Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I could use some kind words and suggestions.
I went in for a cholesterol test in October and the doctor found my prolactin levels were high (supposed to be 26 or less and I was 79). She tested again in November and they were a bit higher (94). My most recent test from last week came back at 101. I wasn't terrified because I've read studies where they say they don't worry about pituitary tumors until you hit 200.
But she wants to be safe so she's sending me to an endocrinologist. She called today and said that when she told them my levels they were really concerned and told her I need to get an MRI before my appointment so they can see what's going on.
Right. An MRI. Are you CRAZY??? I mean, maybe if i was completely unconscious MAYBE if it was a sitting up MRI. I don't fly because of my claustrophobia. So if I can't do things I really, really want to do because of it, how on earth am I going to be able to do this thing I really don't want to do?
TRIGGER WARNING:
So I was panicking just thinking about it and looked up options. They do have a sitting up one but they said I can't do that or an open one because they need to see if I have a tumor on my pituitary gland. So I have to go in the tube. And they need to give me an IV for contrast so they can see things clearly. And I'll have my head in a cage and be put into a tube where it will be incredibly loud for about 35 - 60 minutes.
She said I really need to do this to be sure it's not a malignant tumor. If it is, they'll need to do surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and God knows what else. So that freaked me out too.
I cannot imagine how I'm going to get through this. If anyone has ideas, I'd appreciate it. I plan to go visit the MRI center to see what it's all about and talk with them about options. And my son will go with me.
But the endocrinologists all seem like they're alarmists until it comes to setting up an appointment. They insist having an MRI is essential but they're 3 months out and say it's not that big of an issue to wait.
If I had a pacemaker they couldn't do the MRI so I intend to ask how they'd handle it in that situation. I'm hoping that they can just try some medications and if the prolactin levels drop that's our answer. I guess they have to see it to see if they need to do surgery which also freaks the hell out of me. Just feeling totally overwhelmed - shaking and terrified here.
Comforting words please.
I went in for a cholesterol test in October and the doctor found my prolactin levels were high (supposed to be 26 or less and I was 79). She tested again in November and they were a bit higher (94). My most recent test from last week came back at 101. I wasn't terrified because I've read studies where they say they don't worry about pituitary tumors until you hit 200.
But she wants to be safe so she's sending me to an endocrinologist. She called today and said that when she told them my levels they were really concerned and told her I need to get an MRI before my appointment so they can see what's going on.
Right. An MRI. Are you CRAZY??? I mean, maybe if i was completely unconscious MAYBE if it was a sitting up MRI. I don't fly because of my claustrophobia. So if I can't do things I really, really want to do because of it, how on earth am I going to be able to do this thing I really don't want to do?
TRIGGER WARNING:
So I was panicking just thinking about it and looked up options. They do have a sitting up one but they said I can't do that or an open one because they need to see if I have a tumor on my pituitary gland. So I have to go in the tube. And they need to give me an IV for contrast so they can see things clearly. And I'll have my head in a cage and be put into a tube where it will be incredibly loud for about 35 - 60 minutes.
She said I really need to do this to be sure it's not a malignant tumor. If it is, they'll need to do surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and God knows what else. So that freaked me out too.
I cannot imagine how I'm going to get through this. If anyone has ideas, I'd appreciate it. I plan to go visit the MRI center to see what it's all about and talk with them about options. And my son will go with me.
But the endocrinologists all seem like they're alarmists until it comes to setting up an appointment. They insist having an MRI is essential but they're 3 months out and say it's not that big of an issue to wait.
If I had a pacemaker they couldn't do the MRI so I intend to ask how they'd handle it in that situation. I'm hoping that they can just try some medications and if the prolactin levels drop that's our answer. I guess they have to see it to see if they need to do surgery which also freaks the hell out of me. Just feeling totally overwhelmed - shaking and terrified here.
Comforting words please.
I understand your fears. A little over a year ago I began showing with symptoms of a brain tumor. At the time my doctors knew I had either a tumor, or an exceptionally rare neurological disorder (neither was an easy diagnosis to swallow). I'd never had a health problem besides mental illness and the idea of something being wrong with my brain was beyond terrifying. I was immediately sent for an MRI with contrast, full tube, same as what you're going to be doing. I'm severely claustrophobic as well, the whole idea of being in a small space freaks me out (I can't even ride elevators). I confided in my doctor and they sent in a prescription for a sedative before the MRI, so I'd be somewhat relaxed, truthfully it didn't help much. What did help though, was keeping my eyes closed and focusing on my breathing. The noises in the machine will be loud and the whole experience isn't the most ideal, but it's tolerable if you can get into the right frame of mind. I pretended the strange beeps were a beat to a song I listened to each one imagining I was listening to some creepy futuristic music in a space machine.
Since my first MRI, I've had several others, it doesn't get any easier, but it's not as bad as I thought. Just remember at any point if you become uncomfortable they can pull you out quick as a snap of the fingers. I believe in you, if I can do it, I think you can too! Just don't think about it, put yourself in another reality in your mind...plan a vacation in your head, create an elaborate dinner and grocery list, imagine your in a space ship like me lol, whatever takes your mind to another place. It will be over before you know it and then you'll be able to add it to the list of things you've done in life.
If you need anyone to talk to I'm here. I'm rooting for you and wishing you all the best with your health!
I'll let you know how it goes.