mri with a contrast allergy

[chefaid90]

ok how can i get an mri to even see if i have lesions if i have an iv contrast allergy? dont remember if i asked this but getting really worried with my upcoming neuro appt this friday

[chefaid90]

ok they prescribed me prednisome and benydryll. take one 13hrs before, 7 hrs before and 1 hr before mri

[chefaid90]

ok i think i understand it. thats alot  of medical jargon for me to wrap my head around.

[LisaJF]

You were misinformed in regard to needing contrast in order to see lesions on your brain and spine.

I'll link you to one of the articles written by one of our forum leaders named "Quix":

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/How-MRIs-Show-Lesions-in-MS/show/23?cid=36

(To educate yourself more, I suggest you read this in its entirety and if you have any questions, then ask away. This provides such an easy explanation and details that no other doctor of mine has ever took the time to explain to me)

and here's an article on why the strength of the MRI machine can make a difference (it has made a difference in some here who did not show spinal lesions on a 1.5 but on a 3Telsa MRI machine:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Why-the-Strength-of-the-MRI-Machine-Can-Matter/show/62?cid=36

Don't worry about concentration or typos or sentence structure.  We're pretty good at reading into what you're trying to say without taking out our red pencil making check marks where you may have made errors. LOL.

Keep us in the loop.

Lisa

[chefaid90]

if the neuro doesnt order one my pcp said he would order one but he doesnt see why the neuro wouldnt order one. I just didnt know how they handled the allergy i have. i have read you need the contrast to be able to see if there any lesions. that is why i got worried. didnt know if there was a way to have a mri to see if there was lesions if your allergic to the contrast. Hopefully this makes sense. I dont seem to be able to consentrate this morning very well

[LisaJF]

If you're hoping your Neurologist will order one and the chiropractor wants you to have one, then it is not ordered yet? Am I clear on this or am I confused?

If it is not ordered yet and you do not have the prescription in your hand and called the imaging place to make an appointment, then I would call your Neurologist and make an appointment with him/her to state what your chiropractor wishes for.  

Then, the Neurologist (who has taken your medical history plus allergies) would state what his/her plan is in regard to ordering the MRI with and without contrast or just without contrast.  

If you have an allergy to IV contrast I highly doubt your Neurologist would not premedicate you with appropriate medications according to protocol (the one I mentioned was years ago and it may have changed) to avoid such happening if you were to have one with contrast.

I can understand why you are worried but I believe I can safely state that no doctor would put you in a position for a diagnostic test that would risk your life with an anaphylactic reaction.

From what you wrote this test was not ordered yet and you're hoping that it will be from your Neurologist.  I would start from there and express your concerns if he/she will order one.

Lisa

[chefaid90]

that is my issue too along with iodine allergy. i have a SEVERE shellfish allergy have an epipen for it its that bad.

[Mlkjmom]

Sorry, my shaky fingers weren't cooperating!

My MRI tech about my shellfish allergy (not sure if this is your issue) said they use a different kind of contrast for MRI's.

For sure ask your doctor as Lisa suggested!

[Mlkjmom]

I'm not a doctor and I would definately double check, but when I asked

[chefaid90]

i havent had the mri yet. my chiro wants me to have one and i am hoping the neuro will order one before i have to wait to go to my pcp in december. Just wondering how they would handle something like this. thanks for the info puts my mind some what at ease

[LisaJF]

Hello there and welcome!

I am not a doctor, but I think if you were to receive IV contrast, that they do premedicate with prednisone and benadryl on a timed basis prior to the test.  

Ive seen this done in a hospital, but  I'm not sure how they approach it from outside a clinical setting.

Are you having your MRI prior to your Neuro appointment? If so, then please by all means call him and express your concerns.  Was he the ordering doctor of the MRI?  I am sure he was aware of your allergy to IV contrast (or the ordering doctor?).  Did they order it with and without contrast?

Do not panic.  You didn't have it done yet and you can call the doctor who ordered your MRI and ask him these specific questions which will allay your anxiety.

Let us know how it goes!

Lisa