E246 Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Hi,I had a MRI scan for ongoing pain in lumbar region yesterday evening. I was not expecting a problem but as soon as it started my heart rate shot up. We tried again and i managed to breathe through it but had to stop the last test as my breathing was going haywire - i think because i was getting very stressed by the fast heart rate. I couldn't understand it.I had read here that it was no problem for people with pots and i was not expecting a problem. I had taken 2.5mg valium as i have not been very well for a few days and just to make sure i was calm.I do from time to time have adrenaline surges and i think once a surge is set off it takes its own course but i do normally manage them. i am not a nervy person and i know how to do relaxation breathing to bring my heart rate down. It has really upset me as it has made me feel a bit mad. I did not even mind being in the tunnel.Is there any technical reason why this happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serbo Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 possibly just enclosed spaces causes heart to race, can even be a sub concious thing. i am the same, i even get my head MRI's done here because of it:http://www.uprightmri.co.uk/Not even really anxious about the tube, just seems to happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 I have claustrophobia too and I have a brain and liver tumor and have to have them checked every year. The last time they did the abdominal check they wrapped me up in a blanket - put straps across me and then put a cage over my entire body - then put me to the very top of the MRI machine where I was sasuaged in and felt smothered. I had this panic happen to me and it wasn't pretty. I didn't think I'd be able to do it at all. They had to pull me out and let me calm down and quite shaking. They said I really needed the test because of the shape my liver is in and it was very necessary to do. So, I told them to try again and before they put me in I closed my eyes and told them to keep talking to me the whole time, I prayed the whole time I was in there and tried to keep calm. I did manage to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 MRI's (even without contrast) can stir up mast cells. I am supposed to pre-medicate before MRI's.... although I've never had a problem. Tachy can be a sign of anaphylaxis. During anaphylaxis, I've had the exact same thing happen where my heart beats so fast that I can't breathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issie Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Is it the stress from the MRI or is it something to do with the magnets? I've tried to sleep on magnets and it's too stimulating for me. A friend of mine had one of those matress things with the magnets. It seemed to give me allot of anxiety. I didn't know it could cause MCAD to stir up. How does this happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E246 Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Thanks for your responses - i can usually control any anxiety and i was quite happy to go back in each time and try again so it is reassuring to know you have odd responses too.Macks mum - Can you tell me what anaphylaxis actually means in instances like this. i understand it in relation to stings but i have often had this response - eg on an airplane before take off but after it had pressurized really quickly ( because it was late) I get rapid heart rate and go into shocK afterward ( i shake and shiver) This happened in between the scans.Goodness there is a lot to understand with this illness.Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Oh yes- the shakes afterwards. Me too. I get so cold. My hands and feet burn dark purple too. Whatever blood that I have left (plasma leaks out to surrounding tissues- leaving us even more hypovolemic) is shunted to more vital organs. It's scary. Did you have a panicky feeling too? Sounds like your mast cells are pretty easily stirred up. Have you looked into mast cell activation? I'd be VERY careful next time I was having an MRI, X-ray, or CT-scan. I have to pre-medicate before all of them. EACH stirs up mast cells in susceptible individuals. With my pre-meds, I am fine. With your other episodes as well, I think you need a mast cell work-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E246 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Thanks, i dont know much about mast cells - will look it up. I did not feel panicy just very fast heart.Thing is i am due one for my neck in London and feel a bit worried about this now as i had taken some valium but only 2.5mg - not alot - but it had no effect.Issie - meant to say - took a deep intake of breathe over your experience with the blanket - that made me feel claustophobic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 No, no- valium is not a pre-med for MCAD. I have to take an H-1 or two (like zyrtec), and H-2 (like ranitidine), and singulair. I also have prednisone, which I rarely bother with as I am fine with the above. Ask your doc if you could take a benadryl and ranitidine beforehand as they are quite benign and will prevent a mast cell reaction. The benadryl might make you a tad drowsy & work in place of the valium. Good luck with the next one. Let us know how you do!Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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