MS? MRI W/Contrast
 

So 3 months ago my symptoms started off with muscle twitching, electrical zapping in my right foot, tingling in my right hand, and achy right upper leg. Since then the hand feels normal and muscle twitching has reduced significantly but definitely not anywhere near normal. I now have pins/needles in both feet which sometimes turns into a painful burning. I have weird zings and zaps through out my whole body, and just feel like poop. I haven't experience any noticeable balance or weakness issue.

My first neuro didnt think i had MS based on his testing, my second one isnt sure but wants to do a neck and head MRI with contrast based on symptoms.

I have to admit im pretty damn frighted of the contrast dye, is this really necessary? Are my fears warranted about this stuff? I'm 31 and don't have any known kidney issues...

Thanks

I have had several MRIs, and the contrast is no big deal, IMO...it gives the docs much more specific information that will help in diagnosis.
Good luck on getting info...make sure to keep a symptom journal for the doc appts.

Hello brohar,

Contrast can "highlight" certain things. In MS "active" lesions light up, non-active do not. The dye is injected by IV. If a poll was done of those who have had contrast the majority would say it was no big deal ;)

I would suggest drinking plenty of water after your MRI, this allows the dye to get flushed out quicker. I have found the dye irrates my bladder so the quicker I can flush it out the better my bladder feels :)

Hello Brohar, welcome to NeuroTalk.:) Nice to meet you.

Im so sorry you have these probable MS symptoms at your tender age.:mad: It stinks.

I wish you well with the DX process. I hope it goes fast. Stick with us and we'll try to help you through it.

I believe the stats for complications from contrast are 1/175,000 or something? Yes, there is a very slight risk.

However, you should get the contrast. They won't be able to determine if your lesions are active without the contrast. Without the contrast you could also be increasing the amount of time you spend in medical limbo. If you get contrast enhancing lesions in your first MRI it could save you the fun of things like spinal taps to get a diagnosis.

Lab Tests - kidney function
 

It is now required by most radioligists that one must 1st get blood work done to verify that you do not have a kidney disease before one can get a dye with the MRI.

The dye is filtered out by the normal operation of the kidney.

If one does not have "GOOD" kidney fuction then the dye could KILL YOU!!!

At some hospitals and clinics this can be done (STAT), while you wait, in others it could take many many many days.

Good Luck.

jackD

Contrast causes ACTIVE lesions to light up. This tells them if you are in an active phase of the disease or if your symptoms and stuff are flare related and from other sources.

Drink drink drink after the test. Its flushed thru the kidneys and has been known in rare cases to cause kidney damage. Help yourself by flushing it on out. It can give folks a headache and or make them a bit more than nauseous whend first given. It generally passes quickly and before the test is done most report feeling much better.

Ask them to PUSH SLOW. I have had more than one case of swollen veins after because they are so aggressive to push the stuff in there. I ask them to hand push the stuff and go slow.

Oh yes I forgot that I was told to drink lots of fluids both before and after the MRI. The fluid buildup before was to help the veins stay big for the IV. And afterwards to flush the contrast.
Good job, folks!!

Hope you get some answers...:hug:

i recently had mri of brain and neck. they said they did contrast for one part of it. i didn't have any iv, they pushed something into my vein via needle then finished the test. i don't understand but they didn't tell me i had to drink more after to flush anything out. the worst part of an mri is having to lay so still for a bit. they give you earplugs to help with the loudness of the machine. i find it soothing and tend to start to fall asleep. good luck with a dx.