| Join Our Mailing List |
Home > Dangerous Drugs > Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) > Preventing NSF/NFD
Preventing NSF/NFD: NSF/NFD (nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy) is a very painful, debilitating, and sometimes deadly. It is also entirely preventable. There is no cure, and it is very resistant to treatment. Most of the treatment options which are being explored carry very serious side effects. Because it is a rare condition, most NSF patients, and even most doctors, are not aware of the risk factors and the necessity of prevention.
Click to read the report done by Mike TeSelle, KCRA 3, Sacramento, CA:
"Some Kidney Patients Suffer MRI Poisoning
– Dye Containing Gadolinium Blamed For Problems"
Click to view our video about "Gadolinium Dyes"
Click to view our video about "Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis"
View our NSF brochure for more information
Click to read the report done by Correy E. Stephenson, Lawyers USA:
"Gadolinium litigation heats up"
Impaired renal function and gadolinium – a catastrophic combination
Most often, NSF/NFD develops in patients with advanced kidney disease, who have an MRI or MRA using a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Patients with any level of renal function impairment are at an elevated risk for developing the disease, and should avoid the use of gadolinium if at all possible.
Tests using gadolinium are sometimes necessary, even for those with kidney disease. When this is the case there are several precautions which can minimize the risk of developing NSF/NFD. If you have kidney disease and your doctor recommends that you have an MRI or MRA, find out if your doctor is aware of NSF/NFD, and the various methods of prevention. If your doctor does not take the risks seriously, take no chances, find a doctor who understands the danger you are facing.
Dialysis
Gadolinium is very toxic, but in people with healthy renal function it is quickly removed from the body. Because gadolinium is removed by the kidneys, if your kidneys are not fully functioning, it can stay in your body and cause NSF/NFD.
Once gadolinium has spread throughout your body it is difficult or impossible to remove. Hemodialysis immediately after an MRI or MRA can remove most of the gadolinium, before it has a chance to spread. It takes two or three sessions to remove the toxin, and your doctor should be prepared to start dialysis very quickly after testing.
Initiating dialysis in patients not already using the procedure is risky in itself. It can mean a permanent dependence on the procedure. For some patients, this is not an appropriate means of prevention. Each situation is unique, and each patient must be evaluated individually to determine if the benefits of dialysis outweigh the risks.
Minimum dose
Sometimes the tests can be successful without the use of a contrast agent. You should discuss this option with your doctor. If gadolinium is absolutely necessary, make sure that you are given the lowest possible effective dose. This will maximize the likelihood of eliminating the toxin.
Choosing a brand
No gadolinium-based contrast agent is entirely risk free, but some appear to be more likely to cause NSF/NFD than others. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five gadolinium-based contrast agents. At this time, only three have been linked to NSF/NFD. Omniscan has been tied to the majority of NSF/NFD cases. A few people have developed the disease after using Magnevist and OptiMARK.
If you believe you have developed NSF, we encourage you to contact your doctor for a thorough evaluation. You may need to have a skin biopsy. If you are diagnosed with NSF, you many have a legal claim and should speak with an experienced NSF lawyer to protect your legal rights. Burg Simpson represents NSF victims. We take NSF/NFD claims on a contingency basis, which means that we are paid only if we bring about a recovery for our clients. We have retained national experts in assist us with NSF/NFD litigation. Contact us now to schedule your free confidential consultation with our experienced defective product attorneys.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
The Little-Known Debilitating and Deadly Danger of MRIs
Frequently Asked Questions About
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) Lawsuits
For more information about this topic read "Gadolinium detected in NSF patients body tissues" written by John M. Restaino, Jr., DPM, J.D.
Return to the Dangerous Drugs Section
Return to the Medical Devices Section
Return to the Dangerous Diseases Section
Contact Us
1-888-895-2080
Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. is a law firm serving the Rocky Mountain Region. The firm has offices in Denver, Colorado, Cody, WY, Cincinnati, Ohio, & Phoenix, AZ. The Firm is responsible for the content on the website,this information is not to be interpreted as providing legal services,
nor as proposing any form of legal advice.