Oran Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) See also: brain-scans-fmri-qeeg-pet-or-spect-for-psychiatric-problems Hi, I will be doing an MRI scan of my brain and back in 2 months. My neurologist has almost completely ruled out MS (after a physical examination) but she still wants to make sure that I don't have that or some other neurological disease or damage. I suffer from severe visual and memory/cognitive symtoms, which are still worsening 12 months off. I've tried to read about people in wd and MRI scans, but I'm still not sure what to expect or what to believe. Some say their neurologist found lesions in their brain, others found nothing. Perhaps it was different scanning methods. Anyway, what is your experience and knowledge about this? Is there any valuable information I could share with my neurologist? - I thank you, Oran. Edited October 27, 2021 by ChessieCat added link at top of post 1 I started Effexor/venlafaxin august 2014: 1st year 75 mg 2nd year 37.5 mg. Taper: first try 37.5 to 0 in one month. Second try: 18.75 to 0 in two months. Completely off effexor since 26-11-2016 with severe withdrawals such as blurred/constrained vision, brain fog and vertigo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsports Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Hi Oran, I can't answer as to whether an MRI would be useful or not in your situation. But if you decide to have one, please make sure you do it without Gadolinium contrast. Against my better judgment, I had one with the agent and I ended up in ER due to allergic reactions. Many people have suffered even worse consequences from having one. Most doctors will claim that contrast is needed to get a clear image but that just isn't the case usually. Anyway, proceed very carefully. 1 Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samanthaelizabeth Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Should I be worried about having an MRI done with contrast? I have MS so I have to do it. Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug) Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017 Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0 Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan) 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg magnesium, fish oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsports Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Yes, you should as gadolinium, the contrast, has caused alot of adverse reactions. Do a google search. Last year, I stupidly let my doctor talk me into having it only to end up in the ER with allergic reactions. She insisted it was necessary to get an accurate image which I understand simply is not the case. Never again. Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samanthaelizabeth Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 But I have MS.. Ativan Mid April 1999-to end of May 1999 ( COLD TURKEY and flushed them down the toilet) I went through hell for 3 months-I had no idea what was happening to me there was no information on the internet about this drug) Zoloft 200mg 1999 to 2017 Wellbutrin 2015 6 months Started having exterme anxiety-quit taking switched back to Zoloft ( I have quit about 6 jobs from this time0 Klonopin .5-1.0 of and on for two months (tapered off in Dec-Jan) 15 mg Remeron 2012-presnt **Started tapering down Zoloft 12/?/17 12/09/17 down to 50mg; 12/12/17-12/14-17 Zoloft 100mg; 12/16/201712/19 -Zoloft 150mg; 12/20/17-01/06/18 Zoloft 200mg; 01/07/18-01//18/18 Zoloft 180mg 01/18/18-present Zoloft 200mg February 2018-Copaxone 40mg (3 times a week shots) (for Multiple Sclerosis)2/17/18 begin transition to liquid 200mg magnesium, fish oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsports Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Sorry, I wasn't clear as I meant to say you should try to have it without being given the contrast. Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asdf Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer few weeks ago and my doctor wants me to do MRI with contrast (gadolinium). I was told that MRI scan shows where the cancer is exactly and if there are other lesions and without it they don´t know the extent of the surgery. So far it seems that breast conservative surgery might be possible. But I´m wondering, is MRI with contrast really necessary. I´m really worried about the gadolinium, because I understand it is not very safe medication and some of it can stay in your system (including brain) for months and years. Plus some people get serious health problems and I think people with medication sensitivities are especially vulnerable to adverse effects of any medications. Has anyone been diagnosed with breast cancer and didn´t need MRI with contrast or refused it, because of the contrast? I´m just wondering, if there are other options for pre operative tests. So far I have done a basic mammogram (that showed nothing) and ultrasound (cancer was visible) plus biopsy, of course. Can breast MRI be done without contrast? I have tried to find information about it, but so far it seems, that if it`s cancer, they do that test only with contrast. 