MRI??

PatchAdams
PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
edited April 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1

A former member from here has new insurance and they won't approve her every 6 month PET scan after a liver met and surgery 2 years ago.  Blue Cross is okaying an MRI and a CT without contrast. She had a serious reaction to the iodine a few years ago even with two days of pre medication. 

I've never had an MRI and all she knows is what she's seen on TV or generic stuff on the web. 

If you've had an MRI, can you give some details of what to expect and I'll copy and send it to her (Diane). 

 

Thanks, 

Patch

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Answers

    I look forward to the replies on this thread, as I am in the same boat. I too have Anthem and I had to fight for my last PET scan. Now my Onc wants me to have another, but says he will just do an MRI if the insurance refuses. 

    Why oh why do our lives revolve around insurance companies? I hate that they can play God with my life/our lives. 

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #3
    This ins thing is

    This ins thing is frustrating.  My husbands Dr has been pretty good about fighting with the ins co about getting the test she wants him to have.

     

    He did have a couple MRIs in last few mos.  Now that he has metal rods in both legs, he is no longer able to have an Mri.  He was thrilled about that!  I think he just said it was really loud and he felt claustrophobic.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    jen2012 said:

    This ins thing is

    This ins thing is frustrating.  My husbands Dr has been pretty good about fighting with the ins co about getting the test she wants him to have.

     

    He did have a couple MRIs in last few mos.  Now that he has metal rods in both legs, he is no longer able to have an Mri.  He was thrilled about that!  I think he just said it was really loud and he felt claustrophobic.

    A screw loose

    I have screws in both feet. I wonder if that would rule me out of an MRI?

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #5
    Trubrit said:

    A screw loose

    I have screws in both feet. I wonder if that would rule me out of an MRI?

    Hmmm...I think it's worth
    Hmmm...I think it's worth mentioning. Guess it depends what the screws are made from...if the magnetic machine would be an issue. Maybe your feet will just stick to the walls :)
  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #6
    jen2012 said:

    Hmmm...I think it's worth
    Hmmm...I think it's worth mentioning. Guess it depends what the screws are made from...if the magnetic machine would be an issue. Maybe your feet will just stick to the walls :)

    Ping

    Maybe your feet will just stick to the walls :)

    That would be funny. 

    My screws are titanium.

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #7
    I have had several MRI's

    I have had several MRI's recently. I was surprised to find out it did make me panic a little the first time because of the small space. I have had PET scans and didn't react that way although it has been several years since I had a PET so maybe the PET is bigger than the MRI. The duration of the scan is much longer than a CT. about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. It is extremely noisey. You will here all kinds of crazy sounds and even the whole machine will vibrate at times. It is so loud that you have to wear headphones to hear the breathing instructions. I found the best way to deal with it is to close my eyes before they put me into the tube and keep them closed until I am out.

  • biglaur
    biglaur Member Posts: 72 Member
    #8
    I have MRI's now instead of CT scans

    Because I've had over 30 ct scans and many PETS...my Onc thinks added with the cyperknife radiation I've had enough radiation to last a lifetime.  Last year I had my 6 month round of scans...3 hours in the MRI machine (lung, abdomen, pelvis) then went across the hall and had a ct scan.  We took the films to my ONC and she compared them to determine whether or not I could get away with just MRI's in the future.  Wasn't a fun day...but since I developed an allergy to the contrast dye on my 13th ct scan...this is an easier way to go if the MRI provided enough information.  It does...the very latest...most detailed MRI machine gives a clear image as useful as the CT scan with NO radiation.  I still have to have a contrast...but I'm not allergic to it so don't have to premedicate (which is a pain).  The test takes forever...sort of a sensory deprivation experience...I never know if I've been in there 45 minutes or 3 hours.  It's loud...bang bang bang...ping ping ping...knock knock knock...and if you're claustrophobic  not easy...but the technicians are always kind and concerned with my comfort...there's a panic button for those who freak at the "closeness" of the tube (I hear they can give valium for the toughest customers) .  Each scan section takes about an hour...hence my 3 hour long adventure.  If they're only scanning your abdomen it obviously would be shorter.  The good news I hear...they've developed a new machine that will be quiet...and a little more open.  I find it sort of relaxing in a weird way...the constant noise and closeness makes me feel coccooned...but that's just me...not sure I've ever heard anyone else say that.  Feel free to send me a message if I can help with more info...they're really no big deal...

