Older Pacemaker can't go through MRI. Anyone else?

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barbe1958
barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
edited November 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I desperately need an MRI to check out a brain issue as well as a 1.3 cm new nodule on my lung that popped up 6 months after my last CT! My pacemaker is non-compliant but a large Centre said they could turn it off and put me through but even the manufacturer says no.

Now I have to wait until my next CT in February to see if the nodule in my lung has grown or multiplied. Yet another Christmas season waiting for the other shoe to drop.

A PET wouldn't be effective for brain as the brain is too active normally and would show too much.

Anyone know of any other options? They would have to switch out my 2 heart leads as well and the surgery is used only for infection. My monitor could get switched at any time as if they were just replacing it with new batteries.

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited November 2016

    Hi Barbe, I have an ICD which is my very own personal defibrillator in case I go into cardiac arrest again. Even though my device is newer, MRI is still a no-go for me as well. I could have waited an extra week for the MRI-compatible device to arrive, but I was in such a rush to start chemo that decided to get this one.

    Yes, removing leads is a major surgery and has potential for serious complications, so they only do it if it's really needed in life-threatening situations, like an infection that doesn't go away with antibiotics. Do you know if leads are incompatible with MRI or it's only the device?

    I think for now the best option is CT scan with contrast, it's something that I worry about as well.

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited November 2016

    Sorry didn't realize this was in stage 4 forum, saw it in Active Topics. It's an unusual problem, so not sure if you'll get many replies :)

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Eren, please do not apologize!! I need answers. Yes, my leads are non-compliant. Thanks for your input. I do get CT's with contrast. I'm going to be getting a CT brain angiogram in a couple of weeks so hope that will show more for my brain and then wait until February for the next lung CT. If it's still undecisive (report says may or may not be malignant - doi!) then I'll push for a PET.

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