MRI contrast two days in a row?

suki1724
suki1724 Member Posts: 37
in Kidney Cancer #1

I'm heading to the Mayo Clinic in two weeks for them to evaluate my approx. 6cm cystic mass on my left kidney, which has recently grown.  I originally thought i had a kidney infection, so I had an ultrasound, which showed the growth of the kidney mass, AND a solid mass in my pelvis, which appears to be new.  I was originally scheduled to go to Mayo in November, but after this new mass was found, they moved up my appointment. 

They have me scheduled for an abdominal MRI w/wo contrast for the kidney, and then the next morning a pelvic MRI w/wo contrast!  This seems to be a lot of contrast!  I have had a lot of MRI's with contrast, and after the last MRI I got sick with "flu-like" symptoms, I really felt terrible.  The thought of having this test two days in a row is really giving me a lot of anxiety!  I've repeatedly talked to the doctors there and they are insistent that I need both tests to rule out malignancies in two different areas in my body. 

I'm wondering if anyone has had two MRI's in a row like this?  They are claiming it's not unusual for people to have multiple scans over a short period of time there. 

 

Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #2
    I assume---

    they  are checking your bloodwork prior to this. ASK, voice your concens and have them address these concerns.

     

     

     

     

    icemantoo

  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 37
    #3
    Thanks for your response. 

    Thanks for your response. 

    I have voiced my concerns repeatedly! And they will most definitely be checking my kidney function before each scan. I am worried about getting sick from the first one, and not being able to do the second scan the next morning. I’m only human, and I guess I’ll have to see what happens.  After my last MRI I decided no more contrast, (ha!) and now having it twice in two days seems like too much. 

     

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #4
    My husband has had multiple

    My husband has had multiple CTs with contrast and multiple MRIs within hours of eachother, and also days of eachother.  Its been the norm for him.  They always check his blood glucose and kidney function ahead of time.  They tell him to push fluids afterwards.  There was only one time he had some nausea afterwards, and they gave him some medicine that he reacted too with increased nausea.  They have now considered that he has an allergy to that med and wont be giving it to him again.  You should find out what caused your flu like symptoms if possible.  Our doc was surprised it was actually the medicine they gave to prevent nausea.  The information should be on your medical records.  Good luck to you.

  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 37
    #5
    a_oaklee said:

    My husband has had multiple

    My husband has had multiple CTs with contrast and multiple MRIs within hours of eachother, and also days of eachother.  Its been the norm for him.  They always check his blood glucose and kidney function ahead of time.  They tell him to push fluids afterwards.  There was only one time he had some nausea afterwards, and they gave him some medicine that he reacted too with increased nausea.  They have now considered that he has an allergy to that med and wont be giving it to him again.  You should find out what caused your flu like symptoms if possible.  Our doc was surprised it was actually the medicine they gave to prevent nausea.  The information should be on your medical records.  Good luck to you.

    Thanks a_oaklee!  I wasn't

    Thanks a_oaklee!  I wasn't given anything for nausea afterwards, I didn't get really sick until I got home. I hope your husband is doing well. 

  • JoeyZ
    JoeyZ Member Posts: 210 Member
    #6
    Why can't that be done in one

    Why can't that be done in one scan? My scans are always Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis - all in one scan. That would make more sense. Unless there's a reason why that we don't know about. At any rate, all the best to you!

  • a_oaklee
    a_oaklee Member Posts: 566 Member
    #7
    JoeyZ said:

    Why can't that be done in one

    Why can't that be done in one scan? My scans are always Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis - all in one scan. That would make more sense. Unless there's a reason why that we don't know about. At any rate, all the best to you!

    JoeyZ

    JoeyZ.  She is referring to MRI scans and not CTs.  My husband, like you, gets CT of chest abdomen and pelvis at one time.  But with MRI they only do one area of his body at a time.  I do think there is a time factor with what they inject being effective.  Beyond that, I dont have a clue.  Ive never questioned it as they are so conscientious of scheduling us due to how far we have to travel.  Next time we go, I will ask.

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