So scared of MRA

[Barbara-C]

Hi everyone I am having a MRA on Monday for pulsatile t due to hurting my neck. I’ve waited since last July for this I had MRI over year ago nothing found so I know how loud they are. I am getting so stressed about it my t very loud. I am seriously thinking of cancelling my ears have become sensitive so don’t want to make them worse. I’m so confused I don’t think they will find anything if they do will they do anything about it. Would appreciate your thoughts..Barbara .

[simb999]

Hi Barbara, I'm in the same situation, I've got an Mri scan next Saturday and am in two minds whether to go or not as I'm worried about the noise level and it making my t worse, mine is noise induced and I really don't think they will find anything even though mine is only in one ear. It's stressful enough having this affliction without all these extra worries on top. I'm sorry I can't advised you either way but I can offer my support to you, take care.

[Barbara-C in reply to simb999]

Bless you thank you I really don’t know what to do..like you I don’t want to make things worse . Thinking of you..take care .

[JohnJopp]

Hi Barbara,

I can only give you my own experience in that I've had about 8 MRI scans since my T started and I've never had any adverse effects. My first scan found a small acoustic neuroma and so now I have yearly scans to monitor it. In between those ones I've also had a few MRI scans for other issues. Normally the scan doesn't last too long - typically about 20 mins and you have ear defenders on so it's really not too bad.

John

[Barbara-C in reply to JohnJopp]

Thank you for reply.

[1Dar]

Hi Barbara ... I’ve had every operation possible to improve my tinnitus and now have a Cochlear Implant. I had a couple of MRI s during this time, nothing was found, but it certainly didn’t make the Tinnitus worse ( or better) so if you are worried, I would go ahead and have it. I’m not a Dr, but that’s my opinion . Good luck . Jenny .. by the way , the more in trusion I had the worse the T became !

[Mallorca1]

You have taken antidepressants for tinnitus?

[Boss1]

Hi Barbara,

I have pulsatile tinnitus 24/7. Three years. I am having such trouble with the health system and right now my PT it has taken a turn for the worse along with other symptoms. I would do anything to have a scan immediately! Just go. If you are in the UK, the NHS is in it's knees and you usually have to wait months. I would love to know what hospital you are at and what the ENT department are like as pulsatile tinnitus is not well understood.

Good luck!

[Barbara-C in reply to Boss1]

Hi Boss thank you for reply. I have had pulsatile t for a year and half in left ear. I agree I didn’t get much help from GP or ENT after having MRI that showed nothing . When I see audiologist six months ago she said because it’s pulsatile I should have had MRA which looks at blood vessels which is what I’m having. In that eighteen months I now have constant squealing in both ears which is why I am worried about noise of scan. I live in Kent but I would think all hospitals do scans with a dye. I will find the courage to go .

Best wishes

Barbara

[Boss1 in reply to Barbara-C]

I think it is really good you are having an MRA. I am seeing a new ENT person on Friday. It's something I want! I have had and MRI before and the sounds didn't concern me at all for some reason. Think I had ear phones on and they said they would stop at anytime I raised my hand which relaxed me a bit. I'm sure you will be fine. Go for it.

If you are really worried take a sedative or ask GP for sedative....

[Barbara-C in reply to Boss1]

Thank you ...It was a very understanding audiologist who had tinnitus herself that set it up . Take care .

Barbara

[HissingSid]

Lots of good luck with your MRA scan. I hope it goes well for you!

[Barbara-C in reply to HissingSid]

Thank you Sid x

[HissingSid in reply to Barbara-C]

My name is Joe by the way. I call my T sounds HissingSid and have that as my username here on the forum.

[Owley]

Good luck with your MRA

I live in Kent. What part are you in?

I too suffer with PT I had a scan which came back normal. As it was pulsation I asked for an MRA but consultant said no as there was no point! because if it was a stenosed blood vessel etc no neurosurgeon would touch it and it won’t affect my life expectancy!! It’s amazing how this Drs opinions differ. What hospital are you under in Kent? Maybe I should try your one.

I have hissing and pulsing when I am resting and it’s louder when exercising. I have been told the arteries that lead from my neck to my brain are clear and it’s stress causing it. I don’t accept this. My stress levels are no different to what they have ever been.

I hope all goes well tomorrow. Let us know how you get on.

Owley

[Barbara-C in reply to Owley]

Thank you for reply I live near Canterbury so that’s the hospital I’m going to. My MRI came back clear but audiologist arranged MRA . I see ENT after MRI over a year ago he was no help he said problem was with my neck and that was it . I did hurt my neck but he wasn’t interested..so will see what comes of this. Take care .

