Terrified of MRI Tomorrow

[Ellebel 67]

Hii everyone!

been struggling with health anxiety for quite some years, but never as bad as now.. started 5 weeks ago with a headache on wednesday and again saturday. Googled it (dumb AF, i know) and started freaking out, got so scared of a braintumor...:-(

the headache actually subsided for 2 weeks but i head complete panic attacks, insomnia etc.. got anxiety meds. Then, 2 weeks ago on a sunday night i had a headache again but different, like electric shocks going through my head. It subsided after sleep but since that day its like every few minutes of every day i get a mild stab in the head. Always right side. So freakinf out more!! All the while reading more and more about braintumors and red flags (for example waking with a headache, which ocourse happened 2 after reading about , hence freaking out even MORE!).  So tomorrow i am having an mri and am TERRIFIED. I am only 29 i cannot deal with having such a grim prospect!! Could it actually be possible that this ‘new stabbing’ and also the morning headaches are in my mind? Created by my anxiety? Please help! 

[newday 49]

Yes new symptoms and increased craziness of symptoms can and probably are anxiety. Especially after reading scary things. I had electric shock type feeling in my arms and hands and legs. It was during a very elevated period of anxiety for me. When I got an all clear then poof, gone!  Almost comical if I was in the mood to laugh. 

I’ve had an MRI for headaches too. Didn’t find anything that was causing it. It was probably stress at my new job and getting used to sitting all day in front of a computer. I recently got more headaches, but different. Repeat MRI. Still nothing. Actually got an EMG and it turns out my neck muscles are spasm crazy and it affects up into my head and down into my arms.  Same job, different type of stress!!  I bet stress (don’t always feel it when it’s really affecting you) is a top cause of lots of ailments.

Its funny, I’m on these forums today freaking out about something in my life, and I can’t see the truth in it.  But I’m certain you’re ok!  That’s anxiety for you  

 

[Ellebel 67]

Thanks so much for your reply.. i guess you are right, i have been under massive stress actually!! But dr google says stress headaches feel like a band around your head and i have these stabbing feelings and that is where my panic started.. its funny really, you say: you are freaking out about something today, yet sure I am okay. I just spend some time convincing someone dr google is bad, yet not taking my good advice myself haha.. Anxiety, pffff... 

 

so my MRI is in 9 hours and i havent slept one bit (honestly didnt even expect to). Just hoping and praying for clean scans really, pretty sure the complaints will then also dissappear just like you said!

 

 

what is it you’re freaking out over? Can i help?

[healthworrier92 15]

I can assure you that you almost definitely have nothing to worry about. Headaches, even severe ones, have so many benign causes that the odds are heavily in your favor that you do not have a brain tumor or anything else seriously wrong. My wife used to have headaches every night for a period of several weeks. She was so calm about it, if it had been me you bet I would have been in the ER straight away asking for an MRI! Eventually her headaches went away and that long period of headaches hasn't reoccurred.

Also, I've had a brain MRI done and if you're worried about it being uncomfortable or painful, it won't be. It takes about 20 minutes, and the most uncomfortable thing is probably the loud noise of the machine while it's imaging you. They gave me earplugs to wear and it wasn't really a problem.

Try not to worry, I believe everything's gonna be OK!

[Ellebel 67]

Thank you so much for your post! It is a bit reassuring, seeing as it shows that many people suffer headaches (even severe or one-sided or stabbing) and because they are not worriers like us you never hear about it! My mri is in about 2 hours and i am still pretty nervous but i feel better hearing from you thanks!  

[Ellebel 67]

Whaaa leaving in an hour... my anxiety is totally directing shit now... ‘what if.....’    ?.  I really pray and hope my scan comes back clear so i can start working on my HA with a psychologist knowing it is just in my mind (and not organic)..

[MARC 431]

My physician once told me that tenson in your neck, back or shoulders can cause head pain and odd head sensations. Good luck today also!!!

[Ellebel 67]

.

