To go ahead with a brain mri? Anyone ever regret getting one?

[Jadeyyy]

Long story short, I casually said in conversation after an ENT appointment that went fine, that I sometimes could hear a pulse in my ear, the consultant then said that I’ve triggered the protocol for a full mri but it was agreeed to wait 6 months until I’d given birth, anyway nearly a year has passed! The mri is Sunday, I also get very occasional migraine aura.
the pulse tinnitus has decreased to almost nothing really I have to listen so hard to find it now.
I’m now worried in case they find something like an aneurysm i’d rather not know as be more worried! got major health anxiety! Sorry long post I just don’t know whether to cancel this mri now or to just man up and get on with it 😣

If your consultant thinks you need it, you should have it. I would have thought there are all sorts of things that it could be, some of which might be benign and some eminently treatable and of course they may find nothing untoward at all. It is your health anxiety jumping to the " it might be something life threatening that can't be treated "

Man up and get on with it.

I had one earlier this year. Like you it was due to one sided tinnitus. I was terrified they would discover something nasty however I preferred to have it done rather than continue to worry (even though my GP had said tinnitus rarely has a 'sinister' cause).

I found the scan quite difficult, it's very noisy even with earplugs. It took about 30 minutes I think. I had the results in a few days and thankfully all was normal

The tinnitus is still there, sometimes barely noticeable, sometimes moreso but it doesn't trouble me greatly.

If I were you, I would get it done and put your mind at rest.

Well it's a bit late now to cancel it!

I can't understand how your health anxiety would be less if you didn't have it.

I was also sent for a hearing test and was told my hearing was 'pretty good', just with slight loss in the affected ear at the very high ranges (which is probably the reason for the tinnitus) and to be expected at my age (mid 50s)!

It is a simple, painless atraumatic procedure. It is not in the least bit difficult! Just lie there!

I would get it done if I were you. I have had several.

Just go!
Lounge yourself up with something to look forward to afterwards, a nice carrot for you to get through... Grit your teeth and take the help!

Thank you everyone, yes I will go for the scan then as exactly I will probably still worry if I don’t! Thank you all

If the consultant recommended it then you should go
Concentrate on your breathing and perhaps your favourite music
Plan a treat for when it's over.. even drink and cake in the hospital cafe
The thought of it is worse than the actual event ( I've had a few over the years)

I had a brain MRI for a long standing headache.
It was really relaxing, nearly fell asleep. Got the all clear.

I’ve had so many scans for my long term illness, they feel as normal to me as a blood test.
You will be fine, go.
They will most likely find nothing, and if they do find something they can likely give you treatment to make it better again. It can’t get better if you don’t know what’s wrong.

My Dad died from an aneurysm, if it had been found it could have been clipped and his life saved as very healthy otherwise. As there have been a few in his family I have had the scan and am waiting for result, meanwhile I am trying to be as healthy as possible to prevent a burst if I have one. Personally I would sooner know as I could also be worrying about nothing. Good luck op

I’m so sorry.

How do you know to look for one?

Have the scan and IF you have anything then you can get treatment
If you havent got anything - Great
But surely its best to know either way

I do not understand why you would rather not know.
I dont get the logic

I had an MRI a few years ago, which was a bit freaky, but OK and interesting as well.
The memorable part of it was having to remove all my piercings and jewellery and pile them into a small steel kidney bowl, held by a nurse.
It took ages, and what with the many small clinks, and the patient look on the nurses' face, (plus nerves) I got a fit of the giggles.

Just think how great you will feel to have the scan and have it ruled out.

And if it is an aneurysm surely you'd prefer to have it dealt with now properly than for it to rupture and for you to run the risk of drooping down dead whilst you are looking after your baby? Sorry if that sounds rather dramatic but if it is an aneurysm that is a possibility. And if it's not, if only for your child's sake you do have to face health concerns head on. And I say that as someone who has also been anxious about my health.

@Mumsgirls sorry about your Dad. My DB died of an aneurysm and it seems to run in the family so I have had a scan.

It didn't really help as the results were a bit fuzzy but I may or may not have a 2mm aneurysm in my brain. If I do, it's really dangerous to fix so they would only do it if it gets much worse, I'm being scanned again in about 6 months.

Hope your results are good!

Thank you, yes I know i tend to always look at worst case scenario, but you are quite right

Oh and OP just do it! I almost dropped off during mine, it was noisy but oddly soothing.

Hope it all goes well for you.

I’m so sorry about your Dad,
thank you and I hope your results are good, good luck too

I've had 2 brain MRIs.
They are noisy and do take a while.
But actually I found the noises quite funny as they are very bizarre.
Both times I've had them, the staff have been wonderful - really kind and explained the process to me.

Well at the moment you have Shrodinger's tinnitus. If there is an issue, the scan won't affect the cause. You will just get to find out the reason. Refusing to observe it won't stop it existing and may mean that it gets worse.

Oh and I love an MRI! The weird metallic, rhythmic noises always made me very relaxed.

To give a different perspective- I'm jealous of you.

I had this symptom years ago and inexplicably was only given an MRI of my ear canal. They were looking for a benign tumour. It wasn't there.

If they had done the whole brain they would have seen lesions there and I would have started on MS treatment sooner.

So to be blunt - have the fucking MRI and thank your lucky stars.