Barbara

[soul64]

I had a mri scan on xmas eve 2018,my first thought was my t was going to spike up and ruin xmas. I took my own ear plugs with me and wore their ear defenders , also to take my mind off the noise i counted up from zero in my head,it worked for me. Neil

[Barbara-C in reply to soul64]

Thank you I’m glad you were okay. I’m going to take my own plugs . Best wishes

Barbara

[zaxdad]

My Doctor gave me 1/2 a Valium. I used earplugs. I feel asleep during the procedure. Just try not to open your eyes when you're in the tube.

[Barbara-C]

Thank you yes I have Valium I’m sure I’ll be fine just don’t like the loud noise. Best wishes

Barbara

[Wringing1212]

Hi Barbara,

I tried replying but didn't see it post, so I'll try again:

Make sure you wear headphones over ear plugs. Some scanners are quiet, but some are insanely loud. A scan with contrast takes longer, and operates at the threshold of what's considered safe for healthy ears. That can be more disruptive to your habituation process. Most scanning practitionerst(operators) aren't looking out for T patients.

[Shirleymaidment12345]

Did u not have head phones on last time . I found this helped a lot

[Barbara-C in reply to Shirleymaidment12345]

Hi yes I did have ear plugs and defenders but it was still loud I’ll ask if they have music .

[Barbara-C in reply to Shirleymaidment12345]

Hi I had scan Monday . It was a new machine which was much nicer and quieter..wish I knew that before I went.

[ChooseYourUsername]

You'll be fine love! 🙄

[JEHSPORT]

Hi Barbara, I've had pulsatile tinnitus for almost 2 years, and it has gradually got louder and more troublesome. I am very lucky to have a GP who understands - which seems to be rare - although my first ENT were useless and gave me a poorly photocopied info sheet on tinnitus. I then was in conversation with a fellow sufferer on the whooshers Facebook page and I am now being seen at Cambridge. I've had MRI, MRA and CT and going for angiogram on Tuesday. The MRA like the MRI can be noisy but its usually a short time. You will be fine - take the headphones, and talk to them about mild sedation if you are concerned. If you can, do something special afterwards - be kind to yourself! You are not alone - we will all be thinking good thoughts for you. Good luck!

[Barbara-C in reply to JEHSPORT]

Thank you bless you I’m feeling better about it this morning and Dr gave me diazepam . Like you first ENT was waste of time but luckily I now have a understanding Dr so sad that’s all it takes . Take care

Barbara.

[Owley in reply to JEHSPORT]

Hi did the tests show anything up? I have had PT for 6 months. Some days i hardly notice it but at the moment its bad. The radiologist that looked at my scan saidci had 2 signs of intracranial hypertension but nothing else was seen. I have read up on intracranial hypertension. Its a condition seen in overweight people which ia.m

[JEHSPORT in reply to Owley]

I understand how you feel. Some days when it's not so bad and you are absorbed in something it feels like it has gone away but it comes back eventually. Other days you want to rip your head off! The MRA, CTV and now angiogram have all shown an arteriovenous fistula. Too soon to know exactly what treatment they will undertake but from my chat with the radiologist yesterday after the test whilst still on the table I would say the direction he is looking at is positive for me. I have also read of others who have been diagnosed with IHT but don't know much about it. Keep persevering and be kind to yourself!

[Barbara-C in reply to JEHSPORT]

Thank you Barbara.

[Barbara-C in reply to Owley]

Hi Owley I don’t get results till 27th when I see ENT. Take care .

Barbara

[Owley]

Hi Barbara

How did it all go yesterday?

I did think of you

[Barbara-C in reply to Owley]

Thank you it was fine I got in a state for nothing the hospital had a new machine which was much nicer was more open and quieter. Thank you again .

Barbara

[Owley]

Thats good.

Do you get pulsatile tinnitus all the time? I do. So far have they found any cause? I worry all the time its something hideous. My ENT wont do anything else as my scan was normal.

[Barbara-C]

Hi yes I do it’s a high pitched sqeeling noise which seems to echo through my skull. Like you when I had first scan fourteen months ago that came back clear ENT and GP didn’t want to know.It was the audiologist that set up MRA eight months ago because it was pulsatile It’s so frustrating that it’s treated like tinnitus. Probably nothing serious because they would have checked carotid artery first. I believe mine is my neck due to whiplash . I think a blood vessel is near a nerve which is what we are hearing. Thank you again for support . Best wishes Barbara.