Guest guest Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Hi , I have had MRI's with contrast.. I guess it depends on the picture they are looking for?I believe the contrast provides a clearer picture specifically of tissue surrounding the area. I would suggest drinking plenty of water and taking some Benadryl if possible after. I had HORRIBLE waking nightmares, was on the floor (fell from bed) over and over again.. actually called the ER. They told me this was a  side effect of contrast and to drink plenty of water and take Benedryl.It worked for me Maybe call the doc and ask why they need to see tissue? Better do it right (although I understand the money issue) vs. having it redone. I had an open MRI done initially to diagnose that diagnosed the TC, but the picture was so bad I needed a new one. The insurance company told me to get the open, at that facility... and I ended up spending more in the long run! Hope it works out Subject: Contrast Dye with MRI? To: tetheredspinalcord Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 3:06 PM  If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 *Hi Holly,* *My son has had 8 MRI's ( in 5 years) and none of them have ever been " with contrast " .... * ** * * On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 4:25 PM, Dybowski wrote: > > > Hi , I have had MRI's with contrast.. I guess it depends on the > picture they are looking for?I believe the contrast provides a clearer > picture specifically of tissue surrounding the area. > I would suggest drinking plenty of water and taking some Benadryl if > possible after. I had HORRIBLE waking nightmares, was on the floor (fell > from bed) over and over again.. actually called the ER. They told me this > was a side effect of contrast and to drink plenty of water and take > Benedryl.It worked for me > Maybe call the doc and ask why they need to see tissue? Better do it right > (although I understand the money issue) vs. having it redone. I had an open > MRI done initially to diagnose that diagnosed the TC, but the picture was so > bad I needed a new one. The insurance company told me to get the open, at > that facility... and I ended up spending more in the long run! > Hope it works out > > > > > Subject: Contrast Dye with MRI? > To: tetheredspinalcord > Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 3:06 PM > > > > If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then > I > > definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the > hospital > > called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it > would > > be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order > it > > with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before > the > > appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. > > > Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, > > > which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our > NS > > told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's > spinal > > cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this > whole > > process... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Contrast with MRI is pretty standard. It's used to compare and contrast since your last MRI. So far I haven't had any side affects when I ha e had it. Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T Contrast Dye with MRI? If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Holly:    The contrast medium is gadolinium. It is a heavy metal that can adversely affect some people's kidneys. In fact, people over 60 (as I am) need to have kidney function blood work before having it.    Only 1 of my MRIs used contrast. It was the one just after my 1st surgery when the NSG suspected a blood clot. I didn't have any reaction to the contrast & the MRI did find a clot. All my many other MRIs were without contrast.    My advice would be to contact the doc to clarify. I wonder why he wants the MRI at all if he thinks it won't show if the cord is tethered. ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 1:06:38 PM Subject: Contrast Dye with MRI?  If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Hi ....... (no name signed to message) After my first untethering, all MRIs after that were with and without contrast. First they take a series without contrast, then they take you out of the machine and use the dye via an IV (if I remember correctly - maybe an injection?) The standard answer I always got when I asked why I had to have contrast (did not like the idea of it, but had nothing to base it on except fear of the unknown), was that because of scar tissue, the contrast allows those viewing the films a clearer image. After your child has this MRI, look at the pre and post contrast and you will see why they want contrast. You can see the difference. As far as your nsgs nasty little side-comment that lacked necessary explanation, it " may " have been that he meant that even with MRI (which is the golden standard), he may not be able to definitively tell you whether your child is retethered or not and may need to use symptoms to guide his recommendation to you (just my guess after having five untetherings). I wish you tons of luck. We just paid over 3K for my husband's cardiac stent procedure in August - he just had another stent procedure; three stents in August and one stent placed two weeks ago and this surgery, because we have not made a dent in our deductible will cost us a bit over 4800. We are swimming in medical bills right now - plus, I had a " pumpogram " today because they think something may be awry with my intrathecal pump and they saw something they didn't like, but couldn't really tell what it was so I now have to have ... an MRI (with contrast of course ;-) I've reached the point where I just say, add it to the end of the payment plan we are on now and it will eventually all get paid. We were paying out of pocket (read: savings) until I it reached the point where we were down to an emergency amount and that's when I started paying monthly instead. Stinks though, doesn't it? Let us know what you decide and if you go with the contrast MRI, what the results are. Kathy Contrast Dye with MRI? If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 No contrast dye!!! Yay! But his cord is clearly tethered to a lipoma at S1-2. Boo!!! I'm sure I'll end up posting more about it later... but right now we are going to get busy with some sunshine, play therapy! Have a happy day! ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 7:18:28 PM Subject: Re: Contrast Dye with MRI? Hi ....... (no name signed to message) After my first untethering, all MRIs after that were with and without contrast. First they take a series without contrast, then they take you out of the machine and use the dye via an IV (if I remember correctly - maybe an injection?) The standard answer I always got when I asked why I had to have contrast (did not like the idea of it, but had nothing to base it on except fear of the unknown), was that because of scar tissue, the contrast allows those viewing the films a clearer image. After your child has this MRI, look at the pre and post contrast and you will see why they want contrast. You can see the difference. As far as your nsgs nasty little side-comment that lacked necessary explanation, it " may " have been that he meant that even with MRI (which is the golden standard), he may not be able to definitively tell you whether your child is retethered or not and may need to use symptoms to guide his recommendation to you (just my guess after having five untetherings). I wish you tons of luck. We just paid over 3K for my husband's cardiac stent procedure in August - he just had another stent procedure; three stents in August and one stent placed two weeks ago and this surgery, because we have not made a dent in our deductible will cost us a bit over 4800. We are swimming in medical bills right now - plus, I had a " pumpogram " today because they think something may be awry with my intrathecal pump and they saw something they didn't like, but couldn't really tell what it was so I now have to have ... an MRI (with contrast of course ;-) I've reached the point where I just say, add it to the end of the payment plan we are on now and it will eventually all get paid. We were paying out of pocket (read: savings) until I it reached the point where we were down to an emergency amount and that's when I started paying monthly instead. Stinks though, doesn't it? Let us know what you decide and if you go with the contrast MRI, what the results are. Kathy Contrast Dye with MRI? If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 The only way I got dianosed with TC is with a MRI no x-ray ever found it, I also had a very big phobia getting contrast so I didn't get the contrast for my TC, I have always had a fear of contrast I don't like putting stuff in my body thinking I could have an allergic reaction to it, but at one point I had to give into my fears by getting a MRI of the breast with contrast, trust me I did not want to get the contrast but they refused to do the MRI without it, the people were very nice to me and talked and walked me thru this contrast stuff that I was so afraid of, it wasn't a big deal now I believe if I need contrast I will do it, just drink lots of water after ward to wash it out of our kidneys.... Sharon ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 4:06:38 PM Subject: Contrast Dye with MRI? Â If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 I have had numerous MRI's with contrast. Fortunately I have never had any problems with it. Subject: Re: Contrast Dye with MRI? To: tetheredspinalcord Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:06 AM Â The only way I got dianosed with TC is with a MRI no x-ray ever found it, I also had a very big phobia getting contrast so I didn't get the contrast for my TC, I have always had a fear of contrast I don't like putting stuff in my body thinking I could have an allergic reaction to it, but at one point I had to give into my fears by getting a MRI of the breast with contrast, trust me I did not want to get the contrast but they refused to do the MRI without it, the people were very nice to me and talked and walked me thru this contrast stuff that I was so afraid of, it wasn't a big deal now I believe if I need contrast I will do it, just drink lots of water after ward to wash it out of our kidneys.... Sharon ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 4:06:38 PM Subject: Contrast Dye with MRI? Â If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Most of my MRIs have been both with & without contrast. Jenn Sent from my iPhone I have had numerous MRI's with contrast. Fortunately I have never had any problems with it. Subject: Re: Contrast Dye with MRI? To: tetheredspinalcord Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 9:06 AM The only way I got dianosed with TC is with a MRI no x-ray ever found it, I also had a very big phobia getting contrast so I didn't get the contrast for my TC, I have always had a fear of contrast I don't like putting stuff in my body thinking I could have an allergic reaction to it, but at one point I had to give into my fears by getting a MRI of the breast with contrast, trust me I did not want to get the contrast but they refused to do the MRI without it, the people were very nice to me and talked and walked me thru this contrast stuff that I was so afraid of, it wasn't a big deal now I believe if I need contrast I will do it, just drink lots of water after ward to wash it out of our kidneys.... Sharon ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 4:06:38 PM Subject: Contrast Dye with MRI? If there is such a thing as phobias of hospitals and pharmaceuticals, then I definitely have it! But an MRI seemed pretty non-invasive...until the hospital called to say my son would need contrast dye with his MRI!!! They said it would be necessary since he has had a previous back surgery. Our NS didn't order it with contrast, so I was surprised to get this information the day before the appt! I am curious what the experience is of others concerning this matter. Also, we are paying for this MRI out of pocket until our deductible is met, which is pretty high, but this will probably put us there. Meanwhile, our NS told us he probably won't even be able to tell with an MRI if our son's spinal cord is tethered or not. I'm just really starting to second guess this whole process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.