MRI w/ contrast experiences?

[cam92]

I'm wondering whether anyone here has had an MRI with contrast and what your experience was. I have a MRI scheduled, and I'm always weary about putting unusual things into my body. Of course there are stories out there about the toxicity of gadolinium depositing long-term and people who end up with "poisoning" and chronic symptoms. I'm already kind of going through it with thyroid stuff, and I feel like my body is sensitive to medications, hormones, etc. Worried that I may be one of the unlucky few that gets bad side effects...

[Sandiij]

I had an abdo ct scan with contrast following a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Apart from a warm feeling as the contrast circulated I had no problems at all.

[bantam12]

I’ve had so many CTs and MRIs with contrast I’ve lost count, I know I had 5 last year and many before then, never had any problems at all.

[APAscot]

I’ve had many MRIs with contrast with no after effects. They sometimes warn you that you may feel as if you’re “wetting” yourself while it’s going through you but I’ve only had that feeling once. Don’t stress yourself is the biggest tip I can give you

[tattybogle]

i've had CT 'with contrast' and like you , i was a bit concerned about the idea of putting that into my system .. the nurse at check in advised i drink lots of water over the next couple of days to help flush it out . I didn't experience any problems at all. ( other than the disconcerting feeling that you've wet yourself, while it goes in ) Using contrast allows them to see stuff that would simply not be visible if done without , so if they need contrast to see whatever they are looking for, then there isn't much point having the scan at all if you don't have the contrast too .

I can't remember exactly which sort of contrast they used in me , but i think it had iodine in. am pretty sure not all 'contrast ' is the same thing .... i assume they have different kinds of contrast for different specific purposes.

[Chumchum]

Hi cam92, It is a worry when you don’t know if you body will have a reaction. I had similar concerns preceding a pituitary mri with contrast a couple of months ago AND it was fine. Noisy but no after effects from the contrast whatsoever.

[milkwoman]

I had one a couple of years ago… no issues whatsoever.

[Hashihope]

I am one of those people who has gadolinium deposition disease from yearly MRI's with contrast dye. My advice would be to ask if you can undergo the MRI without the dye. Mine was for a meningioma which could be visualized for growth without the dye and so now I refuse it. There are different types of contrast dyes which you can inquire about. Have they told you why you need the dye?

[cam92 in reply to Hashihope]

I’m sorry to hear that happened to you. They said that a MRI without contrast would show any large, gross abnormalities but may not show something small, and they’re trying to get a look at the facial nerve to investigate why I’ve had odd facial sensations on the right side for a couple years and hopefully rule out any serious causes. The neurologist said she’s not concerned and both of my doctors think it’s likely to come back normal but both advised still doing it with the contrast

[Hashihope in reply to cam92]

If I were you, I would take N-acetylcysteine 600 mg every 12 hours for 48 to 72 hours, beginning the day before the procedure. You can see this link: aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/20...

Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link here. Also recommendations by others here to drink lots of water for a couple of days following the procedure. Good luck

[cam92 in reply to Hashihope]

Thanks so much! I already have NAC so I will do that.

[fredjones]

Be wary if you have Graves. I had double vision and was told after I had the contrast on two separate occasions that I should have been warned that I should not have had it. The scaring on the muscles definitely became much worse.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I've had two MRIs - neither had any contrast.

Are you sure they are intending to use a contrast agent? Or is that just general documentation for everyone?

I suggest getting that established first. Followed by whatever makes sense thereafter - such as asking if they could do the MRI without.

[cam92 in reply to helvella]

I checked and yes, the doctors and insurance company want it with and without contrast. It’s of the brain and my neurologist said that a MRI without contrast would show any large, gross abnormalities but may not show something small, and they’re trying to get a look at the facial nerve to investigate why I’ve had odd facial sensations on the right side for a couple years and hopefully rule out any serious causes. The neurologist said she’s not concerned and both of my doctors think it’s likely to come back normal but both advised still doing it with the contrast I kind of insisted on imaging for reassurance after years of anxiety over this symptom, so they’re kind of ordering it for my peace of mind, which yes, I’d love to get an all clear scan, but would hate to end up causing myself another issue because of the contrast if not totally necessary.

[marvalrus in reply to cam92]

I believe its a 3 Tesla MRI machine that can pick up these small things in the brain without using contrast.

[Hashihope]

If I were you, I would take N-acetylcysteine 600 mg every 12 hours for 48 to 72 hours, beginning the day before the procedure. You can see this link: aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/20...

Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link here.

