MRI with/without Contrast

[Emster]

I had an ENT appointment Friday. I have mild/moderate hearing loss in the left ear; same side as the tinnitus. Doc ordered an MRI. She said it's probable that it will show nothing.

If she's that confident about finding nothing, why should I risk any further side effects by having the contrast done?

I'm already dealing with enough health problems. As a sign from God I feel, I saw a commercial this morning regarding contrast MRI lawsuits. I've already got the medical deck stacked against me. I'm not willing to make my health any worse.

I'd love to hear your experiences with contrast MRI.

 

[robHing]

Hi... Welcome...
I am glad that you check with TT forums about MRI.
A lot of members here warn against MRI.
It may spike people with tinnitus due to its loud noise.

 

[JohnAdams]

I've also percieved weird coincidences as a sign from God. Regardless of this particular situation, I feel where you're coming from. That being said, I've actually worked on electrical power systems for MRI machines as an intern at a VA hospital and I know quite a bit about MRI technology and my opinion is that as long as you wear earplugs I thing you will be fine. The RF and the strong magnetic field should NOT worsen your symptoms. MRI is the good non cancer causing cousin of the CT. Some people have actually claimed that having and MRI cured their tinnitus. It's just a huge magnetic field and radio waves. The clanging sounds can be blocked with earplugs.

 

[Tinker Bell]

I had four MRIs administered with/without contrast after my sudden hearing loss, including a 90-minute full spine and brain scan. No side effects, no impact on my tinnitus.

 

[robHing]

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/to-mri-or-not-to-mri.21187/

 

[Contrast]

you said my name so I happened to appear in this thread just to tell you that the cause of your tinnitus certainly has something to do with the hearing loss.

 

[TuneOut]

I had an ENT appointment Friday. I have mild/moderate hearing loss in the left ear; same side as the tinnitus. Doc ordered an MRI. She said it's probable that it will show nothing.

If she's that confident about finding nothing, why should I risk any further side effects by having the contrast done?

I'm already dealing with enough health problems. As a sign from God I feel, I saw a commercial this morning regarding contrast MRI lawsuits. I've already got the medical deck stacked against me. I'm not willing to make my health any worse.

I'd love to hear your experiences with contrast MRI.

I can only advise that if you decide to do the MRI, use double protection if possible. And stay away from the portable ones in trailers. @Ed209 had problems with one of these being very loud.

Slim earmuffs are available for MRI scans that use a coil. Larger muffs may not fit, from what I understand.

 

[TuneOut]

I had four MRIs administered with/without contrast after my sudden hearing loss, including a 90-minute full spine and brain scan. No side effects, no impact on my tinnitus.

That's fortunate. Did you perceive it as being loud? And did you wear dual protection?

 

[Sam Bridge]

I have had two done, one with contrast one without, the second was in a portable trailer and they only gave foam plugs and some headphone type things to go over the top. Fortunately no effect on tinnitus.

 

[another sean]

I would suggest without contrast if you move forward with the MRI. They probably requested one to look for tumors. I had an MRI done because I already had a benign tumor the size of a walnut in my mouth palette. The reason they wanted to do an MRI was to see the blood supply so they knew what to expect. They were able to still determine blood supply which were tiny blood vessels without contrast so I would feel like they could also see tumors without contrast as well considering they are bigger. I refused contrast because of the Black Box warnings on contrast. I was told if an MRI without contrast didnt see enough detail, I could always get another one later. Again, if you do move forward with this, make sure you stay as still as possible as that will provide the best image and increase your chances with a sufficient scan without contrast.

 

[Emster]

you said my name so I happened to appear in this thread just to tell you that the cause of your tinnitus certainly has something to do with the hearing loss.

My T started 36 hours after my last dose of clonezepam. Mine is withdrawal induced.

 

[Emster]

I've also percieved weird coincidences as a sign from God. Regardless of this particular situation, I feel where you're coming from. That being said, I've actually worked on electrical power systems for MRI machines as an intern at a VA hospital and I know quite a bit about MRI technology and my opinion is that as long as you wear earplugs I thing you will be fine. The RF and the strong magnetic field should NOT worsen your symptoms. MRI is the good non cancer causing cousin of the CT. Some people have actually claimed that having and MRI cured their tinnitus. It's just a huge magnetic field and radio waves. The clanging sounds can be blocked with earplugs.

It's so funny that you say it can be cured by MRI because my overly analytical mind was wondering about that. I'll definitely be wearing earplugs. I've got the mushy flesh colored ones.

 

[Emster]

I can only advise that if you decide to do the MRI, use double protection if possible. And stay away from the portable ones in trailers. @Ed209 had problems with one of these being very loud.

Slim earmuffs are available for MRI scans that use a coil. Larger muffs may not fit, from what I understand.

