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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> MRA
        
(Message started by: beachmusic on Feb 27^th, 2008, 5:54am)

Title: MRA
Post by beachmusic on Feb 27^th, 2008, 5:54am

I am not sure the best place to ask this question and I know my doctor ultimatly will be the one but due to the fact that they scare the daylights out of me and getting a return call etc is on the near side of impossible I wondered if anyone here at any experince here. I know your not doctors just trying to get alittle heads up beforehand.
I am supposed to have an MRI and MRI next week and the scheduler said to expect to be in the closed machine for approx. 3 hours :( ANYHOW I would like and she agreed some meds for claustrophobia but she said they could interfere or skew the results of MRA. Anyone ever heard of that? I have always been able to take something in the past during a MRI. But do NOT want to mess with the results of MRA. Thanks, Mary Ann

Title: Re: MRA
Post by DennisM1045 on Feb 27^th, 2008, 7:29am

This link from Cedar-Sinai hospital's MRI/MRA unit suggests obtaining a relaxant or pain medication medication for those with Claustrophobia.

http://www.csmc.edu/9227.html

Do you know what med she was thinking about?

-Dennis-

Title: Re: MRA
Post by beachmusic on Feb 27^th, 2008, 9:44am

I think anything to relax me like a valium or klonopin etc... I will read the link. Thank you.

Title: Re: MRA
Post by starlight on Feb 27^th, 2008, 3:20pm

3 hours?!?! You sure he didn't say the whole appointment would take that long?
Don't know. I had an MRI for CH as well--I am extremely claustrophobic--what I did is to close my eyes before going into the machine and then DO NOT open them (your eyes) until you get out. That way--the claustrophia anxiety can't kick in b/c technically your body doesn't "know" it is in a closed space. It worked for me anyway. But 3 hours? I dunno I would want meds if it was that long. Good luck.

edited to say: maybe what I had was a CAT scan--it was the one where there is all that noise and you listen to music. Either way, the closing the eyes thing worked.

Title: Re: MRA
Post by DennisM1045 on Feb 27^th, 2008, 3:49pm

Hey Starlight,

I agree on the length of a head MRI. Mary Ann is talking about an MRA: Amagnetic Resonance Angiography. This test is designed to look at the heart and blood vessels entering the lungs. It's a much different test.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: MRA
Post by beachmusic on Feb 28^th, 2008, 5:26am

Yes and I guess it is the fact that they are doing the two test at the same time. That is why it will take so long. I talked to the doctors office and they said it would be fine to take something. Good news because I don't think closing my eyes would do the trick for that length of time. ;;D

Title: Re: MRA
Post by sandie99 on Feb 28^th, 2008, 8:58am

I'm not familiar with MRA personally, but I'va had MRI once and thought about one of my favourite places during it. I'm not claustrophobic, but still MRI made bit of that come out of me. Pleasant thoughts about wonderful places and happy memories helped me to stay calm.

Lots of luck with your tests, Mary Ann! :) Do let us know how they turn out afterwards.

Lots of PF wishes,
Sanna

Title: Re: MRA
Post by beachmusic on Feb 29^th, 2008, 6:05am

Thanks, Sanna

I am going to work on peaceful thoughts, meditative exercises. A bit nervous this may trigger a ch due to noise and the fact that any and all naps always are trigger for me. Crossing my fingers!!
Wishing pain free days to all!!!

Title: Re: MRA
Post by Grinner62 on Mar 1^st, 2008, 12:44pm

I had an MRI & MRA last summer. Don't remember it taking that long. I'm not claustrophobic though.

It was the same machine, just tuned to a different frequency that excites the blood rather than soft tissue. They didn't use any contrast agents for mine.

It might be worth asking if they can put an O2 mask on you and be ready to crank it up if you nap and get hit while in the machine.

Only a guess; If happy meds act as vaso constrictors it could limit blood flow through capilaries they may want to image.

Make sure the techs know of your fears. They'll ask you anyway.

When you sign in ask if they can give you a copy on disk. I have a CD of my MRI and MRA, it's cool and I now have proof there is a brain in there.

Title: Re: MRA
Post by washed-out on Mar 1^st, 2008, 3:19pm

on 03/01/08 at 12:44:10, Grinner62 wrote:

When you sign in ask if they can give you a copy on disk. I have a CD of my MRI and MRA, it's cool and I now have proof there is a brain in there.

Hehe, good one :P

Btw can MRA show something "interesting" about CH? I mean I will have a MRI soon (because of my pituitary tumor) and maybe it would be good to make MRA too (because of CH, especially that I have red ear's syndrome too).

Title: Re: MRA
Post by Grinner62 on Mar 1^st, 2008, 4:55pm

on 03/01/08 at 15:19:00, washed-out wrote:

Hehe, good one :P

Btw can MRA show something "interesting" about CH?.

That, I don't know. There was an anomaly, looked like an aneurism, on my MRI and the doc wanted a better look (MRA) at the blood vessels. He said if I'm ever in an accident and they do an MRI, don't let 'em cut me open because it's just a loop in the main artery going into my brain.

On second thought, MRA shows the blood delivery. So I suppose a clot or plaque buildup in the wrong place could be interesting.

Title: Re: MRA
Post by Ace on Mar 1^st, 2008, 5:25pm

On one hand, if it is CH then the MRA and MRI are a waste of time. But your doctor has to rule out something more serious.

MRA is a breeza. Very short test. I had a cervical and brain MRI and mine DID take 3 hours.

Anyone will be closterphobic after that. Just ask to take a break every hour where you can sit up and breathe for fifteen minutes.

they may give you some flak about setting up the machine but it your test, your body, your paring for it so you can do what you want.

Hope the test is negative.

Let us know.

-ace