Seeing the specialist tomorrow, contrast allergy question

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suki1724
suki1724 Member Posts: 37
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hello to all of you lovely people that have been keeping me somewhat sane while my kidney mass gets figured out.  I had an MRI with contrast recently and was told if the mass looked stable, they would repeat the MRI in 6 months and I would see the doctor again at that time, in fact, I made the appointments already for December. 

I got a call that the doctor wants to see me in his office tomorrow, regarding my MRI results, and it's just odd, because the nurse initially called me after the MRI and told me the mass looked stable, but then called me again a few days later and said something about another radiologist looking at the MRI and now the doctor wants to "have a talk" with me.  

It seems to me that most people with kidney masses/cancers have CT's with contrast, so I'm wondering if they are going to want me to have a CT.  Is it possible to have it without contrast or is there a different kind of contrast they can use with the CT scan that is safer?  Since I had the MRI with contrast, would a CT without contrast be of any help diagnostically?  I'm going to be asking all of these questions tomorrow, but just wanted to see what y'all have to say about it.  I've had the gadolinium contrast a few times already and I'm thrilled that it doesn't make me sick (knocking on wood right now)!!!

When I had the CT with contrast, I got VERY sick immediately when they injected it.  I remember being told that my blood pressure dropped, and lots of activity in the room, and having a lot of trouble breathing. It is not something I'm willing to risk again, even with prednisone and benadryl on board.  I have a bunch of other allergies; shellfish, salmon and pretty much everything that blooms, grows or has fur. Frown

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  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #2
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    Hmm.. I doubt they would risk

    Hmm.. I doubt they would risk that kind of reaction again. But I started with a MRi and the Urologist/surgeon wanted a Ct. The MRI was a waste. He did show me the difference in margins and brightness from my cyst to the irregular, darker neoplasm.

    But I cannot see why they would wait? Maybe its just me, but why would they even wait? For what?

    You may want to get a 2nd opinion, or did you?

    Hugs, Jan

  • suki1724
    suki1724 Member Posts: 37
    #3
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    Hi Jan

    I still don't even have a diagnosis, so depending on what the kidney specialist tells me today, I will be working on my second opinion, most likely at Mayo Clinic, but not ruling out other places. 

  • hardo718
    hardo718 Member Posts: 853 Member
    #4
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    Best wishes

    Can't wait to hear what news they give you.

    I'll keep you in my prayers,

    Donna~

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    edited July 2017 #5
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    Did they ask you about your allergies first?

    I'm a bit surprised they administered contrast if you have known shellfish allergies. I believe it's the iodine in the contrast that can trigger the type of reaction you had. So sorry you had that experience. Depending where you are, I'm sure people here can recommend some referrals for a second opinion.

     

  • Tesla1
    Tesla1 Member Posts: 46
    #6
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    I'm a MRI Technologist. My

    I'm a MRI Technologist. My radiologist told me that the standard of care for renal tumor imaging is CT.  However, I believe that MRI is an option for patients that do not tolerate CT dye such as yourself and are not claustrophobic. It may be that CT has become the standard since it is so much cheaper and faster. You are right about the MRI dye, it is very well tolerated as long as your creatinine is within range. I've injected it many times over the last 15 years in an outpatient setting with no serious problems. 

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