MRI Coming Up -- Any Advice?

[Guest guest]

Hi friends, Evoni's MRI is coming up on Feb 11 and I'm scared out of

my head. Anybody have experience or advice on type of anesthesia or

the procedure or anything. Evoni is 2 with significant dev and cog

delays.

I'm terrified. She has been through so much. Any word on how to best

go about this would be so appreciated. Thanks. Best

[Guest guest]

-

I have no experience with this-- and unfortunately, no advice. I will be

praying for your little sweetheart though!

let us know how it goes

bek

In a message dated 1/17/2009 10:05:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

mgal33@... writes:

Hi friends, Evoni's MRI is coming up on Feb 11 and I'm scared out of

my head. Anybody have experience or advice on type of anesthesia or

the procedure or anything. Evoni is 2 with significant dev and cog

delays.

I'm terrified. She has been through so much. Any word on how to best

go about this would be so appreciated. Thanks. Best

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[Guest guest]

Are all of you getting MRI's to see about the apraxia, or are they all

different issues??? Jen

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[Guest guest]

Jen-

In this particular case-- she's getting an MRI due to a serious regression

that the child had from taking a product that was supposedly helpful to

Apraxic kids-- but turned out to be very damaging for her.

There are no results of differences in the Apraxic child's brain-- so there

should be no necessity for the MRI UNLESS there's something else going on as

well

hope this helps

bek

In a message dated 1/18/2009 1:09:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

jennyjudy@... writes:

Are all of you getting MRI's to see about the apraxia, or are they all

different issues??? Jen

**************Inauguration '09: Get complete coverage from the nation's

capital.(http://www.aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000027)

[Guest guest]

I have been told to ensure that the child gets plenty of B vitamins to

counteract the potential effects of anasthesia. You can buy good complex B

vitamins and then you can get a good sublingual B12 that will absorb and help to

protect the childs methylation system which is often so compromised in our kids.

I know that there have been previous posts on this board that recommend certain

'types' of anathesia for our kids but I have no idea what it is called so that

you can talk to your doctor. You might want to try doing a search but you could

be spending days on end looking for the right posts. might be able to help

you here because she is the Queen of locating specific posts in the files! She

seems to have that magic touch....

With any child who has problems with constipation or diarrhea, I would be

particularly cautious because this indicates a compromised immune system.

THAT SAID...... My son had an MRI when he was 6 before I knew about any of this

and he was a chronic diarrhea guy and he did just fine with the regular

anasthesia in the hospital.

Good luck and we will all be thinking about precious Evoni,

Janice

Mother of Mark, 14

Re: [ ] MRI Coming Up -- Any Advice?

-

I have no experience with this-- and unfortunately, no advice. I will be

praying for your little sweetheart though!

let us know how it goes

bek

In a message dated 1/17/2009 10:05:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

mgal33@... writes:

Hi friends, Evoni's MRI is coming up on Feb 11 and I'm scared out of

my head. Anybody have experience or advice on type of anesthesia or

the procedure or anything. Evoni is 2 with significant dev and cog

delays.

I'm terrified. She has been through so much. Any word on how to best

go about this would be so appreciated. Thanks. Best

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy

steps!

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[Guest guest]

Yes, I have advice. Don't do an MRI where your child is put to sleep. I was

told by both a neurologist and a speech pathologist that an awake MRI is the

only kind that will give you any information about your child's apraxia. If the

MRI is for something else, then perhaps anesthesia is in order. Ask questions

before the date and get informed consent. Call the office right away. If you put

the brain to sleep, how could you possibly learn about how it " functions " or how

it is " functioning " in your child. Get a functional MRI---spare yor child two

MRI's and get the right one first go around.

, LPN " A true measure of love is how much truth you are told. " ...A Girl

Named SUESS I had meaning; it is when I was 3 months old..

http://agirlnamedsuess.tripod.com

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-37775-0

“Standing for justice…changing labels associated with Down Syndrome.”Our doormat

reads: B les Sour Ho me.

_________________________________________________________________

Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.

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[Guest guest]

Hi, ! I'm not sure it will be done the same way, but my youngest

baby had an MRI when he was about a month old (he's 6 months now).

They gave him an oral 'anesthesia' to make him sleep, and he slept

through the whole thing (and for a couple of hours afterward).

