I also had three additional doses of another contrast agent, also with heavy metals in it. While I was searching for answers to what I was going through, I was given three more doses of gadolinium with six more MRIs. I saw some excellent doctors while trying to figure out what was happening, but unfortunately gadolinium toxicity does not show up in any tests. I am a licensed massage therapist and I knew that what was going on was not normal. Even though I’d had a chronic all-over pain problem and back surgery in 2009, I was a high functioning person. They started with non-stop twitching all over and a rash. And then, just a few months later, my life-changing symptoms began. In 2010, I was given a back MRI with one of those toxic heavy metal contrast agents that I mentioned above. In my case, though, I never had symptoms that warranted a scan that needed a contrast agent, and having so many of them led me to a devastating life experience. It is said that it can be a lifesaving medicine. I never once thought that getting a scan would be dangerous – especially those five MRIs that had a contrast agent in them that contained a toxic heavy metal called gadolinium.Ĭontrast agents in MRIs have become much more popular in recent years. They’re even given frequently for people who have mild back pain. Most of them were given to me to get me out of their office to ‘prove’ nothing was wrong with me. That was 15 too many.Ĭhronic pain can be frustrating for a doctor, and my MRIs were handed out like candy.
“I’ve had 17 MRIs since the year 2000 due to some chronic pain issues, mostly in my back.
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This is one in a series of patient stories collected by Consumer Reports to share how people are Choosing Wisely about their health care.