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reaction to contrast used in CT scan

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Posted 11/1/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had a reaction to the contrast used for CT scan of the bowel?  I had a reaction after first scan but I was in so much pain and so sick with abscess at the time, it was difficult to pinpoint the difference between symptoms. All I know is pain worsened at the time and I felt very unwell.   Had a scan last week and have had severe abdominal pain since. Mostly in right side.  The first few days, I felt like I had major abdominal surgery.  It hurt to cough, sneeze, laugh and move.  Abdomen was very bloated and pain all over.   My bowel movements seemed to have slowed down also.  (I normally go 10-20 times a day)  After each bowel movement, I seemed to get some relief but could feel the pain slowly moving down.  Had severe pain in lower belly for the last two days mostly on right side.  At times, I can't even touch my right side because of the burning, stabbing pain.  When belly starts to gurgle and gas starts to move through the ride side, the pain takes my breath away.  I no longer feel like I had surgery and pain is not as bad but still feeling unwell and experiencing pain as gas moves and during bowel movements. 
Posted 11/1/2011 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
My reaction was to have a week of diarrhea. sorry you're feeling so bad - call your DR.
Posted 11/1/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Saw my family doc yesterday. He agreed that I was likely having a reaction to the contrast but didn't seem too concerned. Took me off work for a few days and said I'll get over it in time. I have done some research and have found that reactions are rare but do happen. Based on my findings, I am having what they call a delayed reaction. My biggest concern is that the contrast can cause renal failure. I am experiencing a lot of pain in my right side. Pain travels from upper right side (waist) down. I've been drinking lots of fluids but not peeing all that much and had blood in my urine twice on Saturday.
Posted 11/1/2011 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Your symptoms are worrisome so I would get a second opinion. You should maybe consider a nephrologist. You could also go to an instant care center as I find many of these physicians pretty knowledgeable in all aspects of patient care. Insist on Lab work/ kidney function tests!

Good Luck!
Posted 11/1/2011 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am feeling much better than I was and not in as much pain. I guess that means I am improving. Doc says it'll take a few days for contrast to flush through my system. I had the scan Thursday so it's been 5 days. If I'm no better tomorrow, I'll visit the emergency dept. for a second opinion. Thanks for your well wishes.
Posted 11/1/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I do react to CT contrast, but my symptoms are the regular anaphylactic type ie; tightening of my
throat, difficulty breathing etc. Never like the ones you describe. I know contrast can affect your
kidneys, so before you have another scan, make them very aware!!
Posted 11/1/2011 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
I do second Dunny2. You have to ask about the type of contrast you had as there are several types and do some lab works as pmedic mentioned. The first CT scan I had, I had an allergic reaction where my face started to swell and had red spots all over my body. I immediately told the nurse and they gave me an iv cortisone injection. Now, every time, I have a CT, I tell them about my reaction and they take care of this. Also, as Kazbern mentioned, it's safer to call your GI and ask about his opinion.
Hope you feel better soon:)
Posted 11/1/2011 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
They tell me reactions are rare but not so rare aftearll it seems. My GI is on holidays for two weeks:( My family doc didn't seem to worried so I can only hope he was right and this will pass. Feeling much better today. This sitting around in pj's all day doing nothing certainly doesn't help. I am a naturally hyper person who works full time so the long days of boredom is enough to make me feel a little out of sorts. Haven't felt any pain in hours and I'm eating well and drinking lots of fluids. Hopefully, this is flushing through my system. Thanks to all for your comments.
Posted 11/1/2011 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I also had an anaphalactic reaction to the IV contrast used for CTs. They usd to use iodine but because so many people are allergic to shellfish and therefore react to iodine, they switch toa non-ionic contrast. It just fiugres that I'd be one of the few to really react to that. During the firt scan I had with it, I sneezed alot and got some mild swelling of my face. When I woke up the next day I felt like Neanderthal woman. My eyes were real swollen, I had a huge ridge across my eyebrow line and my nose looked like it took up 3/4 of my face.

