Well, that was interesting.

[kitanzi]

Actually, the neurological exam was a lot less interesting than I'd feared. A very polite doctor did a fairly routine exam, repeating a lot of the same tests and questions as the other doctors had done. (And why do they always ask "How are you?" when they first come in the room to introduce themselves? Or for that matter, when the nurse leads you back to the room to wait for the doctor, that's invariably the question as well. If I were well, I wouldn't be here, and I don't think you actually mean me to spill out a detailed analysis in response.)

Anyhow, his tentative conclusion matches the other doctors', but just in case I did actually faint when I hit the floor that first time, he wants me to get an MRI. Eeeeeek.... ACat has had several of those and says they aren't that bad, and I believe him, but it still leaves me nervous. I want to just say "Hey, I'm feeling fine now, can't we leave it at that?" But we can't, we can't.... They'll be calling me back to tell me when and where, so at least they jump through the hoops with the insurance company for me. I also need to be more grateful that I AM feeling better - this doctor gave me more information on the condition, and says it's pretty common and usually has no obvious cause, and can run a few days to a few weeks. I'm gonna skip the Bonine this weekend and see how it goes. :)

For values of interesting that run more more towards fun, I also wanted to mention that the incomparable ACat gave me a really neat gift. It's a longsleeved tshirt, and the image is here: http://www.ebaynham.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=eb&Product_Code=esch&Category_Code=all

It's very amusing, and the LPN who first processed me immediately recognized it and admired it. The doctor had no clue, but at least was observant enough to know there was something he was missing, and he asked about it. That was my amusement for the day. *G*

edit: if you don't recognize the MC Escher print it's referencing either, look here: http://www.etropolis.com/escher/hands.htm

Comments

[jenny_evergreen]

*giggle* Great shirt!
MRIs really aren't bad. If you are at all claustrophobic, though, let them know. I find closing my eyes helps, but, then, I'm blind in an MRI (no glasses). I also fidget my hands and/or feet, as I find it incredibly hard to be still that long. Machines vary, the very first MRI I had was positively roomy, but that was around 15 years ago. More recently, they're snug, but livable. The machine may have a mirror you can look at to see the room (assuming you can see) and feel less enclosed. The noise, for me, becomes soothing fairly quickly. (And they give you earplugs.) I find the hardest thing to do is not to fall asleep (they need you to be still, they'll worry about this more if you're having your "orbits" done as well.)
I hope it goes well!

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I think it's helpful to know what to expect. How long did you find it took?

Re:

[jenny_evergreen]

I find that I tend to lose my sense of time, but they can take up to an hour, although they will give you breaks (from being still, anyway)...ask to be told when they are. :) Oh, they'll probably give you a shot, too. (One of those "it makes things show up better" things.) This may be done at the start or part of the way through. (Or, potentially, not at all.) And that's everything I can think of. :)

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

I find it incredibly fascinating that they're putting you through all of these tests to work up dizzy fainting spells.... I wish I could find a doctor like that. I've been having dizzy fainting spells for at least 2 years, off and on, and I can't find a single doctor yet willing to do *anything* diagnostically. They all check my thyroid, tell me it's probably low blood pressure, and refuse to do anything further on the grounds that I 'look fine' at the moment.

*sigh*

If you learn anything, let me know? I'm not above self-medicating, and I'm sick of swooning....

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Yikes! Well, the antivertigo medication I'm taking helped me a lot, but I don't know that it'll necessarily help you. Do you have any warning, or any particular time when you're likely to faint? I'm not actually even sure I did faint, honestly, though I did hit the ground. That sounds like a very bad batch of doctors, though.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Hm... no warning, no particular time, no real way to predict. And it's full-on fainting, complete with falling on my backside (unless my sweetie can catch me in time) and unconsciousness.

The doctors are willing to pin it all on my blood pressure - they just happen to think that's enough of an answer, and won't look into *why* it's so low.....

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

That's damn scary. I don't think antivertigo medication is likely to help with that, though - sounds like the wrong sort of thing, not vertigo at all as such. Have you gone for a second opinion? I assume so, since you say doctors, but I'm boggling at the fact that they're so cavalierly waving that off!

Re:

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

I've been to at least three doctors, and they've all said some sort of variation on, 'Well, low blood pressure is probably less dangerous than high, as long as you don't pass out behind the wheel, so you should just be grateful and not look a gift horse in the mouth.'

They're probably right, but I'm cursed with 'satiable curiosity....

Re:

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Hmmm..... how are they so confident you won't pass out behind the wheel, then? Or while crossing the goddamn street?

[catalana.livejournal.com]

MRIs generally take roughly 20-30 minutes, but that's because they have several bursts of activity and periods of nonactivity. You should have someone speaking to you through a speaker to tell you when the next scan will start and how long it will last; likewise, after each scan, they should tell you how long the break is. (Feel free to request this specifically before it starts.)

Warning: MRIs make noise. This is normal. It may sound like someone is drilling on the tube, but it doesn't mean anything is wrong. It's really good to know this in advance. *grin*

If they are doing an MRI of your head, you may only have part of your body in the tube; there are several ways of doing it. (When I had my brain MRI'd, they more or less only put me in from mid-chest up. When mom went for one, they put more of her in - it seems to depend on the place.)

MRIs are boring and sometimes uncomfortable - you have to hold still while they're happening, which means that the instant one starts your nose will start itching. If you're claustrophobic, you may be a little nervous; it should be manageable, though.

Some places are really nice and give you a little headset so you can listen to music while they're doing it - that's a nice thought!

If you have any other, specific questions, feel free to drop me a line or something; I've had 4 or 5 of them now, both of my head and back.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

I appreciate it - I really think knowing what to expect will make it less nervous for me.

[maedbh7.livejournal.com]

Nice shirt :) -H...

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Is that anything like nice boots? *G*

[bardling.livejournal.com]

*bhigghugs* Glad to hear the meds are helping. Wishing you luck with the MRI. *morebhigghugs*

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear. :)

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Well, good luck with it. *big warm hug*

That's a great shirt. :)

A
thinking of you

Re:

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thank you muchly! *hug*