A fit and healthy nurse from Surrey claims she was poisoned by the dye used in a routine MRI scan, leaving her wheelchair-bound. Clare Garrett, 45, accidentally hit her head on a kitchen cupboard while pet-sitting in June 2024. After experiencing concussion-like symptoms, she opted for a private MRI to avoid NHS waiting times.
Before the scan, she was injected with gadolinium, a contrast agent that typically leaves the body within 24 hours. The next day, she woke unable to lift her head from the pillow and soon felt a 'crunching' sensation in her neck and knees. She underwent two more MRI scans with gadolinium and later developed a heart condition.
Over 18 months, her health deteriorated further, leading to severe neurological issues, cervical spine instability, tachycardia, dysautonomia, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and regular collapsing. She now uses a wheelchair 90% of the time and suffers from severe head pain. Tests revealed 'very high' levels of gadolinium in her body 16 months after the first injection.
Clare, who previously ran half-marathons, is fundraising for treatment abroad to remove the gadolinium. She said: 'I wasn't told about the risks. I was told it would be removed within 48 hours. It feels like it's taking my life away.' The NHS states side effects from gadolinium are very rare and usually mild.