[Fizzyinch]

I’ve had two MRIs with contrast, the worst part was the actual IV. Otherwise it was fine, they suggest loads of water afterwards to flush it out.

[HowNowWhatNow]

I had two CT scans with contrast last year.

In the first, the people (nurses) administering the fluid put the line in the wrong place.

When they flushed it with water to check they asked me how it felt and I said “uncomfortable”. They didn’t listen to me and went straight ahead with the whole procedure. The dye then went into the tissue and not the vein. They also hadn’t told me how to get their attention if anything went wrong so I had no idea what to do to stop it as my arm blew up in size.

Agonisingly painful.

My arm went down in size after that and this story isn’t where it ends.

When I then had a second CT scan with dye 6 months later, I suffered what was either an allergic reaction or (perhaps more likely) a vasovagal response. Itching, a rash under my left ear and instant, overpowering fatigue. I fell asleep even though it was the middle of the day and I was on an uncomfortable metal plane.

Both of these are very unusual events. I suspect the second related to the first but will never know.

I have since been told by a doctor to try not to have many more CT scans if I can help it. He said they are really not healthy to have if you can avoid them.

[asidist]

There is some evidence that iodine in contrast media could induce/worsen thyroid dysfunction, particularly in people with thyroid antibodies: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[marvalrus in reply to asidist]

I was very afraid to get the iodine w/CT scan. But I actually felt fantastic for a few weeks!

[Catfur]

CT Scans and some other specialised X-rays use iodine based contrast agents.

MRI does not use iodine based agents. MRI uses gadolinium based contrast agents.

Here in the UK a number of gadolinium contrast agents were withdrawn from use and marketing after a European study into gadolinium retention. This was a few years ago now. Outside of the UK they may still be used.

Gadolinium should only be administered where the clinical question can’t be answered on a non-contrast scan. Of course there are certain scans and conditions where it is imperative to have it and where the benefit outweighs any risk.

You can always ask which manufacturer makes the contrast agent you may have and make your decision with all the facts.

[bajmon]

I had CT scan with contrast sun after I was diagnosed with Mike under active thyroid. I was still well in Subacute Thyroiditis when someone decided to check my lungs post covid. I let them know about my worries and they checked with a radiologist who have them green light but she was present during the scan. I left fine art first but then I felt short of breath and asked to be pulled out. I could've just panicked, not sure. Just let them know your worries and they will keep an eye on you. Good luck

[marvalrus]

I did have an MRI w/gadolinium and I usually read up on things but this I did not and I did sign off the "ok" to use it. I had redness appear on the outer side of my shins about a week later and felt pressure there too. THEN I looked it up, and yes, it can cause that. Someone told me to do a Doctors Data urine test and I was all the up the toxicity scale. It's a year later and it's all but gone. Still get the pressure occasionally. I'm really upset about it, and wish I had refused it. Better off getting an CT scan w/contrast than this stuff if contrast is a must. This stuff will never ever leave our bodies. Nobody walking on this earth his this heavy metal in them except those who got an MRI w/contrast. I will never again ok it. I need to do another DD test to see what it is now.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to marvalrus]

I was told by a consultant that MRIs are fine, it’s CT scans you shouldn’t have many of, because of the amount of radiation and the longterm risks from that.

[marvalrus in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Yes, MRI's don't have the radiation, but in the case of contrast, I'd rather use the contrast that CTs use rather than MRI gadolinium. Plus, many CT's that are newer have less radiation now than before. CT contrast does wash out of you, does not leave heavy metals in your body.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to marvalrus]

I see.

Yes, the danger of the CT scan is from the radiation and not the contrast.

[marvalrus in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

I think they use CT scans way too much, when there is MRI that is safer, esp if you need them routine. But the contrast of MRI is not good at all. They are 'trying to make it better' but until they come up w/something else, I'd opt for CT instead if contrast is needed. There was a famous case in the USA, with actor Chuck Norris suing after his wife had multiple MRI's w/contrast, but in the end he settled out of court. Many Gad sufferers were disappointed, hoping his case would be a precedent for others in a class action suit.

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to marvalrus]

Oh yes - and I suppose you’ll never know how much he / his wife settled for either. I’m sorry about your experiences.

I have only ever had (3 times or so) MRI without contrast, never with.

MRI is clearer and safer than CT - I know nothing about the contrast in MRI - but of course slower and more expensive.

[marvalrus in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Yes, I have insisted on MRI over CT scan always. But if I ever need contrast in the future, I won't do it w/MRI.