Sedation for MRI?

Petra2024

DH had brain MRIs and is now totally against another. He said he won’t do “the coffin “ …But he may have NPH and neurosurgeon needs MRI of spine. The possibility of him getting back walking ability etc by draining some excess spinal fluid with a brain shunt is all new to me but that hope makes me think it’s worth trying to get the MRI. Being unable to walk is having its own traumatic effect on him. He said the only way he’d do MRI is “they’re going to have to knock me out” — I hadn’t thought of that but I googled and saw sedation or anaesthesia is possible. He moved during brain scans and spine one is apparently really long time-wise. No way he’ll tolerate it if awake. I think he actually had some decline from the trauma of MRI a few weeks ago. I’ll talk to his docs today but wanted to see if anyone here has thoughts. PS he’s 82 with CHF but the heart with pacemaker is doing really well and the docs aren’t saying he’s too old for the surgery…

harshedbuzz

@Petra2024

What about an open MRI? Would that be available to him in your area?

I've taken Xanax ahead of an MRI; I have claustrophobia and anticipated issues. My PCP prescribe me a Xanax to take one hour before. TBH, I didn't feel like it did much for me at the time. I still felt really, really anxious. The techs were understanding. I wasn't fully inside as it was a knee, so I was able to complete the test. DH drove me home at 3pm and I slept straight through until the next morning. Personally, I'd want something stronger than light sedation if you go that route.

HB

Petra2024

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/221389#Comment_221389

Good to hear your experience — I don’t think they have open MRI here (he’s in-patient now. But I don’t think he can stay still on hard surface long enough for good images even in open MRI. I’ll ask about full anaesthesia, but I’ve been reading on these boards about cognitive decline from that too. He’ll have that for a brain shunt if that happens so it’d be two anaesthesias in a short time frame. So hard to weigh all the pros and cons on this one…!

M1

very tough choice. I don't know that they HAVE to have an MRI to do a test spinal tap—that is generally what they do to decide if surgery is worth it. If a large volume spinal tap causes him to improve, then it might be worth pursuing—if not, I wouldn't. I would ask the neurosurgeon about the possibility of doing the spinal tap before deciding about MRI. I would also ask for a best guess about his chances of improving. They are probably not high. With so many other problems, I would tend to be very conservative and not pursue. Comfot, palliation are very appealing?

Quilting brings calm

There are options beteeen Xanax and full anesthesia. Mom gets 5mg of Xanax an hour before her macular degeneration shot. We tried 10mg and she was falling asleep waiting for the doctor. There’s also the stuff you get during a colonoscopy etc. You aren’t really out out, but you surely think you were when you get woken up.

My question would be if he is healthy enough for any treatment if they actually diagnose NPH. You noted that he’s not well enough for surgical treatment of his CHF.

Iris L.

We prescribed chloral hydrate for pediatric patients before procedures years ago, but I see that there are better alternatives for short-term sedation. Discuss with the anesthesiologist.

Iris

Petra2024

Oh sorry I wasn’t clear—didn’t mean to say he wasn’t able to have cardiac surgery—I meant I’ve heard of others being told they were too old for the brain shunt surgery but neurologist said today that’s not the case for DH …. he had successful bypass surgery years ago and the heart is working very well considering — when I finally get to talk to neurosurgeon ( have only seen neurologist and he’s talked to surgeon and so has cardiologist) I’ll ask about the points you’ve all raised. Apparently his symptoms are pretty spot on for NPH but @M1 I’ll ask about if MRI is totally necessary before the spinal tap. I was wondering about that… you’re all so good to give me these pointers