We need to Advocate for ourselves!
Most patients just do what is told to them without thinking about consequences. I was in the medical field before retirement and I guess that makes me a questioning patient, because I look everything up and stand up to what I think is not right for me.
I was just at Mayo and diagnosed with stage 4 CKD. the doctors at home tried to blame the contrast for the CKD itself. It didn’t cause it but the hospital doing the test made my situation worse by not looking at my creatinine levels prior to doing the test. I didn’t know at that time how bad my kidneys were. Please check with your doctors but I was told it’s not the test it’s the contrast. There are many different types of contrast and some specifically for people with CKD. Tests can be done without contrast or there are ways to ramp up our bodies prior to a test that is critical for our health. There is contrast out there made for people with CKD.
I was just at Mayo and diagnosed with stage 4 CKD. the doctors at home tried to blame the contrast for the CKD itself. It didn’t cause it but the hospital doing the test made my situation worse by not looking at my creatinine levels prior to doing the test. I didn’t know at that time how bad my kidneys were. Please check with your doctors but I was told it’s not the test it’s the contrast. There are many different types of contrast and some specifically for people with CKD. Tests can be done without contrast or there are ways to ramp up our bodies prior to a test that is critical for our health. There is contrast out there made for people with CKD.
I will ask my doc on Monday. Not sure where you are located but my new nephrologist is in NYC. My current doc unfortunately led me in the wrong direction with little assistance.
I can relate to that, but that’s usually something a cardiologist would be familiar with and see on a fairly regular basis. If you don’t feel comfortable asking them or with their response, can you ask your nephrologist or primary care provider?
That’s what I would do as I have a closer relationship with my PCP and trust more that she would consider the question more carefully, and she knows my situation better.
In my experience, there are guidelines for contrast based on kidney function. I have one kidney and good kidney function; therefore my team is more comfortable with me using contrast if it will improve the information we can get from imaging. But if it can be avoided or isn’t as necessary, we don’t do it.
I agree with @gingerw and the question of safety is highly relative…it depends on the person’s specific kidney function and also the reason for doing the test. If the data from the imaging may have a significant impact on your treatment, the benefit may outweigh the potential risk of the contrast if the contrast will improve the quality of the data needed.
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Good for you !!
We need to Advocate for ourselves!
Most patients just do what is told to them without thinking about consequences. I was in the medical field before retirement and I guess that makes me a questioning patient, because I look everything up and stand up to what I think is not right for me.
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Hug
5 ReactionsI was just at Mayo and diagnosed with stage 4 CKD. the doctors at home tried to blame the contrast for the CKD itself. It didn’t cause it but the hospital doing the test made my situation worse by not looking at my creatinine levels prior to doing the test. I didn’t know at that time how bad my kidneys were. Please check with your doctors but I was told it’s not the test it’s the contrast. There are many different types of contrast and some specifically for people with CKD. Tests can be done without contrast or there are ways to ramp up our bodies prior to a test that is critical for our health. There is contrast out there made for people with CKD.
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1 ReactionIf there is a contrast dye for ckd, what would that be? How do we request it unless we know the name of it…
Thank you for letting us know
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1 ReactionDo u have a nephrologist? I will be seeing mine on Monday. I will see if I can find out. I learned this at the Mayo.
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1 ReactionI do but looking to switch. I asked and didn’t get any answer about contrast dye ☹️
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1 ReactionI will ask my doc on Monday. Not sure where you are located but my new nephrologist is in NYC. My current doc unfortunately led me in the wrong direction with little assistance.
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Hug
2 ReactionsThank you. I was not given any info on dye and I am having a procedure in September. They say gadolinium is ok but then I heard it is not so ok
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1 ReactionI can relate to that, but that’s usually something a cardiologist would be familiar with and see on a fairly regular basis. If you don’t feel comfortable asking them or with their response, can you ask your nephrologist or primary care provider?
That’s what I would do as I have a closer relationship with my PCP and trust more that she would consider the question more carefully, and she knows my situation better.
In my experience, there are guidelines for contrast based on kidney function. I have one kidney and good kidney function; therefore my team is more comfortable with me using contrast if it will improve the information we can get from imaging. But if it can be avoided or isn’t as necessary, we don’t do it.
I agree with @gingerw and the question of safety is highly relative…it depends on the person’s specific kidney function and also the reason for doing the test. If the data from the imaging may have a significant impact on your treatment, the benefit may outweigh the potential risk of the contrast if the contrast will improve the quality of the data needed.
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5 Reactions@shar1120 If I haven't given you this link before, here is what Mayo Clinic says about using gadolinium if you have CKD: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/expert-answers/gadolinium/faq-20057772#:~:text=The%20type%20of%20gadolinium%20used,disease%20called%20nephrogenic%20systemic%20fibrosis.
Ginger
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4 ReactionsThank you… I am assuming then all hi tech hospitals are using the newer gadolinium …