1 On and off several drugs since 1995. 2009: march - sulpiride 100 mg (AP Betamaks), quetiapine 25 mg ,stopped both by the end of the year 09. 2010: sulpiride 100 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, zopiclone 3,75 mg, anafranil (stopped anafranil after three months, had side effects), bromazepam occasionally. 03.2012: started lamotrigine (lamictal) 75 mg. 03.2013-12.2014 tapered sulpiride, last dose december 2013. 02.2014-06.2014 lamictal from 75 mg to 65 mg; 11.2014-05.2015 lamictal from 65 mg to 15 mg, zopiclone from 3,75 to 2,5 08.2015-01.2016: insomnia (at first due to personal crisis), started taking extra zopiclone as needed, doses different, every day 3,75-7 mg, sometimes more), developed withdrawal insomnia. 04.2016 zopiclone interdose withdrawal, started crossover from zopiclone to diazepam 02.2019: lamictal 15 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, zopiclone 0,54 mg, diazepam 5 mg 2020 cancer diagnosis, operation and radiation therapy 2021 vit d reduction in febr from 5000 iu to 2000. Severe reaction, reinstated to 4000 iu in march. Akathisia and major sleep issues so far. 2022 started zopiclone microtaper. histamine intolerance. lot of dental work with local anesthesia+painkillers 19.4.23 lamictal 15 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, zopiclone 0,051 mg, diazepam 5 mg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 28, 2020 Administrator Share Posted April 28, 2020 7 hours ago, asdf said: But I´m wondering, is MRI with contrast really necessary. You will need to discuss this with your doctor. You might consult Dr. Google to see if there are other ways to do imaging for breast cancer. I'm sure there are forums where breast cancer patients discuss this, they may be more productive than asking here, where we have very few breast cancer patients. It may be that MRI with gadolinium contrast, while not ideal, is the best way to identify the cancer. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asdf Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 24 minutes ago, Altostrata said: You will need to discuss this with your doctor. You might consult Dr. Google to see if there are other ways to do imaging for breast cancer. I'm sure there are forums where breast cancer patients discuss this, they may be more productive than asking here, where we have very few breast cancer patients. It may be that MRI with gadolinium contrast, while not ideal, is the best way to identify the cancer. Yes, of course I`m discussing it with my doctor. And looking it up on internet. And searching from other forums and people. But I am also asking it here, because there might be somebody, who has been in similar situation. People in withdrawal and sensitive to medications are most likely to be cautious about medications and to ask questions about tests and medications. And if I find out something, hopefully this will help somebody, who comes to this topic with similar question. On and off several drugs since 1995. 2009: march - sulpiride 100 mg (AP Betamaks), quetiapine 25 mg ,stopped both by the end of the year 09. 2010: sulpiride 100 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, zopiclone 3,75 mg, anafranil (stopped anafranil after three months, had side effects), bromazepam occasionally. 03.2012: started lamotrigine (lamictal) 75 mg. 03.2013-12.2014 tapered sulpiride, last dose december 2013. 02.2014-06.2014 lamictal from 75 mg to 65 mg; 11.2014-05.2015 lamictal from 65 mg to 15 mg, zopiclone from 3,75 to 2,5 08.2015-01.2016: insomnia (at first due to personal crisis), started taking extra zopiclone as needed, doses different, every day 3,75-7 mg, sometimes more), developed withdrawal insomnia. 04.2016 zopiclone interdose withdrawal, started crossover from zopiclone to diazepam 02.2019: lamictal 15 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, zopiclone 0,54 mg, diazepam 5 mg 2020 cancer diagnosis, operation and radiation therapy 2021 vit d reduction in febr from 5000 iu to 2000. Severe reaction, reinstated to 4000 iu in march. Akathisia and major sleep issues so far. 2022 started zopiclone microtaper. histamine intolerance. lot of dental work with local anesthesia+painkillers 19.4.23 lamictal 15 mg, quetiapine 25 mg, zopiclone 0,051 mg, diazepam 5 mg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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