RE: Agonizing about MRI, gadolinium, HBOT

[Guest guest]

I have numerous MRIs every 3 months typically spine, cervical, thoracic, and

lumbar spine every 3 months.

I am very MCS sensitive but don't react specifically during the MRI. |MY

lack of peripheral IV access is the bigger issue and typically a

central line must be in place or installed in order to do the MRI with

gadolinium. Without gadolinium, they can't tell if an MRI is

inflammed or active for example an MRI with gadolinium in the brain.

That is my only input. I am not an HOB user and I do have liver excretion

issues and don't feel specifically worse after an MRI . The benefit of

better visualizing the area makes me think this is a risk to look past in

favor of the results. Depends. YMMV

_____

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Selene B

Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 9:32 PM

Subject: [] Agonizing about MRI, gadolinium, HBOT

* I'm agonizing over whether to have an MRI with

gadolinium contrast agent (brand name: Magnevist).

Gadolinium is an element-- #64 on the periodic table.

I'm interested in hearing about the effects of MRI's

on people with MCS (and healthy people) and the

effects of gadolinium on people with MCS (and healthy

people).

rest snipped

_____

[Guest guest]

My name is Connie & I'm a nurse. I worked for an outpatient MRI

facility from 1996-2005. The larger magnet was 1.5 Tesla. I'm not

claustrophobic, so I let students & techs practice with me. The MRI

& contrast (Gad-our brands were Magnevist & Prohance) are radiation

free. Over the years, I've had my entire body scanned multiple

times without any problems. My allergies are codeine, pork, mold,

dust, wool, & latex. If it was an MRI that didn't require breath

holding, I fell asleep (music was piped thru the headphones & the

table vibrates like a massage mat). The only time I wanted out was

after 3 hours when the staff was learning a new cardiac technique &

I was stiff from holding still.

Gad can be given & then the patient have other radiology tests, but

not vice versa. Gad is chemically different & doesn't show up on x-

rays & nuclear med tests. An MRI can't be given to patients that

have had other x-ray contrasts or barium within 24 hours because it

interferes with MRI images.

Gad is used for kidney failure (dialysis) patients because it's not

nephrotoxic. Dialysis patients have MRIs with Gad because they

can't have regular x-ray contrasts, which are nephrotoxic. It's

recommended these patient have dialysis within 24 hrs to remove the

remaining 1% that may still be circulating.

After the 1st hour, most of the Gad is seen in the bladder & the

dose has to be repeated if additional Gad imaging is necessary. The

usual dose is .2ml/kg with a max of .6ml/kg. A patient can have a

repeat MRI in 24 hours & the Gad isn't detectable.

The reaction rate to Gad is 1/10th that to the reaction rate of

other x-ray contrasts. During my MRI years, I know of a few

patients that had hives & a few that vomited. The vomiting can be

avoided if the injection is given slower. We had a lady that was

chemically sensitive & tolerated the Gad fine. She had repeated

scans for a chronic health problem & never had a reaction. Would I

conclude that Gad is fine for all chemically sensitive patients, NO.

Just like anything else, you never know until you are exposed to

it. I would make sure to have a good IV in place, the emergency

drugs in the room, & a doctor near. In my experience, if you

prepare for an emergency, then you don't need it. Be well hydrated

before & after the scan.

Good Luck!!

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Connie!!!

--- herbiemarie <brunsc@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

My name is Connie & I'm a nurse. I worked for an

outpatient MRI

facility from 1996-2005. The larger magnet was 1.5

Tesla. I'm not

claustrophobic, so I let students & techs practice

with me. The MRI

& contrast (Gad-our brands were Magnevist & Prohance)

are radiation

free. Over the years, I've had my entire body scanned

multiple

times without any problems. My allergies are codeine,

pork, mold,

dust, wool, & latex. If it was an MRI that didn't

require breath

holding, I fell asleep (music was piped thru the

headphones & the

table vibrates like a massage mat). The only time I

wanted out was

after 3 hours when the staff was learning a new

cardiac technique &

I was stiff from holding still.

Gad can be given & then the patient have other

radiology tests, but

not vice versa. Gad is chemically different & doesn't

show up on x-

rays & nuclear med tests. An MRI can't be given to

patients that

have had other x-ray contrasts or barium within 24

hours because it

interferes with MRI images.

Gad is used for kidney failure (dialysis) patients

because it's not

nephrotoxic. Dialysis patients have MRIs with Gad

because they

can't have regular x-ray contrasts, which are

nephrotoxic. It's

recommended these patient have dialysis within 24 hrs

to remove the

remaining 1% that may still be circulating.

After the 1st hour, most of the Gad is seen in the

bladder & the

dose has to be repeated if additional Gad imaging is

necessary. The

usual dose is .2ml/kg with a max of .6ml/kg. A

patient can have a

repeat MRI in 24 hours & the Gad isn't detectable.

The reaction rate to Gad is 1/10th that to the

reaction rate of

other x-ray contrasts. During my MRI years, I know of

a few

patients that had hives & a few that vomited. The

vomiting can be

avoided if the injection is given slower. We had a

lady that was

chemically sensitive & tolerated the Gad fine. She

had repeated

scans for a chronic health problem & never had a

reaction. Would I

conclude that Gad is fine for all chemically sensitive

patients, NO.

Just like anything else, you never know until you are

exposed to

it. I would make sure to have a good IV in place, the

emergency

drugs in the room, & a doctor near. In my experience,

if you

prepare for an emergency, then you don't need it. Be

well hydrated

before & after the scan.

Good Luck!!

" I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord,

" plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to

give you a future and a hope. " [ 29:11]

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

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