I also have another question....Did anyone else have a lot of pain in their neck, head area during the MRI? My 15 yr old daughter came out of the MRI stating "she would rather have TEN IV's before having another MRI..it hurt her a lot to lay in a flat position, which also gives the Drs reason to believe that the Chiari is showing some type of blockage or discomfort for her. She has to sleep in an almost upright position to stop headaches and make her comfortable enough to sleep.
Yes I did both times. It felt like I was laying on a sharp rock, it made my head hurt so bad, I almost
couldn't finish the MRI. I never had a problem before. Once it was over, I sat up and rubbed my head and it did go away quickly. I also feel dizzy when I lay flat. I'm told I dont have a blockage.
The MRI itself didn't hurt me (I've been in the tunnel for up to 2 1/2 hours when they did a full MRI with and without contrast of my brain, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines all in one session). Yes, the lab tech thought I was nuts for scheduling it that way.
It must be the position for your daughter.
I do understand some places have a stand-up MRI; perhaps that would be easier when and if she needs another set of images.
Your poor daughter! Knowing how much those damn IV’s hurt, that’s saying something about the pain she was experiencing!
Also, we saw a specialist of the cerebellum at childrens yesterday, they looked through her eyes with a light, from what he could see, he didnt think there would be any fluid, but could not be 100%, but you are right, he said, that statement about the IV's alone, backs up his theory that the headaches are caused by the Chiari. She told them she has to prop herself to sleep, wakes every morning with a headache, that slowly goes away as the morning goes on. This was another indication...I just dont see it as enough to let them cut her open. Symptoms, lately, have become much more frequent, its constant. I feel so caught??? Very tough, almost feel bad in thinking, if there was fluid it would not be on me, it would be something that had to be done, and that makes me feel guilty also:(
Joalexa said:
Your poor daughter! Knowing how much those damn IV's hurt, that's saying something about the pain she was experiencing!
Yes I had an awful time and I've had many MRIs/CTs in the past and never had trouble. It must be the position and I also ?d if it was causing an obstruction. All of my muscles were twitching so bad that the tech stopped and asked why I was moving so much. I told her that is what happens when either my spinal cord or brainstem is compressed. I couldn't control it. I also had such severe pressure in the back of my head I felt like it was going to explode. When I was done I was dizzy, my muscles were stiff, and I had red flushing all over my neck and chest. But they tell me the results are normal....are they crazy???
I also have to sleep in a recliner b/c it's the only way to support my head/neck enough so that I don't have awful sx. I also have to wear a neck brace for support. It is insane to me that Drs can't figure this out. Beyond frustrated!
I had an MRI on Wednesday...a follow up from surgery....I couldn't stand it. It hurt so bad. It was really tough laying still. They are quite annoying and they do not make the experience very comfortable.
I noticed since getting whatever I have (still not officially Chiari just POTS/Dysautonomia) I get bad Sensory Overload. So last Friday prior to my MRI I was having a good day for a change. During the MRI I felt like I wanted to start thrashing in it. I also had to swallow like every 30 seconds. I was so glad when the woman said I was done. The rest of the day I became very symptomatic and felt like hell.
Thanks to all, Im not so sure she is having a hard time with being enclosed, she just complained of the pain it causes when she has to lay flat. (She sleeps with several pillows in almost a sitting up position)....these are all other indicators that the Chiari is causing her head aches, fatigue, and hand tremors. I may ask them to give her a little something to make her more comfortable, thanks to all your responses:)
Yes, I had so much pain during my MRI it felt like a sharp pain in the back of my head and I felt like I couldn't finish the MRI, after it was over and i sat up the pain went away.
I’ve spent countless hours in mri’s they are very uncomfortable for me! My neck kills me the whole time I want to cry! I feel bad that she has to go through this too! I was hopeful the surgery would take care of that but it didn’t! What I do know is I waited too long to have my surgery and have some permitate damage my doctor says I will never regain! Good luck with everything!
Wondering...Did your MRI show anything?? Sounds very similiar to my daughter, she has her cine mri in two weeks...
Brooke said:
Yes, I had so much pain during my MRI it felt like a sharp pain in the back of my head and I felt like I couldn't finish the MRI, after it was over and i sat up the pain went away.
What symptoms did you have before the surgery? Im having a tough time deciding on letting them do the surgery on my daughter, she has a 18mm herniation, headaches, and fatigue, along with hand tremors.
Deena said:
I've spent countless hours in mri's they are very uncomfortable for me! My neck kills me the whole time I want to cry! I feel bad that she has to go through this too! I was hopeful the surgery would take care of that but it didn't! What I do know is I waited too long to have my surgery and have some permitate damage my doctor says I will never regain! Good luck with everything!
My chiari is at 8 mm with vision issues, loss of strength in hands, head aches of course, neck pain and the list continues! The surgery helped with the pressure head aches and I regained my strength! I still have fatigue and have different types of head aches! I have permitate damage with my vision because of putting off my surgery!
Di said:
Yes I had an awful time and I've had many MRIs/CTs in the past and never had trouble. It must be the position and I also ?d if it was causing an obstruction. All of my muscles were twitching so bad that the tech stopped and asked why I was moving so much. I told her that is what happens when either my spinal cord or brainstem is compressed. I couldn't control it. I also had such severe pressure in the back of my head I felt like it was going to explode. When I was done I was dizzy, my muscles were stiff, and I had red flushing all over my neck and chest. But they tell me the results are normal....are they crazy???
I also have to sleep in a recliner b/c it's the only way to support my head/neck enough so that I don't have awful sx. I also have to wear a neck brace for support. It is insane to me that Drs can't figure this out. Beyond frustrated!
I also had a lot of discomfort during my MRI, it lasted close to one hour and i was so sick to my stomache also had a lot of pressure in my head but the dizzyness was the worse feeling of all. I have to sleep on my side, pretty much fetal positon since this started back in Feb of 2012. Can't put my head back or the lights go out i have passed out multiple times prior to dx. but being a stuburn nurse i thought this will pass. My CFS study is negative and i don't understand that. i have herniation of 7mm and 5mm with no flow restriction so why do i have all these issues now???