dye used in a CT Kidney scan, triple phase BOTH,

[Thiago1396]

I had a CT Kidney scan, triple phase BOTH with dye earlier this week. The two day following I experienced more inflammation pain than I have since starting treatment in early May. After having the dye I had to drink plenty of fluid for a few days. My earlier blood test indicated my kidney function was ok for the dye.

Could the dye used for my scan have reduced the prednisolone’s effect on my inflammation?

[SheffieldJane]

My non scientific explanation is that these procedures are stressful and as we know our diseases respond with raised inflammation levels. I have noticed a reaction following MRI scans and CT scans etc, irrespective of how calm I am feeling. It is an interesting theory that your extra fluid intake could have diluted your Pred dose or that somehow there was an adverse reaction with the dye. I would be surprised if this was the case. It may be that you need a little more Prednisolone to get you over this period, if your doctor is agreeable.

[BaronessBetty]

I had kidney cancer about18 months ago that resulted in the removal of my left kidney (I was diagnosed with PMR about 6 months after the surgery). I’ve had several CT scans with dye since and not noticed any additional symptoms following but I generally drink about 3l of fluids a day. Interesting theory though as apart from the initial relief with my worst symptoms on 20mg I’ve never felt great - I’m currently stuck at 10mg

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred is commonly used in advance to protect from allergic reactions to the dye. As SJ suggests - I'd suspect that the stress of the procedure and possibly position on the bed may have not helped/

[pata63]

Snap! I had a CT IVU with contrast Thursday afternoon. They did inject the contrast twice, and there were 3 passes, so maybe that is local New Zealand speak for "CT Kidney scan, triple phase BOTH with dye". My kidney function (eGFR) was 70 before. I'll let you know what it is now as I had a repeat test on Saturday morning to check. They used the lowest dose of contrast they could because I'm already on "kidney watch" as my eGFR reduced from >90 to around 70 a few years back which worried my GP and go me referred to a nephrologist. I ended up with a kidney biopsy and that returned a verdict of Insterstitial not Vasculitis, most likely due to some prescribed drug. We never figured out what drug which does make things tricky.

I'm currently alternating between 3mg and 2.5mg of Pred. After a month of steady 3mg I was doing great with no PMR symptoms, but then came the deathly fatigue (presumed Adrenals). I happened to be on a 3mg when the CT IVU was done. Having read this discussion maybe that was a good thing. I had no ill symptoms since the scan, PMR or other. The night before the scan was the first time I felt I had moved beyond deathly fatigue in 3 weeks.

I've been careful to have at least 2L of fluids every day since Nov 2020, and since the scan I've been on 3L until today. I've got a GP face to face in a few hours so I might find out a little more, but the specialist Urologist appointment the scan was done for isn't until 17-July. Long queue. 😀 All of this is because of persistent micro hematuria plus raised PSA post acute bacterial prostatitis in 2020. I previously had a flexible cytoscopy which didn't find anything of note.

[Thiago1396 in reply to pata63]

Very best wishes

[Thiago1396]

UPDATE: I increased from 15mg to 20mg Pred a couple of days after the scan and improved over next 10 days. Plan to stay on 20mg for 1 month the start to taper. CT triple phase scan on my kidneys, indicated the apparent cyst is ‘suspicious’! Offered 1, operation to remove, 2, biopsy & freeze it, 3, leave it for 6 months, (it’s 2.6cms) and then do another CT triple phase scan to see it then and revisit options. Taking my other medical conditions into consideration, I chose option 3.

Now wondering if being on Prednisolone, which reduces my immune system, I should have gone for option 2.

[Mayadill in reply to Thiago1396]

hi Thiago, Oh dang! I've had a 'suspicious' kidney cyst too so empathy, but it's not relevant because i was aged 2 at the time. In those days they simply took the whole kidney out.

i had a CT with dye while on Pred. I was a little tired as one is after a nice day out at the hospital but I don't recall any other after-effects. That was during lockdown, and the whole experience was positively quiet and serene, so your experience might have been rather more stressful.