[underwater]

Hi all,
Would love some advice. I waved off the offer of an MRI/CT from my neurologist months ago since we both assumed it would show nothing. I'm on private disability through my employer and so far so good with them believing me.

One of my ongoing problems is throbbing in my head whenever i stand up, move too quickly and most of all go up stairs/inclines. I'm hoping getting off amatryptaline and increasing my low BP with salt and exercise will help, and it has gotten better since months ago when i felt like my whole head shook when i laid down on my pillow.

But i'm sorta despairing that i'll never be able to hike faster than a 90 yr old. I know i shouldn't say never. But would an MRI/CT scan be of any benefit at this stage in answers/treatment for the pounding (which isn't really painful, just worrisome, and gets worse if i overdo it cognitively or physically)?

I suppose i don't have to share the results w/ the disability company anyway if they are negative. but i suspect there's no real treatment for this, so should i bother?

thank you, folks who i've come to think of as friends

[Mark in Idaho]

It does not sound like you have any symptoms that suggest an MRI or CT Scan would help. A CT Scan would just be a recklessly huge dose of X-Ray radiation.

[SarahSmile0205]

I am on private disability and have not had to share anything... even if an MRI does not show anything it does not mean that there is not an issue... I think you should have it done...

[Sitke]

I agree with Mark in that it doesn't sound like an MRI or CT scan would help (show anything) but for your peace of mind maybe have an MRI? I would.

I'd stay away from the CT scan though.

MRI's don't show everything either so as Sarah says it doesn't mean nothing is going on.

Don't know how long you've been suffering with this but I had the same problems for months and still do 17 months later, it sucks, I know. I used to hold my head when walking, now I'm so darned used to it!

Feel better...

[Mark in Idaho]

What peace of mind will you get from an imaging that does not show concussion injuries anyway ? Don't waste your time or the expense unless you have access to a Diffusion Tensor Image MRI. Even a DTI is a little late. It might possibly have shown something early on.

[anon1028]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

What peace of mind will you get from an imaging that does not show concussion injuries anyway ? Don't waste your time or the expense unless you have access to a Diffusion Tensor Image MRI. Even a DTI is a little late. It might possibly have shown something early on.

Mark, why does it not show later on? just curious because I was thinking of getting dti for disability in the city. my symptoms have progressed and the regular mri has shown nothing. what a worthless test.

I still remember getting my first mri after months of terrible terrible headaches an when she said it was negative, I thought she was joking.

[underwater]

thanks everyone, really appreciate it. so what is the pounding anyway? vascular restriction due to damage?

[Lara]

I was always under the impression it was a vascular issue, but then I just read this earlier today...

It's very interesting

from PsychCentral
Throbbing Pain Linked to Alpha Brain Waves, Not Pulse

Uni of Florida - College of Medicine

[Sitke]

I'd definitely do the MRI but that's me

People can tell you what they would do but in the end it's up to you and if you feel you want to get one, go for it.

[anon1028]

I don't GET it. If my finger hurt SO bad for a month straight, I would bet my savings (if I had one ) that something would show on imaging test somewhere. The first six months of my head injury, I couldn't even explain the pain in human terms, just make noises and I couldn't BELIEVE the test was negative. I know the reasons behind it, but it's 2014. Come on man. If the BI didn't cause depression, I wouldn't be on ssdi and that's just wrong in this day and age.