Today my LLMD ordered an Brain/neck MRI, he suggested I get contrast...I DO NOT want to use contrast. I can turn it down. My dad had a reaction, I don't even want to go through that.
After being pretty much destroyed by "shots" of cortisone 2 years ago..I don't want any substance shot in my veins or body. The biggest danger here if I had a reaction they would have to "revive me" with an immunosuppressant - I seriously think I'd opt to die first, REALLY - than relive what I have.
Do you know if an MRI is useless without the contrast? I have had MRI's in the past of my spine w/o contrast that showed herniation, etc., so I don't understand the big deal.
Can anyone absolutely convince me the contrast is necessary and worth the risk and my intense fear to change my mind? It is not iodine as used in CT scans it is Gadolinium.
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Hey Lymebytes,
Well, again, I have experience w/ this. I have refused contrast 2 times in the last 6 months on my brain MRI's.
From what I was told by the MRI tech, a very nice young woman, was that they had gotten good pictures and the contrast really wouldn't be that important....her male collegue on the other hand was very put out because I refused.
Tincup has posted in the past about this saying that contrast is only to make the radiologists job easier....if something is there they should be able to see it w/o contrast.
The reason that I refused is because I felt that I had enough poisions going into my body w/o adding more. Plus, the slip that they want you to sign before receiving the contrast states that in some cases it has caused death....that was enough for me and my anxiety ridden mind to say "no".
On the other hand, they say that the contrast is only a problem if you are kidney impaired.
I tend to agree w/ Tincup, a good radiologist will pick up something if it is there.
Good Luck, feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I had contrast done. I didn't know anything about a reaction so I didn't think twice about it when my doctor said we need it. I did not have any problems with it. I am a huge baby on needles so of course I hated being stuck with one. That was the worst part.
Posts: 183 | From Texas | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
I have undergone neurological testing when all my symptoms started.
I had a brain mri with contrast, and I was told that this will distinguish between active and old lesions (if there are lesions).
Posts: 146 | From California | Registered: May 2008
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
I am good long friends with a radiologist and he has told me:
It makes things show up better, it makes any cysts, tumors, lesions, ext. show up better. It also paints a more clear, hi-def picture.
I would do the die for the sake of not wanting to miss something. Your body detoxes it really fast anyways.
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posted
The contrast will make the radiologist's job easier and if there are "active" lesions they will light up. Besides this, it really is not necessary. If you have lesions they will show up regardless of added contrast medium.
Our doc always orders them W/O contrast cause he doesn't feel any added "junk" in your body is a good thing.
Posts: 554 | From Naples, Italy | Registered: Jun 2006
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Ok...very interesting! I did once turn down contrast on a spinal MRI and like feelfit the tech was really upset about it! Maybe it does make their job harder!
Well then bottom line...if something shows up then the worst possible scenario would be to do another MRI w/contrast.
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