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Shan

Old-Time Poster

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MM Survivor ~ May 27,
2005

Posts: 849
Honolulu, USA, usa, 376, 346, HI, Hawaii
Gender: female

How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Oct 19^th, 2005 at 12:51pm

Just wondering.....

How many MRIs/MRAs, CTAs, does one usually have post-op? I know all of our situations are not alike, but I'm just wondering. I am also wondering if anybody knows of any "ill effects" or long-term radiation effects I should be worried about if I have too many of them?

Since my surgery in May, I've had a CTA and an MRI, and am scheduled to have another MRI/MRA of my head and neck next week Tuesday since I'm still having headaches, and as of Sunday, have been feeling a little dizzy for the first time! Embarrassed

The Extra Strength Tylenol I was advised to take these past months just isn't cutting it anymore. Do any of you take anything else for post-op headaches? It's really scary. Cry

I am now almost 5-monts post-op from my double bypass in May. I also had an indirect on the same side (right) as well.

Just wonderin...

Take care,
Shan

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« Last Edit: Oct 20^th, 2005 at 12:30am by Shan »

"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis

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Dewski

Junior Poster

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Married. Son has MM.
He is 17.

Posts: 70
Syracuse, USA, usa, 479, 86, NY, New_York
Gender: male

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #1 - Oct 19^th, 2005 at 1:11pm

Shan wrote on Oct 19^th, 2005 at 12:51pm:

Just wondering.....

How many MRIs/MRAs, CTAs, does one usually have post-op? I know all of our situations are not alike, but I'm just wondering. I am also wondering if anybody knows of any "ill effects" or long-term radiation effects I should be worried about if I have too many of them?
Take care,
Shan

Hi Shan,

I can answer that from an MSer's standpoint anyway...

I have had at LEAST 15 MRI's since 1986.

Pictures of myself over the years:

<-- 1985

<-- 1995

<-- 2005

So as you can see, there is nothing to worry about! Smiley

Seriously, I haven't known anyone to have repercussions over MRIs, even with the funky dye.

-= Dewski =-

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Greg-NJ1 Experienced Poster Offline Mis-diagnosed with MM in 2005, arterial restricion Posts: 248 Teaneck, NJ Gender:	Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery? Reply #2 - Oct 19^th, 2005 at 5:09pm Dewski... Now that is funny..... Greg
Back to top	I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery. IP Logged

moyamoi

Ex Member

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #3 - Oct 19^th, 2005 at 7:27pm

Hi Shan,
I was told after I had my bypasses that it would be wise to have an MRI every 6 months, MRI/MRA and angio yearly, but my ops were 4 years ago now, and I had my last MRI/MRA in August and no longer need to have any more unless I have problems! So there is light at the end of the tunnel!!

As for headaches, mine have settled down again, but I was having them really regularly and intensely for 4-5 days at a time. (I was under a lot of stress then as I had problems with my ears and was worried about my cosmetic surgery that I was about to undergo) I find that when I experience those killer headaches, I can only get on top of them by taking Digesics and Oxycodone - Be warned though. They are HEAVY DUTY and may not be suitable for you. I am a total right off when I have to take them, but it comes down to a choice of horrible headache for the 3rd or 4th day by that stage or being "out of it" for a while. My doc carefully monitors the situation as they are highly addictive, but this is the only thing that helps me.
Maybe there is something else that you can take - my neuro has suggested Amitryptilene as well (Prozac) but I am weary about any form of anti depressants although I know the dose for headaches as opposed to depression is a lot less
Hope this is of help to you Shan
Regards Moira

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Sara

Experienced Poster

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I am 15 years post-op
and loving life!

Posts: 208
Houston, USA, usa, 291, 279, TX, Texas
Gender: female

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #4 - Oct 20^th, 2005 at 5:13pm

Hey Shan

I had my surgeries in 1989 and 1990. I have had bad headaches since. In 2003, I was put on Keppra, which helped a lot. Then, when I wanted to get pregnant we weened me off and I had no headaches through my pregnancy. Well, now my baby is 7 months old and I have been struggling BIG TIME with really bad headaches. It seems they never really go way.

Well, I went in to see my neurologist and I am now on Neurontin. Neurontin, from what I understand, is a seizure drug (like Keppra). It also has migraine and anti-depressant qualities. I have noticed a little change, but the headaches are still not gone... I also have Darvocet for pain. It is fairly strong, so I plan on sleeping if I am taking it. My doctor also gave me Nimotop to take when I actually have symptoms. This is a drug that prevents spasming in the arteries. I haven't started this on a regular basis because I originally started all these meds on the same day and had some major side effects. So now I am getting used to the Neurontin and will add in the Nimotop as needed.

