[Guest]

Please help me.

I am unable to get an MRI or CT scan. The problem is I cannot lay flat on my back. And for MRIs they require 30-45 minutes prone. CT scan at least a few minutes, but even on oxygen full blast and with laying on side I barely made it to get an adrenal scan some years ago. They require the head cage even for CT scans which I cannot do. I have asked at least 100 techs cross country if I can lay on my side. I am also limited in where I can get MRI or CT due to weight. I am 450lbs at 6 feet of height. I also have lymphedema --severe already on water pills, which pushes fluids up to my lungs when I lay flat on back--equivalent to Congestive heart failure patients or worse.

I have contacted endless Open MRIs-CT scans-which fit me but require the flat-lying...Mayo clinic, Cleveland Clinic, the offices of endless neuro-surgeons, zoos who have refused any help and the manufacturers themselves, even researchers who told me to go to the maunfacturers.

The doctor wants to avoid intubation due my health problems, but even there we have been unable to find a hospital within a multi-state area with a MRI big enough to handle me within a hospital.

I found a stand up MRI--Fonar in Long Island...and I am too ill to really travel that far but would have done it to go...but it was only 18 inches wide and I was informed anyone over 400lbs doesnt fit.

No one would let me lay on my side even and or do alternative methods of taking photo--ie putting thigh coil over my head was one proposal I gave.

I feel I have reached the end of my rope.

I am having neurological problems. IN the late 90s I gained over 350lbs in 28 months and was diagnosed with thyroid which took years and later severe form of PCOS--a endocrine disease that can overlap majorly with symptons of pituitary tumors. They suspect I have pituitary tumor and even there they want to see why I am having visual troubles--spots-, multi-tic disorder--so severe I had neurologist rule out Tourettes and Hungtingtons and severe hearing loss I experienced in each ear and exhaustion.

Please if you can help me...anyway you can scan my brain to look at the pituitary or most of it, I need the help. I am getting more ill and know something is very wrong.

[Guest]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
I would imagine that MRI would be difficult because of the amount of time required to be in the scanner, so let's talk about CT.
As you know CT scanners all have weight limits mainly to protect the electronics of the platform on which the patient lays. I am almost certain that there must be scanners that can accommodate your weight.
A CT scan of the head should take a matter of seconds to perform. Usually we get scans with the patient lying supine, but we have gotten scans with the patient on his/her side without significant degradation of information. While CT of the head is not as sensitive as MRI in picking out brain abnormalities, it still is quite good. Even better when IV contrast is used.

[quote] Please help me.

I am unable to get an MRI or CT scan... [/quote]