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How often for MRI's? Is it unsafe?

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Posted 11/27/2012 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know how often a person should have an MRI to keep up to date with treament and everything? Also, does having frequent MRI's cause any problems like cancer?

I have had quite a few MRI's and am now wondering that. I did have a lower back and pelvis MRI about 8 months ago but it was without contrast. The one Im having tomorrow will be with contrast. Oh and what about the contrast? That has got to be bad for you right?

I had an MRI about 4 yrs ago with contrast and it made me soooo sick!!! Thats another thing Im not looking forward to about tomorrows MRI.

One last question though about the contrast, does that make it better for diagnosing what going on by using that stuff?

((hugs)) Brynlee

 

Posted 11/27/2012 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pink,

I can answer some of your questions. MRI DO NOT use radiation. The are run by a magnetic image that puts out photos. You can't get cancer from MRI.

As to the contrast as long as you drink plenty of fluids to flush it out of your system it shouldn't harm you in the long run. There are different types of contrast. Unless, it's a nuclear scan and they use radioactive contrast it shouldn't cause you any long term issues.

If you were sick from your prior contrat you NEED to left the radiologist know you had issues. They can pre treat you with steroids.

Hope it goes well.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 11/27/2012 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterfly,

I wouldn't worry too much. MRI's are very safe, as long a you do not have any metal implants in your body. As Barbara Lee said, MRI's do not use any form of radiation, unlike x-rays and CT scans. MRI stands for "magnetic resonance imaging." I will spare you all of the in-depth chemistry and physics, but essentially, MRI's use a very strong magnet to detect hydrogen atoms in the body. Different tissues (such as muscle vs. bone) contain different amounts of hydrogen (due to the varying amount of water present within those tissues), and thus an image can be generated which displays and distinguishes the different tissues based on their hydrogen content. MRI's are especially helpful as diagnostic tools for soft tissue injuries.

As for the contrast, it is used to help the doctors better differentiate certain tissues. Whether or not you are given contrast depends on a variety of factors, such as the particular body area of interest/suspected diagnosis, and the quality/strength of the MRI machine. The contrast used now-a-days is also quite safe, assuming you are not in kidney failure. The contrast material is elimated by the kidneys, and expelled through your urine within a day or so. However, like any other medication, there always is the possibility of having an allergic reaction to the contrast. Your medical team will take your history into consideration when determining whether or not it is safe for them to administer contrast. Some facilities even check your BUN levels (an indicator of kidney function) via a finger prick prior to administration of the contrast.

I hope this helps! If you have any concerns, certainly don't hesitate to ask to speak to the radiologist or radiology technician.

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 11/26/2012 11:08:49 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/27/2012 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thanx Barbaralee, just wondering about the steroids though? I am not a fan of having to do something like that but wondering how that would help?

skeye...WOW ....how do u that much about MRI's ..?? ;)) You all have soooo much knowledge I feel like im in a library!!! love that ...

Anyhow...skeye?? I had to do 2 seperate blood tests where they took my blood then I had to do a 24 hr urine collection??? I litterally had to put my pee in a special container given to me from the hosiptal that will be doing the MRI and then they said once I submitted my huge container of pee to the lab I had to give more blood and that it HAD to be done the same time I submitted my pee?? why was all that needed and could that have been to chk my kidneys for the contrast as you said???

Sorry again for so many questions but when at the doctors either I forget to ask or rushed out..
Posted 11/27/2012 6:30 AM (GMT 0)
OOoooh and also ...is there anything else I can do to avoid be so sick besides the steriods. And is being sick normal?
Posted 11/27/2012 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Since you are getting general anesthesia for your MRI...you will speak with the anesthesiologist/DR. beforehand and can ask them all these questions...

I don't think they will want to add steroids into the mix with all the other meds on board for the GA.....

And I think you have said that you have done the general anesthesia for your other MRIs so if you are waking up in recovery and feel sick...it's most likely from all the medication they use for the anesthesia....

