Really scared of MRI

[Sheeeeeeeeeeep]

I have one this afternoon with contrast. It's the dye I'm worrying about, and the risk of a major allergic reaction. Plus I had Covid jab last week so worried that could somehow interfere. Could any sane/ rational person talk me down please?

The staff administering the dye will be trained in what to do should you have a reaction to it. You are in a building filled with medically trained staff. My dad had a reaction to contrast dye and collapsed and a button was pressed and drs came running. Its probably the best place to have a reaction but in all honesty reactions are pretty rare.

Hi op, I literally just had one of these today (brain) with contrast. I felt pretty stressed by the whole affair but it was okay - honestly. I was really anxious about the cannula and the dye, but I'm totally fine a few hours later and had no adverse reactions. I also had my first covid jab less than a week ago.

Thank you I feel so stupid for being so nervous. I read something about a fatal reaction to the dye and that's all that's stuck in my head.

It is not stupid to feel like this. Take a few deep cleansing breaths, longer exhale than inhale and repeat to yourself. I am safe, all is well. I am surrounded by competent medical professionals. This procedure is safe for 99.9% of the people that have it.

You're not stupid at all but based on my experience a mere few hours ago itll be okay. I was horribly anxious too, to my embarrassment I even cried after the cannula and when I saw the giant MRI machine 🤦‍♀️ everyone was nice and I got through it. It wasnt the greatest 40 mins of my life but it was fine.

I’ve had MRI scans lots of and brain ones with dye i work myself up so badly and it’s ok. Staff were great. It will be ok

I've had a scan with dye (brain here as well, the dye shows up the small stuff there so much better) and didn't have a reaction at all. Allergic to other stuff, but no problem with the dye.

Hope all goes well OP. Thinking of you
I had an MRI brain scan with contrast yesterday. Allergy is extremely rare indeed.
(Second covid jab was a day earlier, but that was just how the dates fell.)
Machine was a bit noisy, but I had ear plugs in. All very professional and everyone was very kind. Will look in later, let us know how you went on if you want a bit of support.

Hope it goes / has gone well.

The contrast agents used for mri are quite different to those used for ct scans, and I believe the risks of allergic reactions to them are significantly lower. Even for ct and other xray procedures the more modern contrast agents produce far fewer problems than earlier ones did (one side of my family all react to iodine agents)

OP- Have you had anaphylaxis to other things? Hair dye, foods etc? If you have, then mention this to the staff doing the scan.

As a side note, the dye can give people the sensation of wetting themselves. You won't be, but just be prepared that it can feel like that. best of luck.

No other allergies. Just anxiety. Sat waiting to go in now.

The wetting yourself is with a CT scan, not an MRI. They use different dyes, I've had a contrast dye CT scan as well and said that I'd had no problems with the MRI dye and was told it was different.

I hope it all went well for you op. I had an allergic reaction to the gadolinium dye used in my MRI. The team at the hospital were fantastic. Had me full of antihistamines as quick as a flash, and kept a good watch on me until they were sure I was fully recovered. If you are going to have an allergic reaction to something a hospital is the safest place for it to happen really.

Thanks all. MRI was much less bad than I thought it would be.

Oh that's good to hear OP. Really glad that you got through it ok. There were a fair few of us here thinking of you.

Glad for you OP. Take care.

Glad it went well. Hope you get the results soon 🙂