This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I was tested and will be having the Liberation surgery in the near future, but a few months ago I had a CAT scan and had a bad reaction to the dye. They told me to never have it again.

Apparently the dye used for angiograms is iodine also. Does anyone know what is done in cases where people have been told not to have that dye? The meeting with the surgeon has not been held yet, so I am looking for information/experience anyone else has had with this problem.

I doubt that people who react badly to iodine dye are excluded from angiograms, so I assume there is a way around the problem. Anyone know?

Hi there. Nice to see familiar names! I am allergic to this contrast dye (and to shellfish). When I have to get a procedure where they use it, if I have the luxury of advance notice, they use a prescription prep kit with prednisone/benadryl. If we don't have advance notice they use IV solumedrol right before they use the contrast. (I had to do this in the ER once.) Just make sure to let the medical people know ahead of time so you have time to fill a prescription for a prep kit.

If your reaction was really severe you might need to look for an alternative -- maybe you should ask this question directly to Dr. Sclafani on his thread? Best wishes on the procedure.

Thanks mmcc for raising this issue _ I had severe reaction to the iodine dye, and cannot even think of taking it again, even in the way BlueSky63 mentions--I did not realize that was used in the angiogram (veinogram?) test.
Would you please post any alternative used when you find out---would greatly appreciate that.

Hi everyone,

with angiograms/venograms, a contrast dye is used. While the vast majority of people have absolutely no problem with it, some can have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Definitely tell any physicians you encounter.

If a person is not known to have an allergic reaction to dye, but then goes and has one, don't worry. The centre where they perform dye studies should be well prepared to handle any kind of severe reaction.

The other thing people don't necessarily realize about angiograms or venograms is that they are essentially "live xrays" meaning xrays done to show moving parts (blood flow). Therefore, there is radiation exposure ranging from small to somewhat significant. This is another reason that doctors really want to know more about the effectiveness of ballooning or stenting before treating more patients.. It would not be healthy to the patient to have the procedure done over and over again. There is the risk of dye reaction, the risk of perforation of an artery, and the risk of accumulated radiation exposure.

.

see my thread