ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: mwatto on February 12, 2025, 10:59:52 pm

Title: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: mwatto on February 12, 2025, 10:59:52 pm

I have read two recent articles re contrast and personally feel that for simply monitoring AN it may be best not to have it (understand might need for diagnosis or treatment though). 1. https://www.research.va.gov/currents/1024-Metal-in-MRI-contrast-agents-may-cause-serious-health-problems.cfm and 2. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-nanoparticles-rare-earth-metal-mri.amp

We need to advocate for our health.

Title: Re: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: DanFouratt on February 16, 2025, 05:14:39 am

Michelle,

Thanks for the article.  My doctor and I agreed that no more contract in the monitoring stag.  I have not had a MRI since this agreement but he encouraged me to be firm the the team about not doing it.  Currently that is the accepted procedure and we need to change it when it is not necessary.

Dan

Title: Re: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: mwatto on February 17, 2025, 01:56:18 am

So glad to hear that Dan! I asked permission to post as did not want to unsettle people but on other hand I feel its important. I had to advocate for self with my team post treatment too. I wish there was a more holistic appraoch-  I have found little support on how to deal with certain issues and what things might be helpful to reduce the risk of regrowth. This information is out there surely - given the accumulative knowledge of the biological pathways one would think.

Title: Re: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: DanFouratt on February 17, 2025, 05:59:53 am

A question about the test. Do they test your kidney function before hand?  They do not do there where I typically get my MRI.  However when I had my CT with contrast for my heart surgery at a different hospital system they tested my kidney function before proceeding.  Never thought about that until now. 

Just wondering,

Dan

Title: Re: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: dominic12345 on February 17, 2025, 09:24:42 am

Kidney and liver tumors…… more than a dozen MRI’s with contrast….. well isn’t that interesting…. learn something new about medical procedures every day.

Title: Re: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: mwatto on February 17, 2025, 07:49:50 pm

Dan I insisted on kidney function test at the time I had to have contrast for diagnosis. In fact past 6 years since treatment I still have renal, liver, thyroid and full bloods tested every year. I keep my own records and am a strong advocate for my health - every time I see the doctor I prepare exactly what I want out of the consult. I read up on my results to discuss. For example this MRI coming up I want a focus on my facial nerve (Last MRI was on trigeminal). I also request the same radiologist when I book. I insist on yearly audiograms too.

Title: Re: The issue of contrast with MRI
Post by: DanFouratt on February 19, 2025, 06:26:40 pm

Thanks, I pretty much do the same except the testing on the MRI.