Scan effects?

Nana4life
Nana4life Member Posts: 78 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

Okay guys, 

has anyone ever experienced side effects from ct scans with contrast? I had a lung ct scan with contrast on Thursday and started getting headache, dizzy lightheaded and a bit nauseous. Immediatly my mind goes to brain mets etc. 

I'm going to have more scans in the coming weeks so I'm a bit anxious about side effects on top of scananxiety! 

still feeling dazed and confused!!!

Comments

  • Galrim
    Galrim Member Posts: 315 Member
    #2
    All what you describe...

    ...are well known side effects from the contrast. I wouldnt relate it to brain mets. I assume they wore off?

    /G

  • mrou50
    mrou50 Member Posts: 389 Member
    #3
    Side Effects

    The only side effect I get is vomiting I have to drink the contrast since I only have one kidney left and I always throw up a few times afterward but it is usually cleared up in a few hours.

     

    Mark

  • Galrim
    Galrim Member Posts: 315 Member
    #4
    mrou50 said:

    Side Effects

    The only side effect I get is vomiting I have to drink the contrast since I only have one kidney left and I always throw up a few times afterward but it is usually cleared up in a few hours.

     

    Mark

    How come you have to take it orally?

    I also only have one kidney but always get the contrast intravenously...(my numbers are fine though, which might be the reason).

    /G

  • Nana4life
    Nana4life Member Posts: 78 Member
    #5
    Galrim said:

    How come you have to take it orally?

    I also only have one kidney but always get the contrast intravenously...(my numbers are fine though, which might be the reason).

    /G

    Slowly going away

    Thank you for your reassurance that it's probably the contrast. It freaks me out! Now I'm scheduled for two more next week! UGH!!!

    ill be having Bone scan (which I do think is a drink not iv) I've only had IVs for scans so far.

    Also having brain scan while waiting for contrast to enter my body for bone scan. I know these tests are the only way to check for mets. But oh boy I sure do feel like crap after all that radiation and dye.

    sucks : (

    nana4life 

     

     

  • Srashedb
    Srashedb Member Posts: 482 Member
    #6
    Nana4life said:

    Slowly going away

    Thank you for your reassurance that it's probably the contrast. It freaks me out! Now I'm scheduled for two more next week! UGH!!!

    ill be having Bone scan (which I do think is a drink not iv) I've only had IVs for scans so far.

    Also having brain scan while waiting for contrast to enter my body for bone scan. I know these tests are the only way to check for mets. But oh boy I sure do feel like crap after all that radiation and dye.

    sucks : (

    nana4life 

     

     

    my suggestion is to stay hydrated; it is not uncommon to react to contrast but staying hydrated should help.

    Sarah

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #7
    Srashedb said:

    my suggestion is to stay hydrated; it is not uncommon to react to contrast but staying hydrated should help.

    Sarah

    never

    I've never had any issues with contrasts. Interesting how people have different responses.

  • foroughsh
    foroughsh Member Posts: 779 Member
    #8
    I had skin allergetic

    I had skin allergetic reaction after my first post nephrectomy CT which lasted for few days so they changed from Visipaque to Ultravist for the next CT which was a good decision because it had no side effect. It's best to be hydrated from two days before CT to one day after it. It help your only kidney a lot  Wish you luck and good scan report

    Forough

     

  • HH431
    HH431 Member Posts: 41
    #9
    When I had my on/off contrast

    When I had my on/off contrast abdominal CT scan, I didn't experience any side effects either, but was told to drink a lot of water to help flush it out.

     

    Some of the side effects could be anxiety too.

     

    I have general anxiety (even before my kidney mass was found), and sometimes get those side effects regardlessly.

  • Darron
    Darron Member Posts: 310 Member
    #10
    Contrast

    Make sure your doctor knows about your reaction to the contrast. I started out not having any issues, but developed an allergy to the contrast over time. We now limit my contrast scans to once a year. On those scans, I take steroids prior to the scan and IV benydryl with the contrast.

    Your reactions are not abnormal, but always communicate.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #11
    mrou50 said:

    Side Effects

    The only side effect I get is vomiting I have to drink the contrast since I only have one kidney left and I always throw up a few times afterward but it is usually cleared up in a few hours.

     

    Mark

    Oral Contrast

    Is for the GI tract. If you're creatinine is too high, like mine, you can't have IV contrast. It's the IV contrast that makes the mets in the body light up on the CT scan, but it's hard on the kidneys and can even cause kidney failure, so they don't risk it with kidney function like ours.

    Todd

  • risemo475
    risemo475 Member Posts: 1
    #12
    mri with contrast made me

    mri with contrast made me dizzy and lightheaded for about an hour

  • cubsfan9
    cubsfan9 Member Posts: 69 Member
    #13
    Interesting!

    Good Morning!

    My husand often looks gray and feels crummy right after his scans.  It usually passes fairly quickly as he drinks lots of water afterwards.  I never consisdered that it could be a reaction to the contrast.  Hmmm....

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