Just had an angiogram Friday & having more headaches than usual. Is it contrast related? Is there anything I can do besides trying to stay hydrated to help?
Oh and did anyone else have extreme hot/pain in addition to the “warm sensation” they said I’d feel?! I’m no wimp, but it brought tears to my eyes!
Hi Ronnie, I'm very new to this forum and having an AVM diagnosed but after my angiogram my 'normal' headache was worse for a few days after. And yes I also felt intense heat rather than just warmth. I also had extreme nausea when I dye went in. I was almost at the point of having to call the radiologists in during the scan. Cant be of more help than to say after a couple of days I felt a bit better. Keep up the hydration and take care.
I did mine was 3rd November n I’ve had headaches all week .i also had a red hot feeling and mega pain when the contrast was put in at 1 point.im also in real bad pain above the site where the needle was put in which I’m going to see my gp about as I don’t no what’s normal or not x
Hi Ronnie,
Yes, I had a cerebral angiogram a year ago and it hurt like hell. I was told it would be very similar to the CT and wouldn’t feel much… The first dye injection wasn’t too bad but the second two were dreadful. I think the dye that went to my eye area was the worse. The Interventional Radiologist didn’t have a good explanation as to why it hurt as much as it did which was not very reassuring.
Hope you are doing well now.
K.
According to this site, headaches can occur after an angiogram.
I don't remember about any pain because both times I was heavily sedated, so...cant help you there...
My head aches went away after a few days, and I was able to take Tylenol to help as well. I had that hot feeling too, but it quickly went away. The dye gave me some swelling and a rash, but that lasted only a few days as well. Good Luck!
Why can’t I reply? I’ve written like 3times but doesn’t load my cmnts?
Glad it’s not just me @ Dive-girl, I was worried as well when the tech seemed unsure why it hurt so much (I was worried I was allergic) but it went away right after so he let then hit me w another bit of “relaxation medicine” and kept going.
@ No3tym I’m good at the site but I do remember him saying if I felt pain or hardness there that I should call them right away. They did an ultrasound right b4 sending my home because I was really sore there too! Good luck, hopefully u can get in for a quick ultrasound of the groin where it was inserted to make sure it’s ok.
Oh sure, now it does 
Thanks everyone! I think I just had some sort of visual migraine?! I was explaining it to my husband as he was searching my description of a weird half circle prism like shape in my field of vision that turned into a full circle then went away in about 30-40 mins, no pain thank goodness but scary. I feel like a time bomb waiting to go off constantly scared this AVM is going to blow up
Going to keep up w the Tylenol and give it a few days, thanks for the reassurance everyone!!
Ronnie, have you ever had an allergic reaction to contrast??
I’m not the, “Oh my God, run for the hospital!!” type, but that prism/circle may be a reason for real concern.
Ask the doctor just to be sure.
Lord bless & keep you safe.
I've had over 2 dozen of them through the many year. I will say that today they are easier to go through than they were in the 70i's. That being said, they are awful! I've felt the extreme heat and groin pain. I'm no wimp either, but they're just not fun. I've been dealing with this for 41 years, and was only a kid for many of them. Some angiograms seem easier on you than others. Some hurt worse, but they are all uncomfortable and scary. Throughout the decades I have groin pain whenever I get tired or walk too much. 3 years ago I had a craniotomy to remove the stubborn AVM that was inoperable until now. I now have groin pain when I'm tired and feel extreme heat and burnig in my left leg, only when I've done too much and am tired. I'm just glad to still be here to tell the tale! Good luck to you, you can do it.
Hiya,
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the Angio. I was recently diagnosed with a LP Brain AVM and had one about 3 weeks ago. I did have a stronger headache than normal for several days after the test. I also just felt really tired. I still have the femoral bruise and a small lump from a hematoma at the site injection. Hang in there. I can't imagine any of the dye that is used is very good for you. As others have said in the thread, keep hydrating. If it makes you feel any better, I went running yesterday. Something I used to do every other day. So in short, it will get better. My main concern was keeping the femoral area well, as this will be needed for upcoming embolizations. It's described on so many credible sites as a procedure that's non-invasive and easy. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to ask questions of your doctor. I'm certainly not one, but can offer the small help that the test wasn't easy for me either. Keep looking up and don't forget that the AVM and the procedures will be gone at some point.
I’ve had contrast a bunch of time w No problems but Absolutely going to mention it once the doctor calls back. Thanks!
Wow, that’s a lot of angios & so crazy to think of how far they have come since uVe been dealing w urs!!! U must be one tough cookie to keep on keeping on! So happy u are still here to have gotten to a point where were able to advance in medicine to operate, amazes me! Thanks so much for the encouragement and sharing ut story with really keeps me going knowing this will get better!
I’m keeping a water bottle by my side all day, and the Tylenol handy
That’s awesome ur back to running!! I only run a few steps if I’m trying to play off the fact that I lost my balance hahahaa I have tried a few times on the treadmill but I’m worried I’ll end up on YouTube falling off LOL
So true, I need to keep repeating that it WILL be gone someday and I WILL survive this and get stronger. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, so we r one bad @ss group right here!!!
Hi, I had an angiogram last year which turned into a nightmare for me. It was so painful my entire head felt like it was on fire. I ended up staying in the hospital for a few days because I had complications due to symptoms suggestive of a left sided TIA/stroke. The neurosurgeon said that I can’t have any more dye tests. I can remember before the procedure and during, but it’s the hours after that are still a blurr. I did not have headaches but I had what I call star bursts in my eye, especially at night when I lay down. These lasted for about 6 months. If you are unsure about anything you are feeling, talk to your Dr.
Take care,
DeeDee