What's in that stuff?

[pwd72s]

A CT scan for an aortic aenurism last Friday. Injected with some sort of dye that gave me a warm rush, and a weird taste in my mouth and nose.

I've generally felt like krap since. Low grade headache, stomach upset, etc.

So...what's in that stuff? Got stuff I want to do but don't feel like doing much of anything now...feel like I need to be near the john.

[DonDavis]

It's an imaging contrast solution to enhance the acquired images. Call the office that gave it to you, ask for their explanation and what to expect going forward. They should have thoroughly explained that beforehand.

It's should be out of your system by now, or very soon.

But I strongly urge you to call them and say exactly what you said here.

Usually a version of iodine or barium.

[Eric Coffey]

Most likely iodine-based contrast dye.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

"It is believed that people who have an allergy to seafood (shellfish) may show an allergy to contrast media as well, due to the presence of iodine in both."

One of the first questions I was asked preceding a CT procedure was "Do you have any shellfish allergies?" - Do as Don as says.

Cheers
JB

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

"It is believed that people who have an allergy to seafood (shellfish) may show an allergy to contrast media as well, due to the presence of iodine in both."

One of the first questions I was asked preceding a CT procedure was "Do you have any shellfish allergies?" - Do as Don as says.

Cheers
JB

Hmmm, I wasn't asked that. Was only asked if I had problems with the dye. I said no because it was used during a ophthalmologist's office scan for AMD. What was injected for that was a very small volume tho. I've always had problems eating fish. Okay, I'll probably survive.

[JeremyD]

drink lots of fluids -

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

drink lots of fluids -

Boy oh boy have I been doing that! Slosh-slosh. Appointment with a surgeon tomorrow afternoon...will see what he says about the stuff. And surgery. Doubt I'll opt for that. I'm on blood thinners for AFIB. My dad was on warfarin, they took him off it for abdominal surgery. Post surgery, a clot, a major stroke, he was a vegetable for the next 3 years before passing. I'd much rather pop an aenurism, bleed out in minutes, than go through that...

[wildthing]

Hoping for the best outcomes...

[stealthn]

Did it make you fell like you wet yourself, mine did.

No issue like you were having though

[stevej37]

For something as important as that....I would call the doctors office.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I'm on blood thinners for AFIB. My dad was on warfarin, they took him off it for abdominal surgery. Post surgery, a clot, a major stroke, he was a vegetable for the next 3 years before passing.

I'm on Warfarin for AFIB. Doc calls it between atrial fluttering and AFIB but treats it like AFIB. I'll just make sure I don't need any type of surgery - and that's not even funny.

Ex-MIL was taken off of blood thinners for reasons I don't know. Extremely high cholesterol was her big issue. Shortly after stopping the blood thinners, severe stroke, brain dead and gone within a week.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I'm on Warfarin for AFIB. Doc calls it between atrial fluttering and AFIB but treats it like AFIB. I'll just make sure I don't need any type of surgery - and that's not even funny.

Ex-MIL was taken off of blood thinners for reasons I don't know. Extremely high cholesterol was her big issue. Shortly after stopping the blood thinners, severe stroke, brain dead and gone within a week.

Not funny at all...it's a HUGE risk...so guess I'm going to have an interesting post scan consult with a surgeon tomorrow. I'm not on Warfarin, Eliquis here. Dunno if that would make a difference or not. The way I understand it, Eliquis is more specifically targeted than Warfarin.

[pavulon]

You need to talk to someone about your CT dye experience. Do you take Metformin? Did they assess your kidney function (usually a few routine lab values) before the CT? Some IV contrast can be tough on kidneys.

Also, aortic aneurysm repair today is frequently accomplished via an endovascular procedure.

https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-treatments/endovascular-repair-abdominal-aortic-aneurysms

[gchappel]

CT IV contrast is always iodine based, never barium based.
Your experience is not typical, I agree you should call your physician.
By the way there is no cross reaction between these contrast agents and seafood. None.
This is another one of the medical myths that somehow continue to float around our medical world.
Yes both products contain iodine. However, it is impossible to be allergic to iodine and live. How many people do you know that are allergic to oxygen? Same issue.
Allergic reactions to these new agents is low, but real. What you are describing does not sound like an allergic reaction.
Call your doc
Gary

[Arizona_928]

I've had the barium contrast before. Can't remember if it was a ct or mri. I've prolly had 20 of them in the last 4 years.

[gchappel]

You drink the barium compounds. They are not injectable.
Barium is primarily a CT contrast. Essentially no use in MRI.
Gary

[tcar]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

..... I've always had problems eating fish....

Not fish... Shellfish... lobster, shrimp, crab, etc....

[berettafan]

Contrast stuff is the bomb. You want your docs to have every advantage in looking over the results.
First time i had it the lovely young nurse said 'you're gonna think you peed yourself when this starts to flow'. Kinda like that first glass of wine but all over.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by pavulon

You need to talk to someone about your CT dye experience. Do you take Metformin? Did they assess your kidney function (usually a few routine lab values) before the CT? Some IV contrast can be tough on kidneys.

Also, aortic aneurysm repair today is frequently accomplished via an endovascular procedure.

https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-treatments/endovascular-repair-abdominal-aortic-aneurysms

I was asked if I take Metformin...the tech cut me off when I tried to say Eliquis...she said: "metformin is all I care about". I got the impression she doesn't like men much..not that there is anything wrong with that. All biz she was...

No assessment of kidney function, tho I was told to drink at least a quart of water before the procedure. There was a blood draw...maybe that was it? We did talk to our PA about my reaction via email. She basically said she was sorry to hear it, and that I should feel better...I do.

Many thanks for that link. Meeting with the surgeon in a few hours. We'll see....but I'm tending towards "no thanks" at this point.

(edit) Back from surgeon's office. Bottom line is no surgery.

[rwest]

First time I had the trace was last year when I had to have my head examined (insert jokes here) when they finished up and I was pulled out of the tube, I went to stand up and my inner thigh muscle went into a very painful spasm- had me making a funny noise and near the floor while trying to get it to go away. Had several trace injections since then with no problem.

Although last MRI, a pretty nurse sent me into the tube and in a cruel twist, when I came out expecting a pretty face again, it was a bearded dude! Bait and switch I tell you.