It only took 3 doctor visits for me to get an MRI. The ENT consult at Hospiten in Playa recommended one, the Neuro at Hospiten in Cancun also recommended one and the ENT/Neuro I saw here in Merida very strongly advised I get over myself, listen to the past 3 doctors and get the damn MRI already. I got really a very thorough exam from him – at certain points I knew what he was looking for and even tried to create nystagmus (because that would give a diagnosis of vertigo) but I think it is really hard to fake nystagmus. 
So he gave me a really good talking to and then even tried very hard to speak English with Jamie and impress on him his desire that I get an MRI. So alright already. I checked the clinic of MRIs (Star Medica does not yet have a machine) and when I walked in the receptionist asked if I wanted to do it right then. Ah, no, just checking. He made it sound like no biggie and the price was $5300MN. The peso has been falling like a rock and this means that not only was the procedure $1700 cheaper than Hospiten in Cancun, but I by waiting until the peso fell, I paid $451USD here vs $670USD in Cancun. We really picked the perfect time to spend oodles of pesos.
So I figured I’d just show up this morning and get it over with before anyone even noticed I was gone. Didn’t exactly happen that way but if you’d like to skip over the blathering, I’ll have the results by 6pm today.
After a quick stop at the bank I found that the incredibly intermittant starter problem we’ve been having with the car had become very serious. I could not get it to start but I was close enough to the hospital that I could just use the bank area as a parking spot for the MRI. I let the workers know that I was heading to get my husband to help me start the car but neglected to let them know that I’d planned to also squeeze in an MRI also.
Yesterday the dizziness had been getting progressively worse and I wasn’t surprised to find it pretty bad this morning. That combined with nerves was enough to set anyone’s head to spinning. The MRI ladies were very nice and set me up with an 11am appointment (I got there around 9:30). I considered heading back to the car but figured I’d chance the cops towing it. I was called back about 10:30 and everyone was very kind and helpful. Stripped to undies, put on a gown and the radiologist tottered in on the highest heels and shortest miniskirt-uniform I’d ever seen. She took me to the MRI room and gave me a quick overveiw of the noise, the time (30 minutes) and that if a contrast agent was decided to be necessary they’d do that. I knew that the cost was higher for the contrast ($6400 vs $5300) and when I’d been told the costs I figured that the patient decided on whether contrast was needed or not but I now realized that the radiologist decided that. She placed earplugs, something over the earplugs, strapped down my arms and my head and put something over my face. As I entered the tube she told me to close my eyes and placed her hand over my eyes closing them as I approached some red (laser?) light. I figured she REALLY wanted them closed and since I wasn’t sure if that meant during the entire test or just under the light, I erred on the side of caution and kept them closed.
At one point during the MRI she announced over what I assume was a loudspeaker, direct from the airport parking system, all kinds of information but since she was talking in aiport-parkingese, all I caught was, “and don’t move”. So I didn’t. She then brought me back out and said she needed to inject contrast. I was pretty freaqued then as I figured it was a bad sign. After the test was over, she said she did the contrast to see the tiny areas of my inner ears. The contrast immediately began to burn and she asked me if I’d been told that I had fragile veins – that the vein burst! WHAT? If a vein bursts isn’t that really bad and it should be fixed? I obviously misunderstood what had burst but something went wrong with the contrast and she decided to try the other arm. The “burst” arm was VERY painful and she said to expect that. But apparently I wasn’t bleeding out and it wasn’t a burst vein but something went very wrong with the contrast. Anyway, the other arm was a champion vein arm and she had no problem, strapped me down again, yadda yadda, back in the tube.
I’m pretty sure I was their last patient of the day and I don’t know why, but they specifically did not charge me for the contrast. I don’t know if it didn’t work or what, but she said she wouldn’t charge for the contrast and I left, to return at 6pm for the results. Dayum I love a laid-back country that gives MRI results in a 7 hour window as normal turn-around time and manana never applies to lab results and doctor visits.