[Ellebel 67]

2 hours ago, MARC said:

My physician once told me that tenson in your neck, back or shoulders can cause head pain and odd head sensations. Good luck today also!!!

Thanks Marc!! For your time and reply! This forum really helps! Funny right? Over the last couple of years i have ‘had’ so many ilnesses especially cancers, but still every time it can be so convincing... what is your biggest fear?

also i read in another topic u knew 5 people with malignant braintumors.. that is quite a lot for something so rare!! IM so sorry!  Must have been terrible.. you wrote somewhere they all had progressive headaches.. do u know how fast the progression was? Over a course of five weeks mine have become less severe if anything (with 2 a bit worse days in the middle), deff not worse... is that a good sign or too soon to tell? Thanks!!

[FunWithFive 60]

Hope the MRI went well! 

[Ellebel 67]

The MRI went well, i think! I did find it rather scary amd also had to keep my eyes closed but just couldnt!! As if something was pulling my eyelids i think, not sure, but they kept moving! The more i tried to keep m closed the more of a fight they gave omg!! Anxiety thing possibly?? 

 

Other than that i am now (ofcourse) overanalysing the whole experience

GOOD: they said it would be a non contrast enhanced mri but possibly they would decide halfway to add contrast.. they did not! I interpreted that as a: there was nothing suspicious so nothing to enhance?

 

BAD: was the laborant avoiding me? Making polite conversation to distract me? Why did she say: the results will be sent to the specialist now, in that way?? Was she feeling pity maybe? Did she see someting bad?  Omg guys i keep flipping back and forth!!!

the laborants behaviour (possible) and the eyelid thing (was it not an eyelid thing but closed eye nystagmus from braintumor???) ?? Driving me nuts!  But on the other hand i kinda thought it possitive they didnt deem contrast neccessary?!  Thoughts anyone??

 

 

[newday 49]

The couple times I had a brain MRI, I felt the lab tech person just ran the test and is in no way capable to read anything (don't want to make that sound demeaning, not intended to).  I just don't think that person "knows what they're looking at" for something so hi-tech.  At least, that's what I tell myself!

[DeannaW 18]

Oh gosh, I haaaaaate when I try and interpret what the lab tech is thinking. lol I read into everything. Why is she asking me this? She asked me how I was feeling, does that mean she thinks I should be feeling better/worse than I am? I had to get an ultrasound of my kidneys and they kept going over this one spot that was uncomfortable, and I just KNEW something was wrong, but it wasn't. lol

[MARC 431]

The individuals that had malignant brain tumors, the headaches got progressively worse over months. Nothing would really help the headaches sorry to say. 

[Ellebel 67]

2 hours ago, MARC said:

The individuals that had malignant brain tumors, the headaches got progressively worse over months. Nothing would really help the headaches sorry to say. 

Thanks Marc! That seems like a really bad thing to experience! Since it has been almost 6 weeks and no progression (rather some relief) i will consider that a slight reassurance then ?. 

 

6 hours ago, DeannaW said:

Oh gosh, I haaaaaate when I try and interpret what the lab tech is thinking. lol I read into everything. Why is she asking me this? She asked me how I was feeling, does that mean she thinks I should be feeling better/worse than I am? I had to get an ultrasound of my kidneys and they kept going over this one spot that was uncomfortable, and I just KNEW something was wrong, but it wasn't. lol

Hahaha DeannaW isnt it toooo much how we try to interpret ANYTHING!? Lol.. shouldnt do that but cant help it, you’re just looking for some reassurance anywhere you can find it right? It was easier when i had my colonoscopy.. i was to groggy to remember so couldnt interpret anything haha..

 

7 hours ago, newday said:

The couple times I had a brain MRI, I felt the lab tech person just ran the test and is in no way capable to read anything (don't want to make that sound demeaning, not intended to).  I just don't think that person "knows what they're looking at" for something so hi-tech.  At least, that's what I tell myself!

