What MRI scan/tests for suspected SACD? - Pernicious Anaemi...

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What MRI scan/tests for suspected SACD?

Katanaqui profile image
7 Replies

Hi again. To anyone else who's been through/knows about SACD diagnosis, what type of MRI scan should I expect please? I understood that I'd be going for an urgent scan of whole spine with contrast, plus head to investigate involvement of the optic nerve (intermittent blurred vision and pain) and also migraines. But after 5 weeks (instead of the urgent two +/- Covid delays), I've now got an appointment for the spine only with no details of contrast or anything else (previously I've had MRI appointment letters explicitly stating such details - or might it be the case here that they are included and I've just not been advised?).

I currently strongly suspect SACD associated with a B12 deficiency that appears to have been overlooked for several years, extensive neurological symptoms, and multiple prescription uses of nitrous oxide. I'm concerned as so far my doctors have been very unfamiliar with most of this, and a lot of my treatment/other referrals have been incorrect.

Thank you.

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Katanaqui profile image
Katanaqui
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7 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Yes I was confused for my second one. The first was of my brain.Second brain and cervical cord .

I assumed spine.

Only did neck.uppee cervical

I woukd double check with the doctor thst ordered it via their secretary.

Mu symptoms were

Vertigo

Migraines

Low vision

Blurry vision

Light sensitivity

Vestibular disturbance

Electric pains in my spine head i coukd go on .

Try not to worry too much.

May just need more time for healing.

I dudnt have dyes as said woukdnt be helpful??

Also had a brain ct scan

Hope you get it clarified soon.

Katanaqui profile image
Katanaqui in reply to Nackapan

Thanks very much, I'll be able to phone to check on Monday. It's my understanding it should be spine with contrast to identify common features in the dorsal and lateral columns, and also head to ascertain optic nerve and other cerebral matter involvement.

In my case it's mostly that not a single thing has been correct so far - missing the dx to start with for ~6 years, administering multiple doses of nitrous oxide during that time, refusing the correct B12 injections atm for 11 weeks until I appealed to a different doctor (finally starting them on Monday), refusing to acknowledge any symptoms other than peripheral neuropathy were relevant, referring me to a neurologist with no mention of the relevant neurological symptoms, referring me for an 'urgent' MRI scan and it going through as a normal speed one - the list goes on. So at this point I'm just already concerned that they've simply referred me for the wrong type of scan as well.

They've also repeatedly stated that I will certainly be all better within 2-4 weeks of injections and I won't need any more after that. They've been so adamant of that and very dismissive of which of my neuro symptoms are relevant, so much that I now feel reliant on a baseline MRI showing damage now, and a repeat MRI scan in the future to prove that I may well need to stay on injections for longer.

(Sorry for the half-rant, as you can probably tell I've not been handling moods well for a while either)

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply to Katanaqui

Yes I had a battle too.So hard when ill

I had to wait 4 months to see the neurologist .

No answers or indeed explanations. I paid to see 2 different neurologists

A ambulance was called by 111 buf decided I wasn't ill enough

A very low point

Someone got me to a abd e.

Only way sometimes

So please don't feel you are alone.

You have yo chase everything.

The demand is so great the NHS is struggling.

This was in 2018/ 19!

Without the backlog there now is .!

BNF guidelines

PAS information.

Uses the search bar

Lots of help in getting the right treatment.

At least loading doses booked in now

I wish you well

Havd you had your bloods done?

B12 level

Iron folate ?

Vit D ?

Intrinsic factor sntybodh test?

Hope you get treat

ment and mri scans soon.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Just read your previous posts . Yih seems yk hsvr all tge information.and knowledge

Just need the card now.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

Might be something of interest in following links that mention SACD.

Neurological Consequences of B12 Deficiency

PAS news item

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS article about SACD, sub acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Blog post from Martyn Hooper's blog, mentions SACD

martynhooper.com/2010/09/21...

B12 deficiency article from Mayo Clinic in US

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Article on SACD

hindawi.com/journals/crinm/...

If you suspect PA, worth joining and talking to PAS.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

I am not medically trained.

Gen89 profile image
Gen89

I had cervical and brain mris with no contrast. These were to look for signs of MS as my neurologist didn’t seem to believe in b12 deficiency!! Hope all goes well. You might be able to ring the hospital and ask if you are going to have a contrast injection.

Katanaqui profile image
Katanaqui

Thanks everyone for your replies, they've been really helpful :) I rang my hospital who confirmed my scan is without contrast - my referral had absolutely no clinical detail whatsoever in it, and it wasn't marked urgent either, so something's gone wrong as usual. Hopefully in the process of getting it sorted now

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