BREAST MRI or mammo>?

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purple32
purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

OK Ladies,

We have talked about this before , but it is really D Day for me, and I need your help.  It's been a yr since I had LX, DX or mammo.


I had decided to go with MRI and it's taken me app a month to talk the DR into it .  Now I am not so sure Yell 

I dont like the though of the GAD- not the IV and not what is can do to your kidneys. Do I have kidney disease/  NO, not that I know of, but I have been to the urologist with issues in the past and I do get recrrent UTIs so WTH knows what may be lurking.  I  am re-thinking this MRI.  If it were not for the GAD I wouldnt blink. I have had AT LEAST 9  ( I've lost count )  MRIs and I know the breast MRI is different, but I never had the GAD.

OK, so why not get the mammo , right ?
It makes no sense to me that we avoid a  BP cuff and then let breast LE get slammed that way.  I asked my LEIst and she said if it were HER, she would never get one with breast LE. (ugh)  Then I asked the BS who said :  " I have to admit ( think she meant hate to admit!)  I have seen cases get worse after a mammo"  ( bigger UGH)

I am darn near reday to skip them both!

help ?Undecided

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited April 2013

    Hi Purple,

    OK, I'm not a scientist but I'll give you my thoughts on your dilemma. You have truncal LE and the mammo is a BIG danger for it getting worse, for getting a flare, for getting breast cellulitis - you know all this. You don't have impaired kidney function, which is where the problem with the contrast comes in. It's hard on the kidneys because it's processed by them in order to excrete it. If your kidney function is normal your kidneys will excrete it - that's their job. Having a lot of UTIs (like I do, like many women do) does not affect your kidney function. Even a kidney infection won't (once the infection clears up). You should drink plenty of water afterwards to help your kidneys do their job. If you're concerned, ask for blood tests to check kidney function. You might not have to ask since many places require them before the MRI. If you're still concerned, you might ask your urologist for an opinion.

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    for getting breast cellulitis - you know all this

    No, I actually did NOT know that , Leah.  Thank you!

    This facility does not check kidney function...I will ask my PCP then.  BUN and creatinine ?

    Thank you !

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited April 2013

    Be sure your insurance pre-approves the procedure: you sure don't want to be stuck with a $3000 bill. I'm on an every 6 month schedule suggested by the radiologist "to prove stability", especially important with lobular cancer which can be difficult to detect by mammogram...

    Also remember that MRI is sensitive but not specific. If something shows up (in my case, an intramammary lymph node), an ultrasound may be needed to further investigate. The various scans are compared and a better conclusion can be reached about whatever is being looked at.

    Leah is correct regarding the hydration/UTI considerations. 

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    you sure don't want to be stuck with a $3000 bill.


    Thank you.  Yes, I already have that as my ' co pay' for the lovely LX/ SNB that created LE.  Got my pre-auth number yesterday.

    I emailed my PCP and he said it was reasonable to get the creatinine and BUN and so has ordered a  metabolic panel.

    Thanks , Ladies- you're the best!

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  • kimber_1616
    kimber_1616 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2013

    I am surprised they didn't plan on doing kidney function tests in advanced. I have had them waived once they saw good numbers, and took my age and no problems into consideration. I am a yearly MRI and I almost start hyperventaliating thinking about it! They found a mass by my heart and I had an MRI, CT and PET all within Four days... talk about feeling toxic!! At least it was good news in the end and PET showed CF!

    I would definitely avoid a MAMMO with truncal LE. I guess it gets to a point where you have to see which is the worse of all evil Frown

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    I would definitely avoid an MRI with truncal LE

    What do you mean, kimber ?
    Do you mean avoid the mammo ????

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  • kimber_1616
    kimber_1616 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2013

    I am sorry, just saw this!! I screwed up my own thoughts! I would definitely avoid a MAMMO with truncal LE. Not a MRI. Sorry for the confusion!

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    Oh, okay.  Thanks kimber...you had me a little concerned  there.  Wink

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  • kimber_1616
    kimber_1616 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2013

    Sometimes my brain and fingers don't sync properly Sealed

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    Whose does ?!!!  Undecided

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