My personal feelings are against having one unless they refuse to dx you without it and you are dx'd now I thought. I had two and would never do one again without a really good reason. Even with "open" MRI's -- one being more open than the other-- I was too freaked out to get in a CAR for years. I had to either drive the van or the truck for the headroom.

My husband had a MRI after he was diagnosed to rule out anything else other than PD. So I would recommend you get one.

Annie,

My mother has had at least two MRI's since being diagnosed with PD. No one has ever questioned whether she should have one.

I have, however, been taken aside by two of my mothers physicians and advised that she should no longer undergo elective surgery involving anesthesia due to concerns about her cognition, which has been impacted by PD. (This includes no more routine colonoscopies.) Nevertheless, my mother insisted on foot surgery to correct a foot drop problem that's developed because of PD. How could I deprive her of her desire to walk again? I noticed some more memory loss, although nothing critical, since the surgery in December, but no other decline.

FYI - People with pacemakers are not permitted to have MRI's.

My suggestion would be to ask your neurologist and your brain surgeon to get their professional input re: whether having a MRI is necessary or adviseable.

I have had 2 strokes previously, and my brain tumor was found "incidentally" during a routine MRI follow up. I've had lots of MRI's and don't get claustrophobic in there, thank goodness. I'm going to talk to my N about having one just to rule out any issues other than PD. My NS says I need a follow up one to the gamma knife, but not right away. I am feeling great on the cogentin and almost completely off the abilify (I think it was a bad drug for me). Much more clarity of thought and positive outlook. Thank you all for your great advice. Even though I've already been diagnosed with PD, I would like the reassurance that there aren't two things happening.