Are you familiar with MRIs? If not, I'm sure you can find better info

online, but it's basically a big machine with a 'tunnel'-type hole in

it, and the person getting the MRI lays on a bed/table, and the

bed/table goes into the 'tunnel,' but not all the way; usually their

hips and legs are not in the tunnel. Although I'm thinking of adults

here; a child might be mostly inside so their head is in the right

place. The machine will do the MRI; it usually takes a while. But

it's basically like a loud x-ray, it just takes a different kind of

picture.

The only complaints people have about MRIs are 1)it's loud, and 2)if

they're claustrophobic. But your dear one will be asleep the whole

time, so she shouldn't have any bad memories at all! They will amost

definitely have her asleep, because you must be absolutely still during

the MRI or the 'pictures' won't come out right.

They didn't let us go into the room or observation area (which is

generally just for the medical professionals controlling the machine);

that was the worst part for us! It took about 45 minutes from the time

they went downstairs (we were in the hospital at the time) to the time

he was out of the room all finished.

Then getting the results is another story, depending on how they do it

there. We had to wait a day, I think, for a radiologist to read the

MRI, but it was a week before a *pediatric* radiologist was available

to read it (he was out of town).

They will probably explain some of this to you, but you know hoe

they're always in a hurry, so you'll likely still have some questions --

ask them! Tell them you'd like to know exactly what to expect, what

your daughter should expect, when you'll have the results...in fact, I

would call the office where it will be done, and tell them you'd like

to speak with someone who can give you that info now so you won't have

to keep wondering. They might do an IV instead of an oral medication

to make her sleep; that would be a good thing to know now so you can

help prepare your daughter. I would ask if they CAN do an oral one

istead of an IV; many times they just do what they're used to doing but

sometimes they can make a change like this if you ask. If it will be

done at a hospital, ask if they have a Child Life Specialist who can

meet with you and your daughter before the procedure (preferably a few

days before, probably).

I hope this has helped some! It really should be an easy thing, I bet

your baby will only remember taking the medicine (or getting the IV)

and after that, she'll probably wake up safe and sound at home. For

her it will just be taking a nap!

>

> Hi friends, Evoni's MRI is coming up on Feb 11 and I'm scared out of

> my head. Anybody have experience or advice on type of anesthesia or

> the procedure or anything. Evoni is 2 with significant dev and cog

> delays.

>

> I'm terrified. She has been through so much. Any word on how to best

> go about this would be so appreciated. Thanks. Best

>

[Guest guest]

My son's MRI didn't show anything abnormal but he was sedated. I

don't think a 3yo could lay still for a 45 minute MRI. You can hear

the magnets knocking around and I would think that would be

frightening to a toddler.

>

>

> Yes, I have advice. Don't do an MRI where your child is put to

sleep. I was told by both a neurologist and a speech pathologist

that an awake MRI is the only kind that will give you any information

about your child's apraxia. If the MRI is for something else, then

perhaps anesthesia is in order. Ask questions before the date and get

informed consent. Call the office right away. If you put the brain to

sleep, how could you possibly learn about how it " functions " or how

it is " functioning " in your child. Get a functional MRI---spare yor

child two MRI's and get the right one first go around.

> , LPN " A true measure of love is how much truth you are

told. " ...A Girl Named SUESS I had meaning; it is when I was 3 months

old.. http://agirlnamedsuess.tripod.com

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-37775-

0 " Standing for justice…changing labels associated with Down

Syndrome. " Our doormat reads: B les Sour Ho me.

> _________________________________________________________________

> Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.

> http://windowslive.com/explore?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is the FIRST time I've ever heard of there being " Brain damage " on the

Apraxic child's brain!!!!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong-- but the child Apraxic has no BRAIN damage,

but rather the immaturity of the brain's function.

Sorry-- I don't mean to " argue " this point-- but I've been here a while and

this is CONTRARY to what everyone has said,

Apraxia in itself-- if not mistaken-- is NOT brain damage (unless it's

caused by something ELSE that is co-morbid)

Bek

In a message dated 1/18/2009 4:34:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

agirlnamedsuess@... writes:

What was the product? Please do tell.

And BTW, there " is " a difference in an apraxic child's brain and a

child's brain without apraxia. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult

to see. The difference is in the Broca's area 44 and area 45 and

sometimes in area 41. Functional MRI's wll show the brain damage;

whereas,an asleep MRI won't show a thing. (they are a total waste of

time.)

