Posted on 02/23/2022 1:08:36 PM PST by ConservativeMind
People with a history of allergic-like reactions to iodinated contrast media, which is used in a variety of X-ray-based procedures, such as CT and angiography, are susceptible to similar reactions from commonly used MRI contrast agents. The study also found that premedication or switching to a different MRI contrast agent may reduce risk in patients who have had previous contrast agent reactions.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) have long been used to improve visualization of organs, tissues and blood vessels on MRI and provide a more accurate depiction of disease. Although GBCA are relatively safe, recent studies have reported several adverse reactions related to their use, including allergic-like hypersensitivity reactions, such as rash and flushing.
The risk of allergic-like hypersensitivity reactions to GBCAs was higher in those with a history of similar reactions to iodinated contrast media. Traditionally, a history of iodinated contrast media hypersensitivity was not considered as a risk factor for hypersensitivity to GBCAs and vice versa, owing to the structural and compositional differences between the two.
"The results of our study challenge this idea," Dr. Kang said.
"Thus, physicians should be aware that patients with a history of hypersensitivity to one of iodinated contrast media or GBCA are at greater risk of developing hypersensitivity reactions to the other," she said.
Analysis of the data showed that premedication, typically with steroids and antihistamines, and changing the GBCA showed preventive effects in patients with a history of acute allergic-like hypersensitivity reactions. Patients who received premedication and before MRI or were switched to a different GBCA showed the lowest rate of recurrence. Only premedication significantly reduced the incidence of reactions in patients with a history of delayed reactions.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Imagine the micro tearing of your most sensitive side of your whole body. That’s what really thick contrast does, but they call it an “allergic reaction.” It’s not. Few people are allergic to an element basic to life.
GBCA contrast for MRI use is very different and does not appear to have viscosity issues. However, it does have the potential to negatively affect kidney function.
I’m not sure how to mitigate GBCA reactions, but, thankfully, they don’t seem to be too common.
I would prefer a non-contrast MRI or a prewarmed contrast CT scan. Gadolinium residues hang around for over a decade in the body and bones.
Very fresh on my mind- last week in fact.
I had my first CT scan. Have had a contrasting MRI previously with no problems. I was asked about contrast and told them I had some for the MRI a couple years ago at the same hospital and not a problem. She told me CT uses a different contrast-GBAC but they have had only 2 reactions in 10 years. Since I usually am not affected by meds, I told her to proceed.
The first set was without GB. I had a saline IV so she began injecting the GB. I told her I felt it going up my arm and down my side but was okay. So she put me inside and not 10 seconds later before she walked out, I told her that my throat is feeling odd. Within another 10 seconds it felt like it was closing on me! She pulled me out and hit the button for help! I ended up vomiting for several minutes on an empty stomach which was no fun. I recovered enough after about 5 minutes and we finished the scans.
SO, I am one of the few and don’t want to go through that again, but I only needed time to calm down.
In my case it went right to my groin area. Soon after I found a cartilage like mass just inside my body cavity. I suspect it is more prevalent then they want to admit.
I got sick in a CT machine after I crashed my bike once. This was a long time ago. I didn’t literally get sick in the machine - I managed to alert the tech and he pulled me out and TOTALLY SCRAMBLED up with a trash can and I puked into that.
So, I thought a lot of people knew this. The first thing the guy said after I got done vomiting was “Do you have an iodine allergy?” During my intake I had only mentioned I had a pencillin allergy. Ha.
It may not be the safest thing ever, but as everyone knows, MRI and CT are excellent - though quite expensive - diagnostic tools. (MRI invented by an American Raymond Vahan Damadian and CT by a Brit Sir Godfrey Hounsfield.)
I had a friend who had a really bad reaction to gadalinium she looked like she had been punched in the face a bunch of times.
But it got her a covid vax medical exemption
All, interesting stories!!
And, good to know about the vax exemption!!!
algore wrote:
“
I had a friend who had a really bad reaction to gadalinium she looked like she had been punched in the face a bunch of times.
But it got her a covid vax medical exemption
“
what is in the shots that is the same as what is used in the scans; is it gadolinium or what?
Didn’t know that!
In the last 10 years or so, I’ve had probably a half dozen MRIs and I guess I still have that stuff in there! No allergy issues.
I have found MRIs relaxing, no claustrophobic issues, I know, I’m nuts..
The same thing happened to me during my last CT scan. Dry heaves.
Funfunfun…
Valuable lesson: don’t EVER fart in an MRI. Don’t ask me how I know…🙄
ct/mri/pet they ALL ask me if i’ve ever had a reaction to any contrast material
there’s prolly a test if you say yes
probably nothing, but the doctor wrote that she had the potential for anaphylactic shock with “injectables”
I always just told them I had family who are allergic, and so I prefer not to have it, which is true. They never mentioned a test for sensitivity. I remember the first time I balked at getting contrast, they ended up sending the big Dr in to try and convince me. I asked if it was REALLY necessary, and he said, “No, but it will make things brighter”. They can still see everything. SO, I asked a few more questions and decided not to have contrast. I have never had it.
So..... you farted on the MRI and in the blink of an eye the MRI machine filled up with starving rats.....? Or something like that?
i’ve even had the radioactive dye and no reactions thank God
Yikes! “Gadolinium residues hang around for over a decade in the body and bones.” A little over ten years ago, I had four MRIs with Gad as the contrast agent to assess a pituitary tumor and the results of surgeries to remove it. I wonder how much Gad I still carry.
I was just remembering when I had some tests for dysphagia and I had to drink some weird thick stuff. While up against a big, intimating imaging machine. After doing that they wanted me to swallow a tablet about the size of an ALKA-SELTZER! I don’t recall which one of those had radioactive stuff in it, but one did. Anyway, I looked at them like they were crazy, and said, “you know that I have dysphagia - so there is NO WAY i can swallow a tablet that big!” Heck, I can hardly take a little bitty pill. LOL, they really tried to convince me, told me how the thing will just effervesce away quickly. I asked them what they planned to do while I was choking on the thing (which absolutely would have happened). They just looked at me blankly. I didn’t take it.
YIKES!!!
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