What happened to nurse Clare Garrett after her MRI scan?

Clare Garrett developed severe health problems, including mobility issues and head pain, allegedly due to gadolinium used in her MRI scan.

What is gadolinium toxicity and how does it affect people?

Gadolinium toxicity is a rare condition where gadolinium, used as a contrast agent in MRIs, can cause long-term side effects in some individuals.

Can gadolinium from MRIs cause long-term health problems?

While rare, some patients like Clare Garrett have reported severe, long-term health issues, including mobility problems, after gadolinium exposure from MRI scans.

Home / Health / Nurse's MRI Dye 'Poisoned' Her, Causing Wheelchair Dependency

Nurse's MRI Dye 'Poisoned' Her, Causing Wheelchair Dependency

18 Jan

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Summary

Nurse developed severe symptoms after routine MRI scan with gadolinium.
High levels of gadolinium detected 16 months post-injection.
She is now wheelchair-bound 90% of the time due to health issues.

Nurse's MRI Dye 'Poisoned' Her, Causing Wheelchair Dependency

A Surrey nurse, Clare Garrett, alleges that a routine MRI scan, which included a gadolinium-based contrast agent, has left her severely disabled. Garrett, 45, underwent the scan in July 2024 to investigate concussion-like symptoms following a minor head bump. She experienced a rapid decline in health, including neck and knee pain, shortly after the procedure.

Over the subsequent 18 months, Garrett developed numerous health problems, including neurological issues and tachycardia, leading to her being wheelchair-bound for 90% of the time. She discovered information about gadolinium toxicity online and subsequent testing confirmed 'very high' levels of the chemical in her body 16 months after her first injection, significantly longer than the expected 24-hour excretion period.

Garrett, who previously maintained a healthy lifestyle and ran half-marathons, is now fundraising for treatment abroad to remove the gadolinium. She emphasizes that she was not adequately informed about the potential risks associated with the contrast agent and feels her life has been ruined by the experience. She aims to raise awareness about the potential dangers of gadolinium.