Usually the contrast only causes a slight burn for a second or two going into the IV... And as mentioned...it is out of the body pretty quickly and shouldn't be causing any issues..

I know that they can add an anti-nausea medication to help with all of this...I've had general anesthesia for my cervical fusions and have had to have the anti-nausea medication...

Most every MRI I have gotten they have used contrast so I've been told it's the best way to view the spine/discs...

You sound very worried about all of this so hopefully you can speak with the Dr. tomorrow (or even call them today) and ask about the blood and urine collections.

And the best part is that you are going to be asleep for the entire thing so you'll just go in...get put to sleep...and then wake up and it's all done so you are much luckier than most of us who have to lay there listening to the loud banging and trying not to move the whole time! LOL

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 11/27/2012 7:40:50 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/27/2012 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you snowbunny21....but as I said I have had GA many times not just for MRI's, and have a problems with nausea from that....

From all the MRI's I had, just one other I had contrast and that made me sick..but I didnt feel sick right after I woke up...it was llike an while getting back home...horrid horrid horrid...

But can you answer any of the other questions snowbunny21 pls?
Posted 11/27/2012 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
OH and Im not worried about it...just wondering about the tests, I was aware about blood tests and I had a heart check eeg or something like that...but I had no idea about the pee thing...and here there is no such thing as call the office and ask a nurse. I wish but n/a!!

I can always ask on my follow up but just thought I would ask here..;)))
Posted 11/27/2012 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
You can certainly ask them tomorrow but it's just very unusual to get so sick just because of the contrast dye. And since that was 4 years ago...it really could have been something else that made you sick so I wouldn't get yourself worried about it and just mention it to them tomorrow.

As far as your other questions...Is this the same Dr. who is ordering this MRI with contrast as did the same one eight months ago?

And all the blood tests and urine collection...are you saying that the Dr. requires this before the MRI? I'm a bit confused on when you had to do those particular tests and what he ordered them for...
Posted 11/27/2012 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
No its not the same doctor, and one of the MRI's I had done was at a different hosiptal.

Yes the doctore required it before the MRI be done...also the one I had at the same hospital but different doctor, I also had to have all of the above plus a chest x-ray!
Posted 11/27/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
It may be because of the general anesthesia they require all of this....because it's definitely not something that is required just because of having a MRI....with or without contrast...As I know you say it's not big deal with GA...but at least in the US it is and they like to make sure that someone is healthy enough (especially not having any respiratory issues), before doing this.

I don't even think I can count the number of MRIs I have had and never had to do bloodwork, urine, or chest x-ray...And as I wrote...I had contrast with the majority of them.

I'm sure others will chime in but I've never read about someone needing those things for a MRI....

Again...it should be a simple question you can ask them tomorrow:)
Posted 11/27/2012 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thats what I thought also and wondered why alll the test. I never had an MRI in the states but did have one in the UK and also didnt need all that pre-MRI stuff.

For sure as I said I will ask about it and also most importantly, get the results of all the tests, when I go for the follow up.
I just thought since you know so much about everything that I would ask. No worries.
Posted 11/27/2012 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
All of HW is filled with a lot of personal knowledge from everyone's journey with chronic pain....But I think we always advise speaking to a Dr. about specifics...

And especially since you are in SA...it seems everything is different over there so what works in the US doesn't translate...LOL

Are you going to be in the US by the end of the year? I can't imagine what it's like having to travel around every few years with 7 children!
Posted 11/27/2012 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Snowbunny21......I didnt travel here with all 7 of my children. Although it would have been a heck of alot easier if I did because the older ones are in the states living on their own and going to college. my oldest is 22. But they would be a huge help on the way here and the way back ..but nope its just us and the younger ones! ;)
Posted 11/27/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh...thanks for sharing more...On another post/thread it sounded like they were all with you so I misunderstood...

