Meningioma and MRI: Why I Declined Contrast

Meningioma and MRI: Why I Declined Contrast after careful research. There I sat, holding the appointment for my routine MRI. Every “meningioma warrior” knows that feeling: The mix of anxiety and routine as we check if our uninvited guest is still asleep. But this time, something was different. Every cell in my body was screaming: no.

Meningioma and MRI: Why I Declined Contrast

Analytic by Nature, Intuitive by Heart I’ve always been a curious person. I don’t just “accept” things because they are written in a manual. I’m analytical, I’m an investigator, and I want to understand the why behind every medical decision. Since the day my health journey began with both a meningioma and the autoimmune condition NMOSD, my gut feeling has become my ultimate compass.

From the start, I had this unshakable feeling that nutrition was the key to my recovery. Even when doctors told me that what I ate had “zero impact” on my optic nerve or my autoimmune flares, I didn’t back down. I dove into international research, looking beyond the borders of the Netherlands, because I knew there was more to the story.

Meningioma & MRI: Why I Declined Contrast

When I told my doctor I wanted to skip the contrast agent (Gadolinium), he was honest: according to the medical playbook, an MRI with contrast is the only way to be 100% sure about tumor growth. But I wasn’t looking for a playbook; I was looking for what was best for my body.

We compromised. Instead of the MRI with contrast, we did an OCT scan (an advanced 3D eye scan). It monitors my optic nerves for any signs of pressure. It was a good moment of “middle ground”. His medical expertise meeting my intuition.

The Truth About Contrast Agents

My analytical mind couldn’t ignore the research on Gadolinium. While many hospitals still claim it leaves your body instantly, international studies (like those in the journal Radiology) show that traces of this heavy metal can actually deposit in the brain. With a delicate immune system like mine, why would I risk triggering a flare just for a “standard” scan?

Meningioma & MRI: Why I Declined Contrast

Fueling Health: Benign Doesn’t Mean Passive I refuse to just “wait and see.” I choose to “act and support.” There is a growing body of science. Like reports in Frontiers in Oncology, showing that we can influence the environment of a benign tumor through an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. By cutting out the “fuel” like refined sugars and processed fats, we create a body where balance can thrive.

This is exactly why I’m pouring my heart into my upcoming e-cookbook. I want to show you how I use food as medicine. For example, my ‘Golden’ Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie: it’s a mix of coconut milk, turmeric, a banana, fresh ginger, and blueberries. It’s not just a breakfast; it’s a daily choice to keep my system calm and strong.

CEO of your own health

Being a patient with a “laundry list” of diagnoses can make you feel powerless, but you aren’t. You are the CEO of your own health. By combining a sharp, analytical mind with a deep respect for your intuition, you take the power back. I feel more vibrant and in balance today than ever before. Not by following every rule blindly, but by listening to the science that speaks to my heart, mind and soul.

Scientific Resources:

• Gadolinium Retention in Brain Tissue: McDonald, R. J., et al. (2015). Intracranial Gadolinium Deposition after Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging. Radiology. Link to Study
• Anti-inflammatory Diet & Benign Tumors: Klement, R. J., et al. (2020). Anti-inflammatory diets and the metabolic management of benign and malignant neoplasia. Nutrients. Link to Study
• Diet and the Tumor Microenvironment: Klement, R. J. (2017). The emerging role of ketogenic diet in cancer treatment. Frontiers in Oncology. Link to Study
• Curcumin and Immune Support: Ivy Brain Tumor Center. Exploring the role of Curcumin in Brain Tumor therapy. Link to Resource
• Safety of Gadolinium Agents: European Medicines Agency (EMA). Final opinion on the use of gadolinium agents in body scans. Link to Resource

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