Metformin and MRI Contrast solution.

Hi guys.

I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
that contrast may also be used for that.

I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
taking it right up until I start fasting.

I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.

Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
this?

TIA.

RB

On Apr 1, 6:34 pm, RB wrote:
> Hi guys.
>
> I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
> injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
> process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
> that contrast may also be used for that.
>
> I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
> taking it right up until I start fasting.
>
> I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
> any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>
> Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
> this?
>
> TIA.
>
> RB

HI my Gran Mother had a CT Scan last week and the radiologist asked if
she was on Insulin or Metformin as they wanted to inject a trace dye
(iodine).
As Gran is on insulin the CT scan went ahead.
I wish I'd asked what would have happened if she had been on
Metformin.
Sorry.
MAybe call the hospital and ask to talk to a Radiologist so you don't
expereince a cancellation once there.

On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:34:40 -0500, RB wrote:

> Hi guys.
>
> I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
> injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
> process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
> that contrast may also be used for that.
>
> I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
> taking it right up until I start fasting.
>
> I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
> any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>
> Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
> this?
>
> TIA.
>
> RB

suggest you do a web search for something like "metformin contrast" - the
reports I've read indicate that there is high risk for severe kidney
damage. Advise is generally to stop metformin a day or two before and not
resume until two or more days after. This is important - please check with
you doc.

On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:34:40 -0500, RB wrote:

> Hi guys.
>
> I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
> injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
> process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
> that contrast may also be used for that.
>
> I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
> taking it right up until I start fasting.
>
> I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
> any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>
> Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
> this?
>
> TIA.
>
> RB

My wife had a similar report from the pharmacist after my latest kidney
stone episode.

RB wrote:
: Hi guys.

: I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
: injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
: process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
: that contrast may also be used for that.

: I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
: taking it right up until I start fasting.

: I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
: any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.

: Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
: this?

: TIA.

: RB

Can you call your regular doctor or endocrinologist to get an answer?
When I was being diagnosed for my sciatica the MD chose a cat scan without
contrast to avoid the issue. I am not sure if any dyes used with an MRI
are a problem, but the ones with a CAT scan are. I just worry about the
MRs becaus I have a metal rod in my arm. I think it is titanium, but am
not sure.

Wendy

On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:34:40 -0500, RB wrote:

>Hi guys.
>
>I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
>injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
>process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
>that contrast may also be used for that.
>
>I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
>taking it right up until I start fasting.
>
>I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
>any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>
>Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
>this?
>
>TIA.
>
>RB

No reference, just personal experience. I had a Cat Scan a
few months ago. I was advised by the radiologist via a
printed warning to stop the metformin before the procedure
(I've forgotten whether it was two or three days) because of
the possibility of interaction with the contrast medium. I
did cease the metformin, but possibly a little later than I
should have.

My prior Cat Scan was done before I started on metformin. I
didn't even notice the contrast solution going in that time,
although a minor disaster may have distracted me when an
error caused the infusion set to be pulled out while the
flatbed moved. However, this time I became uncomfortably
flushed and felt very hot as soon as the infusion started. I
also felt nauseated and disoriented with a "buzzing" in my
head. The sensation eased as soon as the infusion ceased.

I'll stop the metformin a little earlier next time.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Epidaurus

"Alan S" <loralgtweightandcarbs@gmail.com> wrote in message
newsb9013dorqal6s28n4tlbfboodud54h8eu@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:34:40 -0500, RB wrote:
>
>>Hi guys.
>>
>>I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
>>injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
>>process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
>>that contrast may also be used for that.
>>
>>I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
>>taking it right up until I start fasting.
>>
>>I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
>>any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>>
>>Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
>>this?
>>
>>TIA.
>>
>>RB
>
> No reference, just personal experience. I had a Cat Scan a
> few months ago. I was advised by the radiologist via a
> printed warning to stop the metformin before the procedure
> (I've forgotten whether it was two or three days) because of
> the possibility of interaction with the contrast medium. I
> did cease the metformin, but possibly a little later than I
> should have.
>
> My prior Cat Scan was done before I started on metformin. I
> didn't even notice the contrast solution going in that time,
> although a minor disaster may have distracted me when an
> error caused the infusion set to be pulled out while the
> flatbed moved. However, this time I became uncomfortably
> flushed and felt very hot as soon as the infusion started. I
> also felt nauseated and disoriented with a "buzzing" in my
> head. The sensation eased as soon as the infusion ceased.
>
> I'll stop the metformin a little earlier next time.
>
> Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
> d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
> Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
> --
> http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
> http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
> latest: Epidaurus

Alan, about a year ago I had an emergency Cat Scan. I told the medical
staff that I was taking metformin and was instructed to not take any for
several days after the scan was completed. They seemed little concerned
that I had recently had a dose, maybe the expected benefits of the scan
outweighed the risk at that moment.

I also had the sudden flush and a very strong feeling of nausea when the
infusion was started as you described. The sensation passed after a couple
of minutes but it was very intense while it lasted.

