If you are allergic to the dye they use for CAT scans, then what other alternative dyes do they use, if any?

I had a CAT scan a few years ago and I might need another one. During the first one I had a bad reaction and I'm afraid of having another. I think they dye they used was Iodine dye? Is there some other safer dye they can use? Has anyone ever experienced this?

How long ago was your reaction? What type of reaction (nausea and vomiting or problems breathing)?

Even 5 years ago, ionic contrast was used quite a bit in radiology. Many people had allergic reactions to this contrast. Now a days, most imaging facilities use a non-ionic contrast, and the rate of allergic reactions has dropped significantly.

"The risk of a severe adverse drug reaction is 0.2% for ionic ICM (iodinated contrast media) and 0.04% for nonionic ICM. The risk of a very severe adverse drug reaction is 0.04% for ionic ICM and 0.004% for nonionic ICM."

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic864....

You should talk with a radiologist from the facility where you had the reaction from the contrast. That doctor will know what type of contrast you received and how severe your reaction was. It is possible that you may be able to get significant information from a non-contrast CT scan, or depending on what body part needs to be scanned, possibly you could do an ultrasound or MRI.

I had some jerk doctor tell me you cant be allergic and I almost died.....don't let anyone talk you into doing it ... you know you are allergic....

Tell them send you for the MRI...

Also, they are going to try to tell you they can give you medication so that you wont have a reaction... BS... sorry I sound bitter, but I get so sick of doctors and I remind them all the time they PRACTICE.

I am also allergic to the dye they use and when they couldn't use it during one of my cat scans they sent me for an MRI. It may be the same case with you. Just make sure you let them know that you had a reaction, and what the reaction was when you go to see them.