How essential is the intravenous tracer in reading the MRI?

[jersey-jazz]

On a form for a test at Robert Wood Johnson scheduled for 6 July, it says that I have, "polyneuropathy due to other toxic agents". This is a diagnosis of the internal trembling that occurred suddenly I April 2020 and continues, getting more extensive. This is the third neurologist I have been seen by.

On this upcoming Thursday, 1 July, I have an MRI. This is instead of anther PET scan which I had asked not to have. I asked if I could have the MRI without contrast, the reason being that I saw a comment on our forum about one of these agents being put into the blood and causing trembling. Not only did the response through the portal say that the dye is necessary but they wanted to know where I got my info.

Has anyone refused the injection and got away with it? Please give advice as soon as possible?

[hdhonda]

Don't have answers for you, but do know that they check kidneys before inserting dye. It may be that dye gives a clearer picture. Hopefully, someone that knows will answer. Blessings, Hannah

[Justme153]

Have you asked them your doctors directly on if the dye could cause the trembling? I do know that just about everything we put in and on our bodies is filtered through the kidneys and liver . This is why unless it is absolutely necessary to take a vitamin or pill (over the counter) I don't. I do know with my CT scans they specify with or without contrast I'm not sure with MRI if there is an option. I say ask your doctor directly if there is any info that suggests the contrast could be the cause. I would also ask if your doctor could start a list of patients who have the same problem. If nothing else this could be a starting point to possibly connecting the contrast with trembled. GOOD LUCK

[jersey-jazz in reply to Justme153]

Thank you for your advice. Unfortunately, the interventional radiologist and I don't talk. Nearly all communications are on the portal. There are no discussions. My oncologist at MSKCC and I have not had a telephone talk since my February op on my liver. She and I have not seen each other for much more than a year. Some of us need to step in at times to be our own" doctor". Thus, I am reading all the contraindications of the injection of gladaliminihum. My inclination is to refuse the injection. Still, there are three more days of trying to figure it out. Thank you, again. I love the way we all help each other.

[Arisgram]

I have asked on 2 occasions to skip the contrast but been told it is necessary for a quality image. However, I think I'm going to start refusing. If they don't think an image without contrast is worthwhile, so be it. Best of luck to you.

[jersey-jazz in reply to Arisgram]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am going to look back on the number of times I've had thee injections in the past few years. I know it has been a lot.

[13plus]

I’ve never heard anything like that about the dye but you should be perfectly fine. To be honest I would trust the neurologist ahead of someone on a forum. I’ve had it a number of times without any issue. The dye gives a much clearer picture of where cancer may be in the body so I would say it is essential to what the doctor is trying to understand. Sorry you are having to deal with this polyneuropathy. Hopefully the MRI will lead to answers to help you

[jersey-jazz in reply to 13plus]

Thank you for replying and sharing your thoughts on this subject. I will try to get in touch with the neurologist to ask for her opinion.

[Tam-56]

Jersey-JazzI had my first MRI of the brain on Friday and was very anxious after googling gadolinium. I was going to refuse the contrast and just have MRI but after speaking with my oncologist I decided to get the contrast. They checked my kidney function before the MRI.

Apparently the results are much clearer with the contrast. They needed to see my middle ear and also check for anything else that my be going on. With my symptoms of vertigo lasting for hours, I really wanted answers as to the root cause being Meniere's Disease (diagnosis last month). The ENT doc said the MRI showed a healthy brain ...was relieved no brain mets. I had no reaction to contrast but making my decision was certainily anxiety provoking!

I really struggled with my decision all week...I feel for you. Good luck with your decision... I will be thinking of you.

Maura ❤️

[cpidacks]

I have been told the dye gives a better picture. I have at times not wanted the injection because the nurse or nurses have a hard time inserting the needle because my veins are small. It has taken four attempts several times. Even drinking a lot of water the day before my test does not seem to help. I have not had any reaction from the dye. I am told to drink a lot of water to get the dye out of your system.

[jersey-jazz in reply to cpidacks]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I feel that we the patients really do not know what effect these dyes do to our bodies in the long term or which of the treatments for cancer have gives us side effects.

[Hidden]

I have an allergy to the contrast dye in the ct scans and my Oncologist told it it could still be read just as well, but they do spend longer looking at it. Not sure how true this is. They probably said that to make me feel ok about it. I am in the UK.Clare

[8576]

I have read somewhere here that dye was refused. They won't like it but I think they will go ahead without it if you persist. I think it would be good to discuss this with the imaging department before hand. The dye makes the images easier to read. Do what you feel is right for you.

Cheers, June S.

[jersey-jazz in reply to 8576]

As noted above, I am doing all I can to find out more but am getting no replies to my questions. Thank you for your comments. I wish I knew more.