MRI question - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

LJG · 10-09-2005, 08:49 AM

I have a question please:
For those of you who have had MRI scans to diagnose MS, did the scan require you to have a contrast agent injected into your arm or was the scan done without that?

I am probably jumping the gun a bit here as no one has even mentioned the possibility of MS to me. I have M.E. and bad anxiety attacks at times (particularly health anxiety). I have recently (last week on and off) started to get tingling in my face and head (and occasionally right arm), well it's like tingling can't really explain it.
Anyway I know my anxiety and hyperventilation can cause this as well as my ME. I also have very tense neck and head muscles from being anxious so they could cause it too. But being health anxious I am already thinking MS.
Anyway it may never come to it but if I need an MRI will I need the contrast agent?
I ask this as I get allergic to lots of things and due to the ME I am sensitive to many things. The MRI itself doesn't scare me but reacting to the contrast does.
I'm going to see my gp tomorrw and then my ME specilist who will hopefully decide if I need to see a neurologist or not. I'm sure my symptoms can be explained by anxiety and ME as I have no other MS symptoms aprt from tiredness from the ME. I have classic ME symptoms but not MS ones apart from the tingling sensation although some ME and MS symptoms can be similar.

Thanks

LJ

marion06095 · 10-09-2005, 11:19 AM

My neurologist told me that doing an MRI with and without contrasting material in your system allows you to tell if a lesion is active or not. I was worried about that contrasting stuff too, because I had once had a CT Scan, and that contrasting agent sort of knocked me for a loop. It was no “biggie,” but I did feel nauseated for about a minute or so. As it turns out, the contrasting agent for an MRI isn’t the same stuff used for a CT Scan. I have never had a problem with the MRI contrasting.

LJG · 10-09-2005, 11:27 AM

Thanks Marion.
I just wondered about the contrast as my ME makes me sensitive to many medication type things and I am allergic to several things too. I also wondered if all MRI's for MS are done with contrast or do they do it without first and only add contrast if they actually see a lesion?

LJ

lilc · 10-09-2005, 04:04 PM

LJ, let's work backwards: If you are exceptionally anxious about the contrast agent and if you are referred to a neurologist by your ME specialist if your gp sends you, why don't you ask if your first MRI can be done without contrast. I can tell you that I was a bit worried about the contrast but have had 3 MRIs with and without in 3 months, it had absolutely no effect on me - but I don't tend to have allergies. I've heard it very occasionally causes brief nausea, but it isn't horrible by any means. Also, I have lesions, but not "active" lesions, the contrast didn't make a dfference in my case.
A couple of other things, I'm afraid I don't know what ME is! Nevertheless, I think you may be "jumping the gun" a bit, please try to resist claiming MS for yourself!
I also know that anxiety in and of itself can be terribly damaging to your health. If you have any sort of neurological disorder, stress always seems to make it worse. Please try to stay calm. (I know, easier said than done, but I've actually learned to calm myself, I know you can do it! Start with BREATHING.) Let us know how your appt goes.

LJG · 10-10-2005, 03:07 AM

Thanks Lilc,
Thanks for your advise and reply. I am probably jumping the gun and I am by no means claiming MS for myself, I just know that some of my symptoms could be MS related. Could be ME related or anxiety related or tight muscle related too! ME is also sometimes called CFS or CFIDS depending on where you live, some doctors even think ME and CFS and different illnesses but I definitely have it.There may be many simpler explanations for my new symptoms too. I also agree anxiety is quite damaging and I've been hugely anxious recently so that in itself can cause weird symptoms. I am seeing a CBT therapist and a breathing specialist for my anxiety which is helping.
If I ever need a MRI I will of course ask for it to be without contrast but I just wanted to know if it is always done with contrast when MS is a possibility.
Thanks again,
LJ