Veterinary Nurse Left Disabled After MRI Contrast Dye Poisoning
A previously fit and healthy veterinary nurse from Surrey has been left severely disabled after suffering poisoning from a contrast dye used during multiple MRI scans. Clare Garrett, a 45-year-old from Camberley, experienced a dramatic decline in her health following injections of gadolinium, a chemical agent designed to enhance imaging clarity.
Head Injury Precedes Medical Ordeal
The sequence of events began in June 2024 when Ms Garrett accidentally struck her head while pet-sitting. 'I hit my head on a kitchen cupboard door,' she recalled. 'I stood up and smacked the back of my head. I didn't think anything of it until symptoms developed over the following weeks.' Initial symptoms included dizziness and sensations resembling concussion, prompting her to visit her local Accident and Emergency department.
Private MRI Scans and Gadolinium Administration
When her symptoms persisted without improvement, Ms Garrett opted for a private MRI scan the following month. Before the procedure, medical staff injected her with gadolinium, a contrast agent that radiologists routinely use to obtain clearer diagnostic images. According to standard medical guidance, this substance should be naturally eliminated from the body within 24 to 48 hours in patients with normal kidney function.
The day after her first MRI scan, however, Ms Garrett woke up unable to lift her head from her pillow. She soon began experiencing alarming new symptoms, including a disturbing 'crunching' sensation in her neck and knees. 'Something felt very, very off,' she described. 'I didn't know what was going on. I was in a panic.'
Rapid Health Deterioration and Multiple Scans
Concerned by her worsening condition, Ms Garrett underwent two additional MRI scans, both involving further gadolinium injections. Her health deteriorated catastrophically following these procedures. She developed a complex array of serious medical conditions, including:
- A significant heart condition
- Severe neurological issues
- Cervical spine instability
- Tachycardia and dysautonomia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Connective tissue disorders
- Regular collapsing episodes
- Debilitating exhaustion
From Marathon Runner to Wheelchair User
Before this medical crisis, Ms Garrett maintained an exceptionally active and healthy lifestyle. 'I had a really healthy diet and ran five times a week,' she said. 'I was running up to half-marathons regularly.' The contrast with her current situation could not be more stark. She now uses a wheelchair approximately 90 percent of the time due to profound mobility issues and severe, constant head pain.
'It's got to the stage where I'm collapsing almost daily now,' Ms Garrett revealed. 'My partner will often come home from work and find me on the floor. All my connective tissue has fallen apart. I can walk, but it's very difficult—the pressure in my head gets quite severe. I'm in a lot of pain; there's no quality of life.'
Discovery of Gadolinium Toxicity
Baffled by her sudden decline, Ms Garrett began researching her symptoms online and discovered information about gadolinium toxicity—a rare but potentially devastating long-term side effect of the contrast agent. Subsequent medical testing revealed shocking results: sixteen months after her initial injection, her body still contained 'very high' levels of gadolinium.
'I had no idea what was going on with me until I began my research this year,' she stated. 'I wasn't told about the risks. I was told it would be removed from my body within 48 hours, but blood tests now show it's still very high a year and a half later. I feel like I was poisoned by this chemical. It feels like it's taking my life away. I feel like death.'
NHS Guidance and Raising Awareness
The National Health Service states that side effects or allergic reactions to gadolinium are very rare and typically mild and short-lasting. For patients with normal kidney function, over 90 percent of the substance should be excreted in urine within 24 hours. Ms Garrett's case appears to represent an exceptionally unusual adverse reaction.
Determined to address her situation, Ms Garrett is now focused on two primary goals: reversing the damage caused by the dye and raising public awareness about potential risks associated with gadolinium-based contrast agents. She is also fundraising to cover the substantial costs of future treatment aimed at removing the gadolinium from her system.
Financial and Personal Toll
The ordeal has exacted a heavy financial and personal toll. 'It's probably cost me £45,000 overall in the past 18 months,' Ms Garrett estimated. She is exploring treatment options with specialists abroad, acknowledging that the gadolinium may not leave her body naturally after this extended period. 'I'm just hoping this therapy works,' she said. 'I really hope I'm not wheelchair-bound for life. It's completely ruined my life.'
Ms Garrett concludes with a powerful warning for others: 'I know it's a rare reaction, but people should be told the risks. I definitely wouldn't have gone ahead with it if I'd known the dangers.' Her story highlights the critical importance of informed consent and awareness of even the rarest potential complications in medical procedures.
