MS brain MRI
Multiple sclerosis affects not only the spine but also the brain. The disease destroys parts of brain but luckily the brain is able to rewire itself – well to a point ;-( There have also been studies that show a short-term brain volume change in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
So two weeks later, the brain MRI for confirmation after the spinal MRI.
To have the privilege of fastening your head next to jack hammer for 45 minutes to an hour will set you back $540. This examination is definitely not for you if you stuffer from claustrophobia 
The invite – specialist neurologist script – a piece of plain penned paper is another $100.
But wait that’s not all!
To make the brain MRI work well, you get an injection for an extra $40. The MRI injection contains a contrast agent called gadolinium. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, it allows the radiologist to see the functioning of the brain.
The gadolinium contrast agent changes the magnetization properties of the blood. The advice given is to drink lots of water afterwards to flush the gadolinium out of your system – I chose beer.
Once again, I tried to extract some details from the radiologist but got turned down – talk to the neurologist!
To look at an image on the CD, the neurologist confirmed that the MRI revealed more lesions – multiple sclerosis prognosis!! For this jewel of information, I parted with $100 + $35.
Time to join the two million and counting club of multiple sclerosis sufferers.
Did you know that “sclerosis” means “scars“? Well, looks like I’ve got a whole lot of ‘em.
No effective multiple sclerosis treatment exists, currently an incurable disease, reduces life expectancy by at least 7 years, gets progressively more debilitating over time – sounds like old age
It’s a bugger going through all that. I went through that and more – it took over 2 years (potentially 5) to get to a diagnosis. It was clear to most that I had MS and it took 2 years to get the official diagnosis, but for the preceeding 3 I had other symptoms that now, looking back, were MS related too, but too vague to tell. So glad you got there quicker than me. Unless, of course, your story was seriously condensed!
I had the brain MRI with the injections, but they burst my vein when doing it and told me this while I was still in the MRI machine so I couldn’t move to see what was going on. Panic attack, really pretty bad stuff. Still, survivable.
From one software engineer to another, albeit on the other side of the world, I know what you’re going through, mate. Hang in there, you’re not alone.
Thanks mkns!
I started with rebif injections 3x week treatment and this really sucks – especially the headache side effect. Thinking of focussing on diet changes. What treatment are you on?
I’m not on any treatment of that kind for my MS, yet. I’m on a very low dose of amitriptyline which is just attempting to stop things being up and down on a daily basis (it really works, though). I’ve so far not had any symptoms bad enough to make me consider disease modifying drugs yet. And I’m hoping it stays that way for a loooong time.
Sorry for not replying to your comment before, I hadn’t realised you’d replied to mine (d’oh). I read your blog within Google Reader which kinda hides comments from me…
I went off Rebif in late December and haven’t had any relapses. Initially I was told with Rebif I might get a headache and flu symptoms – what lies! I’m sticking to dietary changes which really help. I’ve found my triggers in coke cola and dairy products. Still some tingling in my legs but all seems better. I have hope in finding the recovery without drugs.