Newday i think you are kinda right, although the neurologists did ask them to put in IV contrast if they needed better view of something, so i am still clinging to that as a positive thing, someone (whether it was them or a radiologist might have come in without me knowing) must have decided the contrast was not neccessary.. so they didnt see anything worth enhancing (well that, or they found somerhing so obvious and huge that enhancement wasnt even of added value hahaha, lol kidding)

[Ellebel 67]

Ugh i am going insane!! Just called the neurologists office and she said the dr wouldnt discuss anything over the phone (i think she said they never do that but my mind playing tricks on me now!!) so i am going crazy like: if there was nothing she could just tell me?! Or the neurologist call me?! My appointment is on the 24th (ot already was) and there os no option sooner... i am going mad... wouldnt he just tell me over the phone if it was nothing? Does this mean its bad news??

[newday 49]

5 hours ago, Ellebel said:

Ugh i am going insane!! Just called the neurologists office and she said the dr wouldnt discuss anything over the phone (i think she said they never do that but my mind playing tricks on me now!!) so i am going crazy like: if there was nothing she could just tell me?! Or the neurologist call me?! My appointment is on the 24th (ot already was) and there os no option sooner... i am going mad... wouldnt he just tell me over the phone if it was nothing? Does this mean its bad news??

That seems like a crap policy.  Phones have been around for over a hundred years!  Hang in there.

[lofwyr 215]

Yeah, do not pick up too much on the lab tech's behavior. I was worried when I had my MRI because the lab tech who strapped me in was replaced by a totally different lab tech who helped me get out of the machine. She looked solemn and a bit somber. I tried to add some humor to no avail. I interpreted it all very badly. My MRI was totally normal, of course.

I did have to wait through a long four day weekend to get the results, which sucked!

[FunWithFive 60]

It's not alarming they want you to come in. That how most specialist do it. It's almost like it buys them time or something. I can't figure out the reason but it sucks. I am so glad when I had my colonoscopy the GI nurse called me with my biopsy results 3 days later. I swear I am not the kind who can just sit and wait for an appt to discuss. 

Good luck and maybe if you call again they will just give you the results? 

[Iugrad91 501]

If they saw something suspicious I don't think they would make you wait until the 24th for your appointment. They would get you in ASAP. And I would also not take anything from trying to read the tech, they are not supposed to say anything about what they see or don't see so they can come off as stand-offish or have little personality. They don't want to risk their job as I'm sure most people try to get info from them and they just can't give anything away since they are not a doctor. 

[Holls 1505]

Unfortunately I have seen A LOT of cancer in the last 6years and with all of them the Dr had results soon after the MRI or CT scan and they knew right away what was found it was never let's wait till your appt . 

Also... I'm very impatient. I hate waiting for results and I will never understand why Drs do this. They have the results now. I have called and demanded results. You are the patient.. he is working for you... You are paying HIM . I usually call and say I am so so sorry to be a pain but I am so anxious I can not and will not wait for my appt. I have to know my results right now. Maybe that's not a good HA practice but I know that when I'm anxious my life stops and I can't wait weeks to find our Information. Love and hugs! 

 

[Ellebel 67]

Thanks all of you! Decided (for now) to take some reassurance in the fact that if shit was really serious they would call earlier (or maybe even already have called by now?!). Also that they didnt feel the need to add contrast dye.. i feel like for a tumor they would want to put in dye (i mean they had the option then en there to do it after seeing the pictures and told me they might) in order to visualise it better!! Still gonna be a loooong 2 weeks haha.

 

btw the appointment was already set, just to be clear. I was to have an mri on the 24th together with appointment to look at it straight away (with a neuro that is also headache specialist so we could work on them even when results come back clear as expected). Only the thing is that someone canceled their mri thursday and i got called whether i wanted the spot. I said yeah sure! But the appointment could not be earlier so that is why the long wait.. so i called but the nurse said she could ask but policy is to never discuss over the phone always in the follow up app (which they ALWAYS make together with booking the Mri).   Well, fingers crossed for an all clear scan!!!!!?????????????????????

