MRI with contrast?

I dislocated my shoulder that already had a torn labrum. I'm in extreme pain and they want me to get an MRI with contrast. I've heard using contrast is bad with lyme? Just wondering what people think or if anyone has done this before. What are the possible side effects of contrast with lyme?

I'm strongly against it. Unless there's good reason, such as trying to distinguish type of brain tumor, status of brain lesions, etc. Gadolinium is a heavy metal. I've spent far too much time & money getting heavy metals out of my system.

5 months after my MRI with contrast I had a heavy metal test done and was still high in gadolinium. I think it sticks around longer than most regular docs are aware of. I tested again about a year later and it was no longer detectable. I had done some chelation (dmsa) for a bit. I did experience some worsening in my urinary symptoms after the contrast mri. No worsening of symptoms on my last mri without contrast.

I had one done before I was diagnosed with lyme - they were looking at my pituitary gland.

I didn’t feel any effects from it.

Maybe someone on the forum or your doctor can give you a plan to mitigate the contrast exposure, such as some supplements or binders to take before and after the contrast to help quickly remove it. I don't have the knowledge on that, but surely someone else does.

It's a tough call. Gadolinium was banned in Europe last year because of concerns of deposition in the brain. You won't feel the effects from it immediately. It's a long term accumulative concern. We wouldn't be in this boat (Lyme & Co) if we were excellent detoxers.

https://www.radiologybusiness.com/topics/policy/eu-pulls-gadolinium-contrast-agents-over-deposition-concerns

If it's a must, drink tons of water before & after.

/gadoliniumtoxicity.com/background/risk-factors/

Ask if an alternative, non-gadolinium-based contrast agent is available.

It seems the following agents ARE all gadolinium-based:

Linear GBCAs
• Ablavar (gadofosveset trisodium)
• Eovist (gadoxetate disodium)
• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
• MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine)
• Omniscan (gadodiamide)
• OptiMark (gadoversetamide)

Macrocyclic GBCAs
• Dotarem (gadoterate meglumine)
• Gadavist (gadobutrol)
• ProHance (gadoteridol)

See the following:

Manganese-based MRI contrast agent may be safer alternative to gadolinium-based agents
/www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171115124610.htm

Alternative MRI contrast agent performs well in NIH study
/www.nibib.nih.gov/news-events/newsroom/alternative-mri-contrast-agent-performs-well-nih-study

Alternatives to Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents Show Potential
www.rsna.org/RSNANewsDetailWireframe.aspx?pageid=15319&id=23341

Metal-free MRI contrast agent could be safer for some patients
news.mit.edu/2017/metal-free-mri-contrast-agent-could-be-safer-some-patients-0712

Jasperilla said...
I'm in a similar boat. I've had several MRIs with contrast during diagnosis (looking for MS), as well as for breast cancer screening. I'm prescribed to have an annual MRI for breast cancer because I'm high risk. But I've recently learned about the gadolinium and really don't want to do it. I just worry that I'll miss breast cancer as the trade-off. Will be interested if any other info pops up because I'm overdue now for my annual MRI.

I didn’t know mris we’re used for breast cancer screening.

Can you get an ultrasound instead?

Jasperilla said...
It's an option, but doesn't catch as much as an MRI. I've also done the thermal scans. I have my annual pap coming up, and I'll have to ask about ultrasound instead. In addition to the mammogram (and I hate to even do that), hopefully it will be enough.

I know ultrasounds are what’s used when something suspicious has been seen to verify but not as good for screening I guess.

I thought i might have an mri without contrast as a screening.

I’ve got an appt for a mammo coming up and I’m not looking forward to it.

I find all these other tests very stressful now - like we need something else to worry about?
Lyme is enough!

Well at least you’re doing the imaging/tests - I’ve been sticking my head in the sand and not getting them done.
I should have had a colonoscopy a few years ago because of my mom dying from colon cancer but just couldn’t deal with it.
So I did nothing.

Finally getting the mammogram - but I’m overdue.


That must be tough with your kids having Lyme! so sorry!

I don't know what they use here for colonoscopy prep.

I know that years ago...you used to have to drink a horrible tasting soloution - like a big jug of it.
But, now they give you a pill. Is that the miralax maybe?
I thought there were specific instructions to follow? I didn't think I could decide what to take.

I guess it doesn't matter as long as you get'er done.

I didn't think I'd be reading about gadolinium toxicity this morning but I don't know much about MRI's with contrast. Quick looks into the safety of MRI's with contrast show a fairly safe profile with no adverse effects. Like many things Lyme or health related, a deeper look shows a different picture.

Around 1% of gadolinium injected during MRI contrasts may be retained and deposited in the bone. That's approximately 15mg per MRI. In healthy patients with normal renal function, it took 4 days to remove the gadolinium from the bone. A later study showed where gadolinium still remained in the bone after 8 years of exposure. Renal function is very important in the removal process.

Quotes: "The presence of a tumor or lesion, or anything that alters the blood-brain barrier can result in Gadolinium being deposited in brain tissue regardless of the patient’s level of renal function."

"The occurrence of a proinflammatory event near the time of your contrast-enhanced MRI or MRA can increase your risk of retaining Gadolinium from the administered GBCA. Proinflammatory events include recent surgery, infection, vascular procedures or thrombosis."

There are other negative outcomes mentioned but it all boils down to risk vs benefit. Does the risk outweigh the benefit. I would rather do it without contrast, but if it can't be done, it can't be done. It's a tough call, but IMO, your blood brain barrier is more than likely compromised. The contrast could increase your problems.