My relative is experiencing TN episodes. She undergoes an MRI tomorrow due to newly diagnosed Cancer. I am fearful that she will have one of the episodes during her MRI. Any suggestions? This is my first time on this Support Group sight. Looking forward to some help. Thanks. Daisy
She could take a higher dose of her meds before the procedure -- but she should talk to her doctor about it first.
Actually, I'd be interested to know if the MRI would show something different/extra if she were having an episode while getting the MRI.
She could also ask for a sedative, to keep her calm during the MRI, which would also help prevent the attack.
She should definitely make sure the technician knows about her TN.
Good advice from Crystal, to which I'll add at the margins, if I may. Stress is sometimes an initiator for TN attacks. Certainly not the only initiator, but one of them. If your relative is claustrophobic, then any but an "open" MRI machine could be stressful for her. Assuming that she may not be evaluated with that kind of hardware, it would probably be a good idea for her to request a mild tranquilizer (5 mg of Valium is helpful for a lot of people). That's different from a sedative, which is somewhat more likely to leave her confused or groggy.
I suggest that she shows up for her MRI appointment half an hour early and explains her concern to the receptionist and the medical technician. They can consult with a physician in the facility, or call her doctor's office to confirm a one-time prescription for a tranquilizer. Staff in MRI facilities see this sort of situation frequently, and should be prepared to help your relative work through it.
RE her cancer -- that is a topic off-board to Living with TN. However, if you or she would like to talk with someone who is moderately familiar with medical literature, you can visit my website and/or send me email through my web portal at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■.
Go in Peace and Power
R.A. "Red" Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
Personal website: http://www.lawhern.org "Giving Something Back"
Will defiitely try to get a mild tranquilizer before our visit. If the TN does kick in during her MRI, I will do as Crystal suggested and ask if anything presents differently from the TN. I truly appreciate this support group and happy to be a part of it. It is agonizing to see my Mom suffer with TN, and this gives me some sense of being proactive in helping her. You mentioned that stress sometimes trigors a TN attack. She was just diagnosed with Lung cancer, so that would be a definite. Thank you for your help. Blessings, Daisy
Richard A. “Red” Lawhern said:
Good advice from Crystal, to which I'll add at the margins, if I may. Stress is sometimes an initiator for TN attacks. Certainly not the only initiator, but one of them. If your relative is claustrophobic, then any but an "open" MRI machine could be stressful for her. Assuming that she may not be evaluated with that kind of hardware, it would probably be a good idea for her to request a mild tranquilizer (5 mg of Valium is helpful for a lot of people). That's different from a sedative, which is somewhat more likely to leave her confused or groggy.
I suggest that she shows up for her MRI appointment half an hour early and explains her concern to the receptionist and the medical technician. They can consult with a physician in the facility, or call her doctor's office to confirm a one-time prescription for a tranquilizer. Staff in MRI facilities see this sort of situation frequently, and should be prepared to help your relative work through it.
RE her cancer -- that is a topic off-board to Living with TN. However, if you or she would like to talk with someone who is moderately familiar with medical literature, you can visit my website and/or send me email through my web portal at lawhern@hotmail.com.
Go in Peace and Power
R.A. "Red" Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
Personal website: http://www.lawhern.org "Giving Something Back"
Daisy May,
I am so glad that I saw this post. I underwent a MRI a week before my diagnosis which was just August 10th. Let me tell you what! She definitely needs to ask for a mild sedative and explain her condition. It won't hurt and there is nothing to be ashamed of in asking.
I really wish I had asked for it and had told them about my condition. The moment they asked me to put ear plugs in; I knew that the nurse had failed to mention that to the imaging center. The first thing that happened to me was they handed me some earplugs and said "Put those in." Mine is 90% in the ear so that wasn't a good thing for me to hear. Just doing that was painful but it is the sound inside the MRI that was for me a horrible experience.
I hate to put it that way because I don't want to scare her, and maybe her experience will be different but being prepared for something is half the battle. If someone had only told me about the tones of the MRI and what to expect, I would not have been so confused and in such pain and so angry. Some of the tones were mild but two or three were high pitched so painful I just lay there inside the MRI in tears until they brought me out. I always had the button, and I could always hit it with my finger and stop the process but I knew if I did they would have to start all over again or have to reschedule.
Sorry to go on, but she needs to expect the earplugs and the noise in the MRI. Considering her condition, let her know she has power with the button and the technicians are right there, right outside and will help her if she feels dire to stop the procedure.
Good luck tomorrow,
RH
My Mom took a mild sedative and made it through the MRI with no problems. She is now scheduled to undergo Gamma Knife procedure tomorrow. I pray this gets rid of her pain. I would be interested in hearing from those who have had this procedure. Thanks for your well wishes and suggestions. DM
Rockhopper said:
Daisy May,
I am so glad that I saw this post. I underwent a MRI a week before my diagnosis which was just August 10th. Let me tell you what! She definitely needs to ask for a mild sedative and explain her condition. It won't hurt and there is nothing to be ashamed of in asking.
I really wish I had asked for it and had told them about my condition. The moment they asked me to put ear plugs in; I knew that the nurse had failed to mention that to the imaging center. The first thing that happened to me was they handed me some earplugs and said "Put those in." Mine is 90% in the ear so that wasn't a good thing for me to hear. Just doing that was painful but it is the sound inside the MRI that was for me a horrible experience.
I hate to put it that way because I don't want to scare her, and maybe her experience will be different but being prepared for something is half the battle. If someone had only told me about the tones of the MRI and what to expect, I would not have been so confused and in such pain and so angry. Some of the tones were mild but two or three were high pitched so painful I just lay there inside the MRI in tears until they brought me out. I always had the button, and I could always hit it with my finger and stop the process but I knew if I did they would have to start all over again or have to reschedule.
Sorry to go on, but she needs to expect the earplugs and the noise in the MRI. Considering her condition, let her know she has power with the button and the technicians are right there, right outside and will help her if she feels dire to stop the procedure.
Good luck tomorrow,
RH