I'm getting a mri lower and upper spine with/without contrast my will this affect my kidneys of 71?

[neidrum]

I have pain in my head or pressure and my neurogist think it's my nerves.

my last blood test shows egfr is 71 this month. I was wondering if with contrast would that affect my kidneys becauce I use to have ckd3.

[InfoGB]

Hello,

I am in Canada,

Here with patient with renal disease we proceed the CT with contrast only if the EGFR is higher than 30. Lower than 30 we need to contact the radiologist and change the order for without contrast.

A other option if the doctor absolutly need with contrast is to proceed to a pre or post hydration or both. It`s generally 2h hydration IV before CT or after her both. It`s protecting the kidneys.

[userotc]

As Info states, egfr 30 seems to be the cut-off for higher risk. I have links, if required.

[NEPHRO_DIARY]

eGFR of 71, is way above Stage 3b levels - which is awesome!The Doctor should perform a Kidney Function test, of a patient known to have poor kidney function, PRIOR to a MRI with contrast.

[Darlenia]

I hope your source of problems can be identified. It's hard to enjoy life when you're having headaches and pressure. This is what Mayo Clinic says about MRIs:

"It depends on the type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan you have. An MRI can be done with contrast or without contrast. An MRI done without contrast causes no special concerns for people with kidney problems. An MRI with contrast uses contrast agents to enhance the MRI scan (injected into a vein). The contrast agents used for MRI scans often contain a chemical element called gadolinium (gad-oh-LIN-e-um). Newer contrast agents that contain gadolinium are generally safe for people with kidney disease, even those who receive dialysis. But that might not be the case with older contrast agents. The type of gadolinium used in older contrast agents isn't safe for people with moderate or advanced chronic kidney disease."

I would bring up my kidney concerns with your team. Then, when you see the person directly in charge on the day of the procedure, repeat your concerns and establish that they're using the newer versions of gadolinium - if, indeed, contrast must be used. Also ask what can be done to remove gadolinium from your body. Usually you're told to drink lots of water to flush it away. My husband who has gone through most everything - kidney failure, dialysis transplant - has had at least one mri with contrast. His egfr wasn't impacted.

[neidrum in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you

[PeaB4YouGo]

I was told that MRIs with contrast aren't as much of an issue as CT with contrast. The CT formula contains iodine, and that is the issue with contrast. There is no issue with MRI contrast. Just follow the normal instructions, and drink. Alot. Really load up and flush the contrast out.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

Avoid iodine contrast! However, with a function this high, you should be fine with the gadolinium contrast, the newer kind, the older formulas had a much higher risk of kidney damage.

It is possible to have an MRI without contrast, it just shows less. I had an MRI without contrast, it showed a brain tumor, so then they did another MRI with contrast to show all the detail of the tumor.

Ask your doctor so you can make informed decision. They might be willing to do it the way I did, or maybe not.

[neidrum in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

About a year ago a neurologist did it without contrast and put me on amtripyline increasing it by weekly. It did not solve the problem with the pain in my neck, shoulders, arms and fingers. He decided to put me on naproxen also.

I then told my primary I had ckd3 few years ago and I did not want to take it. I was sent to all kinds of doctors and now I'm back because I'm not able to live with this any longer it mild at times but at night it hell trying to get in a comforable position.

My doctor thinks it's my nerves.

I hope after I do this mri, finger & feet eletrodes and head we find out the problem or it could be just old age 78 where things just happen to you.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to neidrum]

I hope so. Neurologists have a very nasty habit of telling you what’s wrong but having no way to fix it. That’s how it is for me. I also get bad nerve pain at night.

[neidrum in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

What do you do to ease the pain without medication?

[Marvin8]

Two things I'd research if I were you; 1) Beet root juice and the prevention of contrast-induced AKI (acute kidney injury), and 2) Accumulation of gadolinium in the brain.

[OldTownhammock]

My gp told me no contrast. I am usually between 34 and 41

[neidrum]

I bought beet root herb to see how it works on my blood pressure and infammation in my body thanks i'm not crazy about beet juice.