I've been told that a CAT SCAN will show more than a MRI! I know of two different people whos MRI didn't show all their injuries, but once they had a CAT SCAN it showed Major Damage! Does anyone know the difference? Also, has anyone experienced something similar or was your rare condition found this way? I have been diagnosed with a slightly herniated disc, and Osteoporosis and live everyday in severe pain. I'm in the most pain in the morning and with activity! After small tasks like grocery shopping, laundry, sitting too long, standing too long, (only 15-20mins.) If I do anything even slightly pushing myself, I've been known to be down for days even weeks! HELP! If anyone can relate or would like to discuss these issues feel free to respond!
Sincerely,
Tracy
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MRI vs. CAT SCAN
- By Scarde
- Posted October 17, 2009 at 2:28 am · 5 replies
- In Finding emotional support
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Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Chronic pain Back pain Physical therapy Kidney cancer Herniated disc Pain Osteoporosis
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- By Ieva
- Posted October 17, 2009 at 9:47 am
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CAT scan registers density, whether as MRI- chemical formula (actually hydrogen protons, however organic chemistry is not rich in elements. So it seems, that MRI is better, however it is (especially the older equipment) inferior to CAT in dealing with peristaltic- first of all that of bowels, but also of blood vessels. MRI also is not the best method to detect cysts, but it is excellent for brain and spinal cord tumors and joint problems not accompanied by bone deformation. For other things it is up to doctor to decide which method. Or maybe both of them.
- By Scarde
- Posted October 19, 2009 at 1:59 am
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Thanks for your response! I have another question for you, I have severe muscle and nerve pain across my buttocks and down my legs. I don't know if an MRI shows muscle damage? I feel like my muscles are so weak across my buttocks and they have muscle spasms constantly! My chiropractor says I have sacroiliac dysfunction, hip flexor/extensor dysfunction, lower lumbar segmental dysfunction etc. My spine specialist just chalked me off with Chronic Pain, but I'm young and want to know what's causing the pain? Maybe there's something, anything that can be done? I want to return to work, but can't in this condition! Please, keep in touch!
- By DavidTipton
- Posted October 20, 2009 at 3:26 am
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Tracy, I have a very rare cancer. Adenoid cystic carcinoma. It is a small cell/ microscopic cancer that travels along the nerve sheath. I have had many MRI's
and CT scans and PET/CT scans. The MRI's have not shown as much as the CT scans. I have found that I only get them now with constrast because without contrast some areas of disease had not shown up. Pet/ct are normaly 95% accurate but since I have a slow matablizing cancer it hasn't been very accurate. I
can tell you for sure though that you need to make sure by researching and by asking questions to the dr ordering the scan and don't be affraid to ask them at what resolution they are ordering the scan at. Make sure they are going down small enough to find your problem. Then when you get future scans make sure you have the do the same exact scan for comparison. Allways ask for contrast if you do not have allergic reactions because it is just a assurance they will see all they need to see. with love, Dave
- By DavidTipton
- Posted October 20, 2009 at 3:59 am
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are you seeing a a pain managment doctor? Do you go to physical therapy? If not I can tell you for years I thought they were all quacks and just an excuse for them not to find my real problem. That was until I was so desperatly in pain that I finally gave in. I found a dr that I truely believe from the start he cared. I trusted him stook to the program and now I hardly have any lower back or assiliac pain. I had bulging at L4 and they said that even thought the scans didn't really confirm it put he assumed I had pressure, or swelling,or rubbing of the nerve. He told me of a procedure called prolotherapy and I did it and now I always let him know that he has given me back so much life. Before I couldn't sit longer that about 20 minutes. I couldn't go to see a movie in a theater because I was so miserable, I couldn't enjoy it at all. I could go on car trips very long. I even gave up trying to sit through church. I went to a sleep study and they said I had restless leg syndrom. I can tell you honestly
today. I hardly ever have any of these problems. I believe it is first of all because I found a dr that I feel truley cared. Next, because I did what I said would never help but make me worse and they just didn't understand asking me to exercise. Well, they were right. I joined a gym and It's the best thing I ever did for myself in my whole life. Yes, for a while it was worse. Now, I know how to listen to my body and not do to much and stop when my body says to stop. For that reason I have a tremendously less pain, I feel better about myself and I have many freinds at the gym. I said I was never the type to go to a gym and now I am a gym rat. Not only do I hardly ever have lower back pain or assiliac problems. I truley out lift with my leg everyone at my gym. Because multiple upper body surgeries and cancer my upper body is not where my lower body is but I am huge and in the near future if I live long enough, the doctors only gave me 2 to 5 years to live, I made it two now, I plan on possing in body building competition. Now how crazy is that??? I honestly believe if you consintrate on diet and exersize, put your faith in God. The same
will happen for you. You can't go wrong. If it make things worse it usually highlight the problem so they can see it and just what it will do for you mentaly is great. Sincerely, Dave
- By dianes123
- Posted October 20, 2009 at 2:02 pm
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God bless you Dave,
Just reading your post tells me your're going to make it way over that 5 year date, with cancer there really is no date you have the best medicine going for you - a great aditude and sound like a big heart to go with it.
Scarde, Dave is 100% right as far as pain management Dr.'s go, but you really must see a neurosurgeon so she/he can see if that bad disc is what is giving you that pain and discomfort, it sound like something is pinching a nerve in your bacj. As far as CT V MRI they both come with and without contrast. I feel like I have had a million of them since 2006 and it all depends on the doctor and what he is looking for I guess? Some times the same doctor will order one type and at another time the other type. I had this a lot of times with my urologist when I had Kidney Cancer. And when I sought out why I still felt like garbage and getting worse after my Orthopedic Surgeon screwed up my back operation and saw a neurosurgeon, now he ordered an MRI with and without contrast and Spect Scan and Xrays of my spine in a standing position bending back and bending forward. So just relax for now, and don't think of the worse and see a neurosurgeon because your system has something to due with your nearves in your back and your young so maybe you caught it just in time.
Best of health to you,
Diane
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