Getting an MRI for migraines?
I had one when I was pregnant because I was having migraines and they wanted to make sure something else wasn’t wrong. Usually, they use contrast with this MRI, but since I was pregnant, they couldn’t. I do have claustrophobia and get panic attacks, so they lightly sedated me. They slide you into a narrow tube and tell you not to move. They get you a buzzer to squeeze if you are getting upset and want out. It’s very noisy and they give you ear protection. I remember pounding noises, but pretty much dozed through it. I would imagine that you will have an IV placed, so they can give you the contrast. If you get panicky at all, get the anxiety meds.
Your doctor probably ordered the MRI to see if he can find out what’s causing your migraines, or to rule out something more serious. An MRI( magnetic resonance imaging) is usually done in a large tube, unless it’s an open MRI. If you’re claustrophobic at all you might want to ask for a sedative before you have it done. I’ve had several MRI’s and I have never had to get an IV, or injection. I’m not sure if they want to add a contrast(dye) for you, but if they do you will need to get an IV. It’s better to go through it to rule out something more serious, than it is not doing it and have something seriously wrong that you could have fixed. Good luck!
If you are getting an MRI with an injection, that is radiation. It is called contrast dye. It is a lot of radiation, whereas a regular MRI is not radiation. If you are thinking of doing this MRI tell them you want the drug(I don’t know the name) that protects you from the radiation & protects your kidneys. I think I got this info right. Do some research on MRI with contrast dye. Look at andrew Weil website. He has good info. & you can ask questions.
