My First MRI

bigscarylesbo · 03-30-2006, 03:49 PM

So since coming off Paxil, my biggest withdrawn problem has been vertigo. Not just a little dizzy, but like can't even tie my own shoes dizzy. I've been to countless doctors who give me the whole run around about crystals in my inner ear blah blah blah. You need physical therapy blah blah blah. You'll just have to live with it blah blah blah. Then finally, much to absolute surprise, I stumbled onto a doctor who actually listened. He agreed that with a medication like paxil, no one truly knows what effects or repercussions it can have. And instead of blowing me off as just another head case, he's actually taking the time to run test to make sure that there's nothing really wrong going on upstairs.
So Next friday I'm scheduled for my first MRI. I'm very nervous, panic attacks and bouts of insomnia all over the place. The fear of "what if" is all consuming. It's like I'm relived and scared sh*tless all in one breath. I just can't believe it's gotten to this point.
I'm almost certain in my tummy that everything is going to come back normal, but am I taking this too far? Am I going overboard?

sherijo · 03-30-2006, 03:53 PM

Hey!
Maybe you should change your way of thinking to....

This doctor is listening to me.. and if there is something.. he can fix it!

as opposed to, what if there is something worng..

the way i see it, you are being TREATED!! that is half the battle.. a doc who listens? AWESOME!

sheri

Light · 03-30-2006, 03:56 PM

I've had a brain MRI and a CT scan and both times I was pretty freaked out. They came back completely clean. There have been lots of people at pp who have had detailed medical workups including brain imaging and I've never know of any serious positive findings. Since I am guessing the dizziness coincided with use or discontinuing paxil and since dizziness is a major symptom I think the odds are quite high that you'll be just fine. Having said this it's completely normal for you to freak out (I did), especially since your brain chemistry is in such flux. Look forward to the peace of mind that you'll have when your results come back.

And ditto to what Sheri said....

skidder · 03-30-2006, 05:19 PM

I see you took paxil for 11 years, this is some time.Your body and mind will also take some time to recover.I had an mri due to dizziness and tinnitus etc from this drug, came out clear.I'd put money on yours will too.Try not to worry about this.I cant promise it will go away but from others experiences time will help.Just keep cracking on with getting off this stuff and try and recover.
Best of luck,

Chris

scotty · 03-30-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder

Just keep cracking on with getting off this stuff and try and recover.

I LOVE these british phrases!!! Big... chances are it's withdrawal, but the MRI will give you the peace of mind that you need.

damama · 03-30-2006, 06:53 PM

Hey big,

Good luck with the MRI. I get daily bouts of dizziness also (off-balance). Personally, I've heard of the crystals in the inner ear and I found that info to be very comforting. Basically it reminds me that being dizzy is a "no big deal" problem. It might be uncomfortable and inconvenient at times, but its definitely not something to worry over. I know you said "I just can't believe its gotten to this point", however, remember that it hasn't come to anything.......and probably won't. You haven't been handed a diagnosis of a fatal or crippling disease, so be mindful of how you label "things". You're simply going in for a test to investigate further any possible causes for the symptom you're complaining of. Hang in there!

cinderella · 03-30-2006, 10:28 PM

Just a warning here, the mri machine (here in nz anyway) is very claustraphobic, the first one I had I was in it for 45 minutes and it was hell, the 2nd time I had one I asked for a sedative and it was a breeze, felt like 5 minutes. I warned my mum as she was having one and she ignored my advice and regretted it. BTW I dont suffer from claustraphobia normally so was surpised by it. ( I wasnt on paxil then either)

Suze · 03-31-2006, 07:51 AM

Hey scarey, I think that sometimes the fear of the unknown is the worst kind of fear. I'm glad you are getting some more information, and no doubt this will put to rest your fears. I've had 2 MRIs and agree with Cinderella that they can be *quite* a claustrophic situation. What helped me was to keep my eyes tightly shut at all times so I couldn't see the fact that I was tightly enclosed. Good luck hon, and let us know how you make out.

punky · 03-31-2006, 08:12 AM

It's not so unusual to have to get an MRI during or after paxil withdrawl. I had mine to rule out multiple sclerosis which was actually before my most recent withdrawl attempt...this one.

It's better to be safe than sorry and just have it checked out.

03-30-2006, 03:49 PM	#1
bigscarylesbo Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 20	My First MRI So since coming off Paxil, my biggest withdrawn problem has been vertigo. Not just a little dizzy, but like can't even tie my own shoes dizzy. I've been to countless doctors who give me the whole run around about crystals in my inner ear blah blah blah. You need physical therapy blah blah blah. You'll just have to live with it blah blah blah. Then finally, much to absolute surprise, I stumbled onto a doctor who actually listened. He agreed that with a medication like paxil, no one truly knows what effects or repercussions it can have. And instead of blowing me off as just another head case, he's actually taking the time to run test to make sure that there's nothing really wrong going on upstairs. So Next friday I'm scheduled for my first MRI. I'm very nervous, panic attacks and bouts of insomnia all over the place. The fear of "what if" is all consuming. It's like I'm relived and scared sh*tless all in one breath. I just can't believe it's gotten to this point. I'm almost certain in my tummy that everything is going to come back normal, but am I taking this too far? Am I going overboard? __________________ Started Paxil in 1994 at the age of 14. Took religiously for 11 years. Highest dose 60mg. Clean since May of 2005. Still messed up, thank you very much Mr.GlaxoSmithKline.

