After a veritable marathon of tests including one and a half hour of MRI nightmare I have the latest results.
But first things first:
Early morning and no breakfast – that makes me cranky. Half a year ago I wouldn’t have cared at all but the morning of the tests were occupied with me planning out my meals (minus my beloved oatmeal-protein-berry breakfast because they wanted me to be “sober” for the bloodtests”). We had a long day ahead and Henning brought some books to occupy himself while he had to wait for me. I don’t know what I would do without him 🙂
I hate getting IV’s placed but after all the hospital visits I even got used to them and the nurse was quick and experienced. It still did hurt though!
I swear they took buckets of blood and I was worried I might get dizzy, seeing I had no breakfast and all..
After the blood-tests off we went to the MRI area where the familiar buzz and bumping of the machine greeted us (almost like an old friend).
I was strangely excited but also nervous since this was the very first MRI test I was taking because it was time to do so and NOT because I had bad symptoms. Never feeling better, I was pretty certain nothing could go wrong even though I had been battling the heat a bit and some old neurological issues were surfacing.
I’ve had MRI’s which took close to 2 hours so I was ready to lay still for 1.5 listening to the buzzing and clanking of the big tube around me.
The first few minutes are always a bit scary since I am frantically trying to do a check if I really didn’t miss anything metallic on, in or around my body, followed by nightmares and horror scenarios of what would happen if some metal piece snack in and what gory mess it would lead to.
As always, everything was fine and I started to concentrate on the familiar patterns of noises. I find it to be a more healthy thing to do then starting to count seconds..
The first batch went fine – after a looooong while the assistant took me out and injected the contrast agent and said something about “10 more Minutes”. I was relieved since my bladder started to refuse to spend more time in the tube and I thought, “ok 10 more Minutes, I can do that”. Unfortunately, after they pushed me back in..nothing happened. No noise..no movement..Ok, not good..
The assistant came back after what felt 10 to 15 more minutes and apologized that the machine seems to have problems. Luckily around 5 to 10 more minutes and they fixed whatever was wrong (probably went to the pet shop to buy some new hamsters). In the meantime the familiar feeling of the contrast fluid distributing in a heavy rush through my veins set in. I am always getting dizzy from that stuff. The effects range from “funny roller-coaster ride” to “OMG someone stop the Washing Machine and get me out of here!” to “ok, gonna pass out now”. This time it was more of a “hammock on high sea” experience, not too bad to handle.
So, finally all done and the assistant pulls me out and proceeds to take away all the fancy stuff they put in place to stabilize my head and spine but obviously the head piece strapped over my face doesn’t want to come off. He keeps apologizing and pulling with all his strength when that thing comes up and some metal piece loosens and falls flat on my forehead. BAM!
I had to laugh (despite the fact that it did sting quite a big) and he couldn’t stop apologizing.
The same day we went back and I had a quick talk with the general Neurologist at the hospital. Tomorrow I will discuss the results from all the tests with my own Neurologist but the verdict so far is as follows:
- NO new lesions in my brain or spine
- NO active lesions in my brain and spine (for the first time)
But the most important part that made me actually tear up was the fact that the doctor (dare I say a bit puzzled himself) mentioned that it seems that the old scarrings show signs of improvement. I honestly didn’t even know that was possible (even though Henning mentioned that he read about this but that it normally takes much longer for this to happen if at all).
Well, I hopefully get more information tomorrow evening – for now I am a really, really happy camper 🙂
So wonderful to read about all of this 🙂 I’ve never had a MRI (lucky me ha), but Raymond has and I know from him it’s anything but pleasant, so glad to know you’re doing so well!
I am getting used to it, I basically had to. Even though my MRI is good for now it means I have to keep doing checks about 2 times per year. The only option was to just get used to it. 😉
But yeah, I am always happy when it’s over. I hope Raymond’s tests were ok and nothing too serious came out of the MRI scan.
Hi Tascha I don’t know how you do it! I hate hospitals. I can’t imagine having to spend 2 hours in an MRI machine…I’d be spending the whole time trying not to have a panic attack.
I can’t stand having blood taken either, I always end up feeling faint so they have to lie me down when they do it.
The results so far sound very promising! I suppose you’ll find out more details at your next appointment. It seems that you are surprising everyone.
I’m so glad that you are recording your journey in this way! I think a lot of MS suffers will take note of what you are doing. It would be interesting to see just how many other people with MS can improve their healthy through healthy eating and exercise.
Once again you are an inspiration.
Mad
Ah, you get used to it (there is really no other choice ;)).
The first time I had an MRI taken I was close to panicking too. They give you that little balloon you can press if there is something wrong and I pressed it twice (first because I was really close to passing out because they gave me too much contrast fluid and the second time because I had to go to the bathroom really really badly).
They always have me lay down too for the blood tests. I still don’t dare watching (never have) and always look the other way while concentrating on something completely different (such as counting gaps in the ceiling or something similarly weird :)).
I hope that some MS patients feel motivated to change their situation. That is the main reason I started the blog in the first place (well, not only MS patience but people in general. I am so convinced about the different programs that it’s just so easy and fun to write about them :))
I have had MS for about 2 years now and so far only one MRI, so I know Im due for another soon. Hopefully I come out as lucky as you did at the time you posted this…Well maybe without the mask part.
Best
D
Hi Tascha,
if you donty mind me asking, are you ever tempted to try pre-emptive meds or surgery (angioplasty) to stall or even prevent progress ?, I dont know whay symptoms you currently get if any but for me its always looming and having the maintenance pressure on me all the time gets crushing.
I like the fitness regime and the diet approach, I will though, try CCSVI relief approach, its safe and non drug based with no side effects even if it doesnt work, just a bit expensive.
Anyway best of luck, you have taken control and thats what we all have to do.
Take care
Peter
Hi Peter 🙂
I did the test and I would have to open up the veins to properly check the states of my neck but I decided not to do that for now since it is very invasive and as you mentioned, expensive. My symptoms are very mild at the moment, so there is no rush for me and Rebif seems to work nice for now. I do keep it in mind though should something in my situation change and it was definitely a good decision to do the tests 🙂
I personally am happy with eating and living healthy in general as far as prevention goes at the moment. I do however understand if someone wants to take more measures. Specially if the symptoms are more progressed.
I think thats wise for now, it
seems to work but they have to get the stenting right and also the scanning, that bit seems hit and mis still, I am keeping an open mind,
good luck with the regime, obviously works very well for you
Peter