Gadolinium side effects

[Tiadan]

After recovering from Stage 4 Kidney Failure, after 4 years off Simvastatin, which caused it, my doctor recommended an MRI with and without contrast.  I objected to the contrast dye because I knew about the risk of NSF (Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis).  He assured me that my kidneys would flush it out of my system in 24 - 36 hours.  4 days later I awoke with both hands clenched tight and opening them was painful.  I saw the doctor that day, and he again assured me that the gadolinium (a heavy metal) was out of my system.  The two following mornings I had the same symtom along with all ten toes tingling all the time.  Other vague symptoms appeared, mostly muscular in nature.  Twice I had strong heart pain.  The first time I took nitro tablets, but the second time it went away on it's own.  On the 6th day, I asked for a test to establish if I had Gadolinium in my system.  ( had already done research on-line, so I knew there was a blood test and a tissue-sample test.  I was told that our regional hospital lab did not know where to send one!  That is when I pulled two research papers out of my purse and said "maybe they can start here, with this long bibliography!"  Two hours later I got a call from the doctor's office saying that I could go to the lab for a blood draw.  It would be sent to the MAYO CLINIC and I had to pay for it myself up-front.  That was OK with me.  I paid the $158.00 and was told it may take 7-10 days.  After not hearing anything after two weeks, I called the lab.  Yes, it was back.  I asked if it had been sent to my doctor.  Thay said he would have received the results the same day they did.  "When was that?", I asked.  "A week ago", I was told.  I picked it up and read that the level of Gadolinium in my system was HIGH 0.9%.  Normal is considered to be 0.5%.  However, since Gadolinium does NOT occur naturally in the human body, 0.0% is actually what is "Normal".  I suppose the 0.5% Normal reading is for people who had an MRI with contrast Gadolinium, but tolerated it without noticable symptoms. For the past six weeks, I have had No appetite, my taste buds seem to have been affected (sweet is too sweet, salty is too salty,  bitter is too bitter and sour is too sour.  I have NO interest in eating, but I'm forcing myself to consume high fiber and high protein food and drink.  I will have another blood test in another two weeks and have an appointment with a specialist at the MAYO CLINIC in a month.  (I initiated this appointment myself!)  I know my doctor was following the conventional wisdom that the chelates that bind with the Gadolinium would have been quickly flushed out as long as my GFR was above 40.  (It was 59)  A couple other lab numbers were only slightly off, so it was assumed that I would be fine.  By the way, the only reason for the procedure was because my husband was concerned about my memory.  When I took a neurologist's computer test for memory, comprehension & reasoning, I came out Normal to Above Average, making the whole MRI episode unnecessary!
     When I knew it would take the medical community a long time to figure out my situation, I started taking a supplement advertised to removing toxins from the body via the liver.  My muscular symptoms have basically disappeared, but I still have great fatigue, lack of appetite, and of course, unwelcome weight loss.  (I'm a 73 year-old woman, 5' tall, 98# or  that less.)  The very disturbing thing is that most of the medical community is unaware of the dangers of Gadolinium.   A person with worse kidney function could develop Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, a totally man-made, incurable disease that will disfigure the skin and hardfen the organs, leading to an horrific death.  

     My aim is to make the whole medical community aware that there is an "in-between" illness, the duration of which, is still unknown.  I can only hope and pray that my body continues to excrete this dangerous heavy metal from my body!  My next blood test should tell if I'm making any progress.  I will up-date at a later date.  Thanks for reading this!


    

[WilltoSurvive7]

Yes please keep us updated with your status. I have a gadolinium issue too and have been researching oral chelation methods and IV chelation to detox .

[dnelson51]

Which doctor did you see at Mayo?  How was your second blood test?  My husband has gadalinium and saw a Dr at Mayo and she doesn't know what to do about it. Patty

[selmaS]

  Hi I want to wish u luck during the process of ridding urself of the heavy metal from the contrast dye...I know how controversial the use of them are as some Drs will not use them, others like ur Dr do not see an issue...

With ur previous health issues u would think they would have listened to ur concerns and not used them.

I know with the barium being a heavy metal it can cause havoc as well if not properly flushed from the body.

  Again good luck and do post updates on ur progress.