This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello-
I have started on a confusing and complex journey.
After by GP saw a dx of ON he said "Holy Crap! We may be dealing with MS here." Then he started to ask some pointed questions. I had come into the exam with with a list of complaints. Something I had never done before.
Just yesterday I was at a teaching hospital receiving several types of tests.
I see my Neuro next week for the results.

I do have a question. Is there someplace on this site that might talk about people who can't have an MRI? I did do a search but it came up with no results. My neuro really wants me to have one and I understand why. But it just isn't possible because of a stainless steel implant in my left ear. (I just knew when my ENT guy installed it that it was going to come back and bite me in the butt!!)

Hello pokiedottie. I want to welcome you here! I cannot give you any info about your implant besides recommending that perhaps you might want to call an MRI place (or maybe a few) and see if they have info of your implant or perhaps do and don'ts. That's all I have for now. Again, welcome
p

Pokiedottie – First of all, welcome to our community.

Second, to your question… I believe that stainless steel is not magnetic; i.e., a magnet will not affect stainless steel. I agree with ppicklee – to feel more comfortable about the situation, call your neurologist or the local hospital where the MRI might be performed and ask them directly if your implant would be a problem.

Re: Stainless steel implant.
I have talked to the ENT doc that installed it,several radiologists and the tech who run MRI. They all say no to getting in an MRI. I have found out from talking to these people that an MRI machine also emits some microwaves which could cause heating of the implant and possible damage to surronding tissues and structures. Think what happens when you leave something metal in your microwave at home.
So it is not just the magnet that I have to worry about.

The stainless steel implant
there is no use worrying about some things we cannot change. At least that's always worked for me.
if it brings you any measure of comfort... my aunt once told me (and I have since tried it ) if the mass is greater than the medal the microwave won't cause any sparking or any thing. So if I am thinking this correctly your body may be "the mass" and your implant "the medal" I would be surprised if any thing would be a problem. Like I said before ... ask your doctor and maybe you might want to Google for more info.
p

That is very interesting.
The mass(which I have a considerable amount of) is greater then the metal. Of course I have seen that happen in the kitchen microwave. Forgot something and thought I just got lucky that it didn't arc. HHmmmm. Interesting.

I have been all over the internet and have gotten conflicting studies.
My neuro is clueless on this subject. So that is why I went back to the orginal
ENT guy and talked to people who run those machines.

Thanks again for your input. It really helped.

We are all just trying to get through this together.
p