouldn't even register enough for me to go to the doctor, let alone have extensive testing. You truly need to find a way to stop obsessing over your health... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Meaplus3 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Mea, with all due respect, how many tests do you need to do for every single symptom? Mild lingering headache wouldn't even register enough for me to go to the doctor, let alone have extensive testing. You truly need to find a way to stop obsessing over your health... I don't need any more tests. I did not order the MRI my neuro doc did due to my history with headaches. As for the health obsession, I'm doing much better than I was 6 months ago.. so, I feel good about my progress. It's been a struggle for me, but I am dealing with it. Mea:) Link to post Share on other sites
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