At the end of January I am to have a cat scan on my renal artery to assess the width of it. They are going to inject a dye whilst the scan is in operation. I maybe wrong but I thought I remembered reading a post on here discussing whether or not it’s a good thing to have this done when in the throes of pmr.
Does anyone have any advice please.
I don’t know, but even if there was a small risk of problems, I think I’d go ahead because a narrowing of the artery to a kidney could be serious if left and more of a problem than PMR. Presumably ultrasound isn’t accurate enough?
Someone may have asked about contrast - but apart from the inherent risks of contrast I can't think why PMR should make a difference. Not CT, MRI, but this study obviously didn't think so:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/302...
This may be what you are thinking of?
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
But as Snazzy says - the long term risks of renal artery narrowing are considerable so having the scan is important.
Thanks pmrpro.
I had an allergic reaction but it was easily and swiftly dealt with and not a problem. Good luck xx.
Hello Suet3942 . I had a CTA of neck and upper chest with contrast a few months ago.I needed a blood test a few days before to check kidney function and just had instructions about drinking a lot of water in the hours before and fasting for the morning of the scan. No problems during or after, just the funny metallic taste and flushed feeling. I presume if they are looking at your renal artery they should have a good idea of your kidney function already. Hope all goes well for you x
I had a CT scan with contrast. I did not think to ask about problems with PMR. It went fine, although I did feel a bit sick afterwards. It did not stop me going to the pub though after the scan.
Hahaha. Piglette you legend cxxx
You’ve put my mind at rest. 😃😄😄
Your renal function should be checked first. My stepmother had a heart procedure with dye when she was quite aged. Her kidney function wasn't checked beforehand. The heart operation was a success, but she spent the rest of her life (somewhere over a year) having dialysis three times a week as her kidneys no longer worked. I think there may be different kinds of dye, perhaps some more toxic than others. So ask questions before proceeding so appropriate care is taken. All the best.
Oh God. How awful. I will ask the questions!
I had the dye injected when I was 13 for what turned out to be a urinary tract infection, but it was the kidneys they where looking at. It was relatively straight forward as I recall. I seem to remember the dye being radiated or something, but it was a long time ago.
I feel sure that all will be well for you. X
I hope it will be, too. Just wanted to give a heads up. The problem is, as I understand it, all of us gradually lose kidney function as we age so a dye procedure at 13 will probably be less risky than at 60 or 90.
I know Heron. I remember being relieved that the dye was injected into my arm, not my kidney.
Good luck Sue! I see that you’ve had good answers.
Thanks Jane, xx
Hope the hospitial dont cancel the appointment on the day. I got up and 5.30am to have breakfast 6 hours before the appointment, only to be contacted at 8am to say it was cancelled as the dye was not available. Hopefully having it done next Monday.this is to check on possible GCA in left eye.
I do hope they do it on Monday, fancy running out of dye, the mind boggles at the ineptitude. I went into hospital at 7.30am on a Sunday for an op under general anaesthetic. Sat around until around 4pm when they came and said they may be able to do it that day just before 10pm. Having been nil by mouth all day I decided to go home and have it the following day. What a waste of a Sunday.
They are often radioisotopes and must be made and delivered specially in a short time window. Fewer and fewer hospitals make their own now, for example Scarborough (of all places) still does, the gubmint have decided they are to have the facility shut. That is actually one of the medical problems with a no-deal B-word: the stuff is brought in from abroad on a just in time basis and any delays at ports will make delivery of the radioisotopes a problem. There are very few places the stuff can come from and it costs a fortune to set a new one up.
Blimey. Not good.
Oh Mary that’s not good. Hope you are ok.
Dexa Scan
GCA and MRI scan
DEXA Scan
Dexa scan 
Dexa Scan
