Neurologist for brain MRI?

[cocoonclub]

Can you recommend a neurologist for a brain MRI?
 

Have some slight vision changes/problems and two eye doctors said my eyes are perfectly fine and that I may want to consider a brain scan. 

 

And need an MRI with sedation (or even anesthesia) as I’m claustrophobic.

[ExpatOilWorker]

I don't know which is best for your specific case, but have you considered a CT scan with contrast?

It takes 10 minutes and no claustrophobic feeling what so ever.

[Sheryl]

CT is not as small and tight as MRI but people with extreme claustrophobia may still have an issue.  But if not, may be an option.

 

OP where are you located?

[cocoonclub]

9 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

CT is not as small and tight as MRI but people with extreme claustrophobia may still have an issue.  But if not, may be an option.

I would still need sedation unfortunately.

 

9 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

OP where are you located?

Bangkok. 

[Sheryl]

Sedation can be given for MRI or CT at any hospital if you can convince the doctors of the need. (Be aware that what Thais consider sedation and what you might need may differ. 2 mg oral valium knocks most Thais out, doesn't touch most farangs.  You'll need to specify IV sedation. )  It will cost more as an anesthetist will have to be present.

 

Bangkok Hospital is said to have an open MRI machine, which might be an option.

 

In any case it is not certain you need an MRI. You need to first consult an expert in neuro-opthalmology.

 

Suggest

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Supanut-Apinyawasisuk

 

 

 

[wasabi]

I had an MRI at bnh hospital last year I don't remember the neurosurgeon but he was good. I also have claustrophobia and I was sedated for the procedure. It was IV sedation and there was an anesthesiologist present the whole time.

Edited July 13, 2023 by wasabi

[placnx]

On 7/13/2023 at 9:38 PM, cocoonclub said:

I would still need sedation unfortunately.

 

Bangkok. 

Years ago I had a CT scan (abdomen) with a CT device that was just a doughnut ring. It took seconds. How could that be claustrophobic? Maybe a hospital here has one like that.

[blackshadow]

On 7/13/2023 at 9:38 PM, cocoonclub said:

I would still need sedation unfortunately.

 

Bangkok. 

GO CHULALONKONG HOSPITAL

[cocoonclub]

22 hours ago, placnx said:

Years ago I had a CT scan (abdomen) with a CT device that was just a doughnut ring. It took seconds. How could that be claustrophobic? Maybe a hospital here has one like that.

Abdomen probably meant that half your body and especially your head were outside the machine. I wouldn’t feel claustrophobic in that case. But even for a heart MRI (CTA) your head moves a bit into the doughnut, and for a brain MRI you’d have to move in completely. 

[cocoonclub]

On 7/13/2023 at 10:40 PM, Sheryl said:

In any case it is not certain you need an MRI. You need to first consult an expert in neuro-opthalmology.

What doctor would you recommend for general brain scan to see if there are any tumors, aneurysm etc.? 

[Sheryl]

5 hours ago, cocoonclub said:

What doctor would you recommend for general brain scan to see if there are any tumors, aneurysm etc.? 

As your symptoms ard visual see the dictir  I recommdnded previously. He will know to check for all possible causes.  If tumor or aneurysm is found hdme will refer you accordingly. 

[placnx]

On 7/16/2023 at 2:51 PM, cocoonclub said:

Abdomen probably meant that half your body and especially your head were outside the machine. I wouldn’t feel claustrophobic in that case. But even for a heart MRI (CTA) your head moves a bit into the doughnut, and for a brain MRI you’d have to move in completely. 

The device is just a ring not more than 15 cm thick as I remember. How could anyone experience claustrophobia with that? 

[wasabi]

On 7/18/2023 at 3:29 PM, placnx said:

The device is just a ring not more than 15 cm thick as I remember. How could anyone experience claustrophobia with that? 

I had never experienced claustrophobia in my life until I was slid into an MRI my first time (not in Thailand). Suddenly I felt like I was in a coffin and had to get out. I know it doesn't make sense but phobias rarely do.

Edited July 19, 2023 by wasabi

[placnx]

18 hours ago, wasabi said:

I had never experienced claustrophobia in my life until I was slid into an MRI my first time (not in Thailand). Suddenly I felt like I was in a coffin and had to get out. I know it doesn't make sense but phobias rarely do.

Sorry, I was talking about a newer CT scanner (as an alternative to a MRI machine).

[NativeBob]

Before you slide into the scanner you need a chap who could read pictures.

I had a friend who did a brain scan at Bangkok Hospital (yes, MRI), paid about 23K (back in 2017). Money wasted.

Went to Bumrungrad. Yeah, fancy-shmensie lounge to Middle-Easterners. Doc could even recognize areas of the brain on the pictures. Surely got his "diploma" either in Aussie land or in Eang-landg. Wiki-gurus.

Get the doctor first, and not from fancy lounge.

Chula, Siriraj - like.

