MRIs

[Tulip77]

At my last Neuro appt when the decision was made to go off Copaxone and switch to Aubagio, neuro ordered new MRIs w/wo contrast. I go in tomorrow for the scans. I am scared. I am scared to know what’s going on because Ii don’t feel like myself and honestly, there is a lot of brain cancer in my family so that is a BIG reason why I get such anxiety. I am allergic to MRI contrast so I have to premeditate for that AND I have left two messages that I need something for the claustrophobia and have heard nothing. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😕😕

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Have you called the pharmacy to see if it's there yet? Tulip77 ? I'm really sorry about the contrast reaction, at least they are on top of it!☺️ My question for you is, is the MRI going to change who you are today? Or tomorrow? ☺️ Nahhh I think not, it's just going to give you a bit of clearity about what's going on!

🤗💕🌠

[Tulip77 in reply to Jesmcd2]

There is not anything at the pharmacy. The issue is my mother and sister died of brain cancer which is why I get sooo anxious about it.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Tulip77]

I am so so sorry for your loss 🤗 I can see why you are so anxious about it Hun! Do you have someone to go with you? ☺️🤗💕🌠

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Jesmcd2]

Oh yeah! Call your Neuro again!!! ☺️

[twooldcrows in reply to Jesmcd2]

i like how you reminded her that the MRI isn't going to change her...she does need to feel safe and wander what is going on but that again could be from stress....i agree also to have someone go with her...

[rjoneslaw]

here to good results

If ur allergic to the contrast they're not supposed to give it to u period. I dont get it at all

[pamgarner]

i can understand why you be so anxious,my dr prescribes 2 valium just for this test,helps alot,hoping the absolute best for you

[TDonahue58]

Why the contrast?Can you inquire whether the contrast is necessary?

I've been on Aubagio for 5 months, just a couple minor side effects that I'm dealing with.

I'm most happy with Ampyra tho, my walking and exercise has increased quite a bit.

[Acorkhill]

I was on Copaxone for several years and had no issues with it. However after about 5 years I did start feeling nauseous after taking the shot. I made an appointment with my neurologist and after. New VMRI and blood work it was diagnosed that I had NMO and not NS. Only recently research had found that the symptoms of MS and NMO are similar. It take a special test to determine which one it is. The test is only available at the Mayo Clinic and a couple of other medical institutions. My neurologist send my blood work into the Mayo Clinic and they diagnosed me with NMO. You may want to ask your neurologist to check you for NMO.

[twooldcrows]

wow you do really need to find a way to down the stress ...that is really hard on a normal body and brain and even more for us ...make a phone call to the doctor to make sure that they will give you the meds before it starts or do you take like the morning of or hours before ...i haven't taken them i just go to sleep ...some of the people on here have taken the music to it and they said it is great then ....good luck with getting ahold of the doctor...remind them you are going in tomorrow...love and much happiness ...laugh and smile and giggle....

[Tulip77]

So late yesterday I was able to talk to the nurse. They had changed their phone system and were not getting messages timely. They did give instructions on what to take and when to take it. Unfortunately it was not strong enough. It did take the edge off for the first half hour or so, but I was tooooo alert for my liking. I just closed my eyes most of the time. They left the head cage thing on the whole time which actually helped because it had a mirror pointed at a window behind me. I was able to focus on the trees.

My aunt drove me and was there with me.

My left hand kept going numb and my back was killing me, but it’s over now.

The reason they wanted the contrast, I think, was to see new active lesions. I’ve had several new symptoms over the last several months but had a pretty intense round of tingling and other stuff a few weeks back. I don't totally understand the contrast necessity.... I agreed as long as I had the proper pre medication to avoid a reaction. That part was no problem. I’ve done the pre medication before for other health issues where it was imperative, but it has been a long time.

[Lady_Winifred in reply to Tulip77]

I don't really understand "active lesions " but they can only tell if they are active with the contrast. I'm a little claustrophobic but usually do ok if I have the mirror thing too. I had to go off of Copaxone after being on it for 6 years. I had 3 MRI's in a row over 18 months and they all had changes so it was apparent that the Copaxone wasn't working anymore. I too had some changes that I'd noticed. That my husband noticed. The changes were legitimate but I think my stressing over them made them a little worse. I'm on Gilenya now. Some of the new symptoms stayed with me but settled down with the new medication. I really think once you get past the stress of the MRI results and getting the new medication going that you will find some of the new symptoms will go away and if any stay they will lessen in severity. Good luck!