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    MRI - Contrast Dye

    I've had many, many MRI's with contrast, without a problem. Until the last one I had in February... that evening I started having trouble breathing and just felt really strange. I debated and debated on going to the hospital, but I just hate the ER and instead kept the phone nearby to call 911.

    I felt fine the next day. However, when I told my doctor about it, he told me I should have gone to the hospital and it could be that I'm starting to get an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. They would have probably only given me Benadryl though and I should probably do that the next time I get an MRI.

    But now its time for another one, but I've been putting it off because I'm afraid of a worse attack... or having a panic attack when they inject the dye just thinking about what "might" happen...

    Anyone else have this happen to them with the contrast? Does anyone get MRI's without using the contrast?

    #2
    Hello rickalex,

    Do you drink alot of water after having your MRIs? Drinking alot of water afterwards helps flush the Gadolinium (contrast, dye) out of your system quickly.

    The only problem I have ever had with Gadolinium is bladder irritation but that is quickly resolve by drinking a lot of water. I perfer to get the contrast out of my system asap.
    Diagnosed 1984
    “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

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      #3
      I would most definitely keep bendryl on hand, plus my Dr gave me meds to calm me before my MRI in Nov because I am extremely claustrophobic. I am usually drugged to the point that I don't remember anything, but this new Dr doesn't like to do that, so he will just sedate me some. Maybe ask your Dr about something like that to help you get through.
      DX 10/26/11

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        #4
        Thanks for the input from both of you. I do drink a lot of water daily. I take a refillable bottle with me wherever I go. I will actually turn the car around if I forget it. LOL I never thought about flushing it out of the system by doing that. Good to know.

        I'm not claustrophic though, so I won't need anything to calm me except at the end when I get the contrast now.. I know I'm going to be scared, and then maybe I can see your point.. but that's only the last 10 or 15 minutes so I should be able to get through it.. I HOPE!

        Thanks again!

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          #5
          Caution

          If I were you, I wouldn't have the gadolinium in the future. Once you have an allergic reaction, the odds of having future (and possibly more severe) reactions is increased. I know your doctor wants to see if you have any "active" plaques, but it's not worth dying over. They can do it plain.


          rex

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            #6
            I strongly agree with Kingrex.

            Do not have the dye again.

            I had had many mris in the past, then about 5 years ago, I had a reaction.

            I came out of the tube feeling itchy and thirsty. I thought it was from being too warm and the plastic collar cover that was used.

            When I got up to come out I was scratching my neck and feeling a little dizzy so I made a comment to the radtech about the cheap plastic collar cover.

            He looked and me and ran off saying he would get the nurse and just left me in the hallway.

            I looked around and then went into the restroom nearby. I was washing my hands when I looked into the mirror.
            Everything was covered in hives and swelling.

            The tech and nurse came back saying that they had called for benadryl and had called my dr.

            They explained that the benadryl they usually had was expired and had been thrown out without being replaced.

            I started to feel really funny and asked for my sister in law to bring my purse and for a drink of water.

            I explained that my daughter was allergic to bee stings and that I carried quick desolve benadryl in my purse.

            I continued to try to sip water while they got her from the waiting room and contacted my dr. again.

            It was a very frightening experience to know what was happening and not feeling like it was being handled.

            My dr. is in the same building and came in and started an iv shortly after I took my benadryl tabs. I don't even remember how many I took.

            They were squeezing the iv bag when I finally feel asleep. I don't want to scare you but seeing the tube that they were ready to use on my breathing lying out at the ready isn't exactly reassuring.


            My doctor and I have discussed the benefits of using the contrast dye.

            I had to have one addition mri with contrast after I feel over a student at work and workmen's comp demanded it. They wanted to prove that my back problem was ms related not to fallin backward over a kid.

            My neuro and I researched it and came up with a prophalactic medication combo. My dr only agreed to the mri if it was done in a hospital and that a dr. was there to assist.

            I still had a reaction but not as severe as the first time.

            I will not have gadolinium again. It is not worth it. The dye only shows which lesions are active. If you have ms you have lesions. There isn't a prize if they are active or not.

