Please Help!

[imhayley]

Hi there and I hope everyone is doing as well as can be. I am in a little dilema and need some info fast! I am scheduled TODAY (in 2hours actually) for an MRI on my pelvic/groin area. The Cardiologist JUST informed me that I can NOT have this MRI due to the Mechanical Valve. Yesterday the MRI place called and wanted the serial number of the implant and said she had to check to make sure this was okay. She called me back and said no problem having the test so I called to DOUBLE CHECK (NO MORE DBL CHECKING I SWEAR!) with the cardio's office and once again was told NO MRI!!! I then called the number on my ST. Jude card and asked the person if I could have an MRI with this impant. She said yes that it is made of graphite however what they closed my sternum with needs to be known as this could cause a problem. OKAY so...... The Heart Surgeons wont answer the phone and I am losing my patients....and am starting to feel stressed. Has anyone had a problem gettting an MRI with a mechanical valve and what do you supose I'm sewed together with? Yes I am using foul language....sorry! HELP!

 

[geebee]

Hayley,
Everything I have heard and read indicates we should be able to have an MRI with the St. Jude. However, I have a cardio who also does not want me to have an MRI. He is concerned with the sewing ring coming loose. We have discussed the many thoughts that it is safe and his response was, "some doctors have bigger ***** than I do".
I respect my cardio and he has seen me through some really tough times so I have always found other tests (such as a CAT scan for my broken foot when the podiatrist usually does MRIs) when details were needed.
I am sure the responses here will be that it is safe and you will need to decide whether to go against your cardio's wishes. That is a decision only you will be able to make.
Hope things are okay.

 

[imhayley]

Hayley,
Everything I have heard and read indicates we should be able to have an MRI with the St. Jude. However, I have a cardio who also does not want me to have an MRI. He is concerned with the sewing ring coming loose. We have discussed the many thoughts that it is safe and his response was, "some doctors have bigger ***** than I do".
I respect my cardio and he has seen me through some really tough times so I have always found other tests (such as a CAT scan for my broken foot when the podiatrist usually does MRIs) when details were needed.
I am sure the responses here will be that it is safe and you will need to decide whether to go against your cardio's wishes. That is a decision only you will be able to make.
Hope things are okay.

I can't buy cereal because I can't make a decision. This is the dilema! I don't know what the "right" thing for me is!!

 

[Birky]

mri

mri

I had 2 mris with a St. Jude mitral valve. Didn't have a problem. I was worried about the sternum wires but no problem. My card says MRI compatible.

 

[geebee]

What about getting hold of the doctor who scheduled the MRI and find out if perhaps a CAT scan will give him/her the info they need?

BTW - I really like Cap'n Crunch.

 

[RandyL]

All I can tell you is I had 2 MRI's last month with a St Jude AV . Nobody ever said anything to me inregard to the valve except they did ask for my Valve card at the MRI office.

 

[Superbob]

I don't have a mechanical valve but if I were faced with this decision, I would go with the recommendation of my cardiologist. At the least, I would postpone the MRI until there could be clarification of the type of sternum wires used.

 

[imhayley]

Your the best!

Your the best!

Thanks all for your input! I think I will have my husband toss me in the air........Heads and I'm off to see if I have caused myself a head injury......Tails....I'm already on my feet so I might as well head for the MRI. Wish me luck! HA HA!!
Thanks everyone and I will ask God for the right answer and then sit quiet and wait. Have a great day and you are the best.
~~~HUGS~~~
p.s. Love the Crunchberries

 

[twinmaker]

I have a St. Jude mitral mechanical valve. I had an MRI on my knee several years ago. I tore my ACL and cartiledge playing tennis. Anyway, all my docs said OK to the MRI. Of course, now I can't have an MRI as I have a defibrillator/pacemaker. The magnet connection with the MRI would interfere with the magnet connection in the defib. Not really medical terms there, but MRI's are definite no-no's with a pacer or defib. LINDA

 

[Sagebrush]

sternum wires

sternum wires

I had a mire on my aorta and I have sternum wire and no problems. Didn't have the st. jude yet. But why would st. jude put it on the card if it wasn't ok....I am sure they don't want the legal responsibility if it wasn't totaly safe.
Good Luck!!!

 

[imhayley]

The test is over!

The test is over!

Hi there and yes I had the MRI. My final decision was reached when I called the phone number on my St. Jude Implanted device Identification card. I was assured that an MRI was safe and it even says at the bottom of my ID card the following: MR-SAFE (Testing facility: 3-Tesla or less). That info tells the tech the specifiations of testing levels. Good enough for me. The test was fine but the dumb anxiety attacks I had for 30 minutes sucked. Any who.....thanks again folks your the ones I look to for the answers and I always find what I am looking for here ~~~hugs~~~~

 

[geebee]

Hayley,

Good to know you are still with us and everything went well.

Enjoy those crunchberries.

 

[Mb]

Hello!

Glad everything went well. My husband has two St. Jude valves, and has had multiple MRI's. No problems.

Mb

 

[BDMc]

I'm Jealous

I'm Jealous

I was told not to even go near the machines with my Shiley! Good luck Hayley! Your valve bro, Brian

 

[Ross]

Thanks all for your input! I think I will have my husband toss me in the air........

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Let me do it! Can I? Huh?

 

[imhayley]

Nice Kitty...here Kitty Kitty

Nice Kitty...here Kitty Kitty

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Let me do it! Can I? Huh?

Ross you ALWAYS want to do it!....OKAY!

 

[Birky]

Help reply

Help reply

What exactly does Ross want to do? Thought I would ask.

 

[azpam]

Does it really matter what he wants to do?? We don't let him anyway,only in his mind! Cause he is a bad bad boy! And all of us are very bad for loving him and appreciating him for who he is! GO ROSS!

 

[901]

Isn't the standard type chest wiring type 304 stainless steel?

 

[Lynlw]

Haley, I was wonderring if you got your results back and if you are ok, you sure have been keepi the docs busy this past year, i hope all is ok, lyn