Fibromyalgia Support Group
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These contrasting agents used for MRIs cause FM. If you have had gadolinium based contrasting agents and have stiff legs and/or burning on your thighs you likely have gadolinium toxicity.
The curent research indicates that abnormalities shown in some brains occur (rarely) in some people who've had over 6 or more gadolinium-enhanced MRIs. Causation is as yet unproven; the one study I saw was in Japan and even the resesrcher said he couldn't point to gad as a cause. Correlation is not causation. (I've had a lot of MRIs, my brain is still totallly "normal", heaven help us all.)
However, it is DEFINITELY A NO-NO for those with kidney disease. Nephrogenic Systemic FIbrosis can result.
When gad is injected, it's bonded to non-toxic ions so the body will safely process it out. That said, in SOME people, reactions include skin issues and fibro-type symptoms (FDA website on gadolinium has this in the warnings). And it may take longer than originally expected to "flush", so if you are concerned about getting a contrast MRI, discuss with the docs.
Your neighborhood nerd,
Leo
This is not a proven fact. CORRELATION DOES NOT MEAN CAUSATION.
Plus the wording of your statement is dangerous. If you have a gadolinium contrast and you immediately have stiff legs and/or burning of thighs you MAY have toxicity.
However, if you have stiff legs and/or burning of the thighs you Likely have any number of things.
In my opinion,
I find this statement above to be very irresponsible.
I can't tell you how many times my professors repeated during my educational years that "CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION."
Causation for this type of issue is proven by research studies that follow large numbers of people through many years of their lives. To my knowledge no such study has been done.
Millions of people have had contrast MRIs - they are a valuable diagnostic tool. I have to agree that it's irresponsible to make such a blanket statement with the potential to frighten people into making reckless decisions about medical testing they may need.
Here's an interview with an expert. You don't know what you are talking about. Everyone that receives an injection is going to retain at LEAST 1% of the gadolinium. If it is GE's product Omniscan it will be 25% of the Omniscan. Proven studies I have if you care to learn the truth.
http://www.hemodialysis.com/author_interview_gd_deposition_in_pt_with_nsf.html
No one has disputed that some of the contrast agent is retained - what we're questioning is your affirmative statement that this causes fibromyalgia. There is no mention of fibromyalgia or even anything like fibromyalgia in the article.
I have had burning in my thighs since my teen years, before MRIs or contrast agents existed. I've never had a contrast MRI but I did have a different type of study using a contrast agent. No impact on my pain or any other symptom.
What exactly is the "truth" we're supposed to glean from the article?
The information contained in this online site is intended to provide helpful health information to the general public. It is written with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, psychcological or any other kind of personal professional services on this site. The information should not be considered complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment.
The information about drugs contained on this site is general in nature and does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects on interactions of the medicines mentioned and is NOT intended as specific medical advice."
Link here: http://hemodialysis.com/medical-disclaimer/
I had some difficulty as many internal links on the site were down. That said, however, I reiterate my above statement.
Correlation is not causation.