MRI with Contrast Question

[goldenwillow]

Hello all,
 
I had an MRI done last night at 6pm due to possible seizures. It is now 9am next day. 

 

​A little background of the week -

I have been "checking out" here and there at times for a few minutes at a time, realizing this has been going on for a couple months. Last Friday I woke close to the top of my stairs, sitting after doing laundry.  I went to my Dr.'s office, saw his associate as mine was out that day.  She talked with my Dr. and I was told I needed counseling. 

 

I was bitten by my new (psycho) cat this last Thursday and wound up here in the hospital due to infection.  BLAH!

 

OK - MRI   
 
The last 10 minutes of the MRI, I was injected via IV a contrast called Prohance aka Gadolinium.  As the tech administered, he asked if I had any pain at the injection site.  None.  In the last few scans that I was instructed took 2 mins each.  The last one, I started having burning pain on the top of my head as if there was a fire lit there.  When I could not handle it anymore, the scan was over. 
 
I am not receiving any answers.  The Dr. in charge is to come around in the next hour.  All I hear is this is rare, which doesn't surprise me.  Just being offered pain meds which I have declined.  I do not want to mask what is happening.
 
Any thoughts?  Experiences?

[Tina]

Hi Andrea,

 

Sorry to hear things did not go well with your MRI last night.

I really hope when the Dr in charge comes round, you will get some answers and

they can get to the bottom of what's causing your 'checking out' moments.

Also hope the infection from the cat bite clears up soon for you.

 

Take care xx

[goldenwillow]

Thank you. 

[Louise]

when I had a MRI with dye and the angio there was a burning hot sensation only lasted seconds but was so weird was told its just the dye.But something like that no sorry, I hope you got some answers to your questions, just keep asking..

 

take care

[goldenwillow]

Home now, thankfully. I am waking this morning in my element (home/family) and was able to sleep. My hope was with rest, this burning would cease or relax a bit. I find today it is still the same.

I decided this morning instead of moving through this in fear (as fear/unknown was prompted in the hospital) to study the element of gadolinium. I found myself laughing this morning. Gadloinium's Periodic Table Atomic symbol is "Gd". I have Graves Disease. Also referred to as "GD".

I am to call the Neuro today and see the first available for a follow up ASAP, then an EEG. I plan on the follow up for today and see how I feel.

I see this cat I brought Home a couple weeks ago as a blessing. Although a rough experience, I am finding peace today.

Today is my 40th birthday! Sunshine and 60 degrees is the forecast today. Fantastic.

Thank you everyone.

**** WINN I wanted to say.... I rocked out in the hospital to my head phones and silently sang but envisioned myself singing LOUD at home. It worked during those times when the business of the hospital was too much to bare. Thank you.

[Tina]

Happy 40th Birthday Andrea hope you are having a lovely day and glad you have found peace  xx

[Daffodil]

Glad you're home, glad they are keeping an eye on you and a belated Happy Birthday. Sorry to hear the MRi had an effect. I had a number of 'reactions ' not to dye but to other medication which caused that feeling and it took a while for it to pass so I hope that it is leaving you and that they can concentrate on the business of your checking out.

Go easy now!

PS. I delayed my 40 th celebration to my 41St because of my SAH and surgeries I was too ill to do anything at all but the big 41 was just as pleasing to mark I am pleased to say but now I think I'm a year younger than I actually am!

[Winb143]

Andrea,

 

Belated Birthday wishes and for a pressie the cat will meow to you and you will get your head sorted out.

 

Burning begone we all say, and next time you see them/Hospital peeps tell them to make sure they give you the correct stuff.

 

I wish you Well for your Birthday week as it was spoiled by Hospital and keep singing xxxxx

 

Happy Your Week 

 

Love

 

Win xxxxxxxx

[Louise]

Belated Happy 40th birthday

[kpaggett]

I too had a warm tingly sensation with the dye in my angiogram.  It scared me, but then it went away.  Have you noticed any functional differences in your abilities to think and move since then?  That would be what I'd go with.  If not then the discomfort probably will subside.  We are hypersensitive to head sensations after the SAH, at least I am.  Any headache, pressure, change, the shower, a neck move, etc.  I seem to notice it and it freaks me out a bit.  I'm glad you're asking questions of your doctor.  If you are being monitored, then if there is an issue, you will be treated quickly with the most information they have gathered.

 

Hope for the best while you keep the pressure on the professionals.

Take care,

~Kris

[goldenwillow]

Thank you everyone. We celebrated with ice cream, filing paperwork for insurance and just loving each other. Best day ever. I see this all as a fantastic way to launch into my 40s.

The appointment yesterday was overwhelming and informative. I am hopeful. My new Neuro is a young, bright,  mother of a 5 year old boy. All that doesn't hurt as I felt a connection, thankfully. She took the time to review, validated my symptoms with compassion (that's a first) and opened a few doors. She asked if I experienced vibration, yes very much indeed. She said few do, medically they are unable to diagnose, but it happens. Isn't that a blanket term for fibromyalgia? BINGO. So glad she seems to get it. Time will tell.

Next is an EEG. I asked if it was urgent to schedule, can do so within the week. You see, everything has been on fast forward the past 5 days. Today we rest as a family and decompress.

