Neurological Scans? I'm a worrier :(

Nichole · Jun 7th, 2011, 13:12 PM

My OBGYN wants me to have a neuro scan because I've been having so many migraines. Anyone else had to do this? Or heard of it? I'm a little nervous. They said it's just a precaution, but I've heard so many women say they had a lot of migraines during pregnancy and never had a scan done. Just trying to put my mind at ease.

Rachel_C · Jun 7th, 2011, 15:17 PM

It sounds like they're being overcautious to me, but I'd always prefer an overcautious doctor to one who doesn't care!

My mum has had scans because of migraines (not while pregnant) and I understand it to be a fairly normal thing to do if somebody is getting a lot of them, but during pregnancy your hormones are all over the place so I'd just put it down to that. Maybe ask your doctor if there's anything else that has made them worry, but I think you can relax about it, try to anyway!

Rachel_C · Jun 7th, 2011, 15:18 PM

Double post.

ChristinaRN · Jun 8th, 2011, 00:05 AM

Hmmmm......I'd try to wait out the pregnancy as hormones are KNOWN to cause migraines in pregnancy. Then if you are still having the migraines after the pregnancy THEN get the scan. Just my thoughts.....
Also, migraines are totally common in the 1st trimester......may go away by 14-16 weeks.

Thistledown · Jun 8th, 2011, 01:19 AM

I've had scans done (both MRI and CT) for a different issue, as well as one CT specifically to check if there was a physical cause for my migraines (this was before getting pregnant). It's actually supposed to be common practice to get a scan done if you have migraines when not pregnant, though it can be hard to get a doctor to actually refer for one unless you get them really frequently (only got mine done because I was in the ER once for the pain, and the doctor there decided to do one). Generally it's just done to rule out anything physical that could be contributing to the migraines, not because there's something specific they think is wrong. It's kind of the same thing as going to the doctor for a sore leg, and having them say "It's probably just a sore muscle because you've been jogging a lot, but lets send you for an x-ray to just rule out anything else".

Also, there's really nothing to either type of test, all you have to do is lie still! As long as there's no risk to the baby, might as well let them have their look!

Blah11 · Jun 8th, 2011, 01:42 AM

I wouldn't worry, it'll to be eliminate issues, not to diagnose one IYKWIM?

Nichole · Jun 8th, 2011, 11:15 AM

Thanks ladies. I haven't heard back from the doctors yet. I do know that they can be more common in pregnancy, but since I didn't have any with my first and I'm having about 3-4 a week right now, I was a bit worried. That just seems like so many.

Jun 7th, 2011, 13:12 PM	#1
Nichole Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 342	Neurological Scans? I'm a worrier :( My OBGYN wants me to have a neuro scan because I've been having so many migraines. Anyone else had to do this? Or heard of it? I'm a little nervous. They said it's just a precaution, but I've heard so many women say they had a lot of migraines during pregnancy and never had a scan done. Just trying to put my mind at ease.

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Jun 7th, 2011, 15:17 PM	#2
Rachel_C Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11,621	It sounds like they're being overcautious to me, but I'd always prefer an overcautious doctor to one who doesn't care! My mum has had scans because of migraines (not while pregnant) and I understand it to be a fairly normal thing to do if somebody is getting a lot of them, but during pregnancy your hormones are all over the place so I'd just put it down to that. Maybe ask your doctor if there's anything else that has made them worry, but I think you can relax about it, try to anyway!

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Jun 7th, 2011, 15:18 PM	#3
Rachel_C Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11,621	Double post.

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Jun 8th, 2011, 00:05 AM	#4
ChristinaRN Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Central Coast, California Posts: 2,068	Hmmmm......I'd try to wait out the pregnancy as hormones are KNOWN to cause migraines in pregnancy. Then if you are still having the migraines after the pregnancy THEN get the scan. Just my thoughts..... Also, migraines are totally common in the 1st trimester......may go away by 14-16 weeks.

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Jun 8th, 2011, 01:19 AM	#5
Thistledown Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 548	I've had scans done (both MRI and CT) for a different issue, as well as one CT specifically to check if there was a physical cause for my migraines (this was before getting pregnant). It's actually supposed to be common practice to get a scan done if you have migraines when not pregnant, though it can be hard to get a doctor to actually refer for one unless you get them really frequently (only got mine done because I was in the ER once for the pain, and the doctor there decided to do one). Generally it's just done to rule out anything physical that could be contributing to the migraines, not because there's something specific they think is wrong. It's kind of the same thing as going to the doctor for a sore leg, and having them say "It's probably just a sore muscle because you've been jogging a lot, but lets send you for an x-ray to just rule out anything else". Also, there's really nothing to either type of test, all you have to do is lie still! As long as there's no risk to the baby, might as well let them have their look!

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2011, 01:42 AM	#6
Blah11 Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 38,152	I wouldn't worry, it'll to be eliminate issues, not to diagnose one IYKWIM?

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Jun 8th, 2011, 11:15 AM	#7
Nichole Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 342	Thanks ladies. I haven't heard back from the doctors yet. I do know that they can be more common in pregnancy, but since I didn't have any with my first and I'm having about 3-4 a week right now, I was a bit worried. That just seems like so many.

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