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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> MRI/CAT Scan.
        
(Message started by: wam on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:06pm)

Title: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by wam on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:06pm

Wondering if anyone had a MRI/CAT scan while in the peak of a cluster.It would be very interesting to see the changes in the brain and eye.I always wanted to have this done to compare MRI/CAT scans with normal brain & eye activity to a full blown cluster.Seeing this would be great.Anyone know if this has been done?Wishing everyone a pain free night!!! :)

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:25pm

I had a CAT scan during the worst hit I ever had. I was in the hospital visiting someone when I got hit. This was before I was diagnosed, and I thought I was having an anyeurism or something. The CAT scan didn't show anything unusual. Of course they also diagnosed me with 'headache'. That hit was like 2 hours, absolutely brutal, I was rolling around on the bed screaming, took them an hour to give me morphine, which did nothing. Got to a real doctor the next day and was diagnosed correctly.

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by wam on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:30pm

WOW!!!!!The MRI showed NOTHING during an attack?That is unreal.I always thought there would be some sort of "evidence" you know?On a side note.....you a big Slayer fan?

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by nani on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:31pm

We have a member in the UK, Ben (inventor of the clustermasx) who voluntary triggered a hit so his brain could be PET scanned. Braver than I, that's for sure...
How he, or you, BCH, could stay in a scanner during a hit just amazes me. :o
The images of Ben's brain are posted somewhere...

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:34pm

I managed to deal with it because I thought I was dying. I had no doubts that my brain was melting down or bleeding or something. Is a CAT scan the same as an MRI? I know PET scans show abnormal hypothalamus activity, but the docs said my CAT scan was normal. They may have been looking for other stuff though.

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by mcf69 on Sep 18^th, 2006, 12:06am

MRI and CAT scans only show structural detail, nothing as far as functioning, you'd need a PET or SPECT scan to show that.

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by kcopelin on Sep 18^th, 2006, 9:37am

Yep=and PET scans are pricey and most docs are not real willing to experiment....have offered-I'm one of those whose is either brave enough of stupid enough, to be willing to trigger a hit for research. Haven't been able to get the VA to go for the PET scan yet-they are not involved in research.
kathy

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by DavidEH on Sep 18^th, 2006, 5:00pm

had another neuru appointment today, I'm going in for an MRI just to be safe( he ordered on, since he had no images in my records)....

It's always better to be safe then sorry...

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 19^th, 2006, 3:20am

sorry to hijack your thread david mate BUT . ..

im due for an MRI scan in a couple of weeks and for some reason im sh1tting myself . . .
just the thought of the big machine gives me the creeps

is it bad ?? am i worrying over nothing :-/

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 19^th, 2006, 3:27am

MRI's, CAT scans, and PET scans are all different. Cluster activity will only show on a PET scan.

UNsolved

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by bothofus on Sep 19^th, 2006, 4:52am

MRI? Are you clostrophobic? Must be able to not move for 45 mins to an hour. Very loud! I hear most have music piped in through head phones. Mine didn't. Had ear plugs though. Just let your mind wander about whatever nice things ya can think of and it doesn't seem all that long. Then there's the contrast/dye that takes another 15-30 mins.

Just my 2 cents

Carl

Title: Re: MRI/CAT Scan.
Post by TxBasslady on Sep 19^th, 2006, 12:21pm

on 09/19/06 at 03:20:25, chopmyheadoff wrote:

is it bad ?? am i worrying over nothing :-/

Yes Chop.....you're worrying too much ;;D

I'm clostrophobic....but I handled the MRI just fine. If it's a closed MRI, they have mirrors...so you actually see the technician....and the surroundings. This is the type of machine that I had. The images were taken in sessions...in other words...he would stop for a couple minutes...talk to me, then start up again.

I was scared to death...and felt so silly afterwards. It was a piece of cake!

Jean