  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    #9
    biglaur said:

    I have MRI's now instead of CT scans

    Because I've had over 30 ct scans and many PETS...my Onc thinks added with the cyperknife radiation I've had enough radiation to last a lifetime.  Last year I had my 6 month round of scans...3 hours in the MRI machine (lung, abdomen, pelvis) then went across the hall and had a ct scan.  We took the films to my ONC and she compared them to determine whether or not I could get away with just MRI's in the future.  Wasn't a fun day...but since I developed an allergy to the contrast dye on my 13th ct scan...this is an easier way to go if the MRI provided enough information.  It does...the very latest...most detailed MRI machine gives a clear image as useful as the CT scan with NO radiation.  I still have to have a contrast...but I'm not allergic to it so don't have to premedicate (which is a pain).  The test takes forever...sort of a sensory deprivation experience...I never know if I've been in there 45 minutes or 3 hours.  It's loud...bang bang bang...ping ping ping...knock knock knock...and if you're claustrophobic  not easy...but the technicians are always kind and concerned with my comfort...there's a panic button for those who freak at the "closeness" of the tube (I hear they can give valium for the toughest customers) .  Each scan section takes about an hour...hence my 3 hour long adventure.  If they're only scanning your abdomen it obviously would be shorter.  The good news I hear...they've developed a new machine that will be quiet...and a little more open.  I find it sort of relaxing in a weird way...the constant noise and closeness makes me feel coccooned...but that's just me...not sure I've ever heard anyone else say that.  Feel free to send me a message if I can help with more info...they're really no big deal...

     


    Hi,
    You might want to ask

     

    Hi,

    You might want to ask for an open MRI next time where you're not in a tube.  I discovered that I have claustrophobia after an unsuccessful tube MRI attempt, and they switched me to an open air one instead which made all the difference.  In this machine I could see out the sides and wave my hands around without hitting the sides of a tube.  So much better!!  :)

  • Fucc
    Fucc Member Posts: 92 Member
    #10
    I've had one MRI, which was

    I've had one MRI, which was used to confirm a liver met.  My understanding is that the MRI shows the liver better than a CT and can provide a better detailed image and can catch things smaller than a PET scan which typically wont pick up things smaller than 1 centimeter.  The biggest issue with the MRI is the length of time in the machine, which can be up to 45 mins for some people, and the fact that you are in a tube.  If you don't have clausterphobia or issues with small spaces, you should be fine.  However, as we all know scans are very stressful and being trapped in a tube for almost an hour isn't very condusive to a peaceful experience.  My advise is to use some kind of meditation or focused stress exercsies in the tube.  With resepct to finding anything, an MRI might be better if you are concerned about liver involvement.  

  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #11
    Her test is tomorrow

    With the changing of the test, they changed her test date but not the date she'll get her results.  She said her onc doesn't have any openings before the previously sheduled April 15th one.  A whole week.  I know she'll worry. 

    Anyhow, I gave her your answers and suggestions. She'd asked on another forum and gotten some answers there. A woman at her church is an ultrasound tech at the same place and told her not to wear eye shadow, blush or nail polish that might have metal flakes. She told Diane that a lot of eye shadow has glitter type flakes and it will make your eyes flutter and is pretty scarey! 

    That's good to hear that the MRI is a reliable test. She said the paperwork says MRI Abdomen and CT w/o but the CT is 12:40 and the MRI is 2 hours later! 

     

    Thanks again for helping out and best wishes for good results to all of you!

     

    Patch

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