Had my first MRI after CK

[chloes mema]

Apparently, things are good!   

Had my first MRI after CK which ended up being 5 months out.  MRI was with out contrast (which I argued for contrast), showed .8mm change in size which the doctor said could be attributed to error in measurement (he didn't seem to think it had to do with swelling; maybe he should read postings on this forum)  .  Doctor seemed very happy, so I'm very happy. 

Doctor asked how my dizziness/balance was.  I said well, I'm not falling down but I am bumping into door jams; he said that's good.    

Doctor also said that the telling MRI will be in six months so need to schedule one for April 2013! 

I do have an appointment next month with the oncologist so that should be interesting to get his take on my dizziness/balance issues.  Not sure why I need to have a 6 month check with him but what else do I have to do?   

Karen

[leapyrtwins]

Doctor seemed very happy, you are very happy, I am very happy too 

Congratulations!

Jan

[MDemisay]

If your Doctor is happy, it is cause for rejoicing! Congratulations, Karen!

Mike

[lrobie]

Congrats, Karen!!   

Lisa

[It is what it is]

It's great to hear you received good news. 

Karen

[Suu]

Hi Karen
Firstly that is great news and I also congratulate your oncologist for following up.  I haven't seen my neuro since he took the blighter out!   

On the bit about it being good to have the dizziness/wonky headedness, I saw my GP today and he's upped the Paxtine he put me on 6 weeks ago to see if it helps.  Prior to this I was taking diazapam and I needed more and more to get the same effect so I weaned off it and went back to my new doctor.
If this dose doesn't work or I find that I'm having side-effects then I'm going to wean off them and see either the ENT or Neurosurgeon.

Are you on any sort of medication?

Hugs to all,
Suu xxoo

[chloes mema]

Hi Suu

No meds, neurotologist doesn't seem prone to writing prescriptions.  Funny, I was at the vets with my new puppy so I asked her if there isn't some meds I can take for the dizziness; she said yes & basically said to talk to the pharmacists about OTC meds.  I just love our vet.

Karen

[ChipsFL]

Dramamine helped, and then things just fixed itself.

[Suu]

Hello again Karen
The Paxtine didn't work for the dizziness but has worked on my anxiety attacks. 
The doc has me on Stemitil which is anti-nausea medication but only for a week so I can enjoy my family coming to stay for a few days' holiday.
He said I could also try motion sickness tablets over the counter that contain antihistamine.

ChipsFL - Can dramamine be taken with glaucoma and is it an over-the-counter medication that you get without a prescriptiion?

Best wishes,
Suu xxoo

[chloes mema]

Hi Suu
Have you tried the OTC pressure bands, they're called Sea Band, they fit like a bracelet with a little "button" that you place at a certain spot on your wrist; they're used for sea sickness and nausea.  I have a pair that I was using after my CK, they did help.  My medicine drawer has all sorts of new things.

Hope all is well with you.
Hugs
Karen      

[Tumbleweed]

Had my first MRI after CK which ended up being 5 months out.  MRI was with out contrast (which I argued for contrast), showed .8mm change in size which the doctor said could be attributed to error in measurement (he didn't seem to think it had to do with swelling; maybe he should read postings on this forum)  ...
Doctor also said that the telling MRI will be in six months so need to schedule one for April 2013! 
Karen

Hi, Karen:

Three points:
1. I agree with you that your MRI should've included a series taken with contrast. That is the industry standard for followup MRIs after CK for an AN.

2. Your doctor is correct that the apparent change in size could be attributed to error in measurement. The inherent error for MRI is 2 mm, due to differing head positions each time you get an MRI series taken and the physical intervals apart from one another at which the images are taken. Your .8mm change easily falls within this range. Every time you have an MRI taken, the images are taken at different "slices" through the brain. If the MRI five months ago included a slice taken just beyond the edge of the tumor (where it didn't exist), the tumor would've appeared to be smaller (i.e., missing up to 2 mm of tumor tissue closer to the previous slice). Then, if one of the slices in the most recent MRI landed just inside the tumor's edge, the tumor would appear to be 2 mm larger. Any one dimension that's within 2 mm of previous measurements is statistically inconclusive. It is very common for a static tumor to appear 1 to 2 mm bigger or smaller along one axis of measurement when comparing two MRI series. If it appears to be larger along two or three axes, however, that would be a cause for concern. From what you've related, that is not the case with your MRI. So, don't worry about the .8mm difference. It's completely inconclusive and insignificant.

3. Your doctor is correct that the 11-month MRI will be more conclusive. That's usually the earliest MRI series in which swelling or shrinkage is likely to show up. It is standard procedure to have a followup MRI six months after the first one.

Relax, you're doing great!

Best wishes,
TW

[chloes mema]

TW

Thanks for the encouraging words; however, there has been a minor set back.  Had a couple of hemifacial spasms so am now on a steroid pack for 6 days, seems to be helping.  Didn't want to take steroids but then having my face not looking like my face was not an option.  Remember that song Your So Vain?   

Better days are coming!   

Karen

[Bonnie B.]

Karen, Sorry to hear about your facial spasms.  The steroids should hopefully help.  Keep me posted.   My first MRI post GK was done with contrast.  I wonder why doctors differ. 

Bonnie

[chloes mema]

Bonnie
Steroids aren't helping, had a spasm yesterday and a bad one tonight. 

Have no idea why doctors differ.  I asked for an MRI with contrast & he said no it wasn't necessary; it cost too much money.  Now I should have asked him why do you care you're NOT paying for it?  Oh, well...

Off to do more on-line research on facial spasms.

Karen

[ChipsFL]

Hello again Karen
The Paxtine didn't work for the dizziness but has worked on my anxiety attacks. 
The doc has me on Stemitil which is anti-nausea medication but only for a week so I can enjoy my family coming to stay for a few days' holiday.
He said I could also try motion sickness tablets over the counter that contain antihistamine.

ChipsFL - Can dramamine be taken with glaucoma and is it an over-the-counter medication that you get without a prescriptiion?

Best wishes,
Suu xxoo

Sorry I missed your question until just now, so you have probably already found the answers but, Yes it's an over the counter but I don't know about glaucoma.