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[Guest guest]

A sedat MRI " won't " show anything or Apraxia.

> >

> >

> > Yes, I have advice. Don't do an MRI where your child is put to

> sleep. I was told by both a neurologist and a speech pathologist

> that an awake MRI is the only kind that will give you any

information

> about your child's apraxia. If the MRI is for something else, then

> perhaps anesthesia is in order. Ask questions before the date and

get

> informed consent. Call the office right away. If you put the brain

to

> sleep, how could you possibly learn about how it " functions " or how

> it is " functioning " in your child. Get a functional MRI---spare yor

> child two MRI's and get the right one first go around.

> > , LPN " A true measure of love is how much truth you are

> told. " ...A Girl Named SUESS I had meaning; it is when I was 3

months

> old.. http://agirlnamedsuess.tripod.com

> http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-37775-

> 0 " Standing for justice…changing labels associated with Down

> Syndrome. " Our doormat reads: B les Sour Ho me.

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.

> > http://windowslive.com/explore?

> ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

What was the product? Please do tell.

And BTW, there " is " a difference in an apraxic child's brain and a

child's brain without apraxia. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult

to see. The difference is in the Broca's area 44 and area 45 and

sometimes in area 41. Functional MRI's wll show the brain damage;

whereas,an asleep MRI won't show a thing. (they are a total waste of

time.)

>

> Jen-

>

> In this particular case-- she's getting an MRI due to a serious

regression

> that the child had from taking a product that was supposedly

helpful to

> Apraxic kids-- but turned out to be very damaging for her.

>

> There are no results of differences in the Apraxic child's brain--

so there

> should be no necessity for the MRI UNLESS there's something else

going on as

> well

>

> hope this helps

>

> bek

>

>

> In a message dated 1/18/2009 1:09:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> jennyjudy@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> Are all of you getting MRI's to see about the apraxia, or are they

all

> different issues??? Jen

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Inauguration '09: Get complete coverage from the

nation's

> capital.(http://www.aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000027)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Children have to be older in order to do whats called a functional

MRI...a 3 year old cannot do a functional MRI because you have to be

absolutely still and follow verbal commands. Young children do have

to be sedated in some form in order to do a traditional MRI. Usually,

when MRIs are ordered, it is to rule out any possible other issue that

may be going on in the brain....i.e. brain damage, scarring, tumors,

metabolic disease etc that may be causing cerebral palsy, epilepsy and

so forth. Most of the time, all of the above is ruled out, but

occasionally something may be found in the brain that is causing

issues in the child.

Lori

>

>

> Yes, I have advice. Don't do an MRI where your child is put to

sleep. I was told by both a neurologist and a speech pathologist that

an awake MRI is the only kind that will give you any information about

your child's apraxia. If the MRI is for something else, then perhaps

anesthesia is in order. Ask questions before the date and get informed

consent. Call the office right away. If you put the brain to sleep,

how could you possibly learn about how it " functions " or how it is

" functioning " in your child. Get a functional MRI---spare yor child

two MRI's and get the right one first go around.

> , LPN " A true measure of love is how much truth you are

told. " ...A Girl Named SUESS I had meaning; it is when I was 3 months

old.. http://agirlnamedsuess.tripod.com

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-37775-0

" Standing for justice…changing labels associated with Down

Syndrome. " Our doormat reads: B les Sour Ho me.

> _________________________________________________________________

> Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.

> http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been praying for you and little Evoni and will continue

to do so that the reason for the seizures/regression is nothing serious.

MRIs have come up once in awhile -I found some archives from years

ago that were from two different developmental pediatricians and some

articles on MRIs for children that are only 2 years old like Evoni or

younger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~some online articles what to expect

What to expect if your child needs an MRI.

