I hope the appts both go well. I also hope the doctor can help you figure out what is going on - even if it involves an MRI. Be open with him about your fear of the MRI. They CAN give you medications to make it easier. WHen Jess had hers they first thought the doctor meant sedation, which they said involves you swallowing a dose of versed. He meant, and she needed, anesthesia which is a whole different ballgame. That means to knock you out. Hers was because the shaking was constant.
I have had both kinds of MRI's. The open MRI was harder for me. One side of the machine is open but the opening is pretty small. I kept waiting for it to fall on me. WIht the closed MRI it was supported on both sides and I didn't have that feeling (any of the tiems - have had 3 closed and 1 open MRI. After the open MRI I learned that hte picture isn't NEARLY as good as the closed. It had to be redone before they could do the surgery and the difference in the pictures was remarkable even to me. After the surgery the doctor said it was good they did the closed MRI as they would NOT have been prepared for the bones to be as thin as they were and would not have had the right parts to connect to the graft (I have some screws holding a piece of bone in my neck to fuse vertebrae).
But you need to ASK the neuro if it will make a difference. The technology has certainly changed in the last five years, since my surgery. So it might be different and the pics might be better. Either way, be sure to tell them you are claustrophobic and will NEED something to be able to make it through. No matter what the neuro says, the techs who do these have told us numerous times that it is very common to have to give someone some medications to make it through - esp because you must be so very still during the scan. So don't feel shy or embarrassed about it.
I hope they can find something that they can easily fix or treat and it will make the problems all just go away in a short time. That is my wish for you. NOT another - everything looks fine set of tests. An "AHA! THAT is the problem. Take this and call me in a month and it will be GONE!".
I also hope that difficult child's appointment goes well!
im trying not to get too excited about getting a clear cut answer.i know it could be another one of those chase my tail another specialist thing.