I took a taxi back to the hotel and dragged Jamie over to the bank where he worked VERY hard and finally the planets alligned and the car started. We visited a couple parts stores but were unable to come up with a starter. The last parts store directed us to the ex-Coca Cola plant where the diesel parts store recommended the electrical mechanics across the street from them. So the van sits down at a taller electrico and we’ll see what happens there. For now, we’ll use taxis, colectivos or buses.
wow. I should have come there for my MRI. I had to wait days for the results.
It is common to do an MRI without contrast first, then inject the contrast. That is the way they really should be done unless someone is allergic to shellfish.
I wish you were closer so I could give you a big hug. Feeling bad and having tests is just so stressful. So, consider yourself hugged by all of us here in the coastal bend.
Sounds like they are taking good care of you there.
Ok, I really don’t think you should be driving with your vertigo. Really. Keeping positive and healthy thoughts heading your way.
Waiting on pins and needles (sorry..bad reference) for the results. I’m glad you are getting proper care!
resluts, please…
Glad you are getting taken care of, relax and take it easy now please. I agree, driving is probably not a great idea anyway, maybe the car knows that.
Hoping all goes well and sending healthy vibes.
okay… that last msg was a bit flip. i’m on the verge of crying out here… really hoping you are out celebrating good results. love, c
reSLUTs???? :0
MRI shows all good on the western fronts. No tumours. ENT/Neuro is insistent on figuring this out – today was a bad day and he was a bit shocked at how bad it can be. He’s got a slew of other tests he wants done and damn if Jonna wasn’t there and spilled the beans (cause she understands Spanish most excellently) so I guess I’m doing the rest of the testes.
Jonna, Mimi, Jamie and all the kids stuffed themselves into Jonna and Mimi’s JEEP and headed out for dinner. I’m too mareado (dizzy) to go so I’m hanging here at the hotel. More tomorrow – feels like I’m lying on a boat right now.
Now go show Jonna and Mimi some love because they drove us all over today and took care of the girls while I was with the ENT/Neuro.
Thank you, thank you, Jonna & Mimi for taking good care of my big sis and her family. I’m glad she/they have some support!
Thank you Jonna and MIMi for taking such good care of our friends. I know what fun you are having. Waiting on pins and cushions for the final results. I suffer from sea sickness real bad, and can understand your condition. It is not fun. Been there done that.
you are SUCH a slut. har. thx for the news.
Yep, that’s my Jonna, spilling beans all over Mexico
Sweetie, we adore you, and your entire clan, so consider us at your disposal.
Now, if I could borrow you when Jonna gets all “Oh I feel so much better now …….
Lots of prayers sending your way!
I can only add my thanks and appreciation to BOTH Jonna and Mimi.
We’ve admired each of them over the years since we were LazyDaze owners ourselves.
We recall their marvelous hospitality when we visited that area in 2006.
Having them present with Kitty for the various doctor appointments makes me feel as though our daughter is being helped by “family”.
We are so grateful, Mimi and Jonna and hope that the tests will find out what’s causing her distress.
Lots of hugs and heartfelt thanks,
Kathleen
Has anyone considered the possibility that you have Meniere’s disease?
Here is a link
http://www.menieresinfo.com/symptoms.html
Kathleen, I should tell you that in the middle of the consult, the doctor looked at me and asked if I was her mother. I started to tell him “no, but I know her and could be considered a stand-in” – too complicated to explain though so I said the other truth, that I am her friend.
We have so much fun with the whole family that we don’t really deserve thanks. It’s just what friends do, you know?
That’s right, but it’s good to know that she has you there as family. But point in fact, you are too young to be her mom, so the Dr. gets a D- for not recognizing that fact – on the other hand, he might have thought to himself, “Wow, if this is Kitty’s mom, she looks as young as Kitty.”
Im just REALLY hoping they figure out what the heck it is! Were really missing you guys
Jamin says were having a party for Ellens birthday..do you know about this?
Hopefully we can add ¨Everyone is on the mend¨ to the festivities
Wow! I’ll be back later to address comments – we are really going to need a vacation from this visit.
I’m pretty sure the tests today will somewhat address Meneire’s disease, but I don’t have the hearing loss that is supposed to accompany it. All 3 specialists have considered it (I could tell from their examinations and questions) but so far I just don’t have the symptoms. I’ll look again though.