The next time someone wanted a scan I was premedicated with pred the night before, the morning of the scan and just after it. I thought they were going to use another type of contrasrt. If I had known they were using the same stuff I would have never let them. I got just the tiny test dose and jumped up looking for someplace to vomit. My reaction was immediate and severe enough that I needed a couple IV injections of Benedryl and solumedrol. No more IV contrast for me. I CAN NEVER HAVE A CT WITH IV CONTRAST AGAIN. FOR ME IT COULD BE DEALY!

The oral contrasrt has created several different problems for me depending on which one they used. The thick white stuff can give me horrible D and there have been times that I was pooping it out before they were ready to do the scan. That think nasty stuff has given me teriible C and abd pain on occasions, but other times it no big deal. I think it really depends on the state of my gut.

Drink lots of water and hopefully with each day, the food you eat will help to push it all out and your gut will settle down from the insult the contrast has caused.

The issue of blood in your urine is very worrisome. Have you mentioned that to your Doc? If not, you really should. This is something that needs to be followed up on. Your kidnays are not something that you should take a "wait and see" approach with. Get a U/A done asap.

Posted 11/1/2011 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Keah, thanks for your response. Sounds like you've had a hard time with the contrast for sure. As for the blood in my urine, my pee was slightly pink but only twice a few days ago. I did mention it to my family doc and he didn't seem too concerned. I have read that renal failure due to contract would also cause vomiting, nasuea, fever etc but I haven't had any of that. Just belly pain and bloating for me and feeling flushed now and then. I also read that for those who experiece some reactions, they normally give 50 mg dose of prednisone before the procedure. I'm currently taking 40 mg daily for the last month so I'm surprised I had this reaction. I feel that the worst has passed and I'll be over this totally in a day or so. Hope I'm right. I will be discussing this with my GI when I see him in a few weeks though to get his opinoin on what he thinks happened. You can be sure I will be very skeptical on having scans in the future.
Posted 11/1/2011 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
My dad broke out in rash all over his body after his was done.
Posted 2/5/2012 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
This is an old tread, but I was looking through old posts for information, and stumbles across this one.  1st let me say that I have been working in radiology for 20 years, 10 years in CT, and 7 years as the lead CT tech at my facility. 

Non-ionic does not mean there is no iodine...Any injectable CT contrast had iodine in it.

diarrhea/vomiting are not reactions, they are fairly common side effects of the contrast,  the potential fpr vomiting is the reason you are not allowed to eat or drink( other than the oral contrast we give you) for whatever time period your imaging facility uses.

a reaction to the contrast would be Mild reactions such as hives, mild respiratory distress, all the way up to the very worst of cardiac arrest.  Yes contrast can kill you, but so can a new antibiotic.

as far as kidney damage yes contrast can cause NSF...but we take precautions that you as a patient may not even know we did...Every imaging facility is different, but we all follow similar screenings...we do a GFR or BUN/CREATINE blood test to check renal function on high risk patients, at my facility those are patients 50 and over, any african american, any diabetic, also anyone with hypertension...we follow very strict guidlines on these bloodtests to determine renal (kidney) safty prior to contrast injection. 

so in short if you had diarrhea, or vomiting during or following a CT scan, THIS IS NOT A REACTION, but rather a side effect, just as antibiotics can cause diarrhea.  The contrast that you drink is meant to go through your bowels quickly..obviously we cant wait hours/days for it to get where we need it to be...therefore whats in front of it is going to be pushed out.  Just like the feeling of heat/peeing your pants and bad taste you get with the injection, they are also side effects, not everyone feel that, though most do.  I have seen patients that will vomit every single time we inject them...just part of it for them..if its happened before just tell the tech and they will be prepared and have a pan/towels ready incase you get sick to stomach again.

The contrast injection is a very important part of the test, without it we cant see alot of things.

Just wanted to give my professional input I guess!!  By the way, I love this site, and all the info I have found!!!

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