An MRI.....

[First-timer]

ok so i went to the doctor about my head aches...... i wrote on the calendar when i took advil or my migrane pill (zomig) and i took 19 advil and 5 migraine pills and zomig costs 6.00 a pill .... with insurance.... so i decided to go to the doc..... he prescribes me a pill called verapamil he says i have to take it every day... it is a blood pressure medicine.. which can also decrease migraines..... so i get the prescription filled and read the insert sheet........ says one of the side effects is headaches..... go figure???? anyway i have to go tues march 13th for an MRI says i need an iv for it???? im alittle nervous about it anyone had this done for headaches before??? or taken this type of medicine???? vicki

 

[Hedy]

I had an MRI for my dizziness in September. Have you ever had an MRI before? They're load and crowded. They also put your head in a thingy to keep it still (it looks kind of like a hockey mask). The contast dye IV wasn't TOO bad, but you can't move, so you can't direct them to your veins.

 

[Christine]

I took Verapamil once for rapid heart rate, but my doctor told me that he uses it often in his "teenager" population for migraines. It is a good, safe everyday medication that seems to help without too many side effects.

I took it and felt fine. Unfortunately, I had an allergic reaction to it.

An MRI is often done with a contrast material (especially of the head). It is called galadium (sp??) or GAD for short. I know people who've had it and said it's not bad at all--not like the ones that use iodine.

 

[Barb D]

I get MRIs every 6 months. Sometimes they do them "with and without contrast", which means they do it without a dye, then inject the dye, and then do it again with the dye. I don't think I've ever had an IV, though.

I just had one last week. For both MRIs it took about half an hour. I'm very claustrophobic, so I close my eyes before they roll me in and KEEP THEM CLOSED.

They may be able to give you headphones and let you listen to music. Depends on the facility. Ask.

 

[cryssi]

I went to the doctor for a persistent headache that Excedrin wouldn't fix...

I ended up having a craniotomy, so yes, that MRI would be a very good thing to get...

In my experience, if you already have an IV in (you've been admitted to the hospital), they will administer the contrast through that. For my follow up, they just injected the contrast right in, no IV.

 

[java]

I get MRIs every 6 months. Sometimes they do them "with and without contrast", which means they do it without a dye, then inject the dye, and then do it again with the dye. I don't think I've ever had an IV, though.

I just had one last week. For both MRIs it took about half an hour. I'm very claustrophobic, so I close my eyes before they roll me in and KEEP THEM CLOSED.

They may be able to give you headphones and let you listen to music. Depends on the facility. Ask.

You have seen the Open MRI's they have right? They are worlds better for the claustrophobic*I know first hand! They still are surrounding your head but your body can breathe(I know that sounds crazy but that is how I feel with claustrophobia- like my body can't breathe)

 

[horseshowmom]

ok so i went to the doctor about my head aches...... i wrote on the calendar when i took advil or my migrane pill (zomig) and i took 19 advil and 5 migraine pills and zomig costs 6.00 a pill .... with insurance.... so i decided to go to the doc..... he prescribes me a pill called verapamil he says i have to take it every day... it is a blood pressure medicine.. which can also decrease migraines..... so i get the prescription filled and read the insert sheet........ says one of the side effects is headaches..... go figure???? anyway i have to go tues march 13th for an MRI says i need an iv for it???? im alittle nervous about it anyone had this done for headaches before??? or taken this type of medicine???? vicki

If you suffer from claustophobia at all (I do), ask your doctor to prescribe something for you I'd probably ask for it anyway just to be on the safe side. I think they gave me valium. If I remember correctly, it was just one pill that I took 30 minutes ahead of time. I did fine with the medication, but I doubt that I would have otherewise.

In my case, I wasn't able to get an open machine.

 

[cryssi]

the headphones or earplugs are definitely key! that machine is LOUD...

I remember when I first saw them do the MRI on House...I said "hey! that's REALLY what it's like!"

 

[horseshowmom]

the headphones or earplugs are definitely key! that machine is LOUD...

I remember when I first saw them do the MRI on House...I said "hey! that's REALLY what it's like!"

In my case, the sound didn't bother me at all. It was the closeness.

 

[phorsenuf]

You have seen the Open MRI's they have right? They are worlds better for the claustrophobic*I know first hand! They still are surrounding your head but your body can breathe(I know that sounds crazy but that is how I feel with claustrophobia- like my body can't breathe)

I asked abut having one of those done the last time I had my MRI and they told me they are not as good as the closed one. In my case they were looking for lesions (MS) and she said an open MRI may not show them as good as a closed. I opted for the closed because I didn't want them to miss anything.

