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Original poster

Please come and reassure me that the only reason the consultant has referred me for an MRI is because I have insurance.

41 replies

Carmenere · 14/10/2008 10:33

I had an appointment this morning with ENT man as I have hideous sinusitus on and off for years. I was expecting him to suggest an op but he said I need an MRI to rule out a growth as I have all the symptoms of menieres disease without having menieres disease and that there is a type of growth that mimics the signs of menieres
Dp has said that if he was seriously worried I would be in there today having the MRI and that he has just suggested it because we have insurance (it has been booked for next week).

I am quite worried. Dp is right isn't he?

OP posts:
ForeverOptimistic · 14/10/2008 10:38

I shouldn't imagine that he has referred you just because you have insurance because that would be unfair on those who don't have insurance.

I am sure it is pretty standard to refer you for an MRI though. I am sure it is nothing sinister if you have had it for years that must be a good sign. Good luck and try not to worry.

Sympathies for the sinusitus, I have had it a couple of times and know how hideous it is.

Hassled · 14/10/2008 10:41

I doubt it is to do with the insurance but it is to do with the doctor being thorough. And your DH is right in that if they were worried about something invasive and sinister you'd be in there now having the MRI. Much better that they're checking out all possibilities - good luck next week.

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 10:41

I don't think fairness comes into the world of private medicine tbh Dp says that he gets paid to look at the MRI and that it is an easier diagnostic tool so that is why he has referred me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 11:07

Much as I appreciate Hallsed and FO's replies I was hoping a few more might just pile in and say, 'oh no, of course you don't have a brain tumour Carmenere'?

OP posts:
onlyjoking9329 · 14/10/2008 11:14

what symptoms are you having? MRI will be used to rule things out.
i know a bit about brain tumours

Hassled · 14/10/2008 11:19

What we need is a doctor in the house .

I know my reaction in your shoes would be just like yours, but until next week you just don't know whether mild concern is appropriate, or a "well it's not that, and it's not menieres, so I wonder what it is that's casuing the sinusitis" reaction, or panic, or what. It sounds like your Dr is just doing all the routine precautionary checking and is very on the ball. All you can do is keep as busy as you possibly can so you don't have the time or energy to be dwelling on things that are probably not an issue in any case. And keep in mind that if the MRI does find something that explains the sinusitis then that has to be a good thing in that it will be treatable.

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 11:20

Vertigo, hearing loss, constant pain in the sinuses, tinnitus. He says that my symptomns are not typical chronic sinusitis as I was expecting.
I am fairly sure it will be nothing but, as I am sure you know, it is not what you want to hear on a Wednesday morning.

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ScottishMummy · 14/10/2008 11:20

Look at this link and link

MRI is a safe diagnostic tool (no radiation) giving clear pictures with high definition.used to check things out not indicative of terminal illness

oh you do seem woried.what a shame

onlyjoking9329 · 14/10/2008 11:23

you are bound to worry, but none of thoses things suggest brain tumour to me thou i am not a doctor. do let us know how you get on.

southeastastra · 14/10/2008 11:23

i had a ct scan for my sinus, sure he doesn't just think it's a polyp or something? they have to scan to see where the prob is don't they

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 11:23

I know you are right I just wish he hadn't mentioned it, he could have just said he needed to see inside.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 11:28

Menieres disease was ruled out a few years ago, they just said I had the symptomns but not the disease. He said today that there is a specific type of growth that mimics Menieres.
The logical part of me knows that they just have to rule it out and that it is probably nothing but I am a bit shocked and scared tbh. I just wish he hadn't told me.

OP posts:
tink123 · 14/10/2008 11:32

it could be an acoustic neuroma he is checking for.

tink123 · 14/10/2008 11:35

mind you chances are 1 in 100,000 of having one but it does mimic symptoms of mennieres disease. Even if you have one they are non cancerous and very slow growing which can normally be treated with no problems.

ScottishMummy · 14/10/2008 11:36

naturally your mind works overtime.chances are he wants a good lookey

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 11:40

thanks Tink, actually I have just googled that and it is not too bad really in terms of brain tumours and would explain why he didn't rush me in. I am much relieved (for once googling a medical thing hasn't resulted in total panic).

ScottishMummy please accept my apology for being rude the other night.

OP posts:
sagacious · 14/10/2008 11:42

My dh has just been diagnosed with menieres.

( He has tinnitus which has been greatly helped by serc tablets its virtually gone) plus the nausea/dizzyness when he has a acute attack (initially wrongly diagnosed as food poisoning !!)
He had an MRI and audio tests (all private)

Consultant said after he wasn't expecting to see anything on the MRI (they did actually find a couple of tiny cysts which are completely non threatening) but its a belt and braces thing.

I'm sure you'll be fine (winning encouraging smile)

sagacious · 14/10/2008 11:44

Oh and hearing loss (virtually none in his left ear)

Hes on a low salt diet and has cut out caffiene as well.

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 11:49

Menieres sounds horrible, I am glad I don't have it. At least my attacks of vertigo and tinnitus ect are intermittent.

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sagacious · 14/10/2008 11:55

Initially it was all doom and gloom but he's fine at the moment.
He does a lot of flying (through work) and was worried about air pressure but its not affected him so far.

Hoping it will stay stable as yes the acute stages are horrific (Didn't realise loud noise can affect him so a trip to Silverstone saw us leave in an ambulance)

Have they tested for labyrinthitus? There was a suggestion of this on dh's intial diagnosis.

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 17:32

No it is not labarynthitis. I'm hoping it is just a severe allergy.

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Evenstar · 14/10/2008 18:16

I have one sided hearing loss and last year I was referred privately for an MRI in case it was being caused by an acoustic neuroma. They are very rare as I understand it and benign. Try not to worry, the scan itself really isn't bad and your doctor is just being cautious and ruling things out to be on the safe side.

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 19:10

Did you have the meniers disease symptoms too Evenstar? the tinnitus and vertigo as well as the hearing loss?

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Twiglett · 14/10/2008 19:14

I'm wrong to be jealous aren't I? I'd love to have an MRI for some reason .. must be all the House episodes I watch.

I have to say I agree with DH .. he gets paid to look at the MRI result ... it is an easy test ... and it won't hurt you anyway.

Private health insurance does make healthcare in the UK tiered I'm afraid .. quicker treatment, more tests to rule out, more expensive tests. So it is rather disingenous to say he wouldn't order it for no reason I think

Carmenere don't worry

Original poster
Carmenere · 14/10/2008 19:21

On a brighter note, I am mildly claustrophobic so I will get valium for the MRI.

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