That's great that you will soon be back in the US to be closer to the older ones!
Posted 11/27/2012 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Well they are at the age where they dont really want to hang out a whole lot with us...they do for sure come around alot but most of their time is spent at school and part time jobs and then friends of course....

I am still kept busy here though in crazineesssss with the younger ones..LOL...
Posted 11/27/2012 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Pink, sorry I dont know anything about the safety of repeated MRI/CT or xray esposure but I was just wondering if you have ever considered using an open air MRI verses the small tube? It would certainly help with anxiety and possibly make things easier all around. Just some extra pain meds needed to help with positioning. They are more accurate than they were years ago, but not sure what the resolution is compared to a closed MRI. Right now in SA you may not have access, but in the US it should be easy to find. Just a thought.
Posted Yesterday 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Butterfly,

I'm not sure about your specific labwork - definitely something to talk to the doc about.

My knowledge comes both from my own experience of having had many MRI's myself, but most (all the technical stuff) comes from my schooling. I was biochemistry major in college, and we learned about MRI principles in depth in one of my chemistry classes, as they are very similar to another analytical technique used in chemical research and analysis. Additionally, I'm in graduate school in a health field and have had to take radiology classes, and even worked in the radiology department of our hospital for a short while prior to my medical leave, albeit I work with animals, not people.

Skeye
Posted Yesterday 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterfly, the 24 hour urine collection test can be used for allot of different things, it is mainly used to check your kidney function, but it can also be used for checking you for Porphyria and a host of different things. It is not that uncommon of a test, I have had to do it twice but it was quite some time ago. Anyway just try typing in 24 hour urine collection on Google and you will get allot of information.  As for the MRI, allot can change in ones body in a short amount of time as an example, I had an MRI done on my lower back, in late January of this year, well a few weeks ago my neurosurgeon wanted me to have another one done becaus of some changes in my symptoms, so I had another MRI done of my lower back and sure enough there was a change I had a major disk herniation at L4/5 that wasn't there on the MRI done  last January. Most Doctors do not want to look at an MRI that is more than six months old, just because things can change. I hope this has helped you, as for all the bood test, they can tell allot from checking your blood and there are so many different things they can check for. Again it is not unusually to have to have blood work done, many times over a period of time.  May I ask are you having all these test done here in the states? and are you going to a big medical facility like Mayo or something to get checked out?

 

Anyway I wish you the best, please keep us informed of your progress.

 

White Beard

Posted Yesterday 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
In this case, I believe, using deduction from my years of working IT in a hospital labs setting, they are looking at various kidney functions, to make sure your body can clear the contrast with no complications. A 24 hour test is needed, (If I am recalling this properly) since you will be NPO the night before, they will have to start to flush your system immediately afterwards. Certain enzymes and proteins are indicators of the health of the kidneys. Also, this lets them know your urinary output in a 24 hour period. They may encourage you to drink more water than usual after the procedure if they feel you aren't producing enough to flush it out. It also gives them a chance to rule out kidney and bladder infections which would cause other problems.

That's all I can remember about 24 hour urines. Used to see them coming into the lab all morning long. Only other advice I can give, tape the lid closed when transporting it, depending on the tops they have where you are. They ones we used were notorious, but the hospital had ordered 40,000 of them. We finally came up with the idea of putting a useless label (really a 2nd label with the patient's name and medical record number on it, but the one we referenced was on the side of the jug.) over the top of the thing. You don't want that bouncing around the back seat.
Posted Yesterday 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
thanx shell74 will take that advice when I return.

skeye ---makes perfect sense that would know so much. Good luck with grad school!

Whitebeard...thanx, I had the tests done here but do and will keep copies from medical records office to bring with me.

Livingcolor!! welcome back !!!-----alright thank you for the info also.
But seriously livingcolor.....that is super super super from ( im laughing now too ) what u said..
" YOU DONT WANT THAT BOUNCING AROUND THE BACK!!" wayyyyyyy funny , just the picture in myhead...looool...thanks I realllllllly need that one...
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