Long Term

[pberggren1]

Wow! That is alot!

Most of my CT's have been chest and nasopharynx. I have had about 10 x-rays of chest and head. Do Ultrasounds give radiation? I've had a couple of ultrasounds done of my kidneys.

[Sangye]

Ultrasounds don't use radiation, just sound waves. MRIs use magnetic fields--no radiation. Although every time I get an MRI I have major objective side effects. Supposed to be harmless!

[elephant]

I had ton of chest x-rays, and I am guessing 10 ct scans of the chest and sinuses. Pre and Post being diagnosed with WG.

[JanW]

Phil -- Why don't you just talk to your doctor and ask for a prescription without contrast. When I had my first CT of the chest done I refused the contrast because I wouldn't sign the waiver (the one where they say that I am aware that contrast can cause a sudden, serious allergic reaction resulting in death). Because I had considered myself a highly allergic person (little did I know that the symptoms I was having were WG) I said 'no way.' Because I go to a private radiology clinic, the radiologist I saw was a partner and no doubt felt empowered enough that if he could read the scan, he would just report that it was done without contrast. He in fact said, "I don't know why most docs order these with contrast -- you rarely need it for a baseline CT."

I'd never get contrast if it wasn't absolutely necessary.

[Sangye]

My Wegs doc has said the same thing. One of the only times you need contrast for a chest CT is if you're looking for blood clots in the lungs. Then it's absolutely necessary.

[eileenv]

I am like Sangye the preds are maing feel awful and am getting deppresed, i'm hoping to get my ent appointment through soon the rheumatoligist marked it as urgent i wonder if he will do a biopsy.

[pberggren1]

I forget where you live Eileen? I am going to call my Pulmo now and see if he ordered the contrast dye.

[jola57]

Phil my business partner is alergic to the dye and has her CT without. It can be done and is very safe and is just as informative for the doc.

[pberggren1]

Thanks Jolanta. I called my Pulmo and they will call me back by next week to let me know.

[eileenv]

Hi, I live in the uk, essex, don't know if you have heard of it?. Are you going to have a CT scan of your lungs?.