No one is validating the burning on my head, saying only its nerve ending not connecting, which I agree (isn't that the broad term of fibromyalgia?), however, I want to know how to help myself, if I can.

I smell like metal! Scares me. I am detoxing with natural methods.

Kpaggett - Functional abilities to think and move... I have always been very sensitive to everything - meds, environment, pressure, lunar (The Moon - which I follow keenly).. All you listed. I have significant PTSD from childhood experiences and falls, accidents.

I am hightened at the time, not sure if that is due to the hospital experience as a whole. I know how to calm myself from over the years and now have that opportunity to do so at home. Hoping The burn will subside.

The past 5 days have been on fast forward. My hope is with finding balance again at home and routine of our lives, again, may hopefully subside this burn. I have been icing since it happened. The nurses thought I was an oddity not accepting pain meds, they didn't help. One nurse even said it reminded her to offer ice first before meds. I took 2 rounds when I got there and was done. I was open to try anything and did.

Thank you for the support. I am now told I need a chauffeur for the next 6 months. I am excited to see what I have been missing while driving.

 

I wanted to add..

Everyone involved in this experience seems to have been placed in my life in just the right way.

The CAT! Who began this journey. Which by the way, the bite is healing well. The medical team that supported me was fabulous. Names that where significant to me (similar family and friends names) I found comfort with, also with fellow blue eyed folks (I find comfort in the color blue - related to the sea).

I made a new friend (1 of my 6 nurses in my 2 day stay) for which I am forever grateful for. We were told we were each others doppledinger before I met her. And in my neck of the woods, if you know what a doppledinger is, your cool in my book. Not many folks know what that is   Your still cool if you do not as well 

 

Forgive me while I process this information while writing. Usually is my best route to understand. I love writing.

I am reviewing the actual notes from my Neuro.

She states as follows:

"I reccommend obtaining an EEG to investigate possible seizures. Your MRI showed possible medial temporal sclerosis. I will review this with our Neuro-radiologists." 

Will check in from time to time. I am keeping technology to minimal as it seems to highten the burning sensation.

I sincerely appreciate all of you.

Andrea

[Tina]

Hi Andrea

 

Its good to know your new Neuro is giving you hope and is listening to you and opening new doors.

Good luck with the EEG and hope you can find the balance at home and routine of your lives again.

Hopefully the burning will subside with time.

Glad you made a new friend

Take care and wish you well with your recovery.

Tina xx

[goldenwillow]

Thank you to the moderator (Tina?) for combining my multiple posts into 1. I am finding I am getting confused with where all my posts are.

❤

[goldenwillow]

Sorry... I read here someone asked if I knew Carolyn. Not sure. I am not able to find it now. I see this as a cue to rest now.

Can someone direct me to her? Thank you.

[Karen]

Hi Andrea,

 

It might be carolynusa that you're looking for? ...... http://web.behindthegray.net/index.php?/user/1169-carolynusa/ - just click on the link. x

[Tina]

Andrea it was Karen that merged all your posts together to help you   xx

[goldenwillow]

I see, thank you! I already like her, peace sign avatar! I will catch up soon.

My Mom came yesterday. Thankfully. I feel weak, tired and really feel like I need to cocoon, retreat, quiet, calm is what I am craving. I also needed a hug from my Mom. Something I have never asked for, her help for me. I learned a lot about my Mom and I when we assisted my Bonus Dad's passing at home last November (kidney failure, declined dialysis). It reunited the bond we naturally have as Mother and Daughter.

I am fortunate to have some amazing folks in my "circle" of friends. I am calling them My Champions as we have been studying Camelot around these parts. Love that term. We have a retired MD, a homeopath, Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist on board. I am grateful for all perspectives as I have always been "that girl" somewhere in the middle. I call it in the grey, interesting enough.

I emailed my homeopath just to let her in on what is up. Specifically with regards to the burning bon fire still raging on the top of my head. She called me yesterday and immediately asked if anyone has mentioned anemia. Nope.

Instructed me to start taking B12 w/ Methylcobalamin (digests easier for folks like me) and Floradix Iron Supplement. Started last night. She wants me to monitor the burn as I ease this into my body. I am so hopeful. There has been no talk about how to help this besides pain meds, seizure anxiety meds (which I feel worse burning and general crappier feeling) and ice. Let's hope today the bon fire subsides to a nice Amber, then out please!

My Husband is starting to accept help is needed. He has been on full throttle, which I believe is learned From my behavior. He is accepting I am slower too. From taking care of our 6 year old while I was in the hospital, house needs, his own needs, his job (he is a lead Chef at another local hospital) to really just accepting and wrapping our heads around what the heck just happened last week. What a ride.

Today: Slow morning with my Mom and Son. At Noon I plan to volunteer for a couple hours where I have been doing so. I want to see how that goes. Business as usual. Mom and my Son plan a fun afternoon together doing ???? I assume it's what Grammys and Grandsons do. How fun. While that's happening, my Husband and I meet with our friend, our homeopath later this afternoon.

[goldenwillow]

Hi Andrea,

 

It might be carolynusa that you're looking for? ...... http://web.behindthegray.net/index.php?/user/1169-carolynusa/ - just click on the link. x

Thank you Karen. I very much appreciate what you have created here. I have found nothing like it.

[Louise]

Sounds good and a consultant listening Very good..