What tests has your neurologist/doctor done on you?

Just for the record, my mri's were to rule out anything more serious......

Like Pen I'm in the UK.

We're continually told that no CT or MRI scan is needed unless other symptoms suggest there is a real chance that there might be something else going on. So, if you've had typical migraine for over 30 years like me it's not likely to show anything up. I paid for a CT scan privately some years back (about £400?), mainly for my own reassurance, and the result was that there was nothing untoward.

I know many of the posters here have had scans more than once. The results sound as if they are usually inconclusive or negative as would be predicted by our UK doctors. I'm not convinced that scans generally do much more than reassure (or sometimes cause worry).

My suspicious nature makes me wonder if scans would still be part of a "check list" if the individual or their insurer weren't paying and the neuro had to justify the expenditure from their own budget. Of course, there is the corresponding view that, given funding, state funded doctors might then routinely have the scans done. It's probably best to leave that contentious argument to one side.

When I recently got to see a neurologist who specialises in migraine (hooray) I suggested perhaps I should get scans done again. He said I would be wasting my cash and not to bother - I have all the symptoms of hemiplegic migraine with an appropriate history of chronification and he has no doubt it's migraine and nothing else. He did say, however, that I was in the front row when migraine symptoms and effects were handed out. He stressed that, if there were a chance it was due to something else, scans and tests would be done a.s.a.p.

I've had neuro tests for various nerve functions and responses as well as tests of cognitive function. I've had 24 hour blood pressure monitoring and specific tests regarding the drop in blood pressure when I stand up because I go through periods when this makes me woozy. This might be related to my hereditary elliptocytosis and I have tests related to this from time to time.

When it comes to other tests, these have always been arranged by my GP. I've had all the possible blood tests etc and various functions tested periodically mainly due to the medications I've been on.

And...


...nothing ever shows up.

johnfd - You are probably right that way too many tests are probably unnecessary, including wellness checkups. One thing that can be diagnosed though is stroke from an MRI. A stroke doesn't necessarily leave any lasting effects and migraine/headache is a symptom. If you have migraine with aura you are at a higher risk for stroke. By diagnosing a stroke early you can prevent having future ones that may be more dangerous.

Thanks John. Glad it isn't just me being fobbed off then.....
When I saw my first neuro after the cognitive tests he said I didnt need a scan.
My husband said I had become very anxious about the pain (aged 45 and no previous history),
So could I please have the CT. He said okay and we got the results right after....nothing....
I have not been offered anything similar since.

P