[cocoonclub]

On 7/16/2023 at 9:03 PM, Sheryl said:

As your symptoms ard visual see the dictir  I recommdnded previously. He will know to check for all possible causes.  If tumor or aneurysm is found hdme will refer you accordingly. 

I’m getting a bit nervous because I also developed tinnitus and pressure on my ears. The ENT cleaned and checked my ears and gave me two weeks of meds (antihistamine, something for blood circulation, nose spray) which didn’t do anything. 
 

I’m getting a bit nervous and would rather waste money on an MRI not needed than waiting more. 
 

would you be able to recommend m any neurologist or neuro-surgeon that I could consult? 

[Sheryl]

11 hours ago, cocoonclub said:

I’m getting a bit nervous because I also developed tinnitus and pressure on my ears. The ENT cleaned and checked my ears and gave me two weeks of meds (antihistamine, something for blood circulation, nose spray) which didn’t do anything. 
 

I’m getting a bit nervous and would rather waste money on an MRI not needed than waiting more. 
 

would you be able to recommend m any neurologist or neuro-surgeon that I could consult? 

Did you see the specialist in neuro-opthalmology I previously recommended?

 

 

[cocoonclub]

12 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Did you see the specialist in neuro-opthalmology I previously recommended?

 

 

I did. but that was before I developed this tinnitus. I guess I can see him again but he’s only working on Saturdays I believe. 
 

Maybe this tinnitus and pressure on my ears is related to my current mental problems (stress and anxiety). 
 

 

 

Edited August 1, 2023 by cocoonclub

[Sheryl]

On 8/1/2023 at 2:18 AM, cocoonclub said:

I did. but that was before I developed this tinnitus. I guess I can see him again but he’s only working on Saturdays I believe. 
 

Maybe this tinnitus and pressure on my ears is related to my current mental problems (stress and anxiety). 
 

 

 

I think that is quite possible. If one is hyper aware enough and overly focused on bodily symptoms  one will aleways hear some  ringing in the ears,  even people who go not have tinnitus as such.  Just by paying excessive attention to it. I can summon up both tinnitus and ear pressure right now as I type.

 

Also, it is not standard of care to do a brain  MRI for tinnitus. 

 

I thin you would do better to address your anxiety disorder directly.  Chasing after imagined physical problems is a bottomless bucket, no end to it, as soon as one condition is excluded you'll have another "symptom" and so on....  because the underlying anxiety remains.  Along the way you may go yourself real harm with unnecessary tests and procedures. 

[cocoonclub]

12 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

 

I thin you would do better to address your anxiety disorder directly.  Chasing after imagined physical problems is a bottomless bucket, no end to it, as soon as one condition is excluded you'll have another "symptom" and so on....  because the underlying anxiety remains.  Along the way you may go yourself real harm with unnecessary tests and procedures. 

Any ideas or recommendations for a doctor? The one I was referred to by the hospital prescribed benzos ???? (which I don’t wanna and didn’t take).

 

 

[advancebooking]

On 8/1/2023 at 10:49 PM, Sheryl said:

I think that is quite possible. If one is hyper aware enough and overly focused on bodily symptoms  one will aleways hear some  ringing in the ears,  even people who go not have tinnitus as such.  Just by paying excessive attention to it. I can summon up both tinnitus and ear pressure right now as I type.

 

Also, it is not standard of care to do a brain  MRI for tinnitus. 

 

I thin you would do better to address your anxiety disorder directly.  Chasing after imagined physical problems is a bottomless bucket, no end to it, as soon as one condition is excluded you'll have another "symptom" and so on....  because the underlying anxiety remains.  Along the way you may go yourself real harm with unnecessary tests and procedures. 

 

Totally agree with your comment. My wife is a dentist. She says a very small % of patients are hyper sensitive to pain etc with their anxiety issues. A day or 2 after treatment they usually call and want to come back with unusual minor pain. She more or less tells them to wait a few days or longer. In most cases it is nothing... just the patient 'thinking too much' or she said 'over thinking' about it. 

[Sheryl]

18 hours ago, cocoonclub said:

Any ideas or recommendations for a doctor? The one I was referred to by the hospital prescribed benzos ???? (which I don’t wanna and didn’t take).

 

 

 

Therapy rather than medication should be the initial approach with meds in addition only if absolutely necessary. Definitely never medication alone.

 

For therapy I recommend either:

 

Psychological Services International
9/2 Sukhumvit Soi 43 (near Phrom Pong/Emporium)
Bangkok 10110,
Tel: 02-2591467
http://www.psiadmin.com/

 

or

 

 

NCS New Community Services
61/1 Soi Intamara 3
Sutisan Road
Phaya Thai (Sapan Kwai Area)

plus 2 branch offices: Bearing and Asoke
Tel.: 02-114-7556

Email: [email protected]
https://ncsbkk.com/ncs/index.php/counseling/about/

 

If medication is necessary (something therapist can help you decide), many therapists have a psychiatrist they refer to.If not, this doctor is highly recomended:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Suttiporn-Janenawasin