Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
Hi everyone,
Still trying to find doctors to see if there's anyone willing to listen. My girlfriend has came across a neurologist but doesn't have that much faith that this will get to the bottom of her sleeplessness issues. This doctor is actually proactive on everything she's been telling him and he recommended her to get an MRI. Have MRIs been successful at diving further into sleeping issues?
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
A MRI should be able to determine if there is a neurological issue. Not related to sleep, but some years past I was in a lot of pain every nights. Screaming out loud pain, falling down on the floor shrieking pain. I spent about a year making the rounds of specialists who each said that the cause was what they specialized in but that the problem was minor. Finally got into a neurologist and got an MRI. Two weeks later I had a large tumour removed from my spinal cord. If the neurologist is recommending an MRI, I'd get one.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
Okay. It'd be wonderful to find out what's going on so we can get to the bottom of this but we just keep turning circles. I'll keep all of this in mind.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
Brain injuries are sometimes subtle. I'd also go for the MRI to rule out other problems. That's how they found out that my brother had had a stroke at age 42 - something they would never have guessed. He didn't have narcolepsy, he was having TIAs which are mini-strokes.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
MRIs are good for identifying soft tissue anomalies.
Note: I'm an epidemiologist, not a medical provider.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
Had a C.T. scan once, for headaches It was "unremarkable" . But I had piece of mind. I'd go for it.
This was before being diagnosed with O.S.A.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
I'll ditto the other replies. If the neurologist believes an MRI is needed, don't hesitate to get it. For diagnosis of chronic back pain, I had one done last month, and in my case, it requires a second MRI next week to get more definite info. Nevertheless, MRI's are an excellent diagnostic tool to determine what is wrong with the body. For example, my recent one revealed that I have narrowing of my thoracic spinal canal which is causing more pain than the ruptured lumbar disk that was currently being treated. So, repeating myself, an MRI is very useful.
Best to you on this and keep us updated.
Dave
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RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
Thank you everyone for your replies! It definitely wouldn't hurt to rule out anything that could potentially be the culprit behind her lack of sleep. Now to think of it, she does have sharp back pains that will occur every once in a while, too, completely separate of sleep issues. I wonder if an MRI would find anything for that. I'll keep this forum updated when we start getting some more information.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
She should let the doctor know about those back pains, too, as the settings for the MRI depend on what is being examined.
Note: I'm an epidemiologist, not a medical provider.
RE: Purpose of MRI in Ruling Out Sleep Disorders?
Just wanted to add that most people don't get an MRI to rule out issues before a sleep study. Something in your discussion with the doctor must have given him/her cause to ponder.
