Drugs before MRI Scan

[xTalK]

Background Info:

I had a seizure recently due to what I suspect was xanax withdrawal and bashing serotonin receptors far too heavily (had tripped about 4 times dec/early jan and consumed serious amounts of MDMA/Cocaine too along with MXP and xanax dosing of like 5-6mg a day).

My last dose of xanax that day was at about 3-4PM, around 0.25-.5mg (a fraction of my usual but I didn't wish to cloud the trip but to avoid rebound anxiety) then during the trip over 12 hours later, post-peak I had a seizure with full muscle convulsing, foaming at the mouth, etc. I went to hospital was treated like shit and given 5mg of diazepam (I didn't mention I took the xanax as they already put LSD on my record and I didn't want to go down as a drug dependent user - should I ever need pain killers or benzos for legitimate purposes in future).

Upon returning home, at say 4PM the next day I had another exact same seizure hospital then took me in ambulance, kept me overnight and did some chest xrays and some form of head scan that I'm not aware of and everything was 100%.

This was same batch of LSD, let me clear it up it was not NBOME/DOX/W.e. I'm a very experienced drug user and this is the first time anything like this has happened. 2 people have mentioned to me since that I sometimes seemed to clench my fists and clamp jaw when on heavy ketamine k-hole doses (talking like .5-1g lines) but isn't it an anti convulsant?

My Question:

I have an MRI scan on Monday, I haven't taken anything apart from Cannabis, Alcohol or Xanax, except for .2mg of ketamine when I left the hospital 3 weeks ago because I can't keep the stuff - but that's another story. The xanax I've greatly tapered off, I'm not using daily but have been past day or two as have been finding things difficult, I've also had no cannabis to smoke and it is normally what I use so xanax in a way is substituting it.

How affected can the scan be by drug usage even alcohol? I want to go out and party tonight, I've been sitting here for 3 weeks from being a serious drug user to barely at all my standards. It's been very difficult and causing depression etc, I literally have not been over the door properly in 3 weeks and haven't had much contact with friends either because I'm in such a big drug scene and struggle without.

If I took say 120mg of MDMA tonight and a bit of cider (with no weird chemicals etc, a friend brews his own) would this affect the actual results of the MRI scan? I know the obvious answer is to not do anything, but this lack of socializing etc is really killing me inside. Either that or would ketamine as could even sit and just get a gram and would mean wouldn't even need to go out tonight.

Would alcohol affect it also? As I'm trying to even consider just drinking for my own safety. But I don't think I'm epileptic etc, I think this was a freak accident due to the background info.
My only problem with the alcohol is I'd say I've drank about 12-15l of 7-8% cider in the past week. I'm starting to get muscle shakes etc and more anxious/depressed but unsure if this is due to xanax. I am not a heavy drinker of alcohol normally (2.5l MAX of Cider) I don't recall taking any Xanax in past 24 hours.

I know you all aren't doctors, but to be honest the people I was dealing with in the hospital shouldn't have been themselves. I was talking to members of Public Health Agency and experienced long-term drug users who also felt it was likely the xanax as the main issue. But I had no other withdrawal symptoms (normally my anxiety goes through the roof).

 

[Shambles]

I'm not quite sure what you are asking, but an MRI scan won't pick up any drugs in your system if that is what's concerning you. It's a bit like an X-ray only swankier. I had one not long back. They just put you in a big noisy tube and zap you with magnets.

Obviously you don't want to arrive drunk or drugged off yer nut, but getting the shakes is not such a good sign. Booze and benzos hit the same receptors so if you mix the two it's a double whammy. Are you concerned that you might get the shakes whilst actually in the MRI scanner?

 

[xTalK]

Thanks for your reply Shambles! Has put me at ease as I had no idea what to expect and it is now starting to sound to be like a lot bigger than it really is.

My main question is say I did drugs tonight etc, (I wont be touching any Sunday Evening/Monday Morning - scans Monday morning) would it affect the results of the MRI scan? To be honest I don't even know what it's for apart from helping see if I am an epileptic (which I am fairly confident I'm not). I just don't want to affect the results due to drug taking but it's Saturday night, mate is putting on a local Techno party and was hoping to get down and provide testing facilities etc.

Yeah these shakes are weird, I may be hungover or something but it's a bit like I feel warm, but my shaking is as if I'm cold, mainly affecting my hands, arms and top of chest along with slightly towards my feet.

 

[Shambles]

Well, afaik, it shouldn't make any difference one way or t'other really. I don't think you have anything to worry about at all here really. Just turn up to the appointment in a reasonable state and they treat ya nice. They won't be looking for drugs with an MRI. I was in and out in seconds - was a bit of a let down actually cos was quite looking forward to seeing a pic of me own brain but I never got to see it in the end. Don't worry about it, X. It really is just like an X-ray with knobs on is all

 

[Albion]

All they do is inject you with a gel-like substance so that you can be picked up by the scanner, and scan you.

 

[wcote]

I have epilepsy, if I were you I wouldn't take any drugs, as it may interfere with your brain. Im saying MAY. Im no expert, but surely you want to be sensible and just be as clean possible to make diagnose of what is wrong as simple as possible. Why through in the added risk of dugs possible interfering? Would you much rather find out ASAP what the problem is?

You will be having an MRI to look for tumours, or scarring on the brain, or any swelling. Don't worry if there is anything it will likely just be benign. I have a slight scar on my temp lobe, which most likely causes my epilepsy, but beyond that its not a danger to me, as it is not cancerous.

