Having a bone scan soon - does it harm the kidneys?

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heartnsoul76
heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I've never had a bone scan, but I know they inject you with something and you have to wait around a few hours before they scan you. I thought I heard something about it affecting the kidneys in some way. I am almost through with my 2nd round of antibiotics for a tough bladder infection and I have felt a couple of pangs of pain in the kidney area. The bone scan is in 2 weeks and I was thinking about postponing it to give my bladder & kidneys a break before doing this.

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  • Stormynyte
    Stormynyte Member Posts: 650
    edited October 2012

    I had a kidney infection a few weeks before my last bone scan. I told them about it as I was worried about the stuff messing with my antibiotics and they didn't seen to be worried. They just told me the same ol thing. "Drink lots of water after to flush it out".

    I have a history of kidney infections, at least once a year as long as I can remember and they've never said anything about it being a problem with any of the scans I've had. 

    Definitely ask your doc if it is something you are concerned about.

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  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited October 2012

    Hi Stormy! Thank you for your input!

    Sometimes they seem a bit lackadaisical about our concerns to me. But if they aren't worried about your recent kidney infection, I'm sure they wouldn't be worried about my recent bladder infection - assuming it clears up by then. Still not feeling too good, I will find out tomorrow (hopefully) if we need a different antibiotic or just time will heal it. And while I have them on the phone, I will double-check about the bone scan w/bladder infection.

    Well, no problem drinking lots of water. I've always loved it and with this bladder infection it's been about the only thing I've been drinking anyway...sometimes I would just like a Coke! haha, I guess my bladder wouldn't care for it...

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2012

    It can affect the kidneys. Here's an article about who's at risk.

    http://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/nr/ContrastDye.cfm

    Just as an example, I take metformin, which can also be hard on the kidneys. I was told to not take the drug two days before the injection and for three days after.

    Good luck with your scan.

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  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited October 2012

    Oh, gee... thanks for the article gracie! The part where it said women and their doctors need to consider whether it's worth the risk really makes me think twice about it. hmmm... It was my idea to have it done since I've never had one and my hip has been hurting lately. At the very least I thought it could serve as a baseline. My hip pain seemed constant for about 3 weeks but hasn't been consistent lately. I thought it could be just from the Tamoxifen I take or physical therapy I'm doing on my opposite knee. Well, not sure what I'll do but since it's next week I think I'll postpone it for now. I'm starting to feel like the less tests we do the better.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2012

    heartnsoul, I didn't mean to scare you out of the test. I've only got one kidney, and it's always been o.k. Just to be on the safe side though, I always get a kidney function test before and after the scans. I get them every three months and have never had any trouble. Please don't put off the scan, complications are so rare. If you're worried, maybe just ask for the blood test to set your mind at ease and if all's o.k. with your kidney function, you can set your mind at ease that they dye won't cause you any complications.

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