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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> have you had a mri ?
        
(Message started by: upnover on Jan 18^th, 2006, 7:31pm)

Title: have you had a mri ?
Post by upnover on Jan 18^th, 2006, 7:31pm

I've been a Ch for about 14yrs just found this site have read alot and got great info.
I use o2 with great results.

But I have never had a MRI.. How important is this
is my neuro missing something

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by RichardN on Jan 18^th, 2006, 8:13pm

Hi and Welcome

I also use 02 to abort . . . can't take triptans and the 02 is a miracle for me.

I would guess the majority on this board have had an MRI . . . . I'm sure someone here has an idea of the percentage. Mainly because when these damn things hit, they're so severe you assume it's a tumor or impending stroke or other life-threatening condition. The MRI is great for dismissing those concerns (plus the CTscans), but I've never heard of an MRI producing the diagnosis CH.

Usually when folks first come here looking for diagnosis the recomendation is that you see your doc armed with all the info possible and do those tests necessary to rule out more serious conditions.

Sounds like you and your neuro have a handle on it and he wouldn't order an MRI unless you developed symptoms unusual for you.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by upnover on Jan 18^th, 2006, 8:18pm

Was just cking that makes since, this Dr and I have been at this for about 6yrs, he seems to be well educated and has alot of other ch patients.

Title: Yes!
Post by Richr8 on Jan 18^th, 2006, 9:19pm

GP recommended an MRI 10 years ago prior to referral to Neurologist. Came up clean. Standard approach I think.

Best,

Rich

Title: Re: Yes!
Post by marlinsfan on Jan 18^th, 2006, 9:46pm

on 01/18/06 at 21:19:07, Richr8 wrote:

GP recommended an MRI 10 years ago prior to referral to Neurologist. Came up clean. Standard approach I think.

Best,

Rich

Ditto. MRIs are used to rule out tumors and the like. I had one, most of us have.

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by Karla on Jan 18^th, 2006, 10:18pm

Most drs make you have an MRI before they refer you to a neuro or it is the first thing a neuro will do, is order the test. This is to rule out tumors, cancer, anyorisms, etc. Things that could kill you. Any time you have a change in your ha or for the first time you get ha you should have this test done. However, since it has been so long for you in having ch diagnosed I doubt something bad exists. However, you could talk to your dr about this test if it will make you feel more relaxed and confident in the diagnosis. For ch they don't see anything bad so the report comes up normal. Good luck in your decision.

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by burnt-toast on Jan 19^th, 2006, 2:41am

MRI is standard procudure in ruling out potentially serious conditions that can cause severe headache.

Tom

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 19^th, 2006, 7:51am

To scan or not to scan in headache
Some patients with primary headaches may need imaging

Some life threatening brain disorders present with secondary headache, where the headache is caused by the disease. A brain tumour, for example, is best diagnosed by brain imaging early in the course of the disease, which is essential for optimal management of this and other secondary headache disorders. However, brain tumours, as an example, account for less than 0.1% of the lifetime prevalence of headache.1 This contrasts with the fact that most headaches in the community are either associated with mild systemic infection or due to primary headache,1 where the headache is itself the disorder. Dissecting primary from secondary headache is the problem, since, by definition, primary headache does not need brain imaging because no disease process exists that leads to macroscopic change in general terms.

How does one dissect primary from secondary headache? This question can have only a clinical response since no controlled trials have been conducted to identify causes of secondary headache. In clinical practice we generally accept that the so called red flags of headache should trigger a search for secondary headache.2 Thus change in the pattern of headache; new onset of headache in people older than 50; onset of seizures or headache associated with systemic illness, including fever; personality change; or with symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial pressure, such as new onset headache in the early morning; or headache that is worsening with coughing, sneezing, or straining should each be viewed with concern. Acute onset of the worst headache of the patient's life should trigger immediate referral for consideration as a sentinel headache of an intracranial aneurysm. An abnormal neurological finding is a clear indication to investigate, unless the finding is longstanding.2 Fortunately most worsening of headache is probably longstanding primary headache going into a more troublesome period, which mercifully is not a marker of a life threatening problem.

BMJ 28 Aug 2004[Not complete article here.]

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by upnover on Jan 20^th, 2006, 10:28am

Thanks guys just cking.. I already have a imiage of whats up their
Red Hot Knifes....

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by sandie99 on Jan 21^st, 2006, 4:17am

Yup, had one. :)

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jan 21^st, 2006, 5:41am

Got to agree with everyone else, it's worth checking for everything else just in case.

I had one late last year and they found nothing. ;;D

Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: have you had a mri ?
Post by BobG on Jan 21^st, 2006, 10:07am

Yep. Had CATscan in 1985 and MRI in 1992. Nothing found in my head.