I am tired of having headaches and feeling tired/weak all the time. I have lived a very normal life except for headaches. But, now that I have a kiddo, I find them even more annoying than ever.

BTW, before I was put on these meds, my doc did an MRA/MRI and found that I still have low blood flow to the right side, but nothing more than before, so that was good news.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, but I think this post is getting LONG...

Hope you get some relief!

Sara

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ha

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Posts: 25
nashville, USA, usa, 371, 194, TN, Tennessee
Gender: female

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #5 - Oct 24^th, 2005 at 11:03am

Hi Shan,

So sorry to hear that you still experience headaches.

I also have one surgery on the right side, at the same time with yours. I took Spect studies and an angio in early Sept. The result was good and Dr. Steinberg suggested me to have an MRI/MRA/Spect done in one year or earlier if symptoms occur.

I stopped taking Tylenon ten days after my surgery. My recovery is going well but I feel that I can never get back to normal conditions Sad

. I feel tired easily but have minor headaches, mostly on the left, pretty occasionally. I still take rest at home and don't know when I start working, i.e. thinking a lot, the situation would continue to improve or turn worse later. Have you started working yet?

Besides Aspirin taken daily, I am taking some herbal medicine from the California College of Ayurveda. I think the herbs have helped a bit. I also do breathing excirses, meditation, and massage my head gently every day.

Hope it helps and please let us know your MRI/MRA results.

Best wishes,

Ha

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fortunegirls

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Posts: 17
Boyne City Michigan
Gender: female

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #6 - Dec 1^st, 2005 at 4:29pm

Hi Shan!

I'm new to the website but was just reading your post regarding post-tests and headaches. I had my bypass and EMS 12/2003. I did not have any post-tests after my surgery until I started having symptoms again (almost 2 yrs. later). Of course, I've had every possible test now and am scheduled for surgery on the right side 01/2006.

I can say that I have suffered from Migraines since I had surgery. I've tried Topomax and Lamictel, which are both used for treating partial seizures and migraines. Topomax made me feel horrible (and things taste horrible) and Lamictel made me have more problems with short term memory loss (although I stayed on that for almost a year but it never helped my headaches).

I did find two things that seem to help though. I have a script for Tylenol w/Coedine and one for Fioricet. If I start to get a migraine and treat it right away (and still want to function) the Fiorciet works well. But if I wait to long to take anything or the Fiorciet didn't help much then I take the Tylenol w/Coedine. Unfortunately, I do suffer with many headaches every week but I try to keep functioning. My neurologist says the headaches are probably caused from undergoing such a traumatic and intense (and 8 hr. long) surgery on the brain.

Just thought I'd shared. I'm glad I came across this entry. It's so nice to hear what other people are dealing with as well.

Best Wishes, Lorie

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grasshopper New Poster Offline diagnosed 8/03 Posts: 16 chandler, USA, AZ, Arizona Gender:	Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery? Reply #7 - Dec 1^st, 2005 at 5:55pm hi shan! i had my 2 sx oct 2004. since then i need 2 undergo mri's annually. 4 the ha's i'm on topomax which prevents my vessel spasms and prior 2 that i was on butalbital. hope this info helps and i hope u find relief 4 your ha's soon!!!!! grasshopper 8)
Back to top	Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.&& - unknown&&&& IP Logged

Shan

Old-Time Poster

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MM Survivor ~ May 27,
2005

Posts: 849
Honolulu, USA, usa, 376, 346, HI, Hawaii
Gender: female

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #8 - Dec 5^th, 2005 at 11:31pm

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your responses. I have since stopped taking Dilantin and am now only taking Zonegran. I did try Topomax for a short period (like 2 weeks) but I had side effects. Anyway, I am now about 6 months post-op and my headaches are slowly diminishing. When I do get headaches, I take Extra Strength Tylenol which has been helping. I still feel a little tightness on my right side of my face when I scrunch or squint my right eye...

Thanks again for all your responses. I truly appreciate your insight!

Thank you,
Shan

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"Love, Accept And Respect All Things And All Situations In Life … They Are Especially&&Designed For Your Personal Learning" ~Howard Willis

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ExtremeLife1986

Junior Poster

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Live For Today !!!!

Posts: 87
Boynton Beach, USA, FL, Florida
Gender: male

Re: How many MRI/MRA's post surgery?
Reply #9 - Dec 13^th, 2005 at 1:26am

Hello,

I am a 19 year old kid who had a bypass on the left side exactly 1 year ago today. Because of my surgery failing and my condition progressing on the right side i have to have them every 6 months or so. I have had atleast 2 of each this past year and probably up for another one. But like everyone else i havent seen no effects from the dye and what not if they use it !!!

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ßrad

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