To Have an MRI or Not???

[Bobbie7]

Ever since I joined this group I have been reading about many members having an MRI and I was wondering if this was due to their having sudden and strange symptoms prior to developing T. It never dawned on me to have one but now I am seriously considering asking my ENT to give me a referral for one. I vaguely remember having a very painful headache but I am not certain now whether this was before and after I developed my T. I do know that I have had some earache in my right afflicted ear and at times in my left one as well even though I have T only in one ear.

Do most people here feel they should have an MRI and what do their GP or ENT doctors recommend. I am wondering whether there might be some hidden reason for my T other than just part of the aging process (I have sub-clinical hearing loss in the affected ear) as well as the severe sinus infection/cold I had. Then again, I really don't recall if the sinus infection preceded the T or not. I am in a quandary as to know what to do at this point.

I would appreciate hearing from other members as to whether they themselves asked for an MRI or their doctors suggested they take one and if so, why.... specifically, what symptoms did they display??

Thank you and here's wishing all a peaceful day/evening.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

@Bobbie7

MRIs are very commonly ordered when there is unilateral tinnitus because the T might be a symptom of acoustic neuroma (tumor on the auditory nerve). The hit rate of acoustic neuroma is less than 1%.

 

[Nick Pyzik]

Ever since I joined this group I have been reading about many members having an MRI and I was wondering if this was due to their having sudden and strange symptoms prior to developing T. It never dawned on me to have one but now I am seriously considering asking my ENT to give me a referral for one. I vaguely remember having a very painful headache but I am not certain now whether this was before and after I developed my T. I do know that I have had some earache in my right afflicted ear and at times in my left one as well even though I have T only in one ear.

Do most people here feel they should have an MRI and what do their GP or ENT doctors recommend. I am wondering whether there might be some hidden reason for my T other than just part of the aging process (I have sub-clinical hearing loss in the affected ear) as well as the severe sinus infection/cold I had. Then again, I really don't recall if the sinus infection preceded the T or not. I am in a quandary as to know what to do at this point.

I would appreciate hearing from other members as to whether they themselves asked for an MRI or their doctors suggested they take one and if so, why.... specifically, what symptoms did they display??

Thank you and here's wishing all a peaceful day/evening.

All I can say is, protect your hearing as well as you can when getting one.

 

[Bobbie7]

All I can say is, protect your hearing as well as you can when getting one.

Thank you Infinite and Nick for your responses. I have had MRI's in the past and one feels like they are in the middle of a battlefield. One time many years ago I was having one and they gave me these cheap ear plugs (I didn't know any better at the time to bring a really good pair) and during the test one fell out and the technician didn't communicate with me and the experience was just so horrible. The loud thunderous booms were almost too much to bear for the remainder of the time I had left in there. At any rate, that is not what caused my T but I think or rather, I hope everyone here is well aware that they must have excellent audio protection when taking one of those MRI's if they are going to have the closed type as I had.

I just wish I knew if I should request an MRI or not. When I visited the ENT, I was given a hearing test, told that I had sub-clinical hearing loss in the one ear which I had T and that was that. Perhaps I should have asked for one. Other than what Infinite mentioned about an acoustic neuroma, there might be so many other reasons why T began.

Best wishes.

 

[Nick Pyzik]

Thank you Infinite and Nick for your responses. I have had MRI's in the past and one feels like they are in the middle of a battlefield. One time many years ago I was having one and they gave me these cheap ear plugs (I didn't know any better at the time to bring a really good pair) and during the test one fell out and the technician didn't communicate with me and the experience was just so horrible. The loud thunderous booms were almost too much to bear for the remainder of the time I had left in there. At any rate, that is not what caused my T but I think or rather, I hope everyone here is well aware that they must have excellent audio protection when taking one of those MRI's if they are going to have the closed type as I had.

I just wish I knew if I should request an MRI or not. When I visited the ENT, I was given a hearing test, told that I had sub-clinical hearing loss in the one ear which I had T and that was that. Perhaps I should have asked for one. Other than what Infinite mentioned about an acoustic neuroma, there might be so many other reasons why T began.

Best wishes.

It's really up to what your gut says Bobbie7. If you feel like you're experiencing issues that match up with one of an acoustic neuroma, I would say get an MRI. Otherwise, an MRI would really not be beneficial to you since Tinnitus is still not generally understood and can't be seen through an MRI. Just like I said, if you do go through with one, protect your hearing with something more than just the cheap ear plugs. Best of luck.

 

[tinnitube]

real indication for mri is little , but many docs ask them to see everythings is ok , it wont hurt you like CT , because CT has radiation . So if you can , why not . unless is too expensive or insurance dont cover .

 

[Bobbie7]

Fortunately Tinnitube, my insurance does cover so I do plan on asking my ENT for a referral for an MRI. I hope he doesn't tell me he doubts it will be helpful. Thanks for your response.