            Additionally, every time I need to put down the allergy the comment is made that I am also allergic to shellfish.

            Mri dye and cat scan dye are two entirely different things. I can eat all the shellfish I want. The dyes are derived from different sources.

            I am sorry if this is long and bossy- but you might have had a mild reaction this time. The next time could be quicker and much worse.

            It is such a rare reaction that handling it could be a bit precarious and I don't want you to have the treatment that I did.

            Take care.

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              #7
              Originally posted by kingrex View Post
              If I were you, I wouldn't have the gadolinium in the future. Once you have an allergic reaction, the odds of having future (and possibly more severe) reactions is increased. I know your doctor wants to see if you have any "active" plaques, but it's not worth dying over. They can do it plain.
              rex
              Good to see you back, Rex
              Diagnosed 1984
              “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

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                #8
                I've heard other stories like yours and I guess thats where my biggest concern comes in. Even with people with bee stings they say the next time could get worse.

                My "family" doctor seems like the only one concerned though about having it in the future... where my Neuro doesn't seem as worried. Just told me to have Benadryl in my pocket in case something happens. I think he told me to take it prior to getting the MRI, but the company who does the MRI told me the last time that I cannot take the Benadryl prior to the testing but should have it with me.

                Ugghh.. I don't know what to do...? I'm going to have one next week. I didn't know until you posted though why they do the contrast so finding out its to show "active" lesions then I think I will just put my foot down and "refuse" the contrast. I'm just checking to see if I have more lesions and if there's a brain infection. I can tell when the lesions are active!

                Thanks for the input!

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                  #9
                  You already know you have MS and with the Bad Reaction, I would never do the Gadolinium again. Your reaction was fairly mild, it can be Life Threatening.
                  Bill
                  Scuba, true meaning of Life! USS Wilkes Barre 91, USS Monitor 96, 97, 99 .. Andrea Doria 96, 98 .. San Francisco Maru 09

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                    #10
                    Anaphylasix

                    I am extrememly alergic to contrast dye from CT scan's and because of that the do not like to use the mri dyes. Some imaging places can give the effect of the dye through their software instead of injecting the dye.

                    Don't know if they can do a prep for it, but I definately would not get it done with the dye unless you are in a hospital setting. They are equipt to handle it, but having gone through an anaphylasix respond twice now and almost dieing, I would be very cautions and ask lots of questions.

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                      #11
                      Wow, I'm convinced! I'll let you know what my Neuro says when I tell him I'm not doing the contrast. He's a great person, I don't think he'll push it if I don't want it. I'm so glad I have this website now to check in with you guys!

                      I have a facebook page, but NO one understands anything! LOL Here I can ask a question and everyone knows what I'm talking about! I love this website! Thank you!

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by SNOOPY View Post
                        Good to see you back, Rex
                        Thanks for those kind words


                        rex

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                          #13
                          My primary care doc doesn't like the idea of using dye every time. I have had many MRIs (with dye) over the past two years, which have undeniably confirmed MS, and shown no significant change over the past two years, and no active enhancement. My MS specialist now agrees that unless I am experiencing major new symptoms that I do not need to use dye for my MRIs.

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                            #14
                            Hmm I should look into not using dye if I haven't had symptoms. There was one time I had a really bad reaction to the dye (I felt woozy and out of it for about 3 days afterward). What happened though is that when the tech was starting the IV with the dye, she suddenly said, "Well look at that! Your hand puffed up like a little frog!" She didn't really explain but I guess the needle slipped and it was going in subcutaneously rather than into my vein! She took out the needle, patted my hand a bit for the puffiness to go down and went to get someone else to start the IV. (I do have tiny veins so people often have trouble w/them.) Since I had such a bad reaction for a while I thought I was allergic to the dye but my MS specialist said it was probably just b/c I got SO much of it and it wasn't intravenous like it's supposed to be ... which makes sense. I haven't had that reaction at other times.
                            2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

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                              #15
                              i had to have an mri done this yr w/o contrast dye due to my pregnancy. so it can be done. the only thing is, theres no way to see if there are active lesions. ur neuro will only be able to tell if there are new lesions or if ur old ones have grown by comparison. i wish u luck.

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