Also, if you have a shellfish allergy make sure to let them know as the dye they use sometimes contains the same properties thats in shellfish and can cause a reaction. I almost found this out the hard way.

 

[MzDiz]

I'm getting an MRI on Monday for my neck because of headaches. I was recently diagnosed with occipital neuralgia, which means stiff neck that pulls on head nerves, or something. However, my arms do wacky things and I have pains that are really bizarre, so he wants to see what's going on in my neck.
I once had a headache that lasted 11 weeks, non-stop. I had a week long break until the next one started though. I really stopped clocking them after that. I used to take between 800-1600 mg of ibuprofen a day, along with fioricet and occasional vicodin or darvocet. Now I take muscle relaxers and Xanax (mmm, Xanax) that keep my neck in check. I also have been recently introduced to the wonders of the nerve block. I never thought I could look forward to having shots in the back of my head, but lemme tell ya!

Good luck with your MRI! It'll be nothing to worry about, you'll see.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Most drugs list headache, nausea/vomit, constipation or diarrhea (or both), and dizziness as side effects. Don't read too much into it. Unless it becomes a big problem for you, of course.

Unless you have claustrophobia, MRIs are no big deal. And even then, you can usually find an "open" MRI place.

I hope your headaches ease up soon. I had one migraine one time, would never want another. Ug.

 

[4nana]

Vicki, yes I have had MRI's several times for headaches, back and neck injury. The IV is a shot for contrast and most likely you will be given headphones to listen to music and also a buzzer to stop procedure if you feel uncomfortable at any time doing xray. If you are claustrophobic then I would suggest you investigate which center has an open MRI. Your dr can also write you a script if you think you will be uneasy. Fortunately it did not bother me, but to be honest it is rather closed tubular quarters which many are not comfortable with, plus a wire type mask over your head.

I have been to many drs and tried many meds for migraines - however, none have worked as well as the BP med Atenolol the dr finally put me on. For a simple $5 mo. I am pain free of migraines for several yrs now. I wish you luck for your MRI, getting them under under control and hope you feel better soon.

 

[First-timer]

wow thank you for all the replys..... i am not claustrophobic at all and iv's dont bother me at all so i guess i should be fine thanks for all the kind words..... i used to think my migraines were related to my cycle.... i used to get them like clockwork one week before my period began.... it would last for 3 or 4 days then none till next cycle.... but for the last few months it has been more frequent...... i was even going to ask my doc about a hysteractamy so i wouldnt get the migraines..... but with the research i have done on the web that opens up a whole new can of worms.......lollol so we will see what happens with the MRI... vicki

 

[torinsmom]

Having an MRI is like bring inside a running washing machine, LOL! I suffered from headaches for 12 years before I finally had other neurological symptoms and they did MRIs. I had a brain malformation and had to have brain surgery. They did fix the physical malformation, but the nerve damage still causes headaches.

Hope they find something very easily fixable for you! I wouldn't wish frequent headaches on my worst enemy!

Marsha

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I had an MRI due to chronic headaches. I had the contrast as well, that is nothing! Don't worry about that part of it.

The worst part for me, was the machine, I had to go to an Open MRI place, which really was just as bad. They put your head in a vice and you can't move...major issues with that.

I took a Xanax though and just didn't care! Just loud and long (like and hour and a half in that thing).

 

[Forevryoung]

Good luck, I start topamax tomorrow for my migraines. I get at least one a week (last week I had two of course...) Amerge keeps me out of excruciating pain but I still wind up sleeping it off. No choice.

One common side effect of topamax is it makes you stupid. I need to stay smart

Migraines are horrible

 

[torinsmom]

The machine doesn't bother me. Just keep your eyes closed and think about things that you need to do, etc. Most places have a CD player attached, so bring in your favorite CD and that can keep you a little entertained. If you keep your mind busy, the time will fly by. They give you a button to hold in your hand and if you need to get out, you push it. They talked to me the whole time too, after each segment, they would say "Are you okay? This next one will be 5 minutes".

Marsha

 

[MzDiz]

Good luck, I start topamax tomorrow for my migraines. I get at least one a week (last week I had two of course...) Amerge keeps me out of excruciating pain but I still wind up sleeping it off. No choice.

One common side effect of topamax is it makes you stupid. I need to stay smart

Migraines are horrible

I had the most bizarre experiences with Topamax. Feeling stupid was just the tip of the iceberg for me. The strangest one was that I swore I couldn't stand the taste of my own teeth!

 

[DisneyGirl]

I had no problem with the actual MRI, but I *hated* when they put in the dye-- I felt it running through my veins and it was awful-- kind of like little ants running throughout your body, and I couldn't wiggle or move or anything!