I was very surprised that the nurse was not concerned about the metformin
this time although the contrast is only used to help locate the injection
site so may be a limited amount. I don't know if contrast is routinly used
during an MRI. I'll give 'em a call in the morning to be sure.

Using an alternate News server so hope this gets out.

RB

Alan S wrote:
> On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:34:40 -0500, RB wrote:
>
>> Hi guys.
>>
>> I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
>> injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
>> process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
>> that contrast may also be used for that.
>>
>> I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
>> taking it right up until I start fasting.
>>
>> I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
>> any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>>
>> Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
>> this?
>>
>> TIA.
>>
>> RB
>
> No reference, just personal experience. I had a Cat Scan a
> few months ago. I was advised by the radiologist via a
> printed warning to stop the metformin before the procedure
> (I've forgotten whether it was two or three days) because of
> the possibility of interaction with the contrast medium. I
> did cease the metformin, but possibly a little later than I
> should have.
>
> My prior Cat Scan was done before I started on metformin. I
> didn't even notice the contrast solution going in that time,
> although a minor disaster may have distracted me when an
> error caused the infusion set to be pulled out while the
> flatbed moved. However, this time I became uncomfortably
> flushed and felt very hot as soon as the infusion started. I
> also felt nauseated and disoriented with a "buzzing" in my
> head. The sensation eased as soon as the infusion ceased.

This often happens when the contrast is injected, metformin or no. It
happened to me when I had my CT scan post-glyburide. I was warned by
the tech that it would likely cause this, so I wasn't surprised. She
also said I'd be sure I'd wet myself, but not to worry, I hadn't. It
really did feel like that. The contrast media is known to be
potentially nephrotoxic. In the states, all diabetics must have a
creatanine (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) level done to assess kidney
function prior to a CT scan. (it has to be less than a week old...).
The contrast plus metformin I think has the potential to be even more
nephrotoxic, hence the reason for stopping metformin before the CT scan,
and waiting a few days before starting it again.

Emily
>
> I'll stop the metformin a little earlier next time.
>
> Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
> d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
> Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
> --
> http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
> http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
> latest: Epidaurus

I remember when I had a Cat Scan to check for an adrenal tumor....I got very
hot in the thyroid area and my genital area..then I remembered when I had my
kidney's x-rayed(before cat scans) I had had the same feeling and I told my
Dr ..he chuckled and said people had been known to have orgasms with that
test. Well I am pretty sure what I had was not an orgasm..LOL.
jacquie
"Emily" <Nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:zK0Qh.25311$_c5.22798@attbi_s22...
> Alan S wrote:
>> On Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:34:40 -0500, RB wrote:
>>
>>> Hi guys.
>>>
>>> I am having a lumbar pain injection and an MRI this tuesday. The
>>> injection is done under anesthesia and contrast is used in the
>>> process. Later in the day I am scheduled for an MRI and I believe
>>> that contrast may also be used for that.
>>>
>>> I told the Nurse that I take metformin and she didn't see any problem
>>> taking it right up until I start fasting.
>>>
>>> I know I have heard or read that metformin is stopped before or after
>>> any procedure in which a contrast solution is used.
>>>
>>> Can anyone enlighten me or point me to a reference that discusses
>>> this?
>>>
>>> TIA.
>>>
>>> RB
>>
>> No reference, just personal experience. I had a Cat Scan a
>> few months ago. I was advised by the radiologist via a
>> printed warning to stop the metformin before the procedure
>> (I've forgotten whether it was two or three days) because of
>> the possibility of interaction with the contrast medium. I
>> did cease the metformin, but possibly a little later than I
>> should have.
>>
>> My prior Cat Scan was done before I started on metformin. I
>> didn't even notice the contrast solution going in that time,
>> although a minor disaster may have distracted me when an
>> error caused the infusion set to be pulled out while the
>> flatbed moved. However, this time I became uncomfortably
>> flushed and felt very hot as soon as the infusion started. I
>> also felt nauseated and disoriented with a "buzzing" in my
>> head. The sensation eased as soon as the infusion ceased.
>
> This often happens when the contrast is injected, metformin or no. It
> happened to me when I had my CT scan post-glyburide. I was warned by the
> tech that it would likely cause this, so I wasn't surprised. She also said
> I'd be sure I'd wet myself, but not to worry, I hadn't. It really did feel
> like that. The contrast media is known to be potentially nephrotoxic. In
> the states, all diabetics must have a creatanine (I'm sure I spelled that
> wrong) level done to assess kidney function prior to a CT scan. (it has to
> be less than a week old...). The contrast plus metformin I think has the
> potential to be even more nephrotoxic, hence the reason for stopping
> metformin before the CT scan, and waiting a few days before starting it
> again.
>
> Emily
>>
>> I'll stop the metformin a little earlier next time.
>>
>> Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
>> d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg Everything in Moderation - Except
>> Laughter.
>> --
>> http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
>> http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
>> latest: Epidaurus

Thanks for all of the replies.

I stopped the merformin yesterday and am off in the morning for the
injection, MRI a bit later.

Hope it's worth all the bother.

RB