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Scared of drinking contrast?

HaleyMoon

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HaleyMoon Rookie
HaleyMoon
Posted

Hello everyone, I'm a girl in her early 20s.

I have a CT scan tomorrow and they want me to drink the contrast and have the dye since it's been 2 years and I still have stomach problems after going gluten free.

im scared to drink the contrast I'm scared it has gluten and the doctor told me she doesn't know the ingredients so I'm really just playing the lottery here.

i also heard some people have reaction to the dye I can eat shrimp but I'm still warry. 

I canceled one time before and did an ultra sound but it wasn't clear she wants me to drink the contrast so they can have a clearer picture.

 

i don't know if it's worth the reaction though.

Not even my GI doctor can tell me what's in that stuff and I'm terrified of dying from it or puking all week long or any of the other many things that can happen. I haven't slept all night just thinking about it.

 

 

Edit,

okay everyone I contacted the manufacturer and she told me that all their contrasts does contain gluten I'm canceling my appointment thank you guys for the replies 

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cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Call the hospital or the clinic where you are taking the CT scan.  They will be able to tell you if there is a possibility of a gluten exposure (though very unlikely).  Also, ask them about how they handle reactions to the dyes.  I am sure they have a crash cart near by with epi pens/meds nearby.  You will not be the first to react.  If you can eat shrimp you should be fine.  But talk to the head of the department.  (Your GI should have done this for you....time to think about a new GI).  

I think you will be fine!  

Lorjenn22 Apprentice
Lorjenn22
Posted

i would in future when they schedule your test tell them your allergic to gluton! i always get sick in test but one time it was before they did the dye! i just recently found out so i hvnt had test post diagnosis.? but i can relate bc i throw up after every procedure from anesthesia n every mri! they are not going give anyone meds that will kill you! they might not agree w u but they wont kill u! my advise tho in furure tell them ahead time and maybe there is alternative they can use.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

If it makes you feel  any better - lots of people get gastric upset from contrast/ dye.   It's just normal.

the person who might know what is in the dye is the radiology tech.

celiac sharon Apprentice
celiac sharon
Posted

They do indeed have ingredient list at the imaging center. There are many different oral contrasts is why your doctor can't tell you. You really have to check at the particular imaging center. I have ran across one that did, and it Was a vanilla flavored one. Also most places do have more than one oral contrast they can offer. Don't be shy. People ask for this kind of info all the time. As for the IV contrast, they all contain iodine but they have made so many improvements over the years in the contrast material. Fewer people seem to react. I'm a nurse who worked at an imaging center to take care of people in case of contrast reaction. They should always have a nurse or doctor available with epinephrine. Just ask. They will be happy to reassure you

HaleyMoon Rookie
HaleyMoon
Posted
  • Author
18 minutes ago, celiac sharon said:

They do indeed have ingredient list at the imaging center. There are many different oral contrasts is why your doctor can't tell you. You really have to check at the particular imaging center. I have ran across one that did, and it Was a vanilla flavored one. Also most places do have more than one oral contrast they can offer. Don't be shy. People ask for this kind of info all the time. As for the IV contrast, they all contain iodine but they have made so many improvements over the years in the contrast material. Fewer people seem to react. I'm a nurse who worked at an imaging center to take care of people in case of contrast reaction. They should always have a nurse or doctor available with epinephrine. Just ask. They will be happy to reassure you

They gave me the vanilla flavor one. 

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Make sure your doctor has ordered gluten free contrast. The non-gluten free one I had was thick and chalky. I reacted before I even got out of the hospital. The second time he ordered it to be gluten free and I checked with the tech before drinking. That one was a thin liquid and I was fine. I have DH and the doctor wouldn't let them do the dye injection.

