1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Ankylosing Spondylitis

MRI Scan - bad reaction?

Posted , 34 users are following.

Raymondo1
Raymondo1

Has anyone suffered a bad reaction following a spinal MRI scan?

I suffered (and am suffering) terrible muscle pain and muscle weakness following an MRI scan one month ago.

My scan was standard (i.e. without a contrast dye being injected into the blood - I know the dye sometimes causes problems) and I have so far found two people who have suffered a similar reaction.

It feels as if the scan has "stirred up" my immune system to produce inflammation in muscle and joints in my right leg and right arm.

I'd be grateful to know if you have any similar experience.

7 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

Prev Next
  • jayefick
    jayefick Raymondo1

    Edited

    Oh yes!  I too have suffered 2 different bad reactions now to mri scans without contrast:  The first, the early part of last year:  Horrific pain, deep tissue pain, actual facial and thoracic swelling and terrible migraine.  It began within a few hours after the scan.

    Also, last month, an mri scan without contrast had me suffering an allergic asthma type reaction but with facial swelling as well.  Sore throat, coughing, so badly I had to reschedule the second mri which was to take place immedicately after.  Nervous already for the upcoming.

    Hoping this finds you feeling much better Raymondo1 and any others who have suffered reactions with mris.

    • ian_37136
      ian_37136 jayefick

      Edited

      Hi, I have had 3 head mri's without the contrast dye, and after each I've had worsening of symptoms & immediately afterwards reaction, heavy legs & head, also wierd head pressure and legs and arms, like gravity has increased or an invisible 15 stone person is sat on me, loosing dexterity / mobility in legs and arms/ hands. Have you improved at all since then ?

  • carol_94456
    carol_94456 Raymondo1

    Edited

    Hi

    I've just found this site and very interested in the comments .today I had an MRI scan as I have a fibroid which needs operating on .lastcminute the consultant decided to send me for an MRI scan .during the scan I experienced warmness on my back and pins and needles in my legs feet and arms and hands ..shortly after I've been having lot of headaches I never suffer with headaches ..and arm ache a heaviness I could describe it as and pins and needles ....bfre the MRI I was taking high dose of iron tablet ..have your symptoms since gone ..would be good to know ..if taking any metal detox products helped ..I have chlorella and wondered whether to use it ...interesting what you say about metals in body being disrupted ..any advice be helpful ..

  • Coco14
    Coco14 Raymondo1

    Edited

    I was able to have MRIs and CT Scans before without any problem until recently after developing an "autoimmune like illness" that has not been diagnosed yet. I have had a terrible reactions to both ct and mri without contrast. Half an hour after the scans my body starts to feel heavy, my heart and blood pressure feel strange it lasted for about 2 days it was terrible. Im afraid of telling my doctors because I know they wont believe me.

    • ian_37136
      ian_37136 Coco14

      Edited

      My symptoms unfortunately still remain. I have been to a professor checking for a terminal neurological genetic disease, which thankfully he assures me that I don't have (4 months i was in limbo, convinced my life was over,esp.because the radiologist who reviewed my last MRI said that I showed signs of the disease, and its a hereditary disease, so I thought I had passed it on to my children. Fortunately through a support group, i was referred quickly & not the usual 6 month minimum wait.) My doctor is now investigating other avenues. I have every sympathy with you & others who have to fight and often get told its in our imagination, that's when I point out" how does my imagination make my legs and feet swell up like balloons?" They are also looking at autoimmune, may I ask what has lead to your autoimmune diagnosis ( tests etc?) wishing you well.

    • Coco14
      Coco14 ian_37136

      Posted

      I have not been diagnosed yet unfortunately, but my symptoms seem to be autoimmune with systemic inflammation lungs, neuro, cardiac and random bruising and itchy skin sometimes. Im thinking vasculitis. It all started after a strange infection but everything has been negative.

  • ian_37136
    ian_37136 Raymondo1

    Posted

    Must be very frustrating & worrying for you, I wish you well & hope you can get the answers you need soon, the MRI reactions are a real puzzle, surely this must occur more frequently than what we have seen on just this forum? There should be international sharing of( professional) knowledge on this (& other) subject (s) & patients should be made aware of the possibility of bad reactions, but as with contrast dye problems, the industry are very reluctant to admit any dangers.The trouble I find as a patient,is actually tracking down legitimate medical information and finding the correct search terms to point me in the right direction.