So let's be honest can you do without the drugs? Get yourself sorted, its not the end of the world if you don't take drugs a couple of times. In the end seizures are really dangerous, and you really want to get this sorted out as quick as possible so you can rule out possible causes of the seizures.

To find out if your epileptic you would also be having a ECG (Electrocardiography), as this measures electrical activity of the brain.

 

[xTalK]

Thanks a lot all, BL saves the day once again.

Wcote, how are you as a drug user suffering with epilepsy if you don't mind me asking? Is it something where you have to moderate usage or as long as you take your medication your alright (this is the case for a good friend of mine but it has caught him a few times when he's forgotten due to partying). I had no aura's etc before the seizure so am almost sure that the seizure was due to the heavy drug use and xanax withdrawal, but obviously as you're saying this is a seizure and not to be taken lightly.

I would've thought alcohol was one of the ones more prone to causing seizures though and I've been using it fine. I have managed to lay off all psychedelics such as 4-ACO-DMT/DMT/LSD/Psilocin and MDMA in nearly a month now, basically since the seizure. Anyone any idea how long it can take for receptors to allow me to use again? This has been the longest period in the past 3 years of my life (more likely 4) that I have done this, hope some of you can understand this is quite difficult when used to being in altered states. But I've always had the saying in my head that if something goes tits up then you need to stop partying now if you want to be able to party again, otherwise if you don't you wont.

It's weird also, had started taking Ginkgo Bilboa tea and capsules about a month before this - another thing that affects serotonin? But I thought it was in a good way to help my brain deal with the partying. I've since completely cut it out too as a cup of it was the last thing I drank before the seizure.

(cocaines just a party one for me, not a big fan to be honest) and hadn't touched amphetamine (although normally do heavy 3 day binges) in months.

What is the ECG? I had some form of thing where I lay down, machine moved me inside a big cylinder, some loud noises and some like metal poles etc sort've moving about but not touching me. No flashing lights etc, I was just told everything looked okay and away I went back to the ward. Likewise with the chest xray which was just resting my chin on something and keeping my chest widely exposed.

 

[wcote]

If I take my meds I'm very well controlled 1 seizure a year at most (apart from last year, were amatriptaline made me have 3 seizures in 6 weeks)

I have never had a seizure due to drink or drugs directly, I used to take MDMA, lsd, ketamine, 2C- all sorts. I don't do them anymore, just not worth the risk TBH.

I still drink booze, which is risky but again never had one plus I have massively cut down. but yeah booze can be a high risk for seizures, but I have been drinking for 10 years now, so im happy with it. If it causes me to have some, I will stop.

I'm constantly on codeine and at times on gear like now. And every now and then get a strip of valies or etiz. Avoid etiz or xanax if you do longer binge, the short half life can fuck you over. So they are fine for a day, but if you go a binge on them the short acting ones can fuck you over.

I used to be on gear and valium addiction, and due to WD from valium with a stupid decrease I had a seizure, and when getting from gear to subutex I had a tiny 5 second seizure on way to pharmacy

AVOID Cocaine or Crack at all costs, I believe it crashes the sodium levels in the brain, and this can cause seizures as many antiepileptic drugs post sodium levels to try and prevent seizures, so Cocaine is dangerous.

Never did speed, but again I'd say avoid. DO NOT STAY UP FOR DAYS ON END! Lack of sleep can be a major cause of seizures, so I would recommend not doing big binges, get your sleep. Its really important.

Ultimately its down to the individual, I'm lucky I can take drink and drugs and not have seizures, its about finding out what works, but its dangerous. That's why I avoid uppers at all cost now.

 

[StoneHappyMonday]

I take 20mg valium just to get into an MRI scanner. Drugs are not a problem.

 

[wcote]

Yes they could be a problem, so why not just not take drugs for a little while?

Seizures are serious, get it sorted as quick as possible, with the body as clean as possible.

 

[StoneHappyMonday]

Yes they could be a problem, so why not just not take drugs for a little while?

Seizures are serious, get it sorted as quick as possible, with the body as clean as possible.

I'm not talking about the seizures, I honestly believe drugs will NOT affect an MRI scan results.

Several drugs should generally be avoided for those suffering seizures, I'm aware of that.

On a side note, I recently got a diagnosis through something called a Doppler test. I did this test 'clean' four years ago and the results were negative, fucked up by the tester. Went back a few weeks ago on MPA (I'd forgotten I had an appt in a few hours when I took the drug) and, hey-ho, nurse immediately diagnosed correctly a problem I've had for 4 years. Likesay, just an aside. Not relating this evidence to MRI. But I'm sure I'm right about MRI.

 

[wcote]

Yeah, but my point is if your suffering seizures, you might as well not take the risk, just in case it does affect the brain scan somehow.

Well in the end the are really loud and you have to stay still..... sometimes you get to choose music, or being some along. Othertimes they only give you ear defenders, after 20 mins it get really really boring.

And if you have laustaphobia it must be awful.

 

[StoneHappyMonday]

And if you have claustaphobia it must be awful.

Thats what I get my 20mg valium for. It works. Ive had 50 mins pass in the blink of an eye.

 

[xTalK]

All went well, just like a computer glitching sound repeatedly for 5 minute periods over 20-30 mins.

Also took decent amount of MD at weekend there and small amount of booze, feeling it still today with headaches a bit but still aint had a good sleep. Was completely fine though, just have had a bad chest since the original seizure think could do with laying off the grass though. So really hoping this is just a one off due to being careless and can learn and continue without another.