[Holls 1505]

19 hours ago, Ellebel said:

Thanks all of you! Decided (for now) to take some reassurance in the fact that if shit was really serious they would call earlier (or maybe even already have called by now?!). Also that they didnt feel the need to add contrast dye.. i feel like for a tumor they would want to put in dye (i mean they had the option then en there to do it after seeing the pictures and told me they might) in order to visualise it better!! Still gonna be a loooong 2 weeks haha.

 

btw the appointment was already set, just to be clear. I was to have an mri on the 24th together with appointment to look at it straight away (with a neuro that is also headache specialist so we could work on them even when results come back clear as expected). Only the thing is that someone canceled their mri thursday and i got called whether i wanted the spot. I said yeah sure! But the appointment could not be earlier so that is why the long wait.. so i called but the nurse said she could ask but policy is to never discuss over the phone always in the follow up app (which they ALWAYS make together with booking the Mri).   Well, fingers crossed for an all clear scan!!!!!?????????????????????

Your scans will be clear!!! Just sent a prayer up for you . Love and hugs!

 

[bin_tenn 1252]

On 1/4/2018 at 8:06 AM, MARC said:

My physician once told me that tenson in your neck, back or shoulders can cause head pain and odd head sensations. Good luck today also!!!

If it helps, @Ellebel, I can attest that this type of headache is a real thing. I get them often. My doc has never been concerned, nor has she ever wanted to send me for an MRI, presumably because I tell her I am not concerned and it doesn't feel abnormal. I just wanted to know what I can do to alleviate them, or dull the symptoms once they start.

They usually don't get bad. However, on Thursday I had a pretty awful headache. I took Tylenol earlier in the afternoon and all was well. Then it came back with a vengeance. I was sensitive to light and sound. I sat on the couch, hands over my eyes. Eventually, I pulled a blanket over my head. I felt nauseous every time I opened my eyes. I couldn't eat. I felt lightheaded-ish. I ended up falling asleep by 8pm, and I'm normally not even getting in bed until almost 10:30! That's how bad it was.

I sometimes get one sided stabbing pains - "ice pick headaches", they're called sometimes. Sometimes it's "in" my eyes. Sometimes they make my ears hurt, almost throbbing. The one thing I've realized all of my headaches have in common - they all include my neck/upper shoulders. Classic tension headaches.

I think things will be fine. I can't imagine them making you wait almost three weeks if something needs immediate attention.

[Ellebel 67]

3 hours ago, Holls said:

Your scans will be clear!!! Just sent a prayer up for you . Love and hugs!

 

Thank you so much Holls! 

 

2 hours ago, bin_tenn said:

 usually don't get bad. However, on Thursday I had a pretty awful headache. I took Tylenol earlier in the afternoon and all was well. Then it came back with a vengeance. I was sensitive to light and sound. I sat on the couch, hands over my eyes. Eventually, I pulled a blanket over my head. I felt nauseous every time I opened my eyes. I couldn't eat. I felt lightheaded-ish. I ended up falling asleep by 8pm, and I'm normally not even getting in bed until almost 10:30! That's how bad it was.

I sometimes get one sided stabbing pains - "ice pick headaches", they're called sometimes. Sometimes it's "in" my eyes. Sometimes they make my ears hurt, almost throbbing. The one thing I've realized all of my headaches have in common - they all include my neck/upper shoulders. Classic tension headaches.

I think things will be fine. I can't imagine them making you wait almost three weeks if something needs immediate attention.

bin_tenn your experience from thursday sounds exactly like my migraines (except i have a visual aura to kick m off)! And it is reassuring that also onesided icepick headaches can be normal/tension related! Mostly the reason why they sent me to the neurologist is that the pain seems to have NO connection to the neck/shoulders.. although i have been under the most massive stress ever the weeks before it started, it didnt fit the classic tension headache criteria because they start and stay in the front! I am totally tense on the neck also btw, so maybe the connection could be there just not neccessarily ‘felt’.