Do I need an MRI with Contrast or without?

[cederpicket]

Soon will get a Prostate MRI done and I am worried about possible side effects of the gadolinium based contrast agent (dye). Can I decline the dye and ask for a MRI without contrast? I don't have any prior cancer diagnosis, but my PSA is 10.9 and 12.15 (two readings, 5 days apart, different labs). Worried about the quick increase (PSA was 5 few months ago, i do have BPH) so want to get a MRI done. Thanks for your help

[Tall_Allen]

Why do you suspect you are allergic to gadolinium?

[cederpicket in reply to Tall_Allen]

I don't know. I once had CT coronary angio and the contrast agent created allergic reaction. I guess they are completely different agents, but i just want to educate myself

[Darryl Partner]

you are a patient. You can decline any aspect of your diagnostic or treatment. Though there are some exceptions eg demanding to do surgery without anesthesia ( cue Little Shop of Horrors). But you can find middle ground for many things such as (some types of) surgery with epidural without full sedation. You would be wise to discuss this with your doctor first.

[Tony666]

I was also worried about gadolinium as there were some posts about 10 years ago from a few people that said it harmed them. I looked into it and the formula has been adjusted. I had two gadolinium mris without any issue, as have millions of others. I think the worry is overblown

[cesanon]

Some Karate movie/tv star sued someone about this contrast agent a few years ago. He must have been unhappy about something. He claimed it ruined his wife's life

A whole lot of us get weak kidneys as we age. So we get hooked to a kidney machine in later life. That machine beats the heck out of you.

It is the antithesis of quality of life.

The docs that order these kinds of contrast agents don't seem bothered by it, because the consequences don't show up for years after they are gone.

Get a bunch of second opinions on its danger from them. And read between the lines.

The first time I figured out what was going on was when a doc ordered a contrast agent for me telling me no problems. But the lab administering it required a formalized disclosure and release process saying very much. Yes this can mess you up pretty good.

You have to be cautious with all these things. You have to rely on yourself to make sure the risks and rewards are balanced. You can't rely on others to do it for you

[fast_eddie in reply to cesanon]

Do you have personal experience with a contrast agent adversely affecting you? If not, you are just spewing internet negativity and there's already too much of that. I had a prostate MRI with a contrast agent and had no problems.

[SimMartin]

I’ve had a few MRIs with contrast 3 during my PCa journey and a couple before unrelated to PCa - I’ve never had any problems or after effects

[Mgtd]

There is a reason why the doctors ask for a MRI W/WO contrast. You may want to look into why this is done and requested and weigh that against you “fear” of adverse reaction.

Second, social media is full of perhaps the people who speak the loudest and longest about something or have no evidence but repeat what someone else told them. Do you believe everything you read or hear?

As John our resident standup comic says Trust but verify.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Mgtd]

Rust and Petrify.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[WilsonPickett]

Sounds like you potentially have more to be concerned about than the contrast …

[Derf4223]

Why not skip the MRI and go to PSMA PET/CT? That still involves a tracer agent but will highlight PCa and mets.. Besides, both MRI and PSMA PET/CT are done in a hospital which presumably will be on guard for adverse reactions with immediate ameloriation available.

[cederpicket in reply to Derf4223]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

[janebob99]

The Gadolinium is only added at the very tail end of the MRI session, and it only lasts for about 5 minutes and then they are done. 90% of the MRI session is done without Gadolinium. You could easily skip it and have not much impact on the overall MRI findings.

I did MRI before I got a prostate biopsy. That is a much better order of things., because they can use the MRI findings to guide the biopsy needles to hit any detected tumors from the MRI.