Mri while pregnant? 4 weeks.

[rmummyofone]

So I had an audiology appointment yesterday where they found I have hearing loss in my left ear. I've just turned 23, and also just found out I'm pregnant.
Ive had some symptoms going on over the last 9-12 months, facial numbness (left side) smell hallucinations of smoke from the left nostril, and now this hearing loss. Some headaches now and then too.

My gp wanted to rule out an acoustic neuroma and requested a scan urgently, however the mri team at the hospital have said it's not safe for pregnant women to have a scan unless it's an emergency. I will have to wait until I've had my dating scan done.

I'm so upset. I feel like I'm going to spend the next 12 weeks stressing over this mri instead of trying to enjoy my pregnancy. I feel robbed..

I don't even know what to do now. Im worried if the symptoms get much worse I'll be pushed aside and will just have to get on with it, even more worried if there is something sinister going on it's going to be ignored for the next 12 weeks..

I've not heard of anyone having an MRI while being in early pregnancy either.

MRI are fine for pregnancy, if the was MRI the womb area I would warm you to look on Google images as the baby looks very different than a ultrasound.

I need a further MRI on my back delaying it till end of pregnancy, and midwife said it will be find when pregnant. I told her the surgeon will not operate on myself when pregnant and best to leave it till after, unless I get futher symptoms, when they can operate and see how the pregnancy has effected it. She agreed.

Good luck with it all

@JessieLongleg oh I see

Well the receptionist said Mri is not safe in pregnancy and has radiation? I said no it doesn't, and 2 doctors have insisted it's safe in pregnancy. She said my dr hasn't a clue what he's (she) is talking about. So I asked to speak to her senior, who then passed me on her senior. In the end they decided it would be best to wait and see what the consultant decides to do.
Since I'm 4 weeks I'll be waiting another 2 months for a dating scan, then another 1 month for an actual scan.

Just feel rubbish about it all

[quote rmummyofone]@JessieLongleg oh I see

Well the receptionist said Mri is not safe in pregnancy and has radiation? I said no it doesn't, and 2 doctors have insisted it's safe in pregnancy. She said my dr hasn't a clue what he's (she) is talking about. So I asked to speak to her senior, who then passed me on her senior. In the end they decided it would be best to wait and see what the consultant decides to do.
Since I'm 4 weeks I'll be waiting another 2 months for a dating scan, then another 1 month for an actual scan.

Just feel rubbish about it all[/quote]
The receptionist is a first class idiot.

A CT scan involves radiation and they might want to avoid in pregnancy; an MRI scan doesn't and is normally fine.

I think the issue may be that to diagnose or rule out an acoustic neuroma they'd normally do a contrast MRI rather than just a regular MRI, and it's the injected contrast agent that they normally try to avoid using during pregnancy as it could cross the placenta -- although that's because there isn't enough evidence that it's definitely safe rather than because there's any evidence that it's dangerous. And it's nothing to do with radiation.

If you couldn't have an MRI for some non-pregnancy reason (e.g. embedded shrapnel) then they'd probably have done a CT scan instead, but they'll probably want to avoid that as well because that does involve radiation.

Acoustic neuromas generally grow slowly so I am guessing that they are banking on having time to scan and if necessary treat later. If you get major changes over the next couple of months then it could mean you have a (rarer) rapidly growing acoustic neuroma and that would probably shift the risk assessment in favour of just doing the contrast MRI now.

(Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional)

Just wanted to say that an acoustic neuroma at your age would be vanishingly rare...I wouldnt let the thought of that worry you unnecessarily.

Have you been referred to ENT? Normally Audiology would refer you directly for a scan, or would refer to ENT who would arrange it. I would think there could be something else causing these symptoms rather than an acoustic neuroma.

If it is, a few months wait will make no difference to your treatment as they are so slow growing they don't usually do anything other than monitor yearly and advise a hearing aid to help with the hearing loss.

@rmummyofone

I wouldn't do CT or x-ray, but the counsultant at Maternity that I'm seeing for extra help with back problems said would be ok. I was 15 weeks at that appointment.

You should get you first midwife appointment at 8 weeks as them.

This is what I mean about MRI of babies lol

mobile.twitter.com/zizifothsi/status/1395039903440900101

@Tinkles78
Thank you for your reply, yes I've been referred to ent by audiology and from the gp previously too.
Ent referred me for the mri scan.

If not the neuroma, what else could it be 😬
I'm really worried

@CountessOfSponheim thank you for your response, I didn't know they would need a contract dye for the neuroma. I hope they find nothing at all.

I will try push for it to be done sooner but if they say no, I will just have to wait it out 3 months. Hoping nothing comes up on the scan at all & I can just be at peace 😭

@FeckingOvaries couldn't agree more!

If you’re 4 weeks pregnant then you only need to wait 8 weeks till you’re 12 weeks

@LovelyQuiche yes that's true, but it has to be after the dating scan, and only then I can get booked in for the mri which could be a few weeks wait.
The receptionist said I can't book in advance as the diary isn't open. Idk if that's true or not but she was about to cut the phone off on me as soon as I said I'm pregnant and didn't even want to explain why I can't have the scan ..

@JessieLongleg - 😱 those images are creepy as!

@rmummyofone has ENT examined you yet? Did they give any other possible reasons for your symptoms?

It can be something as simple as a virus that's caused a bit of damage to the nerve in the ear, or nasal polyps or sinus issues can cause you to smell things that aren't there too.

I wouldn't like to speculate too much but I've been an audiologist for 10 years and never come across anyone under 50 with an acoustic neuroma, so I'd say it's less likely to be that than other things. They will always do an MRI for unilateral hearing loss though, that's standard.

I had an mri whilst pregnant (to look at the baby) and it was totally fine.

@Tinkles78

The ent appointment is a long wait away unfortunately I was only triaged today - even that was because my go rang the ent on call who decided it would be best to see me sooner. But I have to wait a few weeks for the appointment to come through. Ent did however tell mri department to get scan done ASAP. Didnt know you have to wait 12 weeks before you can get one. Doesn't help my already anxious self lol

I have had some sinus issues but no idea if I have polyps. The smell is like smoke and only lasts a few seconds maybe even 1 or 2 and disappears. Usually in the left nostril.
I always thought if you have polyps you can't breathe from that side at all.

You're right it's v rare to have an acoustic neuroma at this age, I've just turned 23 but the gp said if anything is found she thinks it could be that. Do you have any suggestions at all what else could cause the facial numbness? Hasn't happened in a few days. When it does happen it lasts about an hour and goes..

@Rrrob

I had an mri whilst pregnant (to look at the baby) and it was totally fine.

Thank you! This put my mind at ease How many weeks were you? If you don't mind me asking x

Did you tell the Dr at ENT that you were pregnant at the triage appt?

I would honestly call the ENT Secretaries & tell them you have been refused the requested MRI scan until 12 weeks & see what they say. In my experience they will check with the Consultant who will clarify what is & isn't safe.

@CoffeeRunner

I actually didn't have a face to face appointment with the ent. They simply said that appointment will be in a few weeks time, but they did say that a scan should be done. Yes my gp told them I'm pregnant & they still requested the scan with radiology who refused to scan prior to 12 weeks. As it's their rule.
Will try get gp to speak to ent doctor and decide what is best but I doubt they will allow for the scan.

Ah OK. I totally understand why they would have a blanket rule for the department as obviously X-rays & CT scans are not recommended in pregnancy. As others have said MRI is a bit different though.

Hopefully the GP can help you reach the right people at the hospital.

@CoffeeRunner thank you xx