Thanks for your advice. I'm going to use earplugs. The flesh colored mushy ones.

 

[Emster]

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/to-mri-or-not-to-mri.21187/

Thank you!

 

[Emster]

I would suggest without contrast if you move forward with the MRI. They probably requested one to look for tumors. I had an MRI done because I already had a benign tumor the size of a walnut in my mouth palette. The reason they wanted to do an MRI was to see the blood supply so they knew what to expect. They were able to still determine blood supply which were tiny blood vessels without contrast so I would feel like they could also see tumors without contrast as well considering they are bigger. I refused contrast because of the Black Box warnings on contrast. I was told if an MRI without contrast didnt see enough detail, I could always get another one later. Again, if you do move forward with this, make sure you stay as still as possible as that will provide the best image and increase your chances with a sufficient scan without contrast.

Thank you for this information! Exactly what I was hoping to hear from people. I already had a CT done a couple weeks ago right after t started. I hope I can stay still. I'm not very good at it.

 

[Contrast]

My T started 36 hours after my last dose of clonezepam. Mine is withdrawal induced.

there are some cases where people have had HF hearing loss most of there life, under go a stressful situation or take certain medicine and end up with chronic tinnitus. It's a neurological problem with more unknowns but in almost every case atleast one these factors are usually at play.

hearing loss

neck/jaw problems

head injury

 

[fishbone]

I had an ENT appointment Friday. I have mild/moderate hearing loss in the left ear; same side as the tinnitus. Doc ordered an MRI. She said it's probable that it will show nothing.

If she's that confident about finding nothing, why should I risk any further side effects by having the contrast done?

I'm already dealing with enough health problems. As a sign from God I feel, I saw a commercial this morning regarding contrast MRI lawsuits. I've already got the medical deck stacked against me. I'm not willing to make my health any worse.

I'd love to hear your experiences with contrast MRI.

I am also very reluctant to do MRIs with contrasts. You are not alone on this.

MRIs in general are very loud and my intrusive tinnitus does get frustrated while having the MRI done.

 

[JohnAdams]

It's so funny that you say it can be cured by MRI because my overly analytical mind was wondering about that. I'll definitely be wearing earplugs. I've got the mushy flesh colored ones.

I didnt say it can cure T, I've just read where others have said that.

 

[Emster]

I am also very reluctant to do MRIs with contrasts. You are not alone on this.

MRIs in general are very loud and my intrusive tinnitus does get frustrated while having the MRI done.

Thank you @fishbone . I'd hate to once again listen to the medical professionals who don't have to deal with my issues tell me "it's safe" and I end up with debilitating arthritis and can't work anymore.

 

[Wolfears]

Chuck Norrise's wife almost died from the contrast...
The only thing that saved her was the fact that she had the $ available..almost 2 million was needed.
Her story is on youtube..many others were not so fortunate.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/11/22/mri-imaging-with-gbca.aspx

 

[Emster]

I didnt say it can cure T, I've just read where others have said that.

Any glimmer of hope is welcome

 

[JohnAdams]

Any glimmer of hope is welcome

Here ya go. Frequency Therapeutics is bringing top scientists on board.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...trengthens-Scientific-Advisory-Board-Addition

The justice league is assembling and coming to help us.

These are the people that have discovered a way to REGRNERATE our damaged inner ears. Exciting times.

 

[fishbone]

Thank you @fishbone . I'd hate to once again listen to the medical professionals who don't have to deal with my issues tell me "it's safe" and I end up with debilitating arthritis and can't work anymore.

I was going to create a thread on the idea/flashback you just gave me...But i'll just post it here.

I was talking to a friend of mine last night and he kept on raising his voice during the conversation. I told him that my ears ring and his loud voice is irritating my ears and I almost was going to walk away and dump the friendship. Then I tell him again, please don't scream and talk to me in such a loud voice. I told him that my ears ring VERY loud and his loud voice is like a sharp dagger being stuck in my ears.

He then starts laughing. He's like cmon man, are you serious. I said YES, this is no joke. People with mild tinnitus are in hell right now, I have INTRUSIVE pure hell/demon level stuff.

I told him I have been like this for a LONG TIME. Then he's like why have you been so lazy and not cured yourself. I explained to him that there is no cure. He's like cmon man, everything has a cure, you are just being lazy. The anger that was building up inside was very scary.
So basically he was telling me that I never tried to cure and was just living with this demon. I told him that my hearing is damaged. He's like DUDE "it's all in your mind", you can get rid of the ringing/hearing damage by being positive.

I use to have some respect for him, but after last night's conversation, I figured that he's not someone that I want to deal with again. He insults the very fabric, that has brought ME/US so so much pain. Ignorance in this world is amazing folks. remain strong and DO NOT listen to idiots when they talk.

