MRI contrast experience horrible for me

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Seewee7
Seewee7 Member Posts: 19
edited March 2019 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
Went today for mri. They slid me back; my bottom was touching the machine during whole procedure. No contrast went fine, but oh the contrast! My entire body felt like it was ON FIRE. I knew we needed these scans for my doctor. I started to squeeze panic ball then stopped. My body was on fire and my breathing became labored. I’m still not even sure how I managed to complete it.When the test was over it was different technician. I told him I was nauseated so he walked me to my dressing room. My eyes were purple and my entire face had sweat dripping off of it.
Tonight I’m fine. Was this normal or was this a reaction to the contrast?
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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited February 2019

    I'm not sure there is a normal. 30 minutes after my first MRI I was in the bathroom and everything that had been in my body was coming out the backend. The next time I didn't have that experience but I was pretty certain flames were shooting out of my palms. Glad you made it through.


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  • Seewee7
    Seewee7 Member Posts: 19
    edited February 2019

    I guess this reassures me but sorry you dealt with that too.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited February 2019

    All the types of contrasts are different and anyone can react to them at any time. I felt fine with MRI contrast all three times (felt it go through my body in a weird cold wavy way but nothing after that), but CT contrast made my chest burn (which they said was typical for that type of contrast). Felt absolutely nothing with the bone scan isotope.

    I would describe your symptoms to either the ordering doc or the radiologist beforehand should you ever need another MRI and see what they say.


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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited February 2019

    I don't remember feeling anything with the MRI contrast, but I was so miserable in the position that they could have poured acid in me and it wouldn't have made a difference. The contrast with the CT scans is like a slow motion hot flash, with the added bonus of a fried crotch sensation.

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  • Elephant
    Elephant Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2019

    I remember feeling something cold creeping up my arm with the MRI contrast; but they were very good and warned me that this is what I would feel when they started the contrast. If they had not said anything, I think I would have passed out from the anxiety.

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  • Seewee7
    Seewee7 Member Posts: 19
    edited February 2019

    thank you all for the feedback. I sent message to the hospital and it so if there is an issue they can address it. Now I just wait. And wait.

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  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2019

    when I had a brain MRI years ago I almost hit the panic button when the contrast went in! Felt like an Elephant on my chest, I gave it a few seconds and it dissipated. It was very scary. When I went for my breast MRI the table and breast bone “pillow” was soaked with my sweat when I got up...I was pretty embarrassed but the tech made it seem like it wasn’t unusual. Alice-such a perfect description

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited February 2019

    I don't think your body is suppose to touch the machine. It gets hot according to my tech. He put thin padding between my elbows and the machine sides

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2019

    When I had a breast MRI, I attributed those feelings to claustrophobia, but maybe it was a reaction to the contrast dye. I know that whenever I've had a PET/CT scan, or just a CT scan with contrast, the dye made the glands in my neck swell up so that I looked like I didn't have a neck. SInce the last time it happened, I've decided to ask for the CT scans without contrast. It may be less revealing, but I don't want to risk a stronger allergic reaction.

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  • blah333
    blah333 Member Posts: 270
    edited February 2019

    if they used Gadolinium, some people have problems with it. I felt sick/weak for a few weeks after the MRI and seemed like it took a long time to be removed from my body. In the future I plan to refuse contrast (unless under dire circumstances..) It stays in the body longer than they say it does. You can look up gadolinium toxicity for more info

    https://www.radiologybusiness.com/topics/care-delivery/gadolinium-actual-offender-or-unwitting-pretender

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  • Darnit_DDD
    Darnit_DDD Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2019

    I only have one kidney and refused the mri with contrast due to the gadolinium concern. It’s a heavy metal and hard on the renal system.

    Glad i opted out of that after reading these experiences

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited March 2019

    Darnit_DDD, that's good to know, since I'm also a unikidney. I wonder if that's why my follow-up imaging after the lumpectomy and nephrectomy last year are CT (done in January) and PET (scheduled for April). I'll be glad when that's over so I can start to feel less like a patient and get on with my life.

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  • CasM
    CasM Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2019

    Darnit_DDD, could they get enough of what they need for diagnosis with an MRI without contrast. I definitely understand your concerns with only 1 kidney. I am worried about the long term effects of contrast and am supposed to have a MRI w/contrast in April.

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