Worried about getting a brain mri done ?

Question

not about the procedure itself, I know it's safe and I know how it works, what worries me is that fact that my doctor was talking about bloodwork and anti vertigo medications, but I wasnt done listing my prescriptions, and by the time I was done I walked out with a script for atavan and a brain mri. I'm worried about a high probablility of this being something serious. I know blood work isn't generally something you skin in the diagnosis process.

my symptoms include, a constant strange feeling in the back of my head on the right hand side, sudden strong headaches, vertigo... even when I'm sitting down, pain behind my right eye, when I was at walmart my vision started shaking for a few seconds, and sometimes when I get up it'll be like when the lights flicker from power grid issues

Answer 1

obviously the test is necessary or your neurologist wouldn't have ordered it.  request an anti anxiety med to use 30 minutes prior to the test.

Answer 2

those are typical symptoms of migraines. any good doctor will however run the tests you are talking about to rule out anything else to be safe. I had the same symptoms and tests and guess what?...migraines....

Answer 3

I don't think you should be too worried just yet.

Doctors generally do tests according to what they perceive as potentially dangerous symptoms. They then try to test for it to rule it out in case it's a possibility.

While it's true that with the symptoms you're having, it does indicate that something might be happening within your brain, but even IF the MRI showed positive for something... there are many many different types of growths that can occur in the brain. Some of which are highly responsive to treatment with excellent survival rates.

At this moment in time, I think you should try to just take one step at a time and not get too anxious before anything is confirmed. I personally would think that that is the best thing to do for now. Good luck and take care!

Answer 4

I wouldn't let the bloodwork freak you out.  I think anymore it is a catchall for any diagnostic procedure. The MRI on the other hand is more about the conditions you are experiencing.

Do any of these symptoms sound like you?

The symptoms of migraine headaches can occur in various combinations and include:

Moderate to severe pain (often described as pounding, throbbing pain) that can affect whole head, or can shift from one side of the head to the other

Sensitivity to light, noise or odors

Blurred vision

Nausea or vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain

Loss of appetite

Sensations of being very warm or cold

Paleness

Fatigue

Dizziness

Fever (rare)

Bright flashing dots or lights, blind spots, wavy or jagged lines (aura)

If so it could be as simple as migraines. Also, please know that not all MRI's end in a "you have a tumor" sort of revelation.

Although you have probably been told about what an MRI is looking for here is a great place to understand the procedure and what the doc is looking for

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm...

Answer 5

I never tell my patients to worry until they know for sure there is something to worry about.  Just remember to stay perfectly still during the MRI.  However I am glad that you are going to get the MRI. It should tell you a lot.  About your doctor, I know that it can be frustrating when you feel like a doctor is not listening.  I always tell people that if you don't like your doctor then get another one.  This is not a problem and it happens a lot.  I am not sure that you need to worry about it.  With your symptoms it sounds like you need to see a neurologist which after the MRI you doctor would send you to.  If he does not then tell him you want to see one and he/she should do it.  You might also want to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. There are a lot of things that it could be most of which are not life threatening.  Lay off the Caffeine, alcohol, or anything that could cause inflammation in your body.  Good Luck.