mri/contrast question
 

Had MRI yesterday. THank heavens it was only 45 mins this time and not the usual 3 hours with brain, neck, and spine 2 years ago.
Was doing farily well with the whole deal until they gave me the contrast. It was probably 10 mins after that my left foot, ankle, and calf went into a spasm and began uncontrollable movement. I asked the tech if I was moving to omuch and he said just my legs were moving but it wasn't affecting the pictures of my brain.
Question: Is that a response to the contrast or just the ms thing? I usually get these types of movemnts and spasms throughout the day.
Got to love this. Hoping but not hoping they find some answers this time. Very frustrated of being perfectly fine and healthy and then out of nowhere...... you know all too well.
Many thanks,
Cordelia

Hi Cordelia and if I haven't welcomed you to NT, consider yourself welcomed!! Just speaking from my own experience with MRI's, I never had the spasm thing happen that you mentioned. One time the tech must not have gotten all the dye into my veins as it leaked out into the tissue causing me to have horrible pain, even nausea from so much pain. That wasn't fun. :( Could your spasm have been caused by lying flat and still for 45 minutes?

Those rooms are usually on the cool side and I have more problems with spasticity in cool/cold weather. Sorry I can't be of more help but do hope you get some results soon....:)

Hi, and belated welcome. sorry you're here.

Have no idea about your question having never had the contrast. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help.

14 MRI's in one year here. I too had the twitches. I don't know if yours is from the contrast or the MS itself.

I don't think mine was from the contrast, but I do agree with Juday that the temp of the room does play a role, at least for me. And I am usually begging them by the time for contrast to let me sit up so I can pop my back because laying still hurts.

We did discover once when the twitching was bad enough they had to stop the tests that once I sat up and popped my neck, the twitching stopped and we were able to finish the MRI.

Welcome! sorry you need to be here.

I never had the twitchy thing, but have severe claustrophobia. I need a great deal of encouragement to get into that tube.

Hope you get some answers. :hug:

I seriously doubt the spasm was because of the contrast used. More likely from the position you had to stay in for an extended amount of time. Did they give you a wedge to put under your legs while you were in the MRI tunnel? I used one every time and it helped....but it was still uncomfortable having to lie so still.

It's true that the rooms are way too cold. They used to give me a blanket. Between that and the wedge for my legs I could have gone right to sleep had it not been for the banging and clanging of the machine! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the welcome........I think.
I freeze all the time so the cold room didn't help.
Well, the results came back normal today which good news and and bad. It's been about 3 weeks since all of this started again and I'm glad to say today I really feel I'm on the mend again.
Thanks for all the warm welcomes.
Cordelia.

I did have an MRI that I shivered so much, they had to stop the MRI and get me heated blankets. I was simply frozen! it was the middle of winter, and they used the portable truck, cause the inside machine was on the fritz. It was 4 below outside, and felt the same inside.

Its important to get the pillow wedge under your knees, get two if its not high enough, and a warm blankie. You can always pull the blankie off, but its a pain to have to stop the test to go find one. Make sure you toilet first, and do some relaxation exercises.

its a difficult mental jump for me. Takes alot of focus, and relaxation to keep me in the tube.