Contrast dye

@shar1120 I would certainly confirm that with them. In the not too distant future I will have a radio frequency ablation on my right knee, and plan to question the PA extensively during the consult.
Ginger

I am stage 4 CKD and will have 3 to 4 MRI’s this year to check for cancer from previous head and neck surgery. The Doctor’s say the new contrast agents won’t hurt me but when I ask the nurses giving me the MRI they say it won’t hurt me “as far as we know”. I want to find any returning cancer early but I am just as afraid of Dialysis as cancer. My GFR hovers around 16 or 17..

You have no worries about the MRIs, just know that the personnel treating you are fully aware of any possibilities of MRI being detrimental to your body. I get them all the time, and have no concern. You just take care of yourself and avoid dialysis, do all you can and are told to that end. We care, here on this blog, and will send blessings and courage to you. Enjoy your life!

@earless Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It's up to you to advocate for yourself and your health.

I certainly can understand your concern about contrast dye and kidney function. If at all possible, have those images done without contrast. If any contrast must be used, be sure to hydrate well afterwards to help flush dye out of your system and minimize the stress on your kidneys. Personally, I would be checking with my nephrologist to have them consult with the imaging doctor, and make sure everything is okay to do.
Ginger

I never make any assumptions because as I was once told “ to assume just makes an a— out of u and me”! Pardon my implied language! Always ask questions of the prescribing doctor about tests, treatments, medications, diagnoses ….. until you understand and are satisfied with the answers. Make sure you are asking your questions of the appropriate provider not a nurse, technician, receptionist, scheduler ….. etc. because they are just doing their job to follow the doctor’s orders and don’t have much authority in the situation.

I spoke to someone in the MRI dept where I am having the test, and they assured me the newer gadolinium is safer and that is what they use.

This is the problem I have, they say it is “safer” but what I want to know before they hurt my kidneys any more is ,is it safe.

I applaud your insistence on obtaining factual answers. Why I wonder is it so hard to get the facts rather than placid answers. Maybe we should ask for it in writing. My experience: I had a treadmill test wherein they inject you at a certain point while you're on it. I was told it was safe. Two weeks later after a blood test I was sent to the er with end stage kidney disease. Coincidence? It certainly couldn't have helped! I was initially sent for the test due to upper back pain when exercising

I have to have a scan of my heart. It’s a toss up. If I have a heart issue I need to take care of that. It’s a toss up

I have stage 3 CKD and I am having a procedure that required a scan with dye. Instead of doing that test, a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was performed. It is my understanding a TEE gives you a much better image of the heart and requires no dye.