Brain Scans

[whose_da_man88]

Hi,

The psychologist that I am starting to see again sent me this link about brain scans.

https://youtu.be/esPRsT-lmw8

A lot of my physical symptoms feels like it is because there is something wrong with my head. It feels like my brain snaps/has a cramp and then I spend yonks recovering from all the physical symptoms thereafter which is why I want to see what my brain is actually doing.

Does anyone know what kind of brain scan this is and how I am able to get one? The only scan I've heard is an MRI.

He sent me another link about neurofeedback and I'm keen to see what my brain looks like in a scan and then have my psychologist implement the right neurofeedback strategy.

Thanks.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi whose_da_man88,

It makes complete sense that you'd like something to show up in the scan. If something doesn't show up and everything is put down to 'anxiety' it can be incredibly hard to understand and accept. But overall it is the preferable diagnosis!

With all these tests, do you feel like they are to 'rule everything out'?

I think it's great that you've started to track things; what sort of things are you tracking? It might be worth writing down what you're doing at the time (i.e. watching TV) and what your mood/thoughts are to see if you can find any patterns/themes as well.

[whose_da_man88]

Thanks for your response therising and romantic_thi3f.

MRI came back fine ... as expected.

@romantic_thi3f, i don't know if the rule out journey is going to stop. It is so hard to accept that there is so little that can be done. I'm not sure about the SPECT scan but once again forgot to ask my psychologist today - the appointments are so rushed.

Slightly off topic to brain scans, what other tests can be done? are different blood tests that can be done? My colleague at work was mentioning that you can request for a "comprehensive" test or something. I read up a lot about chemical imbalances or lack of this and that like vitamin etc.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi whose_da_man,

I'm glad to hear the MRI came back fine - that is good news. To answer your question, yes there are other blood tests that can be done - the list is probably so extensive it wouldn't fit in this text box.

The worry that I have though is that more tests and trying to rule out more things will take time, energy and (probably) money. I imagine the further in-depth you decide to go, the less that will be covered on Medicare and you'll be more out of pocket.

I cannot tell you when to stop or if you should do the tests, but I guess from the other end of the screen I worry that the tests may not reveal anything helpful. Knowing that there's so little to be done is defeating, but it does not mean that what you have is permanent or unmanageable. If it is put down to anxiety, then all the symptoms can be managed - they can lower in intensity and potentially disappear. Something to think about maybe.

[whose_da_man88]

Hi romantic_thi3f,

Agree. I'm namely looking at the broad things that other people are doing but yeah unfortunately don't have deep pockets to do everything that is out there.

Any other things can be done to make sure the brain is in order?

Thanks.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi whose_da_man88,

I'm not sure what's covered in Medicare and what would be relevant, so probably best to have a chat to your GP about it. Your GP may recommend seeing a specialist which would open up more options.

Again, it depends how much you feel the need to pursue this trying to find a cause.

[whose_da_man88]

Hi All,

My psychologists is treating me with neurofeedback.

Has anyone been through this and what their thoughts are?

For those that aren't sure what I'm talking about, I've been told that this treatment is non-invasive and natural and trains the mind to make new connections. I was hooked onto what looks like an EEG and my brain waves
were displayed on screen. I was also made to "play games" where different things on screen represented my brainwaves and I have to learnto control my brainwaves (to generate more or to generate less).

Anotherthing was using the software to breathe properly because apparently breathing wrong affects your brain in many ways and also makes anxiety/depression worse.

I found the software that my psychologist use and it is made by a company called Heart Math and the tool I have been using most is called emWave Pro.

Anyone have any experience with neurofeedback and/or the software and whether it worked for you or not?

Thanks.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi whose_da_man88

Here are some posts on neurofeedback -

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies/neurofeedback-(retraining-the-brain)#qhfmVHHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/treatments-health-professionals-and-therapies/major-depression-neurofeedback-therapy-#qmI543HzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

[Shar123]

Whose da man88, was watching DrAmens Youtube and very interested in doing the proceedure including spect scan and neurofeedback. 

[geoff]

Hello Whose da man88, I'm pleased RT and yourself have been talking regularly and only wish I'd seen this thread earlier.

Can I just say to Shar that no names or addresses are allowed to be posted here, I'm sorry.

I had to see a neurologist due to an assault where over time I've had EEG, MRI and any other different exams, except for SPECT but if you have had damage done, then perhaps problems are going to occur such as anxiety, depression, epilepsy which I've had, but I'm just talking from experience as I'm not qualified to say.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Tess_b]

Hey whose_da_man88,

I know that this post is from years ago so I don't know if my response will find you.

If it does I hope that you're okay, and have made it through the past few years with more answers than you started with.

This probably seems stupid to come here only to randomly suggest looking into an illness, despite knowing nothing about you.

Through my own experiences during the hell that has been the past few years, desperately trying to find answers when no one wanted to look past "psychosomatic" as a diagnosis.

It was bad enough that I lost the ability to walk.

Initially it started with every single muscle in my body spasming, and twisting themselves into agonising knots that are still there to this day; intertwined with paralysing full body electric shocks.

Progressing to complete peripheral neuropathy, numbness from head to foot; except for the constant feeling of my bones being on fire.

Insomnia which resulted in maybe two hours of losing consciousness a night (couldn't exactly call it sleep), for over two years.

My lung capacity decreased to at most 20% of what it was, on a good day.

I'd have random attacks that had every single symptom of a TIA (somehow still not enough to cause concern for my doctor).

All of this did wonders for my panic disorder, depression, and anxiety issues.

Even got a fun 11 day involuntary stint at the local psych ward where they misdiagnosed me with BPD.

I'm sorry for the long reply, but the details felt necessary to get to the point of all of this.

Look up something called CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

It may not be your answer, but it's definitely worth looking into.

Mine was triggered by chronic exposure to hidden mould that only affected my side of the bed (legit just my side).

I know the frustration of being told that something is all in your head all too well.

Everything is all in your head, even when it's affecting your entire body, and existence.

It doesn't hurt to get as much information as possible as to how, and why, it is functioning the way it is, and whether or not it's "a temporary exacerbation of a permanent condition".