Best wishes.

 

[Charina]

I just posted about this today too. My ENT ordered one for me 2 years ago becuase of unilateral hearing loss. I never went. 2 years later he has ordered one again because of hearing loss in both ears which is now bilateral plus tinnitus and a positive ANA result. I go on Thursday.

 

[Bobbie7]

I just posted about this today too. My ENT ordered one for me 2 years ago becuase of unilateral hearing loss. I never went. 2 years later he has ordered one again because of hearing loss in both ears which is now bilateral plus tinnitus and a positive ANA result. I go on Thursday.

Charina, what is a "positive ANA result"? Please explain as I am unfamiliar with this.

Thanks.

 

[tinnitube]

Charina, what is a "positive ANA result"? Please explain as I am unfamiliar with this.

Thanks.

ana is a marker for inmmune desease . but consider it only one letter . you have to have a full word to make a diagnosis . so . only a letter means nothing . Hope I make my self clear .

 

[Bobbie7]

ana is a marker for inmmune desease . but consider it only one letter . you have to have a full word to make a diagnosis . so . only a letter means nothing . Hope I make my self clear .

I was interested and wanted some more information on this so here it is:

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/tab/test/

 

[Charina]

I just saw this. Since my hearing in both ears has decreased more than what is usual for my age (41) they started asking about my general health which is generally ok apart from tinnitus and random numbness, headaches, neck pain, leg cramps which are all annoying but not debilitating. The Audiologist and ENT seemed to think the hearing loss could be autoimmune related so they ordered the ANA test, CRP, Lymes and ESR lab work. The only one that came back abnormal was the ANA and as someone metioned could be an indicator for an autoimmune disease but could also be a false positive or so my GP told me. Not quite sure what to make of it all and am quite anxious over the MRI more than the actual results!

 

[Bobbie7]

I just posted about this today too. My ENT ordered one for me 2 years ago becuase of unilateral hearing loss. I never went. 2 years later he has ordered one again because of hearing loss in both ears which is now bilateral plus tinnitus and a positive ANA result. I go on Thursday.

Charina, good luck on your MRI. Keep us posted on the results.

Best wishes.

 

[Charina]

Charina, good luck on your MRI. Keep us posted on the results.

Best wishes.

Will do. Thank you very much.

 

[Charina]

So, I had my MRI at 1 today. It wasn't too bad overall, but very, very loud. I thought it all went well until I sat up at the end and my ears felt so clogged I couldn't really hear. It is 3 hours later and I feel exhausted, have a headache and my ears are still unbalanced and feel like there is water in them or need to pop and my own voice sounds odd to myself.
Has this happened to anyone else?

It is kind of worrying so I called the ENT that ordered it and they said it does happen but they already have my results too! I kind of have a bad feeling since they have them so fast. My ENT is in surgery but hopfully I'll find out the results later this evening or tomorrow.

 

[Bobbie7]

arina, good luck on your MRI. Keep us posted on the results.

My ENT is in surgery but hopfully I'll find out the results later this evening or tomorrow.

Charina, I'm glad to hear you are finished with the MRI and please don't worry in advance. My mother always used to tell me "Don't worry about something until you have something to worry about!" and getting your results swiftly doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong.

Yes, those MRI's are terribly noisy and I have had a few (prior to my T ) in the past so I am well aware of the disquieting booms and other related noises they present. Amongst others (MRI's) I even had an MRI of my head many years ago because I had persistent pain in one of my eyes which would not go away. Turns out it was merely a "headache in my eye" and nothing serious at the time. If I recall correctly I was also given the results rather quickly at the time and it showed nothing.

Let us know what the results are and wishing you the best.

 

[Charina]

Thank you for responding so fast and I will try not to worry! I hope to hear tomorrow since that is what the nurse told me to expect. Kind of ironic that I had the MRI for T, hearing loss and headaches and came out with all three things worse! Hoping that diminishes too. Thanks again.

 

[Charina]

Got the results and all is normal. He said there are some white spots but normal as we get older. He wants me to see a neurologist to follow up but I think I am done. The MRI made the T worse and made me feel terrible so I don't want to spend more money on uneccessary appointments and tests.

 

[Optic Axis]

My doctor said to have an MRI scan. I did and they said the results were ok.

 

[Bobbie7]

t the results and all is normal. He said there are some white spots but normal as we get older. He wants me to see a neurologist to follow up but I think I am done. The MRI made the T worse and made me feel terrible so I don't want to spend more money on uneccessary appointments and tests.

Glad to hear the MRI results were good, that's one less thing to be concerned about and perhaps all the heightened stress of the procedure spiked it but hopefully it will abate soon.

Best wishes.

 

[Bobbie7]

My doctor said to have an MRI scan. I did and they said the results were ok.

As I was saying to Charina, it's always comforting to know there is one less thing to worry about.