CT scan with contrast dye...

[Hj87]

Hi All,

I hope everyone’s doing well.

I had a CT scan with dye via injection 2 weeks ago and a minute after I had the dye I felt really sick (I was still in the scanner) I got up informed the operator about how I feel, they checked my skin for a rash etc and they said I’ll be okay and let me go...

Since then I’ve still been feeling sick in my stomach, nauseous, feel slightly dizzy and my appetite has declined.

I was completely fine before the scan (which btw came back all clear)

Appreciate it if anyone with any experience can give me some advice please?

Many thanks in advance.

[PMRpro]

You should speak to your GP (at least) - the radiographers are only ever aware of acute reactions to contrast as patients have left before any delayed effects occur so they are looking for rashes and the other signs associated with severe hypersensitivity reactions. You obviously passed that test.However, your GP should have a check of kidney function as your symptoms have persisted more than a few days - what you describe isn't really typical of renal problems but you never know. They are more suggestive of a thyroid problem - and that is also possible so should be investigated. Do you know if it was a contrast containing iodine?

[Hj87 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply. I have spoken to my GP and they have a blood test booked for me in 3 days time.

I did do a blood test 1 week before the scan and that came back all normal.

Regarding the contrast I believe so but I’m not 100% sure - It was given to me via injection in my arm.

[PMRpro in reply to Hj87]

Get better soon!!!

[Hj87]

Thank you.

Anyone else had the same or similar experience? I now regret going for the CT scan now!

[woollysox]

This happened to me last year. After throwing up constantly for 3 days following a CT scan and feeling progressively worse, I did some research and found that the iodine in the dye reacts with Metformin and can cause a very serious reaction. If you’re diabetic, you’re supposed to skip that day’s doses, which I wasn’t told. Eventually I phoned the GP who admitted that she was ‘no expert on CT scans but in that case to stop taking the Metformin until I feel better and that I shouldn’t believe everything that I read online’ but this information was from the NHS! I don’t know if this is of any help, whether you are diabetic and also if your Metformin prescription has been switched to Sukkarto, as has been policy at my GP’s.

[Jaaacs]

I'm unable to have contrast now when I have a CT scan as I received a kidney injury during a scan. You need to get it checked out.

[Sparkypatrick]

I had a similar reaction to CT with contrast (was actually sick); but I was already suffering from nausea. Taking Ibuprofen for sinus pain had trashed my stomach. The contrast dye definitely exacerbated the nausea.

[AngharadJ5]

The last ct scan I had with dye made me feel sick after it. Not as quickly as you though, and it did pass with sleep. All the other scans I had before that with dye I was fine with which surprised me that I’d felt sick. But I was also in the hospital and just tired of everything at that point