03-30-2006, 03:53 PM	#2
sherijo Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago, illinois Posts: 1,358	Re: My First MRI Hey! Maybe you should change your way of thinking to.... This doctor is listening to me.. and if there is something.. he can fix it! as opposed to, what if there is something worng.. the way i see it, you are being TREATED!! that is half the battle.. a doc who listens? AWESOME! sheri

03-30-2006, 03:56 PM	#3
Light Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,271	Re: My First MRI I've had a brain MRI and a CT scan and both times I was pretty freaked out. They came back completely clean. There have been lots of people at pp who have had detailed medical workups including brain imaging and I've never know of any serious positive findings. Since I am guessing the dizziness coincided with use or discontinuing paxil and since dizziness is a major symptom I think the odds are quite high that you'll be just fine. Having said this it's completely normal for you to freak out (I did), especially since your brain chemistry is in such flux. Look forward to the peace of mind that you'll have when your results come back. And ditto to what Sheri said.... __________________ Drug-free since 4/9/05 If you ever teach a yodeling class, probably the hardest thing is to keep the students from just trying to yodel right off the bat. You see, "we build to that. " — Jack Handey

03-30-2006, 05:19 PM	#4
skidder Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: uk Posts: 362	Re: My First MRI I see you took paxil for 11 years, this is some time.Your body and mind will also take some time to recover.I had an mri due to dizziness and tinnitus etc from this drug, came out clear.I'd put money on yours will too.Try not to worry about this.I cant promise it will go away but from others experiences time will help.Just keep cracking on with getting off this stuff and try and recover. Best of luck, Chris __________________ Seroxat free as of November 10th 2005(again!!) This time I will do it. Feeling down,want a laugh, read this... http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ad.php?t=11936

03-30-2006, 06:53 PM	#6
damama Join Date: May 2005 Location: California Posts: 464	Re: My First MRI Hey big, Good luck with the MRI. I get daily bouts of dizziness also (off-balance). Personally, I've heard of the crystals in the inner ear and I found that info to be very comforting. Basically it reminds me that being dizzy is a "no big deal" problem. It might be uncomfortable and inconvenient at times, but its definitely not something to worry over. I know you said "I just can't believe its gotten to this point", however, remember that it hasn't come to anything.......and probably won't. You haven't been handed a diagnosis of a fatal or crippling disease, so be mindful of how you label "things". You're simply going in for a test to investigate further any possible causes for the symptom you're complaining of. Hang in there! __________________ -12/30/05 switched from 10mg generic paxil to 10mg generic celexa

03-30-2006, 10:28 PM	#7
cinderella Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 804	Re: My First MRI Just a warning here, the mri machine (here in nz anyway) is very claustraphobic, the first one I had I was in it for 45 minutes and it was hell, the 2nd time I had one I asked for a sedative and it was a breeze, felt like 5 minutes. I warned my mum as she was having one and she ignored my advice and regretted it. BTW I dont suffer from claustraphobia normally so was surpised by it. ( I wasnt on paxil then either) __________________ Panic/anxiety started Dec 03 Tried a few meds before starting Paxil Oct 04 (worked way up to 20mg) july 05 15mg aug 05 10 sept 05 5mg paxil free since oct 05 Lost 3kg in 5 months (72kg to 69kg) still waiting for the other 11kgs to go Still suffer morning anxiety, jittery during the day Paxil did help my anxiety/panic when nothing else did. March 06 Reflux, burning, more anxiety worsen. Put back another 1kg : ( (70kg) March 20 noticing hairloss scalp more visable March 23 (68kg)

03-31-2006, 07:51 AM	#8
Suze Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,531	Re: My First MRI Hey scarey, I think that sometimes the fear of the unknown is the worst kind of fear. I'm glad you are getting some more information, and no doubt this will put to rest your fears. I've had 2 MRIs and agree with Cinderella that they can be quite a claustrophic situation. What helped me was to keep my eyes tightly shut at all times so I couldn't see the fact that I was tightly enclosed. Good luck hon, and let us know how you make out.

03-31-2006, 08:12 AM	#9
punky Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 834	Re: My First MRI It's not so unusual to have to get an MRI during or after paxil withdrawl. I had mine to rule out multiple sclerosis which was actually before my most recent withdrawl attempt...this one. It's better to be safe than sorry and just have it checked out. __________________ 7/00-1/1/06 Paxil 20-40mg 1/2-2/18 Paxil CR 25mg 2/19-5/3 Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/4-5/9 Paxil CR 25mg 5/10-5/15 Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/16-6/10 Paxil CR 10mg 6/11-7/13 Paxil CR 6.25mg 7/13-7/31 Paxil CR 3mg 8/1-9/5 Paxil CR 6.25mg 9/6 to 9/11 Paxil 10mg/5ml Suspension 5mg (2.5ml) 9/12 to present Paxil 10mg/5ml Suspension 7mg (3.5ml)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)