link-about contrast dye reactions. Any opinions?

[Alison]

http://blog.remakehealth.com/blog_Healthcare_Consumers-0/bid/6788/What-is-an-MRI-with-contrast-dye

Hi,

in addition to my post below about contrast dye I have found this link ( above).

If you read down, some of the reactions are really making me think I don't want to risk it.  Any advice? I'm pretty stressed out at the moment!

Alison
 

[novagirl]

Dear Alison:

I can only speak about my personal experience. Since 2009, I have had a total of 7 MRIs - all of them with contrast. I have not had any adverse reaction to the contrast. I also had a CT scan with contrast for my Cyberknife radiosurgery. As far as I understand, contrast is not recommended if you have kidney problems or are allergic to the contrast. They do not routinely give you a blood test here in the US to check for this specific allergy. They do ask you about any allergies/kidney problems on the questionnaire before the MRI scan though. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water after the scan to flush out the contrast from your system. But like I said, I never had any reaction whatsoever. You are correct, that ANs show up on scans even without contrast; however, for radiosurgery, every millimeter matters and contrast makes the tumor nice and shiny on the scans which allows for more precise contouring (again, this is purely my understanding). If you are really worried about the contrast, I would discuss it with your doctor in the context of your specific medical history/allergies, etc.

I cannot comment on the headframe. I had Cyberknife which does not involve a headframe. A mesh mask is used instead and it is not directly attached to your head.

I hope this helps.

[LakeErie]

There are risks to any procedures. Do the possible risks from an MRI with contrast outweigh the risks from obtaining a less accurate model of the tumor provided by an MRI without contrast? That MRI model is used in the process of mapping the course of your radiation treatment. Is it important to your treatment to have the most accurate information about the tumor? This is something you should discuss woth the doctor. What percentage of MRI patients actually have any of these side effects? If you are concerned about allergic reactions, you can be given anti-allergy medication prior to the MRI.  Maybe there are other steps you can take to alleviate other concerns. Don't let internet articles dissuade you from a correct course of action. In my opinion, the fact you have  an AN in need of treatment is by far the biggest risk you face, far greater than any potential risks from
investigation of the tumor itself. Good luck.

[Alison]

Thanks for your replies.

It is reassuring to know most people seem to be Ok with the dye. I wouldn't be able to drink water to flush it out for 2 to 3 hours after the MRI with the dye because it'd take me that long to wait for the bus, travel back to my own town, then walk the mile back home. I'd not be able to get to a public convenience in between if I drank a pint of water before I left the hospital! Hopefully leaving it a few hours before I could drink would be Ok?

Alison

[arizonajack]

Take some bottled water with you. Drink it on the way home.

I've had two MRIs with contrast: April 2012 and last week. I also had the kidney lab work before the MRIs.

No reactions.

Didn't know about the water thing so didn't change my normal water drinking after the MRI.

[leapyrtwins]

I've had 6 MRIs with gadolinium contrast - my diagnostic MRI then one annually for the past 5 years post op.

The hospital where I have my MRIs always does the blood tests to make sure my kidneys won't have an issue with the gadolinium.  It's become standard procedure in U.S. hospitals.

No worries,

Jan

[Alison]

Thanks for the replies.

Jan, was it creatinine levels/ kidney function tests that they do? I'd have to ask my GP for a test if I'm to get one before the MRI, as they don't seem do it routinely before contrast here in the UK.

thanks,

 Alison

[LakeErie]

At my hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, creatinine levels are checked before using gadolinium for patients age 60 and over or those patients with known kidney disease. Gadolinium is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If the kidney function is very poor, the gadolinium may not be eliminated, so a lower dose may be used, or no gadolinium at all.
This is a well known risk. Determining the creatinine level is not some special test. If you ever had standard blood labs, your creatinine level was determined. Have you ever been told you have elevated creatinine? Be sure to discuss this with your physician, but I think you would know if you have poor kidney function or not.

[skipg]

When I had my 1st MRI they did the blood test for kidney function, this was at a family owned private center. The next 3 I had done at 2 different hospitals with no preliminary lab work. The only difference was a different insurance in place for the last 3. This is the same insurance that would not send me to the 1st center even at the doctors request and the insurance that wanted to tell me how I would treat my AN. In my opinion, at least some of this, is being driven by cost. I wonder how much more is the MRI with the lab work?
Skip

[leapyrtwins]

Alison -

the blood tests I have prior to my MRI and BUN and Creatinine (I think that's how you spell it).

Jan

[Suu]

G'day Alison

The only side effect that I had was my thyroid went into hyper again after being in remission for 5 years.  It quickly got under control again with only one course of pills.

Anyone with Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) should have a TFT - Thyroid Function Test - within a week of the MRI just to check your levels.

Regards and love
Suu

[Alison]

Thanks to all of you for your replies, they have been very helpful and have put me more at ease.

I think I've had a kidney function test, but I better check with my GP before I have the MRI with dye, whenever that may be. I was told when I had some blood tests before I was diagnosed and the docs were looking to find a reason for my dizzy and balance symptoms , that I apparently have Gilberts Syndrome which is a liver function abnormality with raised billirubin ( which sounds like a good name for a Jaz musician to me!) But I don't think dye it is an issue at all Gilberts.I hope!

Many thanks again,

Alison

[Alison]

Just to say sorry for the typos at the end of the last post. Pressed post before preview DOH!

Alison

[chloes mema]

Alison
I had six MRIs with contrast in five months, never had a problem with the contrast.  After my CK in May 2012 my neurotologist has opted to do the MRIs with out contrast stating that he knows where the AN is and what he's looking for; also, the with out contrast is cheaper.

Like others have already stated, I would want to have the first MRIs done with contrast to be sure the doctor(s) know exactly what they're looking at and dealing with.

Best of luck to you.

Karen