GCA and MRI scan

[random901]

After recurring UTIs and traces of blood in urine, a cystoscopy, an ultrasound on bladder and kidneys, I had an MRI scan yesterday. My last experience of the latter was in June 2022, when a dye was injected via canula into an artery. Going back feet-first through the machine I felt a severe shooting pain which made me scream. Scan abandoned. At the time I had undiagnosed GCA, and was in recovery post repair to aorta aneurism (possibly due to GCA). Now, 27 months on, I still have numbness and tingling in the fourth and fifth fingers of my right hand. Mentioned it to many staff at the time, but nobody seemed interested. Today, 12 hours after my scan, I had awful nausea, gut pain, constipation then the runs, after which I'm beginning to feel better. Looked up after-effects of MRI scan on NHS website, according to which there are none. Really? Explored further to find 0.7% have rare reaction - including nausea and gut problems - where dye has been injected. Wondering whether injecting dye into already dodgy arteries is a good idea. Anyone else among you had similar? Will contact NHS site to express my displeasure at their inaccurate reassurances.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not sure which site you looked at but this one mentions it

nhs.uk/conditions/mri-scan/...

"Sometimes the contrast agent can cause side effects, such as:

feeling or being sick

a skin rash

a headache

dizziness

These side effects are usually mild and don't last very long."

So beware complaining and looking a bit of a nelly!!!!

Tingling in finges 4 and 5 is typical of ulnar nerve entrapment - like carpal tunnel but a different nerve.

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/....

[Rubha in reply to PMRpro]

Must have been scary but worth remembering no procedures are without risk , no matter how small the percentage. Think of our own dear pred…..and all its side effects but the benefits out way the downsides. Hope you feel better soon .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rubha]

You replied to me - I assume this is for Random901?

[Rubha in reply to PMRpro]

Oops yes....sorry . No specs on .

[random901 in reply to Rubha]

Cheers, Rubha!

[Rubha in reply to random901]

I didn't have my glasses on ....sorry

[random901 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for information on ulner nerve. Still managing to knit! Can't retrace site which mentioned gut problems post MRI scan, though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to random901]

I gave the link, which works for me from the reply above, and it is under Contrast. You have to google MRI with contrast. There isn't anything about the plain MRI to cause problems - unless you have metal bits in you!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

.. and me - for the record.

[AtopicGuy]

An MRI scan involves only harmless magnetism and radio waves. Any unpleasant side effects are most likely due to medicines injected beforehand (eg. contrasting agents), or anxiety due to the strange noise and environment.

[random901 in reply to AtopicGuy]

Ho AtopicGuy! I think I had issues with the dye! Grateful to have had scan nevertheless!