I had to stop our conversation and walk away, it was hitting me in the raw nerves. Others would have lost it and did something, I just ignored his ignorance and this conversation made me LOSE all respect for him as well....

Do not let others dictate your life for you. Always stand up for yourself. Other's do not walk in your shoes, they do not shed the same tears you/we do. Always be a voice and an advocate for yourself and those that suffer!

 

[Wolfears]

I was going to create a thread on the idea/flashback you just gave me...But i'll just post it here.

I was talking to a friend of mine last night and he kept on raising his voice during the conversation. I told him that my ears ring and his loud voice is irritating my ears and I almost was going to walk away and dump the friendship. Then I tell him again, please don't scream and talk to me in such a loud voice. I told him that my ears ring VERY loud and his loud voice is like a sharp dagger being stuck in my ears.

He then starts laughing. He's like cmon man, are you serious. I said YES, this is no joke. People with mild tinnitus are in hell right now, I have INTRUSIVE pure hell/demon level stuff.

I told him I have been like this for a LONG TIME. Then he's like why have you been so lazy and not cured yourself. I explained to him that there is no cure. He's like cmon man, everything has a cure, you are just being lazy. The anger that was building up inside was very scary.
So basically he was telling me that I never tried to cure and was just living with this demon. I told him that my hearing is damaged. He's like DUDE "it's all in your mind", you can get rid of the ringing/hearing damage by being positive.

I use to have some respect for him, but after last night's conversation, I figured that he's not someone that I want to deal with again. He insults the very fabric, that has brought ME/US so so much pain. Ignorance in this world is amazing folks. remain strong and DO NOT listen to idiots when they talk.

I had to stop our conversation and walk away, it was hitting me in the raw nerves. Others would have lost it and did something, I just ignored his ignorance and this conversation made me LOSE all respect for him as well....

Do not let others dictate your life for you. Always stand up for yourself. Other's do not walk in your shoes, they do not shed the same tears you/we do. Always be a voice and an advocate for yourself and those that suffer!

I wish there was a way you could have given him your tinnitus for a week...that would be a life lesson, which would give him nightmares for the rest of his life.

 

[VictorDedalus]

I've had 3 MRIs since onset of tinnitus, all with and without contrast. No issues whatsoever. Even with just the foam earplugs, the noise is quite bearable. I wouldn't stress too much about it. The certainty and confidence provided by the test far outweighs the risks, in my opinion.

I've had maybe a total of 6 or 7 MRIs and progressive/dynamic CTs. I had a large benign brain tumor and successful craniotomy.

 

[TuneOut]

had to stop our conversation and walk away, it was hitting me in the raw nerves. Others would have lost it and did something, I just ignored his ignorance and this conversation made me LOSE all respect for him as well....

Right on, Fishbone. This is the way to be. Just walk away. Distance yourself from such ignorant, close-minded people. It's not worth getting upset and angry over. Some cannot listen to reason.

There is a saying ...

"Don't try and teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it irritates the pig."

 

[TuneOut]

Thanks for your advice. I'm going to use earplugs. The flesh colored mushy ones.

If you want to use earmuffs in addition to the earplugs, I have included links to some MRI-safe ones. I would strongly recommend you use both if possible.

MRI-safe Earmuffs (30db NRR)

https://www.earplugstore.com/mri-safe-proears-ultra-pro-earmuffs.html

Slim MRI-safe earmuffs (26dB NRR)

https://www.earplugstore.com/mri-safe-proears-ultra-sleek-earmuffs.html


"NOTE: Pro-Ears Ultra Sleek may not work for MRI procedures that require the use of a head coil (as used in brain scans), because the ear muffs may not fit inside the head coil. Before ordering this product, please discuss with the MRI scan center staff where you have your appointment, to determine if a head coil will be used and if so, if the ear muffs will fit inside the head coil. Pro-Ears Ultra Sleek ear muffs will add approximately 12 centimeters to the width of your head. Pro-Ears Ultra Sleek are the thinnest MRI Safe ear muffs available, so if they will not work, you will need to use ear plugs for your procedure instead. For scans not involving the head, Pro-Ears Ultra Sleek ear muffs are a great choice."

 

[Tinniger]

MRI with contrast agent is indispensable in pulsatile tinnitus to exclude or detect carotid dissection, for example.
In non-pulsatile tinnitus, the benefits of vascular imaging are rarely required.

 

[Emster]

I'm so very sorry to hear about your friend. I've been running into this too. There's absolutely no way for anyone to understand unless they've experienced it.

 

[JohnAdams]

One thing I find odd thing about this post is why wouldnt you want Contrast with you at your MRI? He's a swell chap and he contributes greatly to MPP.