My primary sent me to the ER for ct scan to find out why the pain from the diverticulitis hadn't gone away yet.
I've reacted to all the "friendly, safe" IV contrasts. So the ER doctor, who has seen me on many previous visits and was familiar with my
background, said oral Omnipaque should be safe. It isn't absorbed in your body.
I drank the stuff, much better than the chalky barium. An hour later, had the scan and by the time I was back to the bed I was starting to
have trouble breathing, heavy weight on chest.
He reassured me that it couldn't be the contrast I was already extremely congested and wheezy when I first got there so he had me neb and sent me home, since the scan was fine. He said to increase the prednisone and double again the next day if needed.
By the time I was home I could hardly walk, legs and arms felt like lead and it felt like my brain was swelling inside my skull. The pred helped some and more nebbing for the breathing. But it is definitely still affecting me today.
Does anyone have reactions to things like this?
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Anyone have weird reactions to contrasts?
- By Teacherteacher
- Posted August 9, 2009 at 4:23 pm · 6 replies
- In Triggers
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Diverticulitis Pain Anaphylaxis Prednisone Benadryl Depression
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- By priscurl
- Posted August 10, 2009 at 8:16 am
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Hi Teacher,teacher,
Wow, that is a strange one and it does sound mildly like anaphylaxis. I haven't had a reaction like that though.
I had a CT in Feb. I was in the docs with the result next day and noticed I had red dots all over my wrist. I never thought of it again until I got home. I got a look at myself in the mirror and I had the same red dots all over my chest. So I started stripping - the only place I was spared the rash was on my head. That night I started to itch. I spent two weeks itching. My skin became rough and I couldnt wear a bra for several days. I went back to the CT place and saw a radiologist. He was trying to kid me it was something I ate or came into contact with. I said I hadn't had anything unusual to eat or contact. He admitted then it was most likely the dye. He said if I had a CT scan with dye again to have prednisone beforehand. I too asked if others had had reactions. I got a few who did, so maybe someone will have had one like yours.
Pris
- By smormac
- Posted August 10, 2009 at 8:57 am
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I have the same problem. Whenever I have a test that uses contrast dye, I have to do a benadryl download starting the day before the test. Tell your Dr that this happens with all dyes and that you need instructions to prepare for the test.
- By MissDiva
- Posted October 4, 2009 at 11:40 am
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Hi - yes, I've had reactions to radiographic dyes; especially Iodine used with CT. Had an abdominal CT in January which caused migraines, severe depression and horrible leg pain to the point that I was barely walking. At first I thought it was an isolated incident but had a chest CT w/ contrast this past Friday and am having the same reaction. I guess these dyes aren't always friendly.
- By Teacherteacher
- Posted October 4, 2009 at 12:17 pm
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They always pretreat me with the full arsenal, still doesn't prevent reactions. I just have to continue the benedryl and increased prednisone until symptoms ease up. Then any little thing that usually doesn't cause a problem has the possibility for a big trigger on my breathing. I have to be very careful not to be around chemicals--cleaning agents (in stores), bug sprays, colognes, newspapers preservatives in food. It's weird or I'm weird I know.
I guess we all just learn to live with what is part of our life now.
- By exultant
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 4:18 pm
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Hi teacherteaher,
The last time I had a CT w/ contrast, I was nauseous for hours. I had planned to drive home, 80 miles away and was lucky enough to crash at my parents house which was only 10 miles away. I thought I was going to barf in the car.
The MRI contrast was ok; no reaction. I don't know if I've developed sensitivity to the CT contrast (I've had about 5-7 over the last 5 years, a few within days of each other.
Best Wishes,
X
- By jillrgreenmassage
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 5:13 pm
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yes, had severe reaction also to mri dye-gp told me never to have contrast because I am highly allergic to shellfish and sulfa which iodine is a derivitive of. I was told never to get it
again. I had one pulmo tell me he wouldn't treat me because I wouldn't have a ct scan with contrast-this was the same pulmo who couldn;t find the sarcoid result on the blookwork.
You know your body-if it doesn't seem right-don't do it-all the prednisone will do is screw up the rest of your immune system
Help and information from FSR
Sarcoidosis is a "multiorgan" disease - meaning it almost always involves more than one organ. It's unpredictable and affects different people in different ways.
You can learn about the ways in which sarcoidosis affects the body in FSR's Sarcoidosis and the Body brochure.
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