  • sarah81984
    sarah81984 Raymondo1

    Posted

    Had an MRI without contrast. Afterwards, my legs felt like lead and feet hurt a little more than before. I felt exhausted. After a good night’s sleep, I wake up to find I can hardly walk because my lower legs feel very heavy, my muscles are so tight and with knots that were not there the day before, and especially the lower leg and foot that were the focus of the scan. I have been trying to stretch the muscles. I swam yesterday, so if it were due to exercise, then why would only the parts of me that were in the scanner have this problem? None of the rest of the muscles in my body are affected. Just thought I would share the information to echo some of the reports of heaviness and lack of dexterity.

    I found the MRI (without contrast) process to be disturbing due to the fact that I could feel the energy pulsing into my body while the machine was intermittently on. I am not claustrophobic. I had my ankle scanned and thus my lower body, from mid-thigh to toes, was in the scanner. The attendant had to redo one or two of the takes because she said I had moved. I told her that it was involuntary. I could feel the energy coming into my feet and it was causing the muscles to twitch involuntarily. I tried any mental concentration I could to ignore the energy so that my muscles would not twitch but I could not stop most of it.

    • ian_37136
      ian_37136 sarah81984

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply, i hope you feel better soon. I continue to have many NHS problems, Months waiting for life changing tests results that should have been only weeks , asked many times for assistance from pals , only to be let down & sidelined, excuses like a young child would make ,as to why various tests not done or schedule's not kept to made by either them &/or consultant, I'm beyond the end it my Tether, this has been going on ears & as previously mentioned it could be life ending genetic disease, that EVEN WORSE could affect my two children.

  • Gravit
    Gravit Raymondo1

    Posted

    I also felt complications after MRI(without contrast). I had an MRI for my neck and thoracic back region. The whole procedure took about 30 minutes. During the procedure I felt tingling sensations around my neck, also I had strange filling of being weak and some strange fillings in my eyes.

    After the procedure I was very slow, I felt tired and depressed, the more time pass the worse were fillings. I started to feel nauseous and I didn't able to sleep today. I hope it will go away but I read a lot of these bad cases and I fell very bad about this.

    There is no information about any complications caused by MRI except some reports about vertigo and skin burns.

    I thought it is completely safe. I am not glad to I took this procedure. Why there is no information about side effects available on the internet.

    It's not my first time, I did it already but I felt nothing after last cases. It was 1.5 tesla-power machine.

    I don't know if anybody experienced something similar I hope to her the stories about complete relief from you. Thank you.

  • jenny32749
    jenny32749 Raymondo1

    Posted

    I just did yesterday & now I feel my immune response is in overdrive. My stomach is messed up, fatigue & body aches.

  • DeVo
    DeVo Raymondo1

    Posted

    I had a MRI done on my left knee 5 days ago (no contrast). Since then I've woke up every morning feeling like I had a leg workout from hell the previous day (sore leg muscles) and my hips hurting. Takes about 2 hours before I'm not walking like a 90 year old man. By evening only mild discomfort and then I get to start it all over again the following morning. I certainly hope this goes away soon.

  • LisaMary
    LisaMary Raymondo1

    Posted

    I found your article because I had an MRI this morning & am in agony. I am autoimmune, Crohns, Rheumatoid, endometriosis + asthma & many allergies & food allergies. I wear morphine patches. This is not my normal pain - see what tomorrow brings.

  • mo80257
    mo80257 Raymondo1

    Edited

    I had an MRI scan without contrast for my broken wrist over a year ago. During the MRI, I felt massive pressure as if my head was being squeezed. Right after the MRI, I started to have a headache, earache in both ears and Tinnitus in both ears.

    It's been over a year now and Im still suffering from these 3 symptoms daily plus twitching in my scalp and left eye and occasional vertigo. All the doctors I've seen simply dismissed my symptoms as a migraine that's unrelated to the MRI scan which really rubs more salt on the wound.

    Anyone else had or have similar symptoms following an MRI scan?

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.