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HaleyMoon Rookie
HaleyMoon
Posted
  • Author
3 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

Call the hospital or the clinic where you are taking the CT scan.  They will be able to tell you if there is a possibility of a gluten exposure (though very unlikely).  Also, ask them about how they handle reactions to the dyes.  I am sure they have a crash cart near by with epi pens/meds nearby.  You will not be the first to react.  If you can eat shrimp you should be fine.  But talk to the head of the department.  (Your GI should have done this for you....time to think about a new GI).  

I think you will be fine!  

Thanks for the reply I did and she told me that it does unfortunately. I guess we have to find another test because I'm not drinking it.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
43 minutes ago, HaleyMoon said:

Thanks for the reply I did and she told me that it does unfortunately. I guess we have to find another test because I'm not drinking it.

The hospital should be able to order the gluten free contrast.  If they refuse to I would contact the head of the hospital and file a complaint in writing with them and the AMA. Also let your insurance company know.

Awol cast iron stomach Experienced
Awol cast iron stomach
Posted

I'm glad you found out about the gluten before your test. And others here had info.

I haven't dealt with this myself, but wanted to add another 2 cents for future readers as well.

Since Dr. didn't know and didn't give you manufacturer insert info. I would see if a nurse or PA at the practice/hospital would let you talk to pharmacist or email etc. Politely suggest to Dr they delegate your inquiry forward.

The hospital pharmacist is often the person  (imho) who could most efficiently and accurately obtain the info. And understands the lingo, even though Dr s and other medical personnel study it. Pharma lives and breaths chemical nomenclature daily. 

Of course he or she could delegate the task to a pharma tech , but still a good bet  ?

I can't even remember what time I was in hospital, I had a question for pharmacist or what question it was, I asked a later-evening shift nurse my question to relay my inquiry.

I find later shift nurses (who just came on rounds and same with pharma) are more relaxed and receptive.

Same thing with office try to call at a lull. I'd avoid early Monday AM at office or pharmacy . In fact I'd avoid Monday entirely?

Best wishes and get well soon,

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

I have a possible allergy to contrast dyes so my doctor prescribes pretreatment with prednisone and Benadryl.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posterboy Mentor
Posterboy
Posted
On 10/4/2017 at 8:51 PM, RMJ said:

I have a possible allergy to contrast dyes so my doctor prescribes pretreatment with prednisone and Benadryl.

Haleymoon and RMJ,

I saw this on full measure with sharyl attikson I think.

watch out be alert if your symptom's worsen after using the MRI contrast especially if you develop kidney issues.  though it might effect other parts of the body as well.

here is a link on it.

Open Original Shared Link

search for Chuck Norris' wife and gadolinium.

Open Original Shared Link

just be alert.  I have used contrast with no problems. . . but would probably think twice about using before researching it if I neeeded it today.

the MRI still works . . . the contrast just enhances the results.

***** Not medical advice but for anyone who might need to use an MRI it is helpful to know.

The more you know the more you can help yourself.

just in case you didn't know to research it.

I find things everyday I didn't know and am always amazed of the latest things they are finding out.

I recently had a reaction to my BP medicine Losartan and only after researching did I find it was making my GI problems worse.

see this thread that talks about the "artan" class of BP medicine that might can cause villi blunting.

after a month off of  the medicine my lactose intolerance I had developed has gotten better!

I wish I knew it sooner.

I hope this is helpful.

posterboy,

 

 

plumbago Experienced
plumbago
Posted

Hi everyone,

I recently listened to a medical podcast (The Curbsiders Internal Medicine podcast) during which the docs said that it is impossible to be allergic to an essential element the body has and needs (iodine) and just because one is allergic to  shellfish (which has iodine) does not mean one will be allergic to contrast dye (that also has iodine).

This paper also wonders how the two got linked.
Open Original Shared Link

I realize the discussion is not centered on the direct iodine link, but I thought that was interesting, and thought I’d share.

  • 2 weeks later...
I.M.Celiac Apprentice
I.M.Celiac
Posted

Wow! I just started another thread about a medicine (Prepopick) with gluten.

I too, canceled the appointment. (I also found a new GI today.)

 

 

 

 

 

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