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MRI results in Post-Covid era

MungoSlugsieScoot
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Hi, I am a 55 year old female.  I was referred to 2WW neurology pathway on Friday due to enlarging pulsing boggy tender mass on my scalp, unilateral pulsatile tinnitus and now problems with pulsing vision and occasional visual disturbance right peripheral visual field/visual hallucinations and occasional pain behind ear or headaches.  I had MRI (with contrast dye) head on Tuesday.  I know that post Covid MRI results are taking unusually long.

My questions are:

1) is it still safe, in this post-Covid era, to continue to assume that "no news is good news" if I have not heard anything yet from my MRI results?  Or could this mean that my results are being discussed to decide who is the best team to see me? Does anyone have any recent experience to guide me?

2) Should I still expect a consultant appointment, whatever the results, or do I assume everything is fine if no appointment is forthcoming within the next 10 days?  Or should I contact the secretaries to see if there is any plan to issue an appointment?

I am off work at the moment as my symptoms mean I have been advised not to drive and my symptoms worsen if I am active now.  Really not sure what to tell my boss....any guidance would be appreciated.

Have a good day.

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    It can be stressful waiting to be seen at the hospital to find out what may be the matter. It's not unusual for results to go to a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT ) meeting where a number of different health professionals meet to discuss what the next step if any, needs to be. It's not just cancer cases that are discussed, but also ones where a decision needs to be made about whether more tests need to be carried out.

     I don't think anyone can presume that because they haven’t had their scan results yet or still haven’t received them in the next couple of weeks that they don’t have anything to worry about. Everything will hopefully be fine but you need your doctors to confirm this for you.

    Waiting times for test results in the NHS can vary depending on the workload and staffing in local hospitals.  So I can't tell you when you can expect to hear from the hospital, but you can try giving them a call sometime next week to see what you can find out.

    It will depend on the results of the scan whether you will need to see a consultant or one of their team.

    If you find that any of your symptoms are worsening then do get back in touch with your GP. If need be, they can provide you with a sickness certificate for your employer.

    Waiting when you are worried is stressful but hopefully you will find out more soon. 

    I hope everything turns out to be okay. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Kind regards,

    Celene

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Celene

    Hi Celene

    Update - I have yet to be seen or to have a telephone call from the consultant or their team but have been called back in for CT scans of neck, thorax, abdo and pelvis with contrast gadolinium and iodine.  I am assuming this means they have found something on MRI head with gadolinium contrast.  Is it normal not to have any conversation with a doctor since the GP referral?

    Beginning to feel *** off, not to mention worried.....

  • in reply to MungoSlugsieScoot

    Hello and thanks for getting back to us again,

    I can understand that being kept in the dark for so long can be very unsettling.

    I do know that sometimes in diagnosing a condition doctors need a variety of tests to help work out what is going on. It is not uncommon to have an MRI and then to have a CT scan to help the doctors in any decision making. 

    All suspected cancers are discussed in an MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team Meeting) where all the different doctors involved in your care come together to formally discuss each patient. They maybe waiting for the results of all the tests before they tell you any more. MDT's meet once a week so they will probably discuss your case after your CT scan.

    As nurse Celene suggested you could try and give the consultant's secretary a ring to find out when you are likely to see a doctor. 

    I do hope that you find out more soon.

    You are more then welcome to ring and chat this through with one of the helpline nurses. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

    All the Best,

    Catherine

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