During COVID people were losing their minds about one in a million chance of complications caused by vaccination. I did some research (but actually), and found that that’s comparable to the rate of complications for any use of an injected drug or even saline. Just piercing the skin with a tiny needle is a “medical procedure” with a non-zero risk, especially in the elderly and the immunocompromised.
I had a couple of MRIs recently and got curious about gadolinium contrast. Again, there is a non-zero risk, but if you eliminate the cohort with reduced kidney function and those getting regular repeated MRIs, the risk is comparable to the use of an I/V, which is how it’s administered.
The only thing that upset me was that the staff didn’t ask me verbally about kidney issues to double-check. They also didn’t remind me to drink a bunch of water to flush it out of my system. (Some articles recommend administering a diuretic.)
For that matter they didn’t check me properly form metal fragments either!
Similarly, I’ve had vaccinations administered where I had to remind the doctor to clean the area with alcohol first and to tap the syringe to get rid of the bubbles.
Bad procedures are more dangerous than the drugs being administered!
The risk with gadolinium is that it is never fully removed from your system and if you are allergic to it, it means a PERMANENT whole body allergic reaction. Skin itching and incurable chronic pain. It has nothing to do with kidney function.
I got familliar with this condition by a random persons blog who go affected by this during normal MRI and also didn't expect to be part of 1-2%. Unfortunately the blog is now gone, and that post now only lives inside my RSS reader.
Well no one should get MRIs with contrast for fun. Moreover, doctors regularly use contrast off label.
My dad was in this industry when nsf first came out. We would be dragged along to after hours family things at conferences. Doctors openly said they gave contrast off label at dosages not approved by the FDA for organ systems not approved by the Fda. Even children. I'm sure they had their reasons, but I'm also sure they never disclosed the possibility of nsf and just told parents their kids needed it, because they admitted it.
I had a couple of MRIs recently and got curious about gadolinium contrast. Again, there is a non-zero risk, but if you eliminate the cohort with reduced kidney function and those getting regular repeated MRIs, the risk is comparable to the use of an I/V, which is how it’s administered.
The only thing that upset me was that the staff didn’t ask me verbally about kidney issues to double-check. They also didn’t remind me to drink a bunch of water to flush it out of my system. (Some articles recommend administering a diuretic.)
For that matter they didn’t check me properly form metal fragments either!
Similarly, I’ve had vaccinations administered where I had to remind the doctor to clean the area with alcohol first and to tap the syringe to get rid of the bubbles.
Bad procedures are more dangerous than the drugs being administered!