http://www.allcountymri.com/files/INTHEDARKLETTER.pdf

Your child is having an MRI scan - 3rd edition

http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/mri_scan/mri_scan_fami\

lies.html

~~~~~~~~~~~some online blogs about MRIs in children

" My son is 16 months old and has been having febrile siezures . The

last time he had 2 within an hour which from what I have read makes

his complex febrile siezures instead of simple. He is supposed to have

an mri in the morning to see if there is anything else going on. They

are going to be giving him chlorohydrate to make him sleep. Has anyone

had any experience with an mri at such a young age or do you have

anyinformation on the chlorohydrate? I have been having a hard time

finding information.

Thank you

I'm sorry your little guy is having to go through this, but I hope the

MRI gives you some answers. One of my girls has had numerous MRIs over

the years (spine and head), but it's always been with an IV cocktail

of meds. Very young children *must* be sedated fairly deeply, because

it's critical that they not move at all during the scan. Have you had

a chance to talk with the anesthetist yet? Will s/he be calling you

tonight to answer your questions? If not, you could give a call to the

referring doctor and try to track down the anesthetist through him or

her; it can help a lot to have a real person talk you through the

procedure.

You might want to do a google search for " chloral hydrate " + MRI or

something similar. I just tried it, and got quite a few hits.

I hope this helps, and again, I hope you get some answers. I think the

worst thing is not knowing what's going on.

Take care,

Joni and kids, incl. , 7, T21 and autism, and a, 9,

funky spinal cord "

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-493244.html

Saw your concern re: the MRI.....

Our experience when ds was young (meaning 9 mos) he was given a liquid

sedation to swallow & it works VERY FAST!!!! The iv was already in

place most times b/c we were hospitalized. SOrry, can't remember

if/when it was placed when we weren't & it's been a few years since

his last one. Oh, it's coming back.....they did the IV before

sedation.... sorry. But he was older then - like 5 so it probably

depends. I'm sure someone with more recent experience could give you a

better idea.

I was allowed to sit in the room with him while the MRI was done....as

loud as it was it was comforting to not have to leave him all alone in

there with that big machine. I've been with him every time except the

last & I hovered outside the door until it was done, thankfully a good

friend was a nurse at the time & visited with me part of the time.

Sending hugs your way.....

-------------------------

Suzanne - mom to Rhys: 7 yrs, sz since 9 mos, Keppra & Lamictal and

Chase: 9 yrs & future dirtbike star

https://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/efforums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=2 & thread\

id=56131 & enterthread=y & STARTPAGE=2

My son has had two MRIs - the first time I was in the room with him

wearing headphones; the second time he had a General Anaesthetic so I

wasn't with him. I tried to find out as much as possible before we

went so B was well prepared. I can't remember where it was now, but I

found a website with recordings of the different sounds which was

quite useful - I think it was a firm that did MRIs privately. As well

as letting B hear the sounds we also played them to his sister so she

knew more about it - she often feels left out if she doesn't know

what's going on!

Jane.

~~~~~

And because I read the above blog -searched for where you can hear the

sounds of an MRI machine here

http://www.lodestone.co.uk/faqscansounds.htm and here

http://www.cdirad.com/tabid/63/Default.aspx Probably more for you than

Evoni since she'll probably sleep through it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~and from the archives -even though not all about MRIs

perhaps some in here that you can pull from to help.

Re: EEG not a success!!!

Eileen:

No one ever said doing an eeg on a kid is easy - that is why I

prefer doing a 24 hour video or ambulatory eeg, where the child is

in a nonthreatening environment, and they sleep a natural sleep

through the night.

On top of that, there is little that can be gained from the

traditional one hour eeg - what if your kid has a seizure AFTER they

take off the electrodes...

Especially when it comes to apraxic kids, one of the top specialists

in the neurology of language (Isabel Rapin) strongly advocates for a

24 hour eeg, and at least a 4 hour eeg, to thoroughly rule out

abnormalities.

Larry Laveman, MD

Consultant, CHERAB Fdn.

Re: EEG not a success!!!

Eileen:

Should you do the EEG ? Yes, if you can do it the way I described -

a 24 hour ambulatory or video EEG. Find, if you can, a children's

hospital who is kid friendly for this service. The MRI only shows

if there is anything different about the brain anatomy -

particularly if the tissue is immature or abnormal. The EEG shows

function of the brain, and can see if one area is producing abnormal

electrical activity, particularly the temporal areas which are

asssociated with language. They each serve their purpose, and

don't overlap.

Larry Laveman, MD

Consultant, CHERAB Fdn.

Re: A question for the doctors

Hi !

I archived EEG and MRI question and as you can see both were answered

by developmental pediatricians Dr. Agin and Dr. Laveman. I'm sure

that if any of the medical doctors have more to add they will!

(Pssst: If you don't know how to search the archives-just go to

and put

different " key words " into the box that says " search archives " . If

you don't have a " " account-it's free to get one.)

Best,

[Guest guest]

That is correct, children have to be still in an MRI, which is ofton

why they are sedated.

We wanted an FMRI to determine exactly the extent of the " brain

damage " (which is what Apraxia is caused from....damage to the neural

pathway, usually in the Broca's area, but sometimes affects other

areas adjacent as well, which can affect auditory proceesing if in

area 41 of the brain).

Most " doctors " request MRI's to rule out other damage. However,

seizures can be ruled out with a less traumatic procedure called

a " sleep-deprived EEG " . You just wake your child up around 2:30 am or

3:00am and keep him awake until around 10 am. Usually, the child

falls asleep within 2 minutes of the test beginning, after they get a

cap and electrodes on. It is painless, no loud bothersome noises

(small humming from the EEG device), and rather quick. Usually,

seizures is the only other cause for the damage in the brain that may

cause Apraxia.Lack of oxygen at or right after birth is another.

Traumatic head injuiry is a third.

There are some genetic basis' for dyspraxia, which is more global,

but with dyspraxia and no other cause, the verbal apraxia is

generally not as severe. Research trials and genetic studies are

being performed now in the UK to determine genetic basis and heredity

for the dyspraxia. But plain ol' severe verbal apraxia with no global

dyspraxic condition has an origin (stated above).

Back to the subject of MRI's though, if your goal is to learn about

the apraxic condition itself, you must do an awake (nonsedated) MRI.

Most lab's won't do an FMRI on a child less than 10 years-old.

-- In , " seeramona "

<lorirosen@...> wrote:

>

> Hi,

> Children have to be older in order to do whats called a functional

> MRI...a 3 year old cannot do a functional MRI because you have to be

> absolutely still and follow verbal commands. Young children do have

> to be sedated in some form in order to do a traditional MRI.

Usually,

> when MRIs are ordered, it is to rule out any possible other issue

that

> may be going on in the brain....i.e. brain damage, scarring, tumors,

> metabolic disease etc that may be causing cerebral palsy, epilepsy

and

> so forth. Most of the time, all of the above is ruled out, but

> occasionally something may be found in the brain that is causing

> issues in the child.

> Lori

>

>

> >

> >

> > Yes, I have advice. Don't do an MRI where your child is put to

> sleep. I was told by both a neurologist and a speech pathologist

that

> an awake MRI is the only kind that will give you any information

about

> your child's apraxia. If the MRI is for something else, then perhaps

> anesthesia is in order. Ask questions before the date and get

informed

> consent. Call the office right away. If you put the brain to sleep,

> how could you possibly learn about how it " functions " or how it is

> " functioning " in your child. Get a functional MRI---spare yor child

> two MRI's and get the right one first go around.

> > , LPN " A true measure of love is how much truth you are

> told. " ...A Girl Named SUESS I had meaning; it is when I was 3 months

> old.. http://agirlnamedsuess.tripod.com

> http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-37775-

0

> " Standing for justice…changing labels associated with Down

> Syndrome. " Our doormat reads: B les Sour Ho me.

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.

> > http://windowslive.com/explore?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The MRI would not have shown the Apraxia damage either because he was

asleep.They won't do a functional MRI (which determineshowthe brain

is " functioning " ) on a 3 year-old. Personally, I see them as a waste

of time (and money)in regards to apraxia " help. "

SUsan

> >

> >

> > Yes, I have advice. Don't do an MRI where your child is put to

> sleep. I was told by both a neurologist and a speech pathologist

> that an awake MRI is the only kind that will give you any

information

> about your child's apraxia. If the MRI is for something else, then

> perhaps anesthesia is in order. Ask questions before the date and

get

> informed consent. Call the office right away. If you put the brain

to

> sleep, how could you possibly learn about how it " functions " or how

> it is " functioning " in your child. Get a functional MRI---spare yor

> child two MRI's and get the right one first go around.

> > , LPN " A true measure of love is how much truth you are

> told. " ...A Girl Named SUESS I had meaning; it is when I was 3

months

> old.. http://agirlnamedsuess.tripod.com

> http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-37775-

> 0 " Standing for justice…changing labels associated with Down

> Syndrome. " Our doormat reads: B les Sour Ho me.

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.

> > http://windowslive.com/explore?

> ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009

> >

> >