Anyone Had MRI

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loretta

Hi, Just found out today that I need to go for an MRI of the brain w/contrast. Having headaches,eyeache, etc. Never had one before . Iknow my St. Jude ID card says MRI compatible, Mitral valve replaced) Dec. will make 2 years. Has any one had one with the mechanical valve & how did it go? Getting myself worked up, just wish the neurologist would have started me off with less invasive tests like ultra sounds, cat scan etc. he starts with the big one. Appreciate any comments / information. loretta
 
Hi Loretta,
I can't speak to the valve question as I had my MRI presurgery. I found the hardest part to be the enclosed space. Perhaps this won't be so bad if they are only doing your head and I know some people don't mind them at all, but I'd recommend requesting a sedative if you have any tendency towards claustrophobia. That tube is small! Best of luck, Kate
 
Loretta:
My husband,Al who is on coumadin, has had about 7-8 MRI's since December 2000, and all with no problems whatever. His case is unusual because he suffered some strokes, therefore the need for multiple MRIs and follow-up ones. I'm sure that others here will also want to help you with this concern. Many people here have had successful MRIs.

I recently had an MRI and was quite worried before hand. Actually, I needed to have the open MRI. It isn't an invasive test. You recline on a table with your head stabalized while the machine clicks along. When I had my MRI, the technician talked me all through it. It helped me to know what was happening. I was also offered head-sets with music, or just background music of my choice. The whole thing took about 30 minutes. I kept my eyes shut for the whole time. I think I even dozed off for a little bit. I could not do the closed MRI. The confined space did not work for me. I'm told that more and more people are choosing the open MRI.

Blanche
 
dyes

dyes

PamO said:
We just had a thread not too long about about the dyes associated with contrast MRI's and MRA's.





Can't find the thread, loretta :confused:
 
I had my MRI long before the valve replacement. I was quite nervous so my dr prescribed anti-anxiety to take 1/2 hour before start of test. Technicians were wonderful, told me everything that would occur (which isn't much!) and warned me about the noise. They put a washcloth over my eyes to combat any threat of claustrophobia - even if I opened my eyes, I still wouldn't be able to see anything. Worked like a charm. I even fell asleep :cool:

The thing about the valve being MRI compatible has to do with metal content... The St. Jude valve does not enough metal in or on it to cause problems with MRI.

Here is a good link describing the test: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/mr-angiography.htm

Relax, you'll do just fine :)

Cris
 
I just completed MRI of the brain w/contrast (3 days ago). On August 4th I received a St Judes mechanical aorta valve. This is the easy kind of MRI-they pretty much just need to put your head into the machine. I had an MRI of the heart before surgery, and that was a little more difficult since my shoulders were to wide for the machine.

I found it was best to keep my eyes closed, but this is nothing compared to what you have already done. The mechanical valve was not a factor for my MRI. You can Google "St Judes heart valve MRI", and I think you will be re-assured.
 
Hello:

My husband had two MRI's this past winter. Had one prior to surgery. He had no problems, but he is hard of hearing. The scans did show some brain infarcts, but